Australian children with type 1 diabetes are NOT self-sufficent at the age of 10!
- Target:
- Department of Health (Australia) Centrelink Australia
- Region:
- Australia
Type 1 diabetes is a devastating chronic condition that affects 140 000 Australians-the majority of these cases are diagnosed in childhood/young adulthood. At this time, there is NO cure.
In order to stay alive, a person with type 1 diabetes MUST perform the following:
1) administer insulin, either by injection or an insulin pump up to 8 times a day
2) Perform at least 8 finger pricks a day to monitor blood glucose levels
3)adhere to a specially devised diet (Every carbohydrate that is consumed MUST be accounted for with insulin).
It has come to our attention that our Government has extremely high expectations of our children with type 1 diabetes once they turn ten years of age.
The Carers Allowance that our children are entitled to is currently $55 per week (approx.) However, carers of 10 year old children with type 1 diabetes are receiving forms asking them to verify that the condition still exists as well as re-evaluating their eligibility for the carers allowance. (According to Centrelink legislation, a 10 year old child is considered to be self-sufficient in regards to the maintenance of type 1 diabetes, and therefore, they no longer fits the criteria needed to receive the Carers Allowance - regardless of their individual circumstances.
If a child is diagnosed at the age of 9 years and 364 days, they would still be subjected to this assessment and cancellation. As parents of children with type 1 diabetes, we have found and researched overwhelming evidence that states that children who are pre-adolescent and in their teenage years need MORE care and supervision than ever, as it is during this stage where depression, eating disorders, diabetes burnout and general non-compliance are rife. Without the involvement and supervision of parents and caregivers, our children are at extremely high risk of developing diabetic complications.
Type 1 diabetes manifests itself very differently in each person-no two cases are the same. While most 10 year olds can self-administer insulin, and test their own blood glucose levels,the expectation that a 10 year old child is considered self sufficient is ludicrous.
We the undersigned, appeal to the Australian Department of Health, the Australian Department of Education and Centrelink to eliminate the Carers Allowance re-evaluation at age 10 for children with type 1 diabetes,and the yearly verification forms that require proof that the condition still exists. We believe that the carers allowance for people with type 1 diabetes should be extended to AT LEAST 16 years of age.
(N.B - Comments considered offensive, or the use of fictitious names will be REMOVED from the petition immediately.)
The Australian children with type 1 diabetes are NOT self-sufficent at the age of 10! petition to Department of Health (Australia) Centrelink Australia was written by Kate Hannant and Annemarie Felten-Branson and is in the category Health at GoPetition.