Sadly, in India diabetes is considered a flaw and it is a big taboo, especially for women. It is a disease that raises innumerable questions by those in society. Women have not just had a hard time with access to insulin and affordable healthcare, but they have also faced discrimination due to the society we live in.
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Why is this happening? How are millions of people slipping through the cracks? Why are we living in fear because we cannot afford to “breathe”? Insulin is oxygen; price gouging cannot go on. This is my plea—our plea— and we are in desperate need of change. Read more
My reality as a type 1 diabetic is undoubtedly tough, living in a remote, developing nation. I’ve rationed insulin and testing strips on multiple occasions, not knowing when exactly I’ll have access to these essential supplies... Read more
I want people to understand that type 1 diabetes is not just something that people manage by simply taking some medicine and getting on their way. For many, it invades every part of our life, every day, and sometimes every minute. It sucks joy and causes unhinging worry. Read more
We call upon the Government of Canada to clarify whether or not type 1 diabetes qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit program, and for the government to remove all unnecessary barriers to insulin and supply access for people with diabetes. We support calls for the creation of a national universal pharmacare program, a frequently stated priority of the Canadian government, and note such a program would render this entire debate moot. Read more
Along with being grateful that I am so lucky to live in a country where I did not have to constantly think about healthcare, comes a feeling of guilt. Why am I so lucky? Why do other people die because they cannot afford insulin or because they do not even have access to it? These are questions that I am constantly asking myself. And although I know that I will never receive an answer, I still sometimes struggle with that feeling. Read more
The one thing I know about in life is change. I was 12 turning 13 when my father got sick and died. He had been diagnosed with an enlarged heart and was awaiting a heart transplant, so we travelled from Canada down to the United States for him to say goodbye to the rest of the family. It was our last night there, and he didn't make it. Read more
To make a difference in all of these areas, I have founded The Diabetes Ambassadors Program (DAP). Our mission is to raise awareness about diabetes and our vision is to live a healthy and a productive life with diabetes. Most importantly, we wish to empower people with diabetes. Read more
I joined dozens of people impacted by the rising cost of insulin in the USA in protest of those prices in front of Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Some had traveled many hours to join the protest, but one thing was made clear, we wanted to ensure that Eli Lilly heard our voices. We were passionate in our outcry for change and jointly understood that not saying anything is simply not an option.
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For a person who gets a minimum wage here, if you sum up everything and do not have insurance, you can be spending at least 40% of your income on diabetes each month. That was my experience before moving to the city to attend university. Read more