SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT KRAMER

Until quite recently, diabetics were told in so many ways that they would not live as long as other people. Even the doctors assumed the disease inevitably meant a shortened lifespan. But if you look, if you ask, you find "it's not necessarily so."

Robert Kramer, from La Grange, Illinois, has had diabetes since he was 16. That was in 1934. It didn't slow him down. He was in the foundry business for eight years, and a salesman for another 35. Up 'til age 70, he "played golf, and did everything else." He continued driving a car "until five or six years ago."

In the last few years his diabetes has begun to catch up with him. He is dealing with some neuropathy and some vision loss, but "outside all that, I'm in great shape!"

He credits his long period without complications to his exercise program ("I think exercise is about the most important thing to do") and to not cheating on his diet ("if you cheat, you're only hurting yourself"). "No smoking or drinking," he adds, "and, for me, lots of golf." To his healthy lifestyle he adds his vitamin supplements, and of course his positive outlook.

There is nothing quite like a positive example. Robert Kramer has had type I diabetes since the early days; and even remembers PZT insulin, a type no longer made! Think how much diabetes care has improved since; you should certainly do as well.