I am the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes. I should say the privileged one. 

Type 1 diabetes , also known as JUVENILE DIABETES , is a chronic autoimmune condition that occurs in children as young as the newborns. Those suffering from this condition will have to be supported with insulin all through their lives because their pancreas works in reduced capacity as the antibodies generated attack the insulin producing beta cells in their bodies.

Well, this means insulin should to be given externally everyday to these children. Failing which, they might have uncontrolled blood sugar levels leading to life threatening complications. So a Type 1 diabetic child will have to keep monitoring their blood sugar levels frequently , eat healthy, and inject insulin. Syringes, insulin doses ,  blood sugar monitoring equipment , sugar testing strips all become an integral part of their everyday lives from a very young age. Sadly this condition is widely prevalent and the treatment is expensive. Having learnt from my own experience, a type-1 diabetic child's family has to spend at least rupees 1 lakh every year, for the basic requirements. While I have been lucky enough to afford this care for my child, not every parent is. I have heard heart breaking stories of families who could not afford this expensive treatment that led to their child's death! I, as a mother , cannot even imagine being in such a situation.

It is thus, a sincere request to the Government of India, to list type-1 diabetes as a disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ( RPwD) Act, 2016, so that those in need can be supported with adequate resources.

If type-1 diabetes is added to the Disabilities act of India, children from low income families can receive financial help for the care they need and additional support to pursue their education and jobs, until they are self-sufficient. The stigma around disability may prevent from supporting this petition. But you will be surprised to know that in countries like the UK, USA and Canada, this condition is already listed as a disability, providing much needed support to many children and their families.

Lack of financial resources cannot be the reason for a child suffering from type-1 diabetes to be held back in life. Sign this petition and share it ahead so that this message reaches the government of India.

Your sign could make a life shine. Be that ray of light in the end of a dark tunnel for countless children in our country.

Thank you.

Lavanya Prasad.