There is a very serious problem families face everyday when they have a child with Type 1 Diabetes. The struggle to control their blood sugar levels. It is an on going battle each and everyday to keep blood sugar levels within range especially when you are dealing with children. An insulin pump is a tool that could help immensely in this battle however, the battle to get a pump is almost as bad as the Diabetes itself. This is our story.

James was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 14 months old, he is now 16 years old. We have had many battles over the years with his health including seizures, Diabetes Ketoacidosis resulting in medical airlifting from our home town of Wawa to SSM, Ontario and low blood sugars. He has depression as a result from his diabetes, Diabetes related Celiac Disease that went undiagnosed for many years causing him severe vitamin deficiencies, which exacerbated his mental health issues causing him to self harm and lastly ADHD. All of this combined on top of Diabetes makes it very difficult for him to manage his diabetes especially when he is on his own. With that being said, we have been trying for years to meet the criteria to qualify for funding through the The Assistive Device Program (ADP), http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/adp/ However, they have strict criteria in order to qualify for this funding which includes controlled blood sugars! The point of getting a pump the majority of the time, especially in children is to help them get their blood sugars under control, this is why they need the pump in the first place. After, many many years of trying James has still not been able to meet the criteria of qualifying for funding. The cost of the pump for him is approximately $7000 not including the $250 approx. per month cost of supplies. We were denied by both of our work benefits. I spoke with my work benefits and they said they do not cover it because it is something the ADP program covers, I told them my son did not qualify for it through this program, their response was, if he doesn't qualify with the ADP program, then he won't qualify with them either. I was also told that 3 other kids have lost their ADP funding for their supplies because they could not keep their blood sugars within the range ADP mandates. 

Non of this makes sense, why should we be punishing these children for not being able to control a disease that adults have difficulty controlling on a daily basis. We are looking at a piece of equipment that costs thousands of dollars and the criteria for funding is unreasonable and certainly not geared toward what the meaning of what this pump is meant to do for these children. It is suppose to help them and it is being made impossible for a lot of children to access. It is being taken away from others that go through rough patches. The point of this program is to help not inhibit and that is exactly what it is doing. Unless, things change families will have to pay the full price of the pump and monthly supplies or go without and continue the struggle. What about the families that do not have good wages and would never be able to come up with this kind of money?

I ask you to please sign the petition for the children of Ontario. It is wrong that the criteria is so rigid, the pumps are needed to get these children's blood sugars under control and give families piece of mind that their child will lead a happy healthy life.