On Wednesday,ÊSeptember 21, 2005, nine persons and their support persons
concerned with the delivery of insulin by means of insulin pumps gathered at
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Avenue Belleville, Ontario, 7:00 to
9:00 pm.

Travel Tip

As a result of increased security at Canadian airports, the Canadian Diabetes
Association and the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) are advising
people with diabetes to obtain a letter from their doctor outlining their on
board medical needs prior to air travel.Ê

According to a notice dated September 20, 2005, ATAC advises passengers with
diabetes carrying insulin, syringes or other diabetes related material (
lancets, glucose meters, insulin pumps, insulin pens) that they must present a
doctor's letter describing the medications and medical devices in their
possession. Prior to boarding, passengers will be required to present this
letter as well as their medication at security screening points at Canadian
airports.Ê

People with diabetes need to be able to take their insulin injection devices and
other diabetes materials with them in a carry-on bag.Ê

Furthermore, insulin is affected by extreme temperatures and should not be
stored in an unpressurized area of an aircraft.

The Canadian Diabetes Association has a detailed summary of travel tips for
people with diabetes at <http://www.diabetes.ca>www.diabetes.ca .

Members discussed tactics for coping with changes in time zones.

QIP Member Working in Diabetes

Heather Gammage, whom we supported for her marathon in Italy,Êis reported to
have extended her summer internship with Medtronic, Toronto into a full-time
position.  Congratulations Heather!

Income Tax Credit

Our Chair, Nancy Stafford reported on her family's recent success in obtaining a
significantÊincomeÊtax credit qualifying under the new Canadian Disability Act
that recognizes that a person on an insulin pump for medical reasons is eligible
for a disability tax credit.ÊQualifying involved having the doctor complete an
8-page technical form related to the insulin pump as a medical instrument and a
parent signing three additional documents prepared by her accountant. "It was
worth the effort." Nancy observed.

Upgrading

Members were reminded to ask their pump suppliers if "Free upgrades"
includedÊsoftware only or hardware as well.

Resources

Because staff there have personal links to diabetes, Shoppers Drugs, Trenton has
a reputation for possessing a phenomenal amount of knowledge, for having an
excellent source of on-the-shelf supplies andÊfor delivering evenÊto Belleville
in urgent situations. ÊBalu's Pharmacy in Stirling was also recommended.  Staff
training concerning diabetes is an issue when choosing a pharmacy.

Other drugstores will happily meet diabetic needs on a pre-order basis.  Members
should beÊaware that supplies vary in price depending on the drug store. 
Costco, Kingston, has good prices, a wide selection and a pharmacist who is on a
pump.

Independence

The teen member present was quizzed about when he was able to manage his pump
independently.  At ten he was able to program the Medtronic
<http://www.minimed.ca/>http://www.minimed.ca/ Êinsulin pump himself.ÊÊHe
believes that at twelveÊhe was capable of being independent, but six years
later, his mother still feels sheÊmust give him reminders.

It was pointed out that it is easy to tell that those who "do what the doctor
says and nothing more," do less well than those who are constantly doing
research into ways toÊmanage their diabetes.

Sensitivity to Insulin Levels

YourÊability to sense either a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic reaction depends on
how well you keep your blood sugars. If your  blood glucose reading is regularly
5.8, you will feel change more easily.

Note: Two mini candy canes contain 15 grams of carbohydrates if you need glucose
in a hurry.

Flexibility

A new member who had recently begun pump therapy withÊa
CozMoreÊ<http://www.cozmore.com/>http://www.cozmore.com/ said that the
greatestÊadvantage after switching from syringes was "flexibility" and he had
recently enjoyed his first international flight and the changes associated with
travel.Ê

Special Guest

Rosalie Spargo , a volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association, works in
advocacy on behalf of diabetics in Eastern Ontario.ÊÊIt is her concern that
diabetes has not been taken seriously and today we are treating complications
that could have been prevented.  She made reference to the article in the
Toronto Star,ÊSeptember 21, 2005 that discussed University of Western Ontario
research being done on type 2 diabetes.ÊThere's a huge lack of awareness of how
difficult this disease is.  By presentations to Quinte WestÊand Belleville City
Councils to have November declared Diabetes Month, by arranging for a talk show
on the topic, and by various other community activities, she hopes to increase
public awareness of issues associated with diabetes.

Anniversary

This is the 35th anniversary of the founding of Camp Huronda, a summer camp
experience for youngsters with diabetes.

Next Meetings Quinte Insulin Pumpers meet toÊshare informationÊfor managing type
1 diabetes at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Avenue, BellevilleÊon
the third Wednesday of each month.

October 19, 2005 7:00-9:00 pm November 16, 2005, 7:00-9:00 pmÊÊÊ December 21,
2005, 7:00 -9:00 pm.Ê