In response to the piece written on Friday, April 26 by Martha Wickett about last Saturday’s all-candidates forum, that I also attended, I wanted to take this opportunity to share information about an important health topic that I brought up with the four candidates at the forum.
I have been living with type 1 diabetes since 1983 and it’s been a life-changing experience of learning and managing this chronic disease.
It requires my spouse’s and my healthcare team’s attention 24/7, 365 days a year. I have been fortunate to have an extended health plan, which partially covers my medications and a device called an insulin pump.
I have been wearing an insulin pump since 2001. The pump provides me with some means of living a life without a daily (and nightly) fear about having to visit our local hospital ER. Major complications such as eye and kidney disease, amputation, heart attack and stroke can occur due to diabetes. Insulin pumps can improve overall health, reduce complications from the disease and increase the quality of life for people living with type 1 diabetes. An insulin pump is not a luxury; it leads to better health.
With the upcoming election of May 14, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the government to expand the insulin pump program to all people living with type 1 diabetes, who meet the medical requirements.
It would greatly improve health outcomes for B.C. and save the province up to $5.3 million per year by 2030.
Nel Peach
