In an exclusive five-part series, Bridget tells Diabetes UK why she encouraged her 87-year-old father, Jim Nicholls – who also had Type 1 – to record his experiences of living with diabetes in the late 1920s.
In his recordings, Jim – who died at the age of 90 in 2001 – talks about his early diagnosis, and then about being under the care of Dr RD Lawrence, who co-founded Diabetes UK along with the novelist HG Wells. During 1928 and 1930, Jim also meticulously kept diaries of his early diagnosis and treatment.
During this ongoing series published over two months, you can also read Bridget's recollections of her own diabetes throughout childhood, during motherhood; and how her father’s legacy still influences her today.
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Bridget Wilkins and her father Jim NichollsRead the first of our five-part series about Bridget, who has had diabetes for 60 years, and her father, who was diagnosed in 1928.Read the first of our five-part series about Bridget, who has had diabetes for 60 years, and her father, who was diagnosed in 1928.Find out moreFind out more
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Jim's storyHear Jim talking about his memories of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, being put on a six-week starvation diet and his treatment under the care of Dr RD Lawrence.Hear Jim talking about his memories of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, being put on a six-week starvation diet and his treatment under the care of Dr RD Lawrence.Find out moreFind out more
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Bridget's diagnosis in 1951In the third instalment of our series, Bridget talks about her own diagnosis in 1951, and how her father’s support guided her through childhood.In the third instalment of our series, Bridget talks about her own diagnosis in 1951, and how her father’s support guided her through childhood.Find out moreFind out more
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Bridget recalls life as a young adult and then about being a motherIn our fourth instalment, Bridget recalls her experiences of having diabetes as a young adult in the Sixties and becoming a mother in the 1980s.In our fourth instalment, Bridget recalls her experiences of having diabetes as a young adult in the Sixties and becoming a mother in the 1980s.Find out moreFind out more
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Bridget todayBridget, 69, talks about living with diabetes and how her father’s legacy still influences her today.Bridget, 69, talks about living with diabetes and how her father’s legacy still influences her today.Find out moreFind out more
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Changing attitudes towards diabetesIn our audio slideshow, Bridget reflects on the changing attitudes towards diabetes over the past 60 years.In our audio slideshow, Bridget reflects on the changing attitudes towards diabetes over the past 60 years.Find out moreFind out more
