Episode 107: A Lifetime of Type 1, with Richard Vaughn

Diagnosed at age 6, Richard Vaughn has lived with it for over 75 years now. Richard joined us on the podcast to talk about his experience with so many years of T1D.

The most surprising thing I learned? Richard did not know his blood sugar for 40 years.

Now, age 81, he has very few complications or health problems related to T1D. Richard is a wealth of information for any T1D and their families.

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He’s one of the most positive voices I see in the diabetes Facebook groups. He regularly posts long-form posts about his life with type 1, the lessons he’s learned, with pictures to go along with it! I’ve wanted to talk with Richard on the pod for a while, and now here we are!

Meet Richard Vaughn

Richard Vaughn joins us to share his experience with over 75 years with type 1 diabetes and his wisdom for all the T1Ds out there.

Richard Vaughn, born in 1939, diagnosed with T1D at age 6... just 24 years after Banting & Best discovered insulin.

Now he is super involved in the diabetes Facebook groups, regularly sharing his experience and advice.

Click here to connect with Richard on Facebook.

Also! Richard wrote a book in 2010 covering his first 64 years with Type 1 Diabetes, called Beating The Odds: 64 Years of Diabetes Health. Buy it on Amazon today! (affiliate link)

Wins & Fails

Jessie was out for this episode, so Colleen has the win and the fail.

Win: I changed my site between calls when I noticed that my blood sugar was getting stubborn at the high-line. I only had a few minutes, but it was the right decision since I started coming down pretty soon after.

Fail: The smoke and wildfire system in Montana (at the time of this recording). It’s been keeping me from hiking.

Hack or Tip of the Week

Share your story with someone. It doesn’t have to be on a platform like this, or even in a diabetes group on Facebook or even The Diabetes App—it can just be a friend or a coworker.

Sharing your story means you don't have to hold it by yourself and feel so alone. Sometimes opening up can ease the stress of this condition.