A Diagnosis at Eight Years Old
Laurie received her type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis at just eight years old in March of 1961, becoming the only member of her family with the chronic autoimmune condition. At a time when there was little public knowledge and no real sense of community around T1D, she faced her diagnosis with courage, determination, and a desire to live her life fully.
A Time Before Pumps and CGMs
In the early days of her T1D journey, there were no disposable syringes, insulin pumps, or continuous glucose monitors. Laurie remembers her mother boiling syringes each day to sterilize them for her daily insulin injections. Laurie later learned how to give herself injections at Camp NYDA, a former sleepaway camp run by the New York Diabetes Association.
Glucometers and disposable syringes were among the first major breakthroughs that made managing diabetes in daily life more feasible for Laurie. About 25 years ago, she went on her first insulin pump, and a few years later, she started using a continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM)—which she still uses today.
Fighting for Visibility and Acceptance
Laurie believes the social progress surrounding T1D has been just as meaningful as the medical advances.
She recalls being excluded from school activities like cheerleading in junior high school, and her and her father going directly to the school board for permission to try out for the swim team.
“In the 60s up until the early 70s, diabetics had no rights.”
It wasn’t until her twenties, in the mid to late 70s, that Laurie began to notice a shift. As awareness and visibility around T1D began to grow, with the introduction of the glucometer, she finally felt more confident opening up about her condition, especially with her closest friends.
A Life of Advocacy and Action
With the support of her loving husband and daughter, Laurie has been able to navigate the ups and downs of life with T1D. Now, six decades later, she’s channeling that energy into her advocacy and volunteer work—proudly walking in support of Breakthrough T1D’s mission to accelerate T1D breakthroughs and cures.
Laurie singlehandedly rallied a close-knit group of family and lifelong friends to join her Walk team for more than two decades, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge each year in matching t-shirts emblazoned with her team’s name inspired by her diaversary. This year, her team name will read “64 Years and Counting.”
“I’m proud that I have lived this long with it, so I kind of want to scream it out.”
A Role in Groundbreaking Research
Her lived experience also became part of something even bigger: she is a Joslin Hero, participating in the Joslin Diabetes Center’s 50-Year Medalist Study. Laurie is one of 1,000 participants helping researchers identify protective factors that may prevent or delay complications like eye and kidney disease. She continues to take part in the study today and travels to Boston every two years to learn more about their research and its findings.
Outside of her advocacy, Laurie continues to live boldly—traveling, laughing, and exploring the world with four of her friends. They call themselves the “Barcelona Girls,” a nod to their first big trip together.
Laurie’s Message to the T1D Community
If there’s one message Laurie hopes to share with the T1D community, it’s this:
Be proud of how long you’ve lived with T1D, knowing that science is on your side. Take full advantage of the technological advancements and support that are available and be proud of the strong, resilient community you’re part of.