Yudi Rubin: Inspiring Story of being T1D for 80 Years

Yudi Rubin’s journey with Type 1 diabetes began nearly 80 years ago, when he was just 10 years old. After falling ill with an unidentified virus, he was hospitalized and soon fell into a diabetic coma. It was during that hospital stay that he received his first insulin treatment and was officially diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Despite the challenges, Yudi’s early experiences helped shape his resilience. He fondly recalls a nurse who gave him a syringe and bottles to practice drawing liquid—an engaging way to prepare a young boy for the lifelong responsibility of insulin injections. It wasn’t just a game—it was the beginning of his lifelong self-management.

Soon after, Yudi was sent to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, where he and his family received vital diabetes education. There, he was cared for by renowned diabetes specialist Dr. Priscilla White, a pioneer in the field and one of the few women physicians at the time specializing in diabetes care.

Yudi’s parents were told he would be lucky to live to 30, and that he likely wouldn’t have children. But Yudi defied those odds. He not only lived well past that age, but also got married, and raised a family!

In his early years, diabetes management was rudimentary. There were no blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Yudi learned to detect his highs and lows by how his mouth felt: dry for high, moist for low. Working in a family business on his feet all day, he often relied on a nearby candy machine to prevent hypoglycemia.

He later began using a pump around the year 2000, which significantly improved his quality of life. With the help of his daughter, he calculated carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios and maintained A1C levels just below 7 for years. However, after experiencing vision loss due to macular degeneration, he had to transition back to insulin injections because the small print on devices became too difficult to manage. Even then, he adapted by counting clicks on his insulin pen to measure the right dose.

A vital part of Yudi’s journey was the steady support of his wife. Throughout their marriage, she quietly helped manage his diabetes—ensuring he ate on time, encouraging his care, and noticing when something was off. Even after her passing in 2019, when reflecting on her role, Yudi emphasized how essential it is to have a solid support system when dealing with diabetes.

In 2023, after a fall and a hip injury, Yudi moved into a nursing facility where he could no longer administer his own insulin due to regulations. This shift—after 80 years of self-management—was significant. Fortunately, his continuous glucose monitor (CGM) now plays a critical role in keeping him safe, especially overnight, when traditional finger-stick testing isn’t practical.

Throughout his life, Yudi has been a trailblazer—partnering with his doctors, innovating his own strategies, and never letting diabetes define him. His endocrinologist affectionately called him a “cowboy” for his independent thinking and self-advocacy, a term he proudly embraced. In recognition of nearly 80 years living with type 1 diabetes, Yudi was recently honored with an 80-year medal from the Joslin Diabetes Center, the same place he was diagnosed all those years ago.  “Since it was difficult for me to travel to Boston, Mr. Gauthier was nice enough to come to me,” Mr. Rubin said. The Jewish Home at Rockleigh’s helped organize the event so Yudi could receive the award in person—a meaningful tribute to his lifelong resilience.

Yudi’s message for others living with diabetes is simple and powerful:

“Don’t let diabetes run your life—you run the diabetes.”

His story is a testament to how perseverance, education, and a positive attitude can lead to a long and meaningful life with Type 1 diabetes.

Yudi Rubin & late wife Dee Rubin 

February 4, 2025: Mr. Gauthier presented Mr. Rubin with the medal