Beating the Odds: 64 Years of Diabetes Health

This is the story of my 64 years with diabetes. It gives my diabetes history and some of my autobiography. Online friends have wanted to know what it was like to be a diabetic in the 1940's and beyond. This will be explored here and carried to the present day. Many topics are discussed, including causes of Type 1 diabetes, how some Type 1 diabetics have lived so long without complications, the Joslin Medalist Program and my participation in the Joslin Medalist Study. There are many pictures dating as far back as the 1930's. My online blogs of my past have been very popular. Hundreds of replies say I have given inspiration and hope for the future of many of my diabetic readers and their families. My hope is that I can do the same for those of you who read this book.

Born in Roanoke, VA on Sept.10, 1939 1945 - Diagnosed with diabetes 1957 - Graduated at Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, VA 1961 - Earned BS degree in Mathematics at Roanoke College, Salem, VA 1963 - Earned MS degree in Statistics at VA Tech in Blacksburg, VA 1963 - First full time college teaching position at Bridgewater College, VA 1964 - Married Anita Ellis from Falls Church, VA 1966 - Birth of first son, David Vaughn 1969 - Birth of second son Gary Vaughn 1970 - Family moved to Kingston, NY 1970 - Began teaching at Ulster County Community College, Stone Ridge, NY 1990 - Promoted to Professor 1997 - Retired from teaching 2003 - Birth of grand daughter, Vanessa 2006 - 2009 - Joined diabetes websites and gave help to many diabetics, shared my experiences and past with support group members 2007 - Birth of grandson, Jason 2008 - My series of blogs online became an ebook on diabetesdaily.com 2008 - Appeared in an article in the Diabetes Forecast magazine 2009 - Received the Joslin Medal for 50 years of living with Type 1 diabetes 2009 - Participated in the Joslin Medalist Study in Boston