The quality of life for diabetics is finally being improved. My neuropathy is MUCH better, but I still have legacy muscle atrophy. I am delighted that your neuropathy has responded to the pancreas transplant. If you are interested in nerve growth factors you could contact the investigators in your area or the company. E-mail me, and I will see how we can put you in touch with the right people.
Balance is a proprioceptive function.
However, one can overcome many deficiencies with brute force. Strength in the ankles and thighs is a wonderful compensation for lack of proprioceptive input from the periphery. A wonderful study done in older people showed that there is a natural rate of decline in coordination and proprioceptive function after the age of 65 years. This can be shown with loss of vibration perception with the tuning fork that you see doctors test the feet with. It can also be shown to interfere with backward tandem walking and when severe, results in ataxia.