By Raizel Ochoa
Courier Staff Reporter
The James Logan Health Center is holding a type 1 diabetes support group for students to get to know others, share support, experiences, and advice.
You may be wondering why specifically type 1. Here is the reason why: Although, all sorts of diabetics are very welcome, the group emphasizes this kind because the majority of diabetics in high school are type 1. Also, there is not much difference when regards to care and support between the 2 kinds. Therefore, the diabetes group is beneficial for all diabetics.
The leaders of the support group are Jeanne Chiu: nurse practitioner, Natalie Montes: Health Educator, Adrienne Lozano: Facilitate, and Travis Fuger: co-leader who is an experienced type one diabetic.
Travis is very thankful to now have a diabetes support group, for he never had the resources in his high school years. He is proud to finally be apart of a community of people who understand.
Already, there is a close network of students with diabetes. A support group is a great form to get together and get to know others in a personal level.
The support group just began last month, where they brainstormed ideas for discussion. To start off, there are now a few members in the group who are ironing out details and learning as they process. Leaders and members are excited for more students to join and have a safe environment to connect with each other and destress from frustrations.
For the second meeting on Friday, they spoke about nutrition and stigma. Diabetics must learn how to handle high sugary foods that are not recommended for their metabolism. Also, they discuss how to converse with ones who are not very knowledgeable about this topic and ones who can possibly make them feel like outcasts and/or shunned just because they don’t completely understand.
The Diabetes Group is interested in getting involved in the community as they adventure to field trip(s) such as visiting a diabetes camp.
The staff will be setting up a table sometime during lunch to inform students and even teachers about the support group and about type 1 diabetes.
The diabetes support group are currently discussing if the meetings should be open to all students even without diabetes for a place of growing knowledge and awareness.
The Diabetes Super Support Group meets once a month, rotating from 4th and 5th lunch periods. Students can simply sign up at the health center located in Colt Court, near the main office. A parent’s consent is required to participate in the meetings. It is never too late to join.
The staff and group members hope to see you at the next meeting. So come on up to the health center, open Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm for a chance to get involved with the diabetes community.
