A children’s author has described her dreams of becoming pregnant as a “great act of hope” in a poignant letter she has written to “her future child”.
Alyssa Czaya has Type 1 diabetes and for a long time felt moth
Woman’s dream of motherhood on hold due to funding cut for diabetes tech
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Alyssa Czaja says her dream of starting a family is on hold after funding was suspended for technology that would allow her to better manage her glucose levels during pregnancy.
She has Type 1 diabetes and other chronic conditions, and had been reassured by doctors at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, that a reasonably safe pregnancy was possible with the aid of the technology.
But a few months later, she received a letter telling her the roll out was being suspended for a year due to funding issues.
“It was pretty devastating,” she said. “My journey has very much hinged on wanting to be as responsible as possible. we wouldn’t want to pursue pregnancy without this.”
She said for years she told herself that her conditions made her unsuited to motherhood, but counselling helped reframe her thoughts.
As part of the process she was encouraged to write a letter to her future child, who she described as her “investment in better”.
The letter reads: “You are my radical, not rational choice… you are made of love, whether that’s biological with me and my husband or whether you have been knit together in another womb.”
During pregnancy for people with Type 1 diabetes, high blood glucose levels pose a risk of complications for both mother and baby. These include having a larger baby which can make the birth more painful and the baby may be born with serious health problems.
Alyssa said it had taken a long time to reach the decision to start a family as she has a number of chronic conditions,though she said diabetes had the biggest “mental and emotional load”.
Wales Faces Calls for Dedicated Funding to Improve Access to Life-Changing Diabetes Technology
Cardiff, Wales – Diabetes UK Cymru is urging the Welsh Government to allocate ring-fenced funding for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, arguing that inconsistent access across Wales is leaving people with Type 1 diabetes behind. While commitments have been made to roll out the technology, the charity says a lack of dedicated funding is hindering progress and creating a postcode lottery for vital healthcare.
What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems are small devices worn on the body that track blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. unlike customary finger-prick testing,CGM provides real-time glucose readings,trends,and alerts,helping individuals with diabetes and their healthcare teams make informed decisions about insulin dosage,diet,and exercise. This can substantially improve blood glucose control, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance quality of life.https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-diabetes/technology/continuous-glucose-monitoring
Concerns Over inconsistent Access in Wales
Rachel Burr,Director of Diabetes UK Cymru,highlighted the relentless nature of managing Type 1 diabetes,emphasizing the constant monitoring and decision-making required. She stated that the current situation in Wales is “a very variable picture” with “inconsistent” access to CGM. Some areas of Wales reportedly have no access to the technology,while others face lengthy waiting lists.
“This is technology that is life-changing – that can make a huge difference to individuals with type 1 diabetes or anybody who’s using insulin,” Burr said. “Not only their day-to-day life, their mental health, their well-being, but their outcomes, and whether they’re likely to go on to develop what can be pretty horrible complications of diabetes.”
Burr also expressed concern that funding is readily available across the border in England,and people living with diabetes in Wales should not be disadvantaged.
Government Response and Expansion of Eligibility
The Welsh Government stated that eligibility criteria for CGM were “significantly expanded” in December 2023, with a five-year implementation period to allow the National Health Service (NHS) sufficient time to provide access to all eligible individuals. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/continuous-glucose-monitoring-diabetes-wales-28649991
However, Diabetes UK Cymru argues that without dedicated funding, the five-year timeframe may not be sufficient to ensure equitable access across Wales. The charity believes ring-fenced funding is crucial to accelerate the rollout and prevent further disparities in care.
The Importance of CGM for Diabetes Management
CGM technology offers numerous benefits for individuals with diabetes,including:
* Improved Glycemic Control: Real-time data allows for more precise insulin adjustments.
* Reduced Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Alerts can warn users of impending low blood sugar events.
* Enhanced Quality of Life: Reduced burden of frequent finger-prick testing and improved confidence in managing the condition.
* Prevention of Long-Term Complications: better glucose control reduces the risk of developing serious complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. https://www.jdrf.org/continuous-glucose-monitoring/
The call for increased funding reflects a growing recognition of the transformative potential of CGM technology in diabetes care and a commitment to ensuring that all individuals living with the condition in Wales have access to the tools they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.