Dr. Shelia Reith CBE

A

AndyGlos

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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I had a search and couldn't find anything on these boards but there was a press release I found on Mr. Google. Some people may have missed it and I wanted to say thank you to Dr. Reith for everything she has done for those of us who have to inject insulin every day. For those that don't know Dr. Reith was the co- inventor and pioneer of the insulin pen. I can't imagine what life was like before the pen. Tonight she won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pride of Britain Awards. I'll add my thanks and congratulations to her for making my life easier.
 
Yes, many thanks to this scientist and all the others who have helped develop technology to help us.
Our kit these days makes managing diabetes so much easier. It is still challenging but the technology certainly lifts the load.
 
They were much fatter around their circumference than now, but there again so were the pens my parents used, in comparison to the ones me and my sister had. Just progress, innit !

(Not allowed a fountain pen until you go to senior school, because that's when your sister had hers 4 years ago so you can only have yours at the same time. Also first wristwatch at the same time - but had to wait till the Xmas for that, too much expense what with uniform, shoes, satchel, geometry set, games kit, this that and the other ......)
 
I remember getting my first pen, it was a beige coloured plastic pen and was life changing. I felt a bit like James Bond with this new gadget. It gave me freedom to carry it around in my bag with a needle and insulin cartridge in situ and the start of being able to correct higher blood sugar as it was around the time of first using glucose test strips.

All of a sudden I could take steps to manage my diabetes and move to MDI. Thank you and congratulations to Dr Reith.
 
Started on syringes in the early 90s

Those first stainless steel novopens tho… :starstruck:<3:starstruck:<3
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Those first stainless steel novopens tho… :starstruck:<3:starstruck:<3
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That is what I was given when I started. Even the Junior ones (half unit) were stainless steel but were decorated with bright colours.
I only had the nasty plastic Lantus pens to compare them with.

They lasted for donkey's years so I was incredibly disappointed to have to replace them with silver coloured plastic after about 8 years.
 
I have just remembered one downside to those beautiful pens - they showed up on airport scanners.
Apparently taking long thin metal objects on a plane can be concerning.
Airport security was always happy once I took them out of my bag but I was pulled over more with the 007 pens than with the Telly Tubby ones.
 
helli said:
I have just remembered one downside to those beautiful pens - they showed up on airport scanners.
Apparently taking long thin metal objects on a plane can be concerning.
Airport security was always happy once I took them out of my bag but I was pulled over more with the 007 pens than with the Telly Tubby ones.
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Returning from NZ many years ago, security were freaked out by the appearance of an apparent weapon in my hand luggage. “Here we go” I thought, ready to do my “I have diabetes” spiel and show my GP letter.

But it turned out to be the stainless steel Parker ballpoint that I’d pushed down the spiral binding of a notebook, which did make it look remarkably like a gun on the x-ray!
 
Just found one of my pens from the early 1990’s with its funky case, I had a bright red & green one too. Wish I’d kept my original one & stainless steel pen.

They were such a massive improvement from syringes & vials for carrying anywhere & having insulin to hand.
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I don't take insulin, but congratulations are most definitely in order for Dr Reith for the device many have received the benefit of.
 
Flower said:
Wish I’d kept my original one & stainless steel pen.
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I still have one in a sealed box in my spare storage. What i see though is the coloured pens are just (powder coated?) coated silver/gun metal/stainless steel. First place the paint goes with mine is it chips off the edge of the cap with use.
 
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