Navigating Challenges and Seeking Hope.

Katie, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 18, which has led to the development of a severe eating disorder, dia-bulimia. This resulted in dangerously high blood sugar levels. Despite trying various insulin types, Katie faced adverse skin reactions to the synthetics present. A year ago, at 22, she obtained an insulin pump to better manage her blood sugars. Sadly, this solution has caused irreversible nerve damage and leg pain, coupled with diabetic retinopathy affecting the blood vessels in her eyes, potentially leading to blindness (she is legally blind in one eye from a pre-existing condition).

The complications from nerve damage, retinopathy, and other issues forced Katie to leave her job. She now has limited mobility and, can't drive. Katie relies on a combination of opioids to cope with her pain. However, these medications have caused severe digestive problems, leading to multiple hospital admissions, including instances of ketoacidosis.

The adverse effects of pain medications have forced Katie to discontinue their use, leaving her to endure the pain. The next step in her journey involves exploring non-conventional treatments such as CBD and THC, but these come at a high personal cost ranging from $500 - $1000 monthly as they are not funded.

We are hopeful that these alternative treatments can provide relief for Katie, allowing her to regain some normalcy in her life. After enduring five years of challenges, she deserves the opportunity to reclaim her life.