Ok, I first want to say, i have NOTHING against the older generation and my heart goes out to each and every one who is living with Diabetes (no matter what type it is), but i'm just a little upset right now!! I am a single mother (and proud of it) raising a Type 1 diabetic 6yr old. Why is it when i look on line, in magazines or call diabetic companies inquiring about FREE diabetic stuff its only for people on medicaid? What about our youth, don't they deserve FREE meters, strips, lancits and education as well. I've tried signing up for diabetic nutrition classes and they are on Tuesday at 10am (hello, i'm at work at 10am) i asked why they have the class at that hours of course they told me because that was the best time for the Senior Homes! To me THAT'S NOT FAIR!! Again, this has NOTHING to do with Diabetics that are over a certain age, but again what about the younger generations? This kids can benefit from all the "Free" stuff too!... I tried getting assistance but of course they claim i make too much money (yeah right, i don't think they really know the cost of living these days). My daughters meds alone are over $100 a month so if i could find free lancets, testing strips or syrenges do you know how awesome that would be. I think i'm just fusterated because the reality of all of this is finally starting to set in and the more i try to reach out for help, the LESS help i'm finding......
Again, to all my "older" Diabetics, this was nothing against any of you. I kinda feel like you all are the "better taken care of " ones since so much more is readily available to you. I can go on to just about any diabetic web site and find something FREE for medicaid... You all have fought long fights and YES BY ALL MEANS, you DO deserve things for FREE and whatever you can get for FREE. I just wish more companies would think about the "younger" diabetics
Maybe i'm looking in the wrong places or asking the wrong people for help. If anyone knows of any sites or organizations that do offer Free supplies please post and share.
This has also bothered me to no end. I have no real answers but I do feel your pain. I know you can get free meters wth mail in rebates sometimes, but I think they want you to have the meter so we have to continually buy the costly strips.
What I ended up doing was to go to the one touch site - they will give you a free meter. All you do is fill out some simple info. I have the web addr. here. https://www.onetouchgold.com/simplestart/
Just as a chance I wanted to see if I changed the address if they would send a meter elsewhere. I wanted to see if I could get one sent to family that might watch him and my neighbor - they sent a meter to everyone I had listed. Now if we go to a family members house they have a meter if needed. For those that will not use it at all I just brought that meter home as a spare. I ended up with one at home and one in each car.
Agree - keep looking. Talk with your endo's office if you need stuff, especially meters - they should be able to provide at least 1 extra one and maybe samples of other things too. I also think you might not really mean 'older' diabetics - but really people with Type 2 diabetes (who are generally older). Since Type 2 diabetics make up 90% of all people with diabetes - that is why stuff is geared toward them. This happens in the media too - it is just called diabetes - but really is talking about Type 2 diabetes which is very different from what our kids have. And also watch out on Diabetic education classes - make sure you ASK before you go if it is geared toward Type 2 or Type 1 or both. Don't waste your time going to Type 2 stuff geared at how to change your diet to help keep your daughter's BG under control - you don't really have to follow a special diet - just a generally healthy one and know how to count the carbs. :)
Is there a social worker at your clinic that you can talk with? Or call your local children's hospital -even if they don't specialize in diabetes care, a social worker might be able to help you look for help with state or other programs to cover medical costs for your child. Sometimes you can put your children in state health insurance programs so that your daughters supplies would not cost you anthing out of pocket each month (this will vary by state and of course your income).
Are you going to a pediatric endocrinology clinic for your daughter? If not, try contacting one for more support. Even if it is far away, they might be able to give you phone support.
That type of stuff bothers me too. I remember CNN has stupid articles like that titled:
Diabetes: More than just sugar overload?
The short answer to that, yes! But people read that, don't read the actual content, and go on with their lives with a fundamental misunderstanding of the types of diabetes and how they differ. It does bother me because it creates some apathy toward diabetes with respect to people believing it's all under our control (T1's) instead of understanding it's an autoimmune problem.
But anyway, I used to go to a small clinic in Louisiana that would get insulin samples from the pharm reps. I was treated there for a while and I would go there monthly and ask for free samples of entire insulin bottles. I'd walk out with 100's of dollars worth of Lantus and Novalog. I don't know if there are any clinics or anything around you, but it might be worth checking out if they get "free samples".
What I ended up doing was to go to the one touch site - they will give you a free meter. All you do is fill out some simple info. I have the web addr. here. https://www.onetouchgold.com/simplestart/
Just as a chance I wanted to see if I changed the address if they would send a meter elsewhere. I wanted to see if I could get one sent to family that might watch him and my neighbor - they sent a meter to everyone I had listed. Now if we go to a family members house they have a meter if needed. For those that will not use it at all I just brought that meter home as a spare. I ended up with one at home and one in each car.
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they wouldnt give me one. I have a ultra mini but need a back up badly but I guess being having a newly diabetic daughter with one of their meters already doesnt qualify you.
When asking for free meters, only check meter used as different than mfg. This just goes to show us t 1's are the forgotten ones, most stuff is for t 2's. When I was first dx'ed, they gave me all this info mostly for t 2, didn't do me a lot of good. Oh, I am one the older ones, but dx'ed t 1 at age 52 a year and a half ago. (aug./08). Want to feel out of place tell people your t 1 dx'ed at 52 even Dr's look at me funny.
Just fill out that "https://www.onetouchgold.com/simplestart/" information until you do qualify. I put my bday 1981 and dx in 1983 and qualified, with insulin shots, diet, and select some other meter that's not from their company.
I actually did do this for roommates I had with the same address some time back and it did work. I don't know if that still specifically works, but you can definitely get free meters if you tell them what they want to hear.
Richie, If i'm not "DIGGING IN THE RIGHT SPOT" maybe you could be so kind as to tell me where i SHOULD be "digging"... I'm sorry but i'm NEW to all this. My child was just diagnosed a month ago. I'm here for help and support, not to be bashed. PLEASE, I need HELP finding things. I would "dig" to the other side of the world if it would help me find stuff to make my daughters diabetes a little more manageable......But, THANKS to everyone who gave suggestions. Like i said i'm new to all this, so you all gave me some really good information...