Westbury woman’s award for 50 years living with diabetes

FOLLOWING an article in the last White Horse News, another Westbury resident has been awarded the Nabarro medal for managing diabetes for over 50 years.

Lorenda Matthews was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was just four years old. Now 58, Lorenda received the Nabarro award at a routine checkup in Warminster last month.

Lorenda said, “It was very nice to receive the award and to be praised. It’s not something I really think about; you just get on with your life and take things for granted – to be told it’s a great achievement to have stayed so healthy is humbling.

“I don’t feel diabetes has affected my quality of life much. Aside from a few episodes of ill health I’ve led a fulfilling life. I’ve worked, had an active social life, married, and had two daughters who have given me five grandchildren.

“The diabetes is very well under control, and the only real deterioration has been in my eyesight, but it’s not drastic. The difference in treatments and attitudes towards diabetes now are so different to when I was a child. There is more awareness, and a much wider range of food options available.

“To anyone in the same situation as me I would say you should be proud of yourselves. Staying healthy doesn’t seem like a big deal in daily life, but to manage the condition well is worthy of praise.”

Lorenda continues to spend her time caring for her grandchildren and, as she approaches her 59th birthday in May, is nearing the Robert Lawrence Medal for those who have managed diabetes for 60 years.

Alan Nabarro OBE, after whom the medal is named,  waged a lifelong battle against discrimination against people with diabetes before his death in 1977. To find out more about diabetes and the awards given to sufferers, go to www.diabetes.org.uk.