Forums help those with diabetes and their families

Samantha Pidde

Nov. 2, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CLINTON -- November is National Diabetes Month. However, locally, diagnosed diabetics and their families have had year-round support and information available to them for more than two decades.

For the past 23 years, Sue Collins, a registered nurse and a certified diabetic educator, has been serving the community as an educational coordinator at Medical Associates. The program was originated in June 1986 by Collins and Dr. Dale Weber. The program continues at the Medical Associates West Annex with Collins acting as coordinator. Dr. John O'Shea is the physician in charge of the program and Pam Eaton is the dietitian.

Collins said their services are important due to the prevalence of diabetes. She said there are currently 24 million diagnosed diabetics. She said that unfortunately, 50 million remain undiagnosed. Collins said her goal is to educate those diagnosed so they can spot the disease in people they know. She said she has received patient referrals.

"Let's find these people with the undiagnosed diabetes. Let's get them into early treatment so they can have longevity with quality," said Collins.

Collins meets with diabetes patients one-on-one on a daily basis. She also holds five support group forums each month. The Clinton forum is held every second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Medical Associates West Annex. This month's forum will focus on managing stress and will be Nov. 10. Collins also holds forums in Fulton, Ill., Morrison, Ill., Savanna, Ill., and DeWitt during the month.

The Fulton forum meets on the fourth Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Fulton Township Hall. The group meets at the Morrison Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The Savanna forum is held in the Savanna Library on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.

The DeWitt forum meets every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the DeWitt Family Health Clinic. However, Collins said all but the Clinton forum will be canceled in November and December due to the holidays. The forums will resume in January.

Collins said the forums deal with a variety of issues.

Topics covered by the events include a diabetes overview, stress and options for dealing with stress, meal plans, medications, exercise, the administration of insulin, foot care, dental care, skin care and the treatment of acute and chronic complications. Collins said the forums provide social support with family involvement.

"This provides a social network where people have fellowship and they find out, 'By golly. I'm not alone,'" said Collins.

She said after talking with these people, they really build a feeling of a family.

Collins said she works at Medical Associates to help a newly diagnosed diabetic learn to handle the disease. She said sometimes convincing a person they are diabetic can be a struggle.

"It is my responsibility to -- with information, test results -- persuade these people, yes, they do (have diabetes)," said Collins.

She was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 30, so Collins said she has been there and knows how the patient feels.

"Now when a newly diagnosed patient comes in the door, the first thing I do is offer them hope. No one likes to be told that your body's not functioning at 100 percent," said Collins. "Having diabetes is not the end of the world."

"My door is open to everyone. I'm here to help. I'm here to share. And I'm willing to come to churches, clubs, whatever at no charge," said Collins.

Contact Collins for more information at Medical Associates at 243-2511 or (563) 519-0309.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0394-39373278