Cost of device tough on girl's family

Maddison McQuade with her mother Rachel, who has put together a fundraising lunch to help pay for her treatment. Photo / Paul Taylor

Napier youngster Maddison McQuade is in a unique club of her own - although it's not one she wants to be in.

The 4-year-old is the youngest Type 1 diabetic in Hawke's Bay and under the little tops she wears the evidence is there to see. A stomach sensor attached to her tummy reads and transmits blood sugar rises and falls to a remote receiver so mum Rachel can monitor her condition 24/7.

"She's had it on since March now so she is pretty used to it," Mrs McQuade said, adding that was a good thing as it was likely to stay put for a little while yet.

While the Dexcom G4 monitor was invaluable in ensuring the youngster stayed well, it was not exactly a cheap fix as the sensor it operated had to be changed weekly - at a cost of $125.

Tough going for the family of five and Mrs McQuade said it effectively came down to cutting what costs they could and "hitting the credit card" from time to time.

"We had a fundraiser when she was first put on it and were able to pay for the transmitter and two months worth of sensors."

She and her husband had tried for WINZ support as they were a single income family but were turned down as he just exceeded the income limit.

"And Pharmac doesn't subsidise it."

Now, with the support of Speights Ale House in Ahuriri and a local motor racing star, they have planned a second fundraiser in the form of a luncheon at the West Quay spot tomorrow at noon, which has already attracted about 30 people.

The timing was apt as today , the eve of the lunch, is World Diabetes Day.

Mrs McQuade said they wanted to add something special to it so, being a fan of the V8 exploits of Bay-boy Greg Murphy, got in touch with his father and asked if he might consider being part of it.

Mr Murphy got in contact with his son's wife and she ran it by Greg and it went from there.

"He said it was something he wanted to do so he will be there to talk about the diabetes issue and of course his racing career."

The little battler herself, Madison, would also be there, Mrs McQuade said. There had been a time though when she and her husband feared such an outing may never had taken place. "She came close to falling into a diabetic coma."

What started as being a bit off-colour and feeling unwell led to vomiting, and the start of medical visits for what was deemed to be a gastro-intestinal virus.

But one morning she had clearly deteriorated overnight and looked grey and was lethargic.

The decision to get her to ED was quickly made but before the St John Ambulance even arrived she had lapsed into semi-consciousness.

Within an hour of being admitted to the intensive care unit the diagnosis had been made and life would never quite be the same again. The long-term aim is to get her on to an insulin pump, although the cost again was a high one, although they will make another application for assistance in the New Year.

-People wanting to partake in the $25 lunch can call Mrs McQuade on 833 6343 or arrive and book in on the day.