DANIIs GIFT – A win for diabetes sufferers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANII Meads-Barlow died in her sleep in the week she was to start the HSC because she couldn’t access technology that would have managed her type 1 diabetes and saved her life.

“She went to bed a happy, healthy 17-year-old with a blood sugar level of 12.2, which is safe to go to bed,” says her mother Donna.

“When I went to wake her at 6.30am to go to school she had passed away during the night.” Danii’s blood glucose level had dropped so quickly she had experienced a seizure and gone into a coma.

When the doctor came to the Chatswood, NSW house in 2011 to certify Danii’s death he told her parents there was technology available in America — in the form of pocket-sized constant glucose monitors — that could have saved her life.

Providing 24-hour-a-day glucose monitoring, these kits measure blood sugar levels through a small device that is inserted under the skin and left in place for up to six days at a time. It gives people with diabetes, their families and carers some relief from constantly monitoring blood glucose levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Our objective from then on was to do what we knew her wish would be and take something terrible and turn it into something positive,” says Donna.

Five years later, the Meads-Barlow family has “something positive” to celebrate.

Yesterday the Turnbull government announced that if re-elected, they will devote $54 million to ensure that thousands of families can secure these potentially life-saving gadgets for the first time.

All children and young adults under 21 will be eligible.

“It will help reduce possible visits to emergency departments and missed school days by allowing families and children to better self-manage their diabetes,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“Most importantly, it will help reduce stress and anxiety for children and their parents, and even save lives.’’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danii’s parents, Donna and Brian Meads-Barlow.Source:News Corp

“Our objective from then on was to do what we knew her wish would be and take something terrible and turn it into something positive,” says Donna.

Five years later, the Meads-Barlow family has “something positive” to celebrate.

Yesterday the Turnbull government announced that if re-elected, they will devote $54 million to ensure that thousands of families can secure these potentially life-saving gadgets for the first time.

All children and young adults under 21 will be eligible.

“It will help reduce possible visits to emergency departments and missed school days by allowing families and children to better self-manage their diabetes,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“Most importantly, it will help reduce stress and anxiety for children and their parents, and even save lives.’’

Danii was just 17 when she died in her sleep.Source:Facebook

Donna says the Danii Foundation has “completely driven” the push for constant glucose monitor funding.

“We have been a pain in the health department’s backside,” she admits.

While Donna is clearly pleased with Turnbull’s pledge, she doesn’t plan on resting on her laurels. The fact that only children and young adults under 21 will be eligible doesn’t sit well.

“It should be available to women who are pregnant, and anyone who is having trouble monitoring their diabetes,”

she says.

“The next step is to go to Bill Shorten and lobby that party [to get more funding], and to get the parameters lifted,” she says. “We can’t stop here”.

“I know this technology will save lives … this is Danii’s gift.”