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| Last updated at 10:01 AM on 24/12/07 |
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In addition to getting a chance to be on stage with a star, Christien also received the special gift of an insulin pump. George Canyon, himself a diabetic, presented Christien with his pump that came courtesy of the Animas corporation.
photo courtesy Rita Barron
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Now he can sleep late 
Medical gift ensures a better life for Clarenville boy
BARRY WHEATON
The Packet
Twelve year old Christien Barron of Clarenville can now sleep late in the mornings.
For most kids his age that is a given.
For Christien, sleeping late could have been life threatening.
That's because he's a type 1 diabetic, a disease that must be monitored frequently.
But Christien, a Grade six student at Clarenville Middle School, can now sleep later in the mornings and he can do most other things children his age do, thanks to a device known as an "Animas 2020" diabetic pump.
The story begins six years ago when Christien was diagnosed a Type 1 diabetic.
He was in kindergarten at the time.
The diagnosis immediately changed his young life.
" It meant I had to take four needles a day which was a hassle, just not very good," he says, adding, "It used to hurt but I got used to that after a while."
It also changed a lot of things for Christien's parents, Gerry and Rita Barron.
"He had to eat six times a day whether he was hungry or not, just to maintain his sugar levels. He couldn't do very simple things that other kids did, if he did, we had to make preparations well in advance," says his mom.
"The pump means no more high sugars and we no longer have to do any more 3:00 a.m. checks, three to four times a week," says his mom, adding, "If his sugar was low, which it usually was, he'd have to get up at 3:00 a.m. and have a snack. He now has a chance at having a normal life."
Animas 2020
The pump is a small device, powered by two batteries.
It's about the size of a beeper, comfortable to wear and easy to conceal.
A small tube from the pump is inserted into Christien's belly.
The little machine calculates his sugar levels and how much insulin he needs at any given time.
Rita says Christien still has to have one needle a couple of times a week.
"Other than that, he only has to change the insert every three days. We call it a mini, computerized pancreas."
Waiting List
Christien had been on a list for six years waiting to get a diabetic pump.
" We didn't have medical insurance and that was a major problem," explains his mother.
"The pumps cost several thousand dollars. On top of that there is the maintenance costs, as well as the cost of the insulin and test strips. There was no possibility of getting one without insurance."
Enter Country singer George Canyon, himself a type 1 diabetic and a promoter of the Animas 2020 pump.
Canyon was in St. John's on October 30, performing at the Arts and Culture Centre.
Christien is a bit of a performer himself.
The Diabetic Foundation, aware of his musical talent with the guitar and trombone, arranged for him to be at the Arts and Culture Centre and a meeting with Canyon.
Unknown to Christien, the plan was to have him perform on stage with the Country artist.
Together, they belted out the Johnny Cash hit, "Ring of Fire."
"It was amazing," says Barron, adding, " I'd heard of Canyon but I didn't really know him."
Another Surprise
But Canyon and the company that sells the Animas 2020 had another surprise for Christien.
One of the pumps was being donated that night to a diabetic child.
Christien, who was known for his musical talents and who had performed at diabetic walks, had been chosen as the recipient.
It was a proud moment for him and his parents.
"I can't say enough good things about Animas, it's changed our lives." says Rita.
Oddly enough, a few days before Christen received his Animas 2020, the family received a letter from the government advising that Christien would be getting a pump under a new government plan.
It's still good news because under that plan, says Rita, the province pays for maintenance costs.
The family will still have to pay for insulin and test strips but that's a long way from where they were only a few short weeks ago.
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24/12/07
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