Your personal experience is powerful and can make a real difference in influencing government policy. Share your story with us so we can form a united voice.
If you are unsure what to include, here’s a simple way to structure your story to clearly communicate the importance of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people with Type 1 diabetes:
1. Introduce yourself
- Briefly mention who you are (e.g., your age or how long you have lived with Type 1 diabetes).
- You can share your role (student, worker, parent, etc.) if you wish.
Example:
“My name is [Your Name], and I have been living with Type 1 diabetes for [X] years.”
2. Describe your experience with CGMs
- Explain how CGMs have helped you manage your diabetes.
- Mention specific benefits such as better blood sugar control, fewer hypoglycaemic episodes, improved sleep, or peace of mind.
Optional: Share a personal impact or story
- If comfortable, share a brief story or example of how CGMs have made a difference in your life.
- This could be a moment when CGMs helped avoid a serious health issue or improved your quality of life.
Example:
“Thanks to my CGM, I was able to detect a severe low blood sugar episode early and avoid hospitalisation.”
Additional notes:
- You are welcome to write your story in English or Chinese — whichever you feel most comfortable with.
- For parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, we warmly encourage you to share your child’s experience through drawings or pictures if they find it easier to express themselves this way. These creative stories are powerful and help convey the impact of CGMs in a unique and heartfelt manner.
Example:
“Using a CGM has helped me maintain more stable blood glucose levels and avoid dangerous lows, which has greatly improved my daily life.”
3. Highlight the challenges without CGMs
- Describe the difficulties you face without continuous glucose monitoring.
- You may mention the cost barrier or health risks when CGMs are not accessible.
Example:
“However, the high cost of CGMs makes it difficult for me to use this technology continuously, which puts my health at risk.”
4. Make your call to action
- Clearly state your support for government subsidy of CGMs.
- Explain why this subsidy is important for you and others with Type 1 diabetes.
Example:
“I strongly urge the Hong Kong government to subsidise CGMs so that people like me can have reliable access to this life-changing technology.”
Tips for Writing Your Story
- Keep it clear and concise: Aim for 1–2 paragraphs or about 150–300 words.
- Be honest and personal: Your authentic experience is what makes your story compelling.
- Use simple language: Avoid medical jargon to ensure your message is easily understood.
- Sign and date your letter: This adds credibility and shows your genuine support.
If you prefer, you can use the a simple template letter to quickly express your support without writing a full story.
You can also send your story to us at support@yda.org.hk. We will collect all the stories to send together.
Thank you for lending your voice to this important cause. Together, we can help make CGMs accessible to all young people with Type 1 diabetes in Hong Kong.
Keep up to date with our work
Visit Our advocacy work page to find out more about what we are doing.
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Disclaimer and permissions: By sending us your story, drawing, photo, or video, you give Youth Diabetes Action (YDA) permission to use it in any way we need to support our work. This includes sharing it on our website, social media, printed materials, or in any media or format for any purpose related to YDA’s mission and activities.