- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Nov. 24, 2010
A life not defined by diabetes
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
During this Thanksgiving season, I'd like to pay a small tribute to Gladys Dulls. Who's Gladys Dulls? She's one of the first people with type 1 diabetes to take insulin, following insulin's discovery in 1922. She's also one of the longest survivors with type 1 diabetes.
In November 1924, at the age of seven, Gladys became deathly ill and was diagnosed with diabetes. Gladys was instructed to eat meat and avoid carbohydrates in an attempt to control her blood glucose. At this time, insulin had just been discovered, but very few physicians had access to the new miracle drug.
Gladys' family scraped together enough money for a train trip to Rochester, Minn., and took Gladys to the Mayo Clinic. Gladys received her first insulin injection and has since taken 60,000 + more. By 2007, Gladys had been on insulin therapy for 83 years — longer than any person in history. Gladys didn't let diabetes slow her down. She got married, had a son, worked part-time for 30 years in a portrait studio, and was a snowmobile rider and hiker.
After doing some internet research, it appears Gladys passed away in 2008 at the age of 91. If anyone knows anything different, please let me know. Gladys attributed her longevity to her rigorous self-discipline. She said, "I am careful to eat the right foods and to not eat too much food." Genetics also played a role in protecting her against diabetes complications.
Here's to you, Gladys Dull, for the strength and courage to lead a life not defined by your diabetes.
Your thoughts?
Have a good week.
-Nancy
6 comments posted
July 25, 2011 12:51 p.m.
I read about Gladys after a particularly difficult day. I have been diabetic for almost 60 years and I am living a very active life with no complications. My aunt Kathleen, who I am named for, died in her early 20's from diabetes as the new insulin could not be obtained fast enough to save her life. Diabetes takes lots of work and self control abut diabetes can also lead to a wonderful and particulary healthy life. Kate
- Kate
March 9, 2011 10:30 p.m.
Everyone talks about the bad effects that diabetes will have on our lives. No one says that if you manage diabetes well that you may only experience few detrimental effects such as amputations, blindness, etc, Doctors are often the first to throw a diabetic patient under-the-bus. Insist on the best treatment for wounds and do your part to keep blood sugars low. Never give up on controlling the condition, We are only human so don't punish yourself for this condition. Personally I insist on NOT being called a 'diabetic.' A nurse comes in the room and asks, "Are you A diabetic?" I answer NO. I am a lady, a human being still with a disease called diabetes. Calling someone a diabetic is creating a new entity that may not be human. I guess my point is I am still Judy, the same person I was before my diagnosis of diabetes. I am still human and my life continues. I refuse to be defined by diabetes which, is an illness and never should be used to define the human being sitting in the examination room or hospital bed. Diabetes enters a life like a whirlwind and it changes one's life quickly. Don't let jargon comfortable for medical professionals strip away who you are.
- Judy
December 8, 2010 8:55 p.m.
I just lost my Grandmother; she was 84 and gave herself insulin for 50 years. It is very comforting that when I start likely in the next two weeks that there is a chance for longevity if you are smart about your actions.
- Randall
December 1, 2010 8:54 p.m.
What a wonderful blog post, we can all learn from her example. Thankfully we have come a long way since 1922 in terms of medicine and knowledge.
- Stuart
December 1, 2010 3:55 p.m.
Very inspiring.A beacon of hope to all diabetic sufferers who are disciplined and determined to be in control and not the other way round as shown by gladys dulls.
- tunde
November 27, 2010 1:40 a.m.
thanks for the article what a remarkable lady.dont suppose she left any diet sheets around ?
- steve
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