Joyce Dalley Wilson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January 1971.

Mrs Joyce Dalley Wilson from Knaresborough, (pictured left with husband Cliff  at a ceremony at Ripon Cathedral in June 2005 to celebrate 50 years of marriage),  was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January 1971 at the age of 37.

When Joyce visited her GP in the winter of 1971, he suspected it was diabetes and referred her to a specialist.

Within hours she was taken into hospital and remained there for three weeks.

On discharge Joyce was on two injections per day, relying on urine tests to determine blood glucose levels but later moved on to a blood testing machine.

Two years ago she attended a DAFNE course, (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating), following which she was introduced to the pen syringe and now injects four times per day.

Joyce said: Having diabetes has taught me to live one day at a time. However, it has never stopped me planning ahead or doing anything I wanted to do. I have travelled many thousands of miles since being diagnosed and never found it to be a hindrance.

At 74 years of age I am thankful not to have developed any of the serious conditions resulting from long- term diabetes. I feel this is down to the care and encouragement from my diabetes nursing staff and perhaps in some small way my approach to the illness.

I have drawn much strength from my Christian faith which has been a great source of comfort. In particular my husband, Cliff, has been an enormous support and together we have kept the condition under control. When first diagnosed the specialist said, ‘don’t let it rule your life’ and this has been my motto to this day.