Robert Gawley remembers the exact date of his type 1 diabetes diagnosis: June 30, 1962. It was the day before doctors at his nearest hospital went on strike.
His physician, Dr. Paul Schwan, admitted him after diagnosing him through a glucose tolerance test. While other patients were being sent home, Robert spent two weeks in the hospital during the strike, where he received care.
At that time, diabetes management involved one insulin shot per day. Robert learned to administer insulin by practicing on an orange before injecting himself. The process was lengthy, and the tools were primitive.
Robert’s insulin shots were far less advanced than today’s. He used glass syringes and needles that he had to sharpen himself with emery paper. Traveling made managing his diabetes challenging.
From litmus paper to continuous monitors
Robert carried glass syringes and stainless steel holders filled with alcohol for sterilization. “It burned every time I inserted the needle,” he recalled. Later, he switched to a spring-loaded injector and disposable needles obtained from a friend in the medical field.
Monitoring blood sugar was equally rudimentary. Robert used litmus paper to test his urine while traveling. Over the decades, he witnessed the evolution from home glucose meters and test strips to continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems.
Robert’s grandson, Nate, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around age nine. While he didn’t experience the same extent of changes, his care has also evolved significantly. Nate started with long-acting N insulin in the morning and later added short-acting R insulin, eventually taking multiple shots daily.
Today, he uses an insulin pump and a blood sugar sensor, which he describes as “pretty darn close to almost being its own little pancreas.”
Read Also: Doctor Shortage Hinders Disability Claims for Vulnerable Canadians
These technologies have transformed his daily life. As an elementary physical education teacher and father of two active boys, Nate no longer needs to pause his activities to manage his diabetes. “I just roll over, look at my phone, and see what my blood sugar is,” he said.
The sensors also alert Nate when his blood sugar drops, triggering an alarm “like a police siren.” While this can be disruptive, especially at night or during work, it has become a normal part of his routine.
Robert, on the other hand, still relies on a blood glucose monitor and needles for his insulin. He hasn’t adopted an insulin pump, finding his current method sufficient. “I get along fine with my little meter and the sensor,” he said.
The enduring importance of support
Throughout his journey, Robert has relied on organizations like Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association), family, and friends. He has given back to the diabetes community, serving as Branch Chairman on the Saskatchewan Division Board and participating in advocacy and fundraising efforts.
Both Robert and Nate have worked with Pump Couture, a national fundraising fashion show that celebrates people living with diabetes. The event raises money to send children to Diabetes Camps, combat stigma, and build community.
Nate credits his “incredible support system” for helping him manage his diagnosis. Growing up with family members who had diabetes, including Robert, prepared him for his own journey. “I was born into this little diabetes community, and not a lot of people have that,” he said.
Family and Community Support Shape Diabetes Journeys
Robert and Nate’s experiences highlight the role of family and community in managing diabetes. Robert stresses the importance of following advice from healthcare professionals and having a partner involved in the process. Nate’s early exposure to diabetes through family members, including Robert, provided him with a unique understanding of the condition before his own diagnosis.
