For low-income families, a life-long disease like Type 1 diabetes can be emotionally challenging and become a huge financial burden. Many parents feel anxious, helpless, and even guilty when their child is diagnosed with diabetes.
Wen Kai Ip, aged 12, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March 2022 and joined the Sponsor a Child programme later that same year.
How was Kai Ip diagnosed?
During the period of March 2022, there was a major COVID-19 outbreak and the entire family was infected. Kai Ip’s condition was more severe, and he was admitted to the ICU. He had diabetic ketoacidosis and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Kai Ip stayed at Tuen Mun Hospital for nearly a month.
What challenges did you face when Kai Ip was diagnosed?
When Kai Ip was diagnosed with diabetes, we didn’t know how to properly care for him. Fortunately, with the help of the doctors and nutritionists, we were able to overcome our initial anxieties.
What challenges did you face when Kai Ip was diagnosed?
When Kai Ip was diagnosed with diabetes, we didn’t know how to properly care for him. Fortunately, with the help of the doctors and nutritionists, we were able to overcome our initial anxieties.
How has the programme made a difference to you?
The Sponsor a Child programme has been of great help to us. The support provided has alleviated our financial burden. We need to use different types of diabetes related consumables, such as needles, blood glucose test strips, insulin injection pens and other items, so the programme greatly relieves our burden on medical expenses. Additionally, the YDA social workers always care about us and make us feel cared for, and the parent group shares diabetes information, which has benefited me a lot.
Lastly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Wong Lap Ming, who was the person who introduced us to YDA. Dr Wong has provided compassionate and meticulous care, just like a parent. When Kai Ip was initially diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, we were very scared, but Dr Wong patiently taught us how to control blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses. Under Dr Wong and YDA’s support, Kai Ip now manages diabetes with a positive outlook. We are truly grateful to Dr Wong and YDA!
You can help make a difference
Multiple daily blood tests and insulin injections are essential for people with Type 1 diabetes. With no sufficient support from the government, families of children with diabetes are under tremendous emotional and financial pressure. It is often a struggle to purchase the most basic medical equipment. Unfortunately, it is not a cost that can be overlooked. It is needed for children with Type 1 diabetes, in order for them to stay alive.
It is important that children with diabetes are able to access the supplies they need. Please help and support children with diabetes like Kai Ip, so they can receive the necessary medical equipment and emotional support to manage their diabetes and live a healthy life.
For only $33 per day ($12,000 per year), your donation to “Sponsor a Child” can:
- help families with limited income save up to 60% on monthly medical expenses
- minimise the need to reuse blood-taking lancets and needles
- connect them with others facing the same challenges