SOLON, Ohio — Teddy Hutchison, a playful four-year-old, is like any other child when it comes to snack time. With his twin brother, Harvey, by his side, Teddy is counting snacks, giggling as he tallies each treat. But what sets Teddy’s snack time apart is the extra step his mother, Lynne, must take to manage his type 1 diabetes.
A dietitian by profession, Lynne knew the warning signs when Teddy started drinking an unusual amount of water and having accidents. Her training immediately raised a red flag—these could be early symptoms of diabetes. After a call to his pediatrician, what seemed like an ordinary concern quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis. "I called the pediatrician just so he could assure me that we were good, and it turned out we were not good," Lynne recalls. "He sent us to the hospital right away."
At just four years old, Teddy’s world changed forever, as he now has to manage his diabetes with insulin shots and careful monitoring throughout the day. But for Teddy’s family, this was just the beginning of their journey with the disease.
For Don Ray, a 90-year-old man who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1939 at the age of four, managing the disease has been a lifelong endeavor. Don, who has lived with diabetes for more than 85 years, shares a remarkable connection with Teddy. Both have navigated life with the same chronic illness, but their stories span across vastly different times.
When Don was diagnosed, diabetes management was a far cry from what it is today. “In 1939, the doctor said, ‘Hopefully, we can keep your boy alive for ten years,’” Don remembers. Back then, the tools and knowledge available were limited, and diabetes was often seen as a death sentence. Don’s father, however, instilled a sense of resilience in him. "My dad said, 'They’ve put a pretty big mountain in front of us, but you, your mother, your big sister, and I are going to walk that mountain together,'" Don recalls.
That sense of determination and family support carried Don through decades of health challenges. Despite the early grim outlook, Don has defied the odds. He became a champion for others living with diabetes, advocating for better care, and inspiring countless others along the way. "I put diabetes in my field of dreams," he says, reflecting on how his positive mindset carried him through life's challenges. "When I walked onto that diabetic field, I said to myself, 'There’s no way I’m going to lose.'"
Don Ray’s resilience has had a profound impact on those living with diabetes today, including Teddy. Their paths crossed at a special event at University Hospitals Family Fun Day, which brings together families affected by diabetes. For Lynne and Teddy, it was an instant connection. "The minute we walked into the building and Teddy saw Don, it was like, 'Oh my gosh,'" Lynne says. "He walked right up to him, and they started chatting—it wasn’t even about diabetes. It was just two people connecting."
Don’s 90th birthday this year marked a milestone in his journey—a testament to his perseverance, optimism, and the power of community. "Living courageously with diabetes for more than 85 years—that’s pretty neat, don’t you think?" Don says with pride, as he reflects on his extraordinary life.
As Teddy and Don bond over their shared experiences, both remind us that living with diabetes is not just about managing the disease but embracing life’s challenges with strength and hope. "Don’s advocacy and strength are mind-blowing," says Lynne, reflecting on the positive impact Don has had on her son’s life.
For Don, now in his 90s, life is a pleasant place to be. “I’m gonna hang around here as long as I can,” he says, smiling as he looks back on the years he’s spent overcoming the odds. His message to all those living with diabetes is simple: "Don’t be afraid, but just beat it. You’re stronger than it is."
Both Teddy and Don show us that while diabetes is a challenging mountain to climb, it is one that can be overcome with resilience, love, and a little help from friends along the way.
For those living with type 1 diabetes, like Don and Teddy, the journey may be long, but it is filled with hope, courage, and the knowledge that no one has to face it alone.
November 14th is World Diabetes Day, and this year's theme is 'diabetes and well-being' because with appropriate access to diabetes care, and support for their well-being, everyone with diabetes has a chance to live well. You can find resources and more information here.