On the outside, you wouldn’t know what this crowd has in common. – Tristatehomepage.com

On the outside, you wouldn't know what this crowd has in common.

"I thought everybody had diabetes when I was a kid because I had it when I was a year and a half old," Tim Alcorn says. Tim has been managing his type 1 diabetes for 61 years.

Looking in, the group is just a small number of the millions of people affected by type 1 diabetes.

Tim's wifeBecki Alcornsays,"It's nice to know there are that many people out there that can manage and manage well and to know there's that much life left for everybody."

For 10, 25, 50 and even 75 years...and multiple insulin shots a day, patients with type 1 diabetes were recognized with a Lilly Diabetes Journey Award.

Sean Kinslerhas been managing his diabetes for 35 years. He says, "It's kind of nice to be able to say I made it this long and I'm going to continue to make it as long as I can make it."

"I'm happy to be here and I'm very proud actually to make it 61 years," Tim says.

Local award recipients join the thousands of individuals who have received the honor since the award was first established in 1975.

"It's wonderful because anybody who doesn't have diabetes doesn't realize what he or anyone with diabetes has to do just to be able to live," Becki says.

"The doctors used to joke and say 'Oh yeah you'll be in a wheel chair you'll lose a leg your eyesight and all this stuff you have to be worried about," Kinsler says. "I said 'Doctor...not me bud, just wait I'm going to prove you wrong.'"

Some say seeing others functioning so well with the same disease gives them a personal goal. Others, thankful for the insulin pumps that have helped them live so long. Most patients, lifting their hats, or insulin pumps to a virtual toast.

"I appreciate the day and I appreciate being able to be one that gets an award," Kinsler says.

This is the first time Deaconess held the celebration and staff says they plan to continue doing these awards annually.

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On the outside, you wouldn't know what this crowd has in common. - Tristatehomepage.com