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Diabetes story inspires hope

My son, Ben, got it at age 20 months. My other son, Byron, at 14 years. Type 1 diabetes, ever since, has demanded theirs and my full attention, day-by-day.

Needless to say, living with the risks inherent in young children and teens having high and/or low blood sugars can be downright scary. The firemen and EMS team that answered a 9/11 call to our home to bring Ben back to consciousness using an IV of "sugar juice" know just what I mean.

Today my "boys" are 23 and 25 years old and I'm a single parent without health insurance. The $6,000 price tag per pump has always been well beyond my means.

So we were delighted to hear the news that insulin pumps, currently supplied without cost to youth aged 18 and under in Ontario, will now be provided to adults as well. Ben said with enthusiasm, "I'll probably live at least 10 years longer."

Every once in a while something good and important actually can come one's way. This announcement has renewed in me a modicum of inspired hope.

Elizabeth Scott, Toronto

Original source: TheStar.com