I am a 40-year-old type 1 diabetic, working mother of two and am outraged by what I have learnt through the Diabetes Association's article of December 6.

Since my 36th birthday I have not been eligible for blood glucose strips. This, I felt, was already unjust and unequal treatment and decided to seek legal advice.

Did the government think that after the age of 36 I would be cured of this chronic illness? Or was it that I would be of no worth, or possibly not be around after that age?

The next blow, one that could cripple my family financially, was made known to me in the report I have referred to.

Why should one chronic illness be treated differently from another? Maybe because the effects of diabetes can only be seen long-term and the government intends to cross that bridge once they get to it? Apparently, rather than helping type 1 diabetics, especially in the prevention of complications, the government is prepared to spend much more in dealing with these complications once they materialise.

Is this how much at least 10 per cent of our population means to the government? Of course, this would mean a reduction of the government's present costs. But what about the future?

Besides having a chronic illness, and having to deal with it every second of our lives in the hope that as we get older no complications arise, we now have to deal with fighting for our drugs, etc.

Is it not enough that one has to waste so much time queuing at the hospital pharmacy or health centres to obtain them?

The time is ripe for diabetics to join hands and stand up for our rights and not accept any more injustices.

I intend to do just that through my lawyer and am offering all diabetics out there to contact me on tel. no. 2131 3755 or by e-mail on fior_jochimsen@hotmail.com in order that we may fight together. The Diabetes Association helps us considerably but this is something that we have to do for ourselves.