On Sunday night, it really hit. I couldn't stop crying. I was heartbroken, because I realised that having diabetes, and more relevently paying for medication and care, mean that I will probably never afford to do my Masters in Clinical Psychology. The Masters requires me not only to pay for tuition, but also living expenses and well as medical care as I will be without medical aid. The truth is, I just can't afford it, and now I have to find a new career.
The Big Meltdown
6/ 4/08 4:44pm
Listen up! Don't cry. My older sister (now 27 years old), Mary, has had diabetes for 20 years. Yes, since she was 7. She is a perfectly healthy working professional in Chicago. Her insurance plan, through her work, covers her specialist vists, insulin, etc. Most insurance plans through schools and or work-study programs cover specialists (i.e. OBGYNs are specialists just like endocrinologists=diabetes specialists).
Especially if you are going to go get your masters (and many schools pay for your schooling, research, etc. in FULL) in a medical / scientific field I am sure you can work with someone in the financial, health, student life department in working something out.
Don't freak out! I know that is hard to hear, especially from some random person over the internet.
By the way, my sister was just approved for the pump!
click the above link to find a specialist.
It is not the end of the world...
6/ 4/08 4:47pm
6/ 5/08 2:32am
11/13/08 6:47pm
Hi. I'm 43 years old and live in Australia. My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 a couple of months ago. I want to tell you that I'm doing my psychology degree through an Australian university that has a campus in South Africa. I'm curently doing my third year and highly recommend it, because I study part time (i.e. it takes twice as long to finish), and I study off-campus (i.e. lectures etc come through the computer). You will see that this course is also available in South Africa if you click on the following link
http://www.monash.ac.za/prospective/courses/arts/psychology.html
There's a search facility on that website and you can search the Monash site for who to contact in making enquiries about financial assistance, etc. They really are keen to help people who are seriously interested in doing well. (That's been my experience).
I feel sad for the state of the medical system in other countries - my daughter got all her diabetes equipment for free, and we attend a specialist diabetes clinic whenever we want to (for free), which has a psychologist, diabetes educators, a dietician and rotating shifts of paediatricians. When she needs new insulin-pen refills or test strips for her blood glucose monitor the cost is subsidised by Diabetes Australia and we pay about three dollars per refill. The most expensive part of her having diabetes is petrol to get to the clinic (we live in a country town), and the jellybeans!
Be positive and go to the Monash University website and see what they can do for you. Studying off-campus has meant that I am able to home for my kids after school, I'm able to work, and juggle my studies into a space that accommodates all my other responsibilities (even if it's studying at night / in the bath / on the toilet). LOL.
Good luck.
from Sue.
6/27/08 2:23am
6/29/08 9:47pm
Hey, you can do it! I finished my Master's in Marriage and Family in 5 years instead of the 2 it's supposed to take. I had my 4th child during that time.
I took classes nights and weekends. Be creative in financing your education, I wish I had looked for more grants and scholarships. And be creative in finding insurance. Check out other employers. They may cover tuition and/or insurance better. You may be able to do part or all of the schooling online. Don't give up.
7/24/08 4:31pm
There is hope. I don't know where you live, but there are free clinics that offer medical services. Also, the university you attend should have a clinic with a doctor available. Even if that physician is not able to prescribe he or she could get you the info to how to get free services. All of the pharm. companies have patient assistance programs, too. You can get services and help, and finish school.
7/25/08 3:53am
Thanks for all your supportive comments!
An update: http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/13823/35003/big-meltdown
10/ 4/08 2:53am
OK kick yourself in the rear as the more you pay out in schooling utilites and day care if you have kids the more chances of you keeping your medicade
I don't see you making megga bucks in the employee feild just yet as you have not gotten the degree yet so I am quite sure your bills will exceed your income which qualifies you as getting a helping hand . You wont get much finacial aid but you will get food stamps which by the way is not considered welfare by the goverment it is what it is a helping hand up and your tax dollars help make it possible 
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Hey Meg:
I relate to your hopelessness; there have been many times when I have felt great loss about having to give up certain activities or plans because of diabetes and matters related to expenses and health insurance. There are still brief times when I feel I can't live another day with diabetes.
However, I did graduate with a masters degree in social work on Tuesday. It was a two year program where I had to cover living expenses for myself and my son. I was able to get a work stipend, a roommate, federal loans, alternative loans and use savings to cover the whole thing. I was also able to keep my health insurance active through CalCobra and then CalCobra extension (here in the California) and because I technically had no income, I put my son on Healthy Families/Medical. At times I was paying very high premiums,but my diabetes expenses were covered
Getting the money for school was actually the easiest part, going to school with diabetes and working in the field amongst clients with and without diabetes was surprisingly very challenging. I experienced severe conflict around testing my blood sugar and with the faculty over my diabetes supplies and had to register as a disabled student to protect myself in the classroom and keep the right to have my supplies with me. Now I am experiencing discrimination because county doctors ruled that I am incapable of driving a car because of insulin reactions, which would make me unhireable for the position I have trained for for two years, so I am in the process of appealling that, because I am well-controlled and have never had a problem driving safely.
It has been very difficult having to constantly advocate for myself amongst administrators who don't understand the inherent needs of people with diabetes. But, I did it; I got the degree. It took many years of saving and planning before it began to fall into place.
So, yes, having diabetes can be limiting in many ways and that is sad. For me I have had to make all my major life's decisions based on what kind of health insurance I would end up with. Skimping on diabetes care or supplies is not an option for me. I was able to maintain health coverage for the whole two years and that part was surprisingly easy.
I wish you luck. Your plans can fall into place too.
Thank you for your reply, Susan. It's great to hear that other people have faced similar hurdles and overcome them. Well done. Your story inspires me to hope.