Kids think Eddie’s a legend
Dear Editor,
We were all shocked at Kiwi preschool playgroup to hear of the retirement of East Kilbride fire chief Eddie Kelly (It’s end of an era for Eddie, June 20).
We didn’t know you were so old Eddie!
Eddie and his fine set of firefighters have been brilliant working with our children over the years and making them aware, in a fun way, of the dangers of fire.
So thank you to Eddie and have a riproaring retirement. You deserve it! Chairman Rebecca Hay, Kiwi pre-school playgroup, East Kilbride
Help for young diabetics Dear Editor,
It is fitting to mark Diabetes Week, which has taken place this month for Scotland’s 30,000 adults and children living with type 1 diabetes, by noting that life-changing monitors are now available on the NHS.
A child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at five faces 50,000 finger prick blood glucose tests by the time they are 18.
Each painful finger prick is part of a daily routine which also includes calculating carbohydrate intake and frequent insulin injections, all to prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemia and long-term complications.
But since November last year, a “flash glucose monitoring” system called the Freestyle Libre can be prescribed by local GPs, offering an alternative to such intensive finger pricking.
The rollout of flash glucose monitoring, which gives a reading via a simple sensor, however, is not consistent across all local health boards. So, our message for Diabetes Week is to call for health boards in Scotland to speed up prescription policies.
And step up much-needed prescriptions.
As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 21 years, new technology, such as the FreeStyle Libre, makes a world of difference. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and until we find the cure for it, research and technology are vital. Holly Davies, Development Manager East Scotland, JDRF
Debate on funeral costs Dear Editor,
I wasn’t aware how much burial costs had increased in South Lanarkshire, and across Scotland, this decade (The dearly departed, June 20).
Unless you or someone close to you has lost a loved one and has needed to organise a funeral service, it’s not something one, perhaps, takes a great interest in.
It seems that many people, therefore, get a nasty shock when they find out how much funerals cost and that’s not to mention the pain and sadness they’re enduring due to a death.
I’m glad this issue has been raised because how we support the grieving is as important as honouring the dead. D McLaren, via email
Store staff were brilliant Dear Editor,
Through your letters page may I say thank you to Selena and the staff at Lidl Hairmyres.
They were extremely kind in helping me get home after I suffered a panic attack at the store last week.
I now feel so much better and will be right as rain in no time – thanks again. Mary Wilson, Calderwood