Evidence of meeting #123 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was insulin.
A recording is available from Parliament.
As an Individual
I can't use my finger for my BlackBerry. I have to use my thumb. It's the only one that doesn't change.
As an Individual
Yes, because we don't have fingers....
I think the forms need to change. They need to be more adaptive. I think it would help if we had a tailored form for just diabetes, and maybe even somebody who knows what they're doing looking over these instead of just going across anybody's desk.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
You have to apply, too. We do a lot of public education because if you don't know about it, you don't get it, so that's a big problem. On top of that, you could have the same condition medically all your life and still have to reapply for it. We have people who have spina bifida who have had to reapply for the....
As an Individual
I get asked every year, “Are you still alive?” I have to call them and I have to get a signature proving that I'm still alive because they basically can't believe that's happening.
The thing is that I'm diabetic for life. It's not going away, although I'd like it to.
As an Individual
Even with our technology, though, I'd say I spend more time because I have the technology, not less. I've had it said to me, “You have a pump and CGM. You don't spend that time now.” Well, no, I'm looking even more because I can look even more, and not damage my fingers and use all those dollar test strips. I'm using technology to its maximum.
As an Individual
I'm actually spending even more time because I have stricter guidelines because I am trying to stay healthy. I am trying to not give that doctor that ammunition to say you've done this to yourself.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Your testimony is so compelling and meaningful to us. We're really grateful.
I'm looking at the clock. I understand there might be a vote this morning.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Okay. I'm going to propose to the committee that we do one first round again, if the committee is prepared to do that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
We'll have a round of five-minute questions. We'll start with the same schedule we had before.
I wonder, Ms. Sidhu, if you would like to start. I'm surprised you're here. This is your issue here that you raised so strongly, and I thought maybe you'd like to....
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Thank you, Chair, for giving me an opportunity.
Ms. Lavergne, you said your doctor did not fill out the forms. I think CRA has changed the rules. A nurse can fill out the forms now.
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
You don't have a nurse.
Two weeks ago, with Diabetes Canada, we had a mobile cardiovascular unit here, a screen unit.
Do you think in a remote area that mobile unit could be a big help?
As an Individual
My problem is we're in the GTA. We're in the greater Toronto area, but we don't get serviced at all. How can I put it? They think because we're in the GTA or we're officially part of the GTA that we get all these services, and we don't. We're completely ignored. Even Global News won't give us our weather in Oshawa. Basically what happens is we fall in the crack and we don't get anything out there.
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
You said you had 35 family members who are diabetic. There's a stigma out there.
As an Individual
The thing is, even in my own family, we won't discuss or talk about it. It's like being native. We don't want to admit to it, because we're afraid. Everybody is afraid. They're afraid of the stigma. It's terrible.
As an Individual
It's the blame. The doctor that I fought with over my mom was like, “You're fat and lazy. It's your fault. I'm not going to change it. You have to change.”
As an Individual
They can't get past the weight. That's another issue that they should—
