Diabetes patients receive encouragement and more

Katy Nicholson, Herald Staff Writer

ROANOKE RAPIDS - Diabetics in the Roanoke Valley received support and motivation during the past week from someone who can relate to the challenges they face.

Loretha Huff of Chicago, who has had Type 2 diabetes for 24 years, spoke at Halifax HealthLink Tuesday to a crowd of about 50 people. Huff is a member of the sanofi-aventis A1C Champions Program, which is a patient-led approach to diabetes education.

Huff said she had good eating habits and was surprised when she was diagnosed with the disease, although it runs in her family. She initially did not want to deal with finger sticking, a strict diet, exercise and insulin injections, but then realized it was up to her to improve the quality of her life.

“It was a challenge then and it still is a challenge, but the good thing is that there are things I can do,” she said.

Huff also explained the importance of a positive attitude, noting that too much stress can have a negative impact on diabetics. Keeping journals of A1C levels, which assess blood glucose levels over a two- to three-month period, is a good way to track progress over time, she said, and it is also important for patients to see their doctors regularly.

Huff said that her motivator is her family, and it is important for other diabetes patients to have something that keeps them motivated to stay healthy. It is also critical that they realize their health is up to them, and that they are not alone.

“When you say that you have to do a thing, it's like the health care provider or disease is in control ... You have the choice to say if and how you're going to take control,” she said.

Huff's sessions at the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Center and J.W. Faison Senior Center were also well-attended, according to Sue Liverman, health education nurse and certified diabetes educator with Rural Health Group. Liverman said the events have been in the works for months, and she was pleased with the turnout.

After Huff's speech, the audience enjoyed lunch, and Liverman explained how the meal had been balanced to meet the nutritional needs of diabetics.

Huff told each person in the room to write down a goal for managing their diabetes. Janet Jones of Roanoke Rapids explained that her husband, Buck, is diabetic, and she wants to be as supportive as possible.

“We try really hard,” she told the Daily Herald. “Sometimes he's anxious but we constantly think about it and we're already doing a lot of things that are correct.”

Buck, who has had the disease for 13 years, said the program helped to alleviate some of his concerns. He learned that his A1C level, which is below seven as recommended, is not a problem. Janet is already a big help, he noted, particularly with his diet.

“She does cook sweets and gives them away,” he said with a laugh. “She doesn't give me much of a chance.”

Mary A. Smith of Roanoke Rapids has had diabetes for 18 years and attended the session as part of Liverman's diabetic class. Smith was one of 10 people who received an A1C Champion certificate for completing diabetes education training. Graduating from the course has helped her manage her disease as well as motivate others.

“I've learned that I'm going to take charge of my diabetes and I'm not going to let diabetes take charge of me,” she said. “I can't tell anyone else about it if I'm not going to do it myself.”

For more information about diabetes education, call Sue Liverman at 532-1404.