Derry woman Lily O’Donnell awarded Diabetes UK Medal for succesfully managing her diabetes for 70 years

Lily O’Donnell a resident of Brooklands Nursing Home Derry/Londonderry has this week been recognised with a Diabetes UK Medal for managing her diabetes for 70 years. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes from the early age of nine, Lily has lived with this condition most of her life and has been fortunate enough to experience no major complications - an achievement to say the least! In the early stages of Lily’s diagnosis, the availability of technical equipment to aid her management was scarce. Everything from her daily routine to her diet had to be strictly monitored, with a fixed insulin dose regularly each day. Her means and ways of insulin were large glass syringes and needles that had to be sterilised for each single use. At this time insulin was a relatively new drug as it was only developed around 80 years ago, therefore knowledge and information was limited. In today’s modern age a variety of insulins exist. As a young girl, Lily was not allowed any of her favourite sweets, chocolates, biscuits or treats. Fortunately for those who living with this condition today insulin doses can be tailored to allow for such treats. For Lily eating these sugary foods was strictly not allowed as she would have been at risk of severe illness. As Lily’s life progressed she was supported by local healthcare professionals. In recent years she was under the attentive care of Western Trust Diabetes consultants and specialist nurses. She was also keenly supported by her husband Tommy who sadly passed away a few years ago. Tommy loved Lily dearly and had a major influence in helping and managing her diabetes. Regardless of time and advancements, life for Lily would have been very regimented and controlled by her diabetes and is still challenging today. Having lived with diabetes for 70 years, Lily has been awarded a Diabetes UK medal. The medal recognises the courage and perseverance of living with diabetes, in which Lily has proudly achieved. Maurice O’Kane, Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Western Health and Social Care Trust commented on Lily’s achievement saying; “Lily has had Type 1 diabetes since childhood with her treatment entailing daily injections of insulin and careful attention to her diet. Hailed as a miracle drug, patients who suffered this condition before the introduction of insulin died soon after their diagnosis.” Maurice continued; “Lily has been taking daily insulin injections for the last 70 years and I congratulate her for looking after her diabetes so well for so many years - a truly wonderful achievement.” Lily told us about her achievement saying; “Over the years all my consultants and health care professionals were so good to me, I always got the best treatment. I am so honoured and pleased to receive this UK Diabetes Medal today, thank-you!.”