UK woman receives medal after living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years

A woman has received the Alan Nabarro medal to recognise her living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years.
Julie Higgins (pictured, centre), from Dilton Marsh in Wiltshire, was diagnosed with the condition aged four and has been injecting insulin every day since.
The 54-year-old was presented with the Diabetes UK award at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
The medal is given to people who have had diabetes for 50 years to recognise their “courage and perseverance” in managing diabetes. The accolade is named after Alan Nabarro, who dedicated his life to preventing discrimination against people with diabetes.
Speaking to the Wiltshire Times newspaper, Mrs Higgins said: “It was lovely to be awarded with the medal, especially as my whole family were there.
“Living with type 1 diabetes isn’t easy and I’ve faced lots of challenges over the years but better healthcare and medical advances have made it easier to live with.
“Instead of having to boil syringes and needles before using them, for example, I now carry a pen around in my bag which makes things so much more convenient.
Diabetes specialist Lesley Amer said: “It’s becoming more and common for people to be given the Alan Nabarro medal which is great as it shows that people with type 1 diabetes are living longer.
“I would like to say a huge congratulations to Julie, who always gets on with it and never moans.”
Diabetes UK have other medals, which are all named after a leading figure in the diabetes community, to present to people who have had type 1 diabetes for 60, 70 and 80 years.
Picture: Wiltshire Times