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Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [2.00 p.m.]: It is an honour today to speak about two young girls whom I met last week in my office—eight-year-old Chloe Douglas and her mum Cathy, and nine-year-old Milly Yates and her mum Chris. Chloe is in the gallery today. Both Chloe and Milly are inspirations to me. They are in grade three, they both have juvenile diabetes and they are young ambassadors for diabetes. Today Chloe and Milly are among 40 young people with type 1 diabetes who have come to Parliament House to meet the State's decision makers and to ask them to "Remember Me".
When I was asked to remember Chloe and Milly, it was not hard to do so. They have angelic faces; they are brave, full of spirit and are a real testimony to what can be achieved in difficult circumstances through hope, earnestness and strength. Both Chloe and Milly must inject insulin into their bodies through needles or a pump because their pancreas no longer produces insulin. Their skin bears the scars from constant needle pricks. Luckily Chloe and Milly now have a pump to administer the insulin so they no longer need to use syringes several times a day and are less likely to suffer complications, such as heart disease, kidney failure and blindness later in life. However, the pumps cost $8,000 and most children with diabetes are not fortunate enough to have them.
Chloe and Milly spoke about their love for the surf, swimming and sport. Chloe told me that her friends at school help her with her type 1 diabetes by overseeing her use of the pump and that the insulin dosage is correct. I enjoyed the education that the two girls gave me. As youth ambassadors, Chloe and Milly are trying to correct the misconception that people have about type 1 diabetes. Chloe's mum Cathy said that because Chloe was diagnosed just after Easter she had to contend with many people asking if Chloe got the disease because she had been eating too much chocolate. That is a common misconception in the community, which we must change. Hopefully, through the efforts of Chloe, Milly and those who have come to the Parliament today, people will become more educated about diabetes.
Scientists are uncertain about what causes type 1 diabetes but they know it has nothing to do with diet and lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is on the rise and is now the biggest chronic disease in children. Indeed, 140,000 Australians have type 1 diabetes and half were diagnosed when they were children. As youth ambassadors, Chloe and Milly said they want to help people understand type 1 diabetes and, most importantly, they want to encourage more funds for research to find a cure. I am committed to helping them in that endeavour. Chloe said:
I feel loved by the people who make donations I know it will make it easier for me, so I won't have to have injections.
Milly said:
It makes me feel good to know people are helping me. It gives me hope, seeing people working for a cure.
I applaud them both, and join them in that goal. I will not forget. I think of their faces and their plight, and I believe we can cure diabetes. We can cure it by raising awareness, providing funds and being inspired by the strength of spirit, determination and bravery of Chloe and Milly, who, day in, day out, refuse to give in, but forever believe in a cure for diabetes. We have that hope too.
I welcome the 40 kids who came to Parliament House today. It is a pleasure to have them here and I thank them for coming to meet us. I acknowledge the work of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which arranged for them to come to Parliament today, and which provides enormous support. I met the chief executive officer, Mike Wilson. I pay tribute to Mike and his team for the hope that they provide to young children with diabetes and their families. I assure Chloe, Milly and all the young ambassadors that we will remember them.
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