95 2022 $6. Autumn
YOUR
voice, OUR actions
A Diabetes
well
MOVIN
LIVING WITH
What have you been telling us?
G
covid
We’ve had a lot of great feedback on our Living With COVID issue thank you to everyone who took the time to get in touch. One member called to say it was the best one she had read in ages! Hopefully we can keep up the high standard this time around.
well
EATING
Of course, the arrival of COVID in Western Australian put a big hole in everyone’s plans for the past few months. At Diabetes WA, we had to put our face-to-face sessions on hold, but our free virtual workshops have proved very popular. As you'll see on page 16, our in-person sessions will be available more consistently in the months ahead.
If you’ve
e get it got it, w
Good news!
Getting exercise right
Virtual workshops aside, April and May were big and busy months at Diabetes WA. As you’ll see across the next couple of pages, the WA state budget and Australian federal election gave us lots to talk about. The big news from the election was that every Australian with type 1 diabetes would now be eligible for subsidised access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring technology. This was something Diabetes WA has long been advocating for. Our members were delighted.
Early in May, we marked Mother’s Day (8 May) by noting that gestational diabetes (GDM) is on the rise – around 4000 pregnant Western Australian women are diagnosed with GDM each year during pregnancy. We marked International Day of Families (15 May) by remembering the vital role families play in supporting people with diabetes. We observed National Sorry Day (26 May) and celebrated National Reconciliation Week (27 May–3 June). And our resident exercise guru Marian Brennan (our accredited exercise physiologist and credentialled diabetes educator) spent Exercise Right Week (23–27 May) sharing videos, articles and tips on the best way to safely get active. You can find her articles on our website at diabeteswa.com.au.
"The best thing that happened to me. Especially travelling on my own. Safety for me and everyone else." Jan Adams, Facebook "Wonderful news for everyone who needs it." Keithleigh Griffin, Facebook "I'm so happy about this news! I just hope it won't lead to a shortage in sensor availability, etc." Mason Edwards, Facebook "About bloody time. Great news." Gai Walker, Facebook Some members were eager to see if CGM made a difference to their diabetes management. "I use test strips which cost $15 for 100 and last me about a month. But will try this and see if it helps me keep my sugars under control as testing is quicker and easier." Kim Riley Some members hoped the subsidy would one day be extended to Australians living with type 2 diabetes. "Insulin dependent type 2 here and I’ve been paying for these sensors ever since using insulin. Can’t imagine managing this without the sensors to be honest. I keep getting told how good my management of BGL is, but it’s purely down to the CGM. Much less of a burden on the health system using these, they should all be subsidised, it’s a no brainer!" Jason French, Facebook
Diabetes on the catwalk One last bit of excitement. Lila Moss, model and daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, was flooded with praise and thanks for confidently displaying her blood glucose monitor (that helps her to manage her type 1 diabetes) on her arm in a recent joint campaign for Versace X Fendi [pictured below]. Moss also walked a runway last year drawing attention to her Omnipod (insulin pump) that was on full display on her hip. It’s a great example of representation in the mainstream, which helps to destigmatise diabetes and the vital technology that helps people manage it. We hope that the cycle of invisibility for people with diabetes has finally begun to breakdown.
Photo credit: Lila Moss • Instagram
Diabetes Matters wants to make sure our member voices are heard. If you have any feedback, thoughts or stories you want to share, get in touch at media@diabeteswa.com.au 2
zine ber Maga WA Mem
