Diabetes Doesn't Define You

In 2009 I am 52 years old and have been a diabetic for 49 of those years. Due to this early diagnosis, I have never had any problems dealing with my condition. I presently help co-ordinate a local support group in Kingston, Ontario which meets the last Wednesday of each month from September through to May. This has resulted in a large number of contacts in this area.

With my diagnosis in the summer of 1960, I have seen many wondrous things happen in the area of Diabetes care. We now have care, not just guess work. The last 25 years have seen things change so quickly, it is difficult to keep up. The internet is probably the best thing that has happened to let us keep on top of our conditions.

I am presently on a Paradigm 722 pump with the CGMS attachment, but have also used the Cozmo pump. Being here in Canada, we only have the Paradigm CGMS to choose from. The only pumps available to us are the Paradigm series from Medtronic, the Ping and 2020 from Animas and the Spirit by Accu-Chek. We do not have access to the tubeless pumps like the Omni Pod. Fortunately all our doctors’ visits and hospitalization are covered under government health plans. Some Provinces here are bringing in coverage for insulin pumps and direct supplies (Infusion sets and reservoirs) for Type 1’s, which is great. Unfortunately though, is that our medications are not covered unless you have a private insurance company.

To date, life has been good to me. I have had a few complications associated with Diabetes, but nothing debilitating. These include Hypertension, Retinopathy and Hypoglycemic unawareness. Medication, laser treatments and the CGMS have helped me deal with these issues. The only thing people may see odd about me is that my cell phone has an antenna attached to it. Why tell them any different.