By Jessica Micallef
A Gisborne great-grandmother hasn’t let diabetes get in the way of living her best life.
Evelyn Dunstan was presented with the Kellion Victory Medal last month for her ability to live a healthy and full life with diabetes for six decades.
Ms Dunstan was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] when she was 10-years-old.
“I had been very sick for probably 12 months until I couldn’t go to school any more,” she said.
“I was with a GP for the latter part of the time. He would keep prescribing whatever and of course nothing worked.”
Ms Dunston said the GP one day recommended Ms Dunston be taken to the childrens hospital immediately.
“They drove me there and I lost consciousness … I probably wouldn’t have lasted another day. They popped an IV in straight away.”
Ms Dunstan has since learned to manage her diabetes.
“You carefully look at what you’re eating, that has to be according with your dose of insulin,” she said. “I have at least five [doses] a day. I do constant blood tests – they are terrific. You go by what your blood tests say and your insulin intake. It’s very regimented.
“Growing up at school I played sport, I did everything everybody else did.”
Ms Dunstan is the proud mother of two sons, grandmother to five and great-grandmother to one. She credited her husband Rob and her late mother for helping her throughout the years.
Ms Dunstan said it was an honour to be presented with the award. “I am very proud. To think I’ve had [it] for 60 years is amazing.”
