A letter from a young activist

At Midday today, Pharmac – Te Pātaka Whaioranga, announced that funding for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables will be available for people with type 1 diabetes from 1 October 2024. My son has been one of many advocates who has been fighting for access for CGMs and pumps for everyone. He wanted to share his thoughts.

Kia ora,

I am Eddie. I am almost 12 years old. Last week, it was five years since I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I felt happy that I have done well with my diabetes. But I have not always been happy.

Having diabetes is very difficult. Especially going into intermediate it’s even more difficult. But there isn’t a cure out there. So I can’t do anything about it.

But I am lucky because I have a insulin pump and a CGM. That makes having diabetes not as bad because I don’t have to inject myself so much when I hate injections.

Related: Eddie shares his story with politicians

When I got my CGM it was the best day of my life. And when I found out not everyone gets a CGM I felt like crying. I started a mission to try to get CGMs funded for everyone at every age.

It was hard and I felt like giving up. I felt like giving up after the budget and also I felt like giving up when I talked at Parliament when I was only young.

Related: Eddie gives his pocket money for CGMs

I thought that the Pharmac would just never listen. But I kept going.

Even when it felt difficult I kept going.

And today, when my mum came to school and told me CGMs and insulin pumps would be funded after all this time I felt really happy.

I was surprised. And happy.

If you are trying to make a difference keep going it might not feel successful at the start but people support you and it will happen you just have to keep trying.

I think everyone should try to help each other.

Thank you to everyone that helped to get CGMs and insulin pumps funded.

From Eddie