Ed Adamson: Type 1 Diabetes Success Story
Date Posted: Monday, February 09, 2026
Edward Adamson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1967 at the age of 5. Although insulin treatment has improved dramatically since then, he admits he did not put much effort into managing his diabetes as a young man. Uncontrolled blood sugars during his teens and early 20s eventually led to kidney failure. The decline began slowly when he was 18 and culminated in a kidney transplant in 2002, when he was 35.
Ed received a donated kidney from his older brother, a gift that ultimately saved his life. Today, he says it “works like new” because he exercises, watches what he eats and checks his blood sugar regularly. He has also received diabetes education at UMass Memorial, where he made it a priority to learn as much as he could.
Ed first tried an insulin pump in 2009, but between the tubing, skin sensitivity at infusion sites and inconsistent readings that led to low blood sugar, he decided to return to injections.
In 2017, his diabetes care team encouraged him to try again, assuring him that the technology had improved and promising to work closely with him until he felt comfortable. Ed said he was “spoken to in a way that I could relate to,” and after hearing success stories, he agreed to give the pump another chance.
This time, the difference was dramatic. His blood sugar became stable throughout the day and night. Although the adjustment was challenging, he embraced the technology and saw the benefits. He was among the first people to use Medtronic’s hybrid closed loop system, which helped lower his A1c to below 7%.
Ed credits his diabetes educator, Sharon Chan (who has since retired), for being persistent, helpful and efficient. He says she was always available to provide education on programming basal rates and carb ratios, while also helping coordinate with pharmaceutical and insurance companies to secure the supplies he needed.
He has seen firsthand how much diabetes care has changed over the years. As his A1c improved, the benefits built on each other: his weight went down, his energy level went up, and he gained a stronger sense of control over living with type 1 diabetes.
Ed’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to take control. With support from his care team, he embraced education, support and technology that helped transform his diabetes management. Today, the father of four and grandfather is enjoying better health and looking forward to the years ahead!
Updated from April 2019