The Foundation for Childhood Pancreatitis and Kids HOPE (Hold on Pain Ends) petitions the administration to provide for the automatic approval of federal and state disability to all children suffering from chronic pancreatitis.
Approximately 1 in 10,000 children suffer from pancreatitis, a disease that affects the function of the pancreas, yet currently these children do not qualify for disability like their counterparts who suffer from Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1).
In most cases, pancreatitis causes debilitating pain, weight loss, and vitamin deficiency. It can also lead to pancreatic cancer.
Both Type 1 Diabetes and Pancreatitis disrupt the natural function of the pancreas to produce insulin and digestive enzymes, therefore both should be treated equally with regard to disability.