By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express
Susan Switzer was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes seven years ago.
She says living with the disease is hard at times because she doesn’t know what she can eat or how best to manage her blood-sugar levels.
“If you are at a function, you can’t eat desserts,” she explains.
“It gets a little hard especially with desserts and sweets.”
But, she says, workshops like those being held at the Oshawa Community Health Centre are important when it comes to learning about type 2 diabetes, as well as, gaining a support network.
“I think I need to learn a little more,” she says. “I want to learn how to eat better, what to eat.”
Switzer was referred to the clinic by her doctor, but Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator Marlie Bowville says all people have to do is call.
“There’s so much information,” she says. “They can call in, they bring in their lab work. It’s a support.”
The Diabetes Education Program, Your Journey to Wellness, runs the first, second and third Wednesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the centre.
The workshops discuss type 2 diabetes, what it is, how it affects your body, support mechanisms, nutrition, etc.
“We’ve got close to 500 clients. It’s all very personalized. It’s very self-management focused,” Boville adds. “We’re just a phone call away.”
And she says more people need to come forward, because the numbers are showing a dramatic climb in those being diagnosed with the disease.
According to the Central East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), 140,000 people in the area will be diagnosed with diabetes.
Of these people, around 70,000 reside in Oshawa.
“There’s more awareness, more testing. There’s more risks, more people. Diabetes is a chronic disease,” she says, adding those who are over 40 should be assessed and those who are at risk could also benefit from the program.
And Registered Dietitian Debra Pal says the numbers being reported is just the tip of the iceberg.
Such is the reason why workshops are important for those who need some guidance, she says.
“There’s a lot of questions. People have this fear they can’t eat anything. A lot of times I can put their mind at ease,” she says.
“It’s not the end of your life.”
Pal suggests following Canada’s food guide in the context of diabetes and says it’s mainly about balancing your plate.
“It’s kind of making things simple and practical. It’s just balance. It’s really just about how much.”
But the main benefit is being able to have someone and somewhere to go, she says.
“We have the time to spend with them. It’s free. The changes we talk about are good for the whole family. It’s really a system that a lot of people would benefit from.”
And Switzer says the education she takes away from the program will allow her to talk openly about the disease to her family and friends who may not know how important it is for her to eat properly.
“People need to realize not to shove things in your face, ‘It won’t hurt you, it’s just a little bit,’” she says people always tell her. |
