by Lois Williams
The
American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) held its annual conference
in August 2005 in Washington, D.C. Diabetes Action Network President Lois Williams
attended and filed this report:
Television reality shows feature cosmetic makeovers, home makeovers, weight loss makeovers, and fashion makeovers. Diabetes device and equipment company BD (Becton, Dickinson & Co.) created a ‘Diabetes Makeover,’ and revealed the program’s amazing results at the 2005 AADE Conference.
BD selected five diverse diabetic participants from across the country, three with Type 2 diabetes and two with Type 1 diabetes—all having had the condition for varying lengths of time. BD then assembled a “Dream Team” of leading clinical, diabetes education, nutrition, fitness and lifestyle organization experts. Over the course of eight weeks, each participant was evaluated and provided a personalized diabetes program, including new medication regimens, an individualized fitness plan, nutritional guidance, lifestyle management skills, and ongoing support.
The Dream Team included Dr. Harvey Katzoff, Endocrinologist; Andrea Zaldivar, Diabetes Nurse Educator; Ann Fittante, Dietitian; Paul Frickman, Exercise Physiologist; and Pam Kelly, professional organizer, with support from Gary Hall, Jr., diabetic and gold medal Olympic swimmer.
At the AADE Conference’s “Revealing Session,” we learned that, by the end of the eight weeks, every participant lowered his or her glucose levels into target range. The participants were quite confident and pleased with the results. They will continue to receive support and be monitored by the health care “Dream Team.”
According to BD, the purpose of this program is to help motivate and inspire the more than 20 million Americans living with diabetes to put together their own health care “Dream Team.” Every diabetic should have a physician who knows and understand diabetes. The team should also include a diabetes educator (most insurance companies, and Medicare, will pay for diabetes education), a dietitian, and a physical therapist (this service is also covered by Medicare).
In addition, the Diabetes Action Network (which publishes Voice of the Diabetic) emphasizes the value of peer mentorship. If a diabetic is visually impaired or experiencing other complications, the support team should include a buddy or mentor who has experience with that particular complication. DAN provides a peer-support network that connects you with others who have confronted the same challenges, and found workable, livable solutions. You can contact DAN by phone at (256) 852-4143 or by email at loiscares898@yahoo.com, or join our email listserv by sending an email to: diabetes-talk-request@nfbnet.org and putting “subscribe” in the subject line.
Some Dream Team members provided advice you may not have heard from your doctor. Dream Team member and professional organizer Pam Kelly says, “Being organized can help reduce stress,” and of course stress reduction is another way to help keep blood glucose levels in target range.
Here are her suggestions:
• Use a calendar to keep a record of all doctors’ appointments and test dates.
• Use file folders to keep all test results and insurance forms together in an easily accessible place.
• Keep all diabetes supplies in the same place all the time. (This eliminates the need to remember where you used them last.)
• For women, the Peacock purse, designed by a visually impaired diabetic and a personal favorite of mine, is a wonderful way to keep supplies together whether at home or traveling. [www.mydiabeticbag.com or email: pavo@bellsouth.net]
Dream Team dietitian Ann Fittante helped each participant modify their meal plan by including healthy food choices, using smaller portion sizes, and exercising moderation. They did not have to give up many of the foods they enjoyed.
All the members of the “Dream Team” emphasized that the goal of the ‘Diabetes Makeover’ is to encourage all diabetics to assemble their own Dream Team to achieve the success enjoyed by all of the ‘Makeover’ participants. For more information about the program or to volunteer to be a ‘Makeover’ participant, check out BD’s Web site at http://www.bd.com/diabetes_makeover/.
As the Dream Team stated, diabetics need to learn all we can about monitoring, controlling, and treating our diabetes. Voice of the Diabetic is an excellent source of information for all diabetes-related topics, and it is the nation’s best source of free diabetes information for the blind or visually impaired. For your FREE cassette or print subscription, email: ebryant@socket.net.
You can undertake your own ‘Diabetes Makeover,’ and the Voice is
a great way to start. Choose to make healthy food choices and use sensible portion
sizes. Be physically active. Take control and stay in control. You can do it;
it’s YOUR life!