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Quinte Insulin Pumpers BBQ! August 18, 2004 |
Quinte Insulin Pumpers Annual BBQ August 18, 2004!
Barbecue and Pot-luck
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 an estimated 45-50 persons gathered at the waterfront family home of Jill and Bruce Milliken for the annual Quinte Insulin Pumpers barbecue and pot-luck dinner.It was a relaxed setting for the exchange of information and encouragement among persons using insulin pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes and those friends and family members who support them.
Everyone had an opportunity to speak with Jill about personal concerns regarding pump therapy. Jill Milliken is a leading Canadian diabetes nurse specialist and is familiar with issues that can arise related to insulin pump therapy.
Many adults drifted over to speak with guest, Ernie Parsons, MLA to express their appreciation of having a bill introduced in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Toronto, in support of funding for insulin pumps and supplies. Bill 55 will make the consideration of an insulin pump a matter of medical choice without the restriction of limited personal finances. Mr. Parsons advised that to hasten final passage of this bill, letters be composed citing personal experiences related to this issue, and then these should be addressed directly to Premier McGuinty with a copy sent to Mr. Parsons, himself, who may distribute it among his colleagues to demonstrate that there is widespread support for Bill 55. He stressed the importance of sincerity.
The children had lots of fun racing around the property, and those with insulin pumps showed they could play as hard as those without.
As in other years, the meal was casual and delicious with Bruce's barbequed burgers and hotdogs and colourful salads with seasonal fruits and vegetables along with snacks and dessert treats. Sponsors, Trenton Independent Grocer and the Farmers' Market, Trenton, deserve our appreciation as do the great cooks who contributed special dishes to the potluck dinner.
It was an evening where everyone felt special to belong to such a nice association. After the meal, people chatted in couples or in small clusters, illustrating the positive effects of our support group for those treating Type 1 diabetes with insulin pump therapy.