Parents of Mason were pleased with the subsidies because they only have to pay S$ 42 for the device, which is about half the price of the device at the time.  ,
” The subsidies are a good start, it’s better than nothing … but ( his total diabetes-related expenses ) is still no small sum”, said his mother Carmen Lee, adding that the family spends about S$ 5, 000 every quarter on Mason’s diabetes-related expenses.  ,
” There are some things that we ca n’t quantify, such as the time and effort spent on skin care products ( to deal with Mason’s allergy to the adhesive on the sensors ),” said the author. It’s a quite expensive form of disease to control”.
Despite the cost, Ms Lee, who works full-time as a dermatologist, said the CGM system offers her peace of mind and allows her child to lead a more normal life.  ,
” It gives Mason a lot more flexibility to just be a person … we can be less stringent with his youth, in terms of his meal … his engagement, because we can see what’s happening in real time”, said Ms Lee.  ,
” Our top priority as parents is always the safety of our child.” We do n’t want him to experience any stigma associated with this disease or to be so dissimilar from his friends, but we want him to live as normal as possible.
The CGM actually helps with that, and it’s really important to us as families that he understands that he can do everything and anything else that everyone else can do.
CALLS FOR MORE Knowledge
According to Type 1 diabetes worldwide register T1 Index, 6, 187 people in Singapore have this form of the disease.  ,
Dr. Tan said that because Type 1 insulin is less prevalent than Type 2, people frequently face further difficulties because of the lower occurrence, which in turn results in a general lack of public knowledge and awareness of the condition.  ,
This may lead to misconceptions, social stigma, and apathy from others who may never fully comprehend the everyday struggles faced by those with Type 1 diabetes, he said.  ,
” Also, health learning programs tend to focus more on Type 2 diabetes, leading to a lack of qualified knowledge and awareness for Type 1 insulin, “he added.  ,
” This could result in fewer options for early diagnosis, appropriate control, and knowledge of the special needs of people living with Type 1 insulin.”
Ms. Lee stated that her father’s situation was raising more consciousness and getting more help for those who share her son’s condition.  ,  ,
In terms of the parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, as well as the adults with Type 1 insulin,” we do have quite a small but close-knit group here in Singapore,” she said.  ,
” We parents are always talking about how the children and their parents are managing in school… because by , the time ( the child ) reaches primary school… the teachers are not allowed to administer any medication whatsoever, including insulin, to the students,” she said.  ,
So either the young children have to learn how to ( inject ) themselves with a needle frequently throughout the day or their parents have to give up their careers to attend school and administer the injections.
” As kids, we take care of our children but in the future, this is their burden to bear. But certainly, we hope to make it as easy for them as possible for the future”.