TWO women who between them have been injecting their vital insulin for a total of more than a century have been honoured by a leading British charity.

Vera Stewart and Kathleen Gordon-Brabbing are both insulin dependent diabetics. They were diagnosed with the condition in their early 20s. Their achievements have been recognised by the British Diabetic Association.

They don't know each other - but their stories are remarkably similar.

Vera, now 74, was 22 when she first realised something was wrong. In the space of just a week the former furniture retailer lost more than two stones.

An insatiable thirst and overwhelming lethargy were the early indications something was not right.

At the time Vera was on leave from the Army, but was unable to return because her medical condition made active duty impossible.

It is only in recent years that Vera has noticed a lot more readily available information around for people who rely on insulin.

There are now also lots of sugar free food options on the supermarket shelves.

"At first I was weighing potatoes and bread, now thank goodness there's a lot more I can choose from," said Vera, who lives in Harwood. Great grandmother Kathleen Brabbing, who lives in Great Lever, was 23 when diabetes was confirmed. Since then she has injected insulin twice a day for 50 years.

At the time of diagnosis Kathleen was working on a roller covering machine and was drinking gallons of sarsaparilla from stone bottles.

Cuts that were several weeks old wouldn't heal and, more frightening, Kathleen had a tendency to fall asleep at the machine she was operating.

"When I was diagnosed with diabetes I remember crying all the way home. I was told then, and it remains the case today, that there's no known cure for diabetes," said Kathleen, a great grandmother.

Both women were presented with the The Nabarro Medal - given by the British Diabetic Association to people who have been insulin dependent for more than 50 years.

The award is named after Alan Nabarro who, before his death in 1977, served the BDA generously and wisely and put his legal and personal experience of diabetes at the service of his fellow members.

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