Hi, My name’s Diana, (terrible picture i know) I’m 18 years old and i’ve been Type one Diabetic for nearly 10 years.
I have always struggled to control my diabetes, I gave up for a long period of time but i’m trying to get control of my life again.
I have had a HbA1c of above 14% for the last few years. This gives the doctor a idea of what my blood sugars have been like over the past few months. The ideal number is 6.9%. That means mine is more than double.
I recently discovered a new device called the Freestyle Libre System . (Thats their fancy product picture below)
I bought the starter kit (after saving up). It included the Reader and two sensors. Since i’ve had the sensor on (6 days only) its estimated my HbA1c to be 7.7%.
It gives me a detailed view of how my blood sugars are, whether they are going up or down and how fast. Letting me treat myself before i become extremely ill with ketones and likely end up in the ICU. I am not exaggerating in saying in the past 10 years my admissions number is probably close to 100 visits.
I cannot express how much this device has changed my life. I haven’t felt as depressed as i did before and i overall feel so much healthier it’s unbelievable for me!! I can genuinely say i feel happy again for the first time in a long time. It gives me back the control over my life that i felt like i lost when i was nine. I’m hoping that because i’ve finally fulfilled my part of the deal with my diabetic team by improving my HbA1c and proving i am committed in getting better, that they will soon give me a insulin pump.
My problem is that the Freestyle Libre Sensors are not currently funded by the NHS.
I’m hoping they soon will be or my diabetic team will make a compromise.
Now my mum has demanded that i have to move out.
I’m lucky enough after being away from her for a week she let me come back and stay until the council gives me my own place.
They’ve made me a priority because of my diabetes and risk of homelessness and i’m in the top 10.
Because the sensors would have taken half of my income already i’m not going to be able to afford to buy any more after i have my own place. I have to start paying my own bills and rent and all those adult things im currently unaware of and will soon find out…
I’m not complaining. It’s time i grew up and was independent but i don’t think i can survive without the support this device gives me.
They are £48.29 for each sensor which lasts two weeks.
(That price is included with the 20% VAT discount because i’m a type one Diabetic.)
I’ve put £485 as my goal because that will afford me to buy 10 sensors. Which will last me 5 months. In that time i hope to be able to either find a way to pay for them myself or have them funded by my clinic/NHS. (Plus hopefully be okay on my own feet…)
Thank you so much for taking the time to even read this. If you do or don’t fund me I’m begging you to at least sign this petition to get the Freestyle Libre funded on the NHS.
I’m going to add my paypal email just incase anyone who’s willing to donate prefers that method. It will be added to the Go Fund Me page as an offline credit.
Followers, if you or anyone who follows you/you follow/you know anyone who lives in the UK, please, please get them to sign the petition to have the NHS fund the Freestyle Libre. Remember, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, so devices like the Freestyle Libre are the best chance for many people with type 1 to control their diabetes in order to live a healthier, happier, freer, less fearful life.
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