Thief Makes Off With Teen's $6,000 Diabetes Monitor

[Connecticut]

Diabetic wrote:

Medtronic is a company that makes insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. The Courant has done this family and Type I insulin dependent diabetics in general a disservice by misidentifying the missing device. Insulin pump/Continuous Blood Glucose monitoring devices can cost upwards of $6000. They are far more than just a simple monitor that you might see in your local drug store.
Laurie, the nurse from Middletown, I hope that you never work with diabetic patients because you clearly show a lack of empathy as well as a lack of knowledge regarding this disease.
Insulin pump users normally disconnect their insulin pump while taking part in contact sports such as basketball because the activity decreases their body's need for insulin. Additionally, the tubing of the device can easily become tangled which can lead to damage to the pump. This teen was responsible in removing the pump. To vilify him in place of the individual who stole this device is to place blame on the wrong individual.
Here's hoping that your device is returned!

I think that his whole thing is being blown out of proportion. The article in the Courant stated that the device was a diabetes monitor and most people would think right off the bat that it was a blood sugar monitor only. I don't think that it was meant to be a disservice to anyone who is a diabetic. So you should take a step back and chill.

[Deb]

Laurie wrote:

I am a nurse and have never heard of anything hand held for diabetics that cost that amount of money. The child should be more responsible, the stupid thief probably thought it was an electronic device, not a medical device!!

Hi there. Check out Minimed.com . OR almost any diabetes site. Pumps have been around for over 20 years and have played a key part in allowing people with diabetes to live a less restrictive life.

[Deb]

Laurie wrote:

I am a nurse and have never heard of anything hand held for diabetics that cost that amount of money. The child should be more responsible, the stupid thief probably thought it was an electronic device, not a medical device!!

ALSO- where do you work? I will be sure that my family doesn't go near the facility. YOU are the problem with the health care system. Barak is looking for ignorant individuals such as you. Go to McDonalds; at least if you screw-up my burger I won't die.

[GEO]

Give the thing back!

[diabetes or diabetic]

It always bothers me that we refer to people with diabetes as diabetics, as though the chronic disease they suffer from completely defines who they are. Is this an issue for those who have diabetes, especially type one patients whose condition is less amenable to treatment via diet- and lifestyle-change? Probably not, as they've got too much on their plate -- so to speak-- to worry about semantics. But it's always nagged at me. I suppose some might argue that referring to oneself as a diabetic indicates that one has 'taken ownership' of the disease and is not in denial about it.

As for the thief of the pump: I can't imagine that s/he thought it was a cell phone or mp3 player or whatnot, given that when you take off the pump you unclip the tubing from your infusion site, and the tubing stays with the pump. So it should have been fairly obvious to the miscreant that the device s/he was stealing was a medical device of some sort.

[Ann Theresa]

You cannot put anything down in New Britain, unless it's nailed down. Putting a $20 bill was like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit. Who ever took the devise could return it and say they found it in the bushes. Let's get this kid his monitor/pump back....no questions asked. Next time young man...remember there are people out there that will steal anything.

[enough already]

Laurie wrote:

I am a nurse and have never heard of anything hand held for diabetics that cost that amount of money. The child should be more responsible, the stupid thief probably thought it was an electronic device, not a medical device!!

I little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. Also, your compassion is underwhelming.

[Anonymous]

It must be an insulin pump. Blood glucose monitors are very inexpensive these days (they get you on the cost of test strips).

The poor kid had to go from a pump to now injecting insulin many times a day - that's rough! I can't believe someone would steal in insulin pump. They have an LCD screen and buttons, so some idiot youth at the park likely thought it was an MP3 player and swiped it.

[Susan Singer]

Never heard of any diabetic monitor costing $6,000 especially that a child would carry, perhaps more like $60.00 and not $6.000 My mother is a diabetic and they cost between $50-$100.00 for a blood sugar tester. Be curious what make/model this diabetic blood sugar is. Sorry that someone stole it but they are inexpensive to replace, monitors are inexpensive, test strips cost is what can get you

[Linda]

I feel sorry that this child Diabetic monitor was stolen, sugar testers are around $60.00 if its a pump then they do cost big bucks. This kid was irresponsible leaving it along with money laying around. But what is done is done, hopefully the person stole it will return it, from the newspaper article the Family will not press charges. The thief probably thought was some other type of am electonic device and hopefully he/she will return it.0.

Do not leave anything like this around or have a friend what it for you and not leave it exposed because asking for trouble whether in New Britain or anywhere because chances are it will soon be gone.

[NBConservative]

Interesting how comments are directed at the criminals when the crimes happen in suburbs, like the bank robbery in Farmington, the assault and robbery at knifepoint in Southington, the sexual assault on a minor in Southington, the stabbing in Newington, and the robbery at gunpoint in West Hartford. When they happen in diverse cities, like NB, some comments focus on the residents and become nasty towards people of different races.

Crime happens everywhere, and is committed by blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians. Cities have their problems, but don't use crime as an opportunity to blast your ignorant hate at people who are different from you. Sad that in this day, we have people with college degrees who are so ignorant that they exhibit racial hatred akin to that shown in rural Alabama at the turn of the last century. Undereducated, minority, and lower income people who are targeted are often more accepting of people who are different because they come in contact with more diversity in their daily lives. No matter what your current life situation, law abiding citizens despise criminals and what they bring to the community. It does not excuse vile comments and attitudes, however.

[Denise]

hopefully they had insurance if was a pump or the company who supplied the pump has insurance so this child can get a new pump with no cost to the family.

We live in a very sad, dishonest society, can't trust anyone including the Government. Hopefully the person who stole the pump will have a good heart and return it so can be a blessing back to the child. The theif will be blessed if he returns it and admits he was wrong and sorry.

[Papa Cooz]

Welcome to New Britain.

Lock your doors.

[NBConservative]

Papa Cooz wrote:

Welcome to New Britain.
Lock your doors.

Lock 'em in Southington too, for that matter.

[Sunimah Beesh]

NBConservative wrote:

Lock 'em in Southington too, for that matter.

Are you kidding me? It doesn't matter WHERE you live. Lock 'em.

[type120yrs]

So get this, I am actually wanted to help this family and felt bad about Ethan losing his pump. I have type 1 for 20 years and use an insulin pump. And yes without insurance they cost $6,000. But get this. I looked up their phone number and was going to offer help in getting him a new pump, HE HAS A NEW ALREADY. Medtronic, the largest maker of insulin pumps replaced his for free! THAT IS WHAT ETHAN told me today...

Here is some interesting food for thought, while looking up their phone number I discovered his father was "the director of type one diabetes assistance and enlightenment" --- interesting i think, so I look at the website and it is one of those scam diabetes sites. Looked down upon in the diabetes community. Not to mention he collects $31,000 a year for his "non-profit" organization... To host a website full of advertisements. WAY TO MAKE A BUCK --- Sad sad sad.