Free Diabetes Workshops Offered at the Wylam Branch Library
by Selina Johnson, Wylam Branch Library
New cases of diabetes have increasingly grown in the United States over the last 20 years. The African American population has experienced the most significant rise. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, over 12% of African Americans have diabetes with women and the elderly having the highest rates.
Diabetes can be controlled and self-management is a key step toward preventing diabetes complications. To this end, a six-session diabetes self-management workshop series that is sponsored by atom Alliance is being offered at the Wylam Branch Library. The Everyone with Diabetes Counts program has sessions that take place each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., and the final session will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.
The classes are facilitated by Michael Lawrence, pharmacist and diabetic educator. Lawrence is conducting a stellar education program. The participants are eager with many questions about the disease, and Lawrence presents information in simple medical terms. He is making a compelling case for the participants to begin thinking about how to make lifestyle changes for their health.
The class, thus far, has touched on the human body and what diabetes does to the organs. There has also been a lesson on the signs, symptoms, and monitoring of high and low blood sugar. Lawrence caused some light-hearted anxiousness when he brought a scale in at the last session and offered participants an opportunity to weigh themselves and get their finger pricked to determine their blood sugar levels.
The classes are all about empowering participants. The more that they learn about diabetes, the more they will empower themselves with the tools needed to build a strong relationship with their doctors about how best to achieve better health. Wylam Library is thrilled to assist the Everyone with Diabetes Counts program in being a catalyst for healthy change for members of the Wylam community.
If you would like to sign up for any of the remaining classes in the Everyone with Diabetes Counts program, you may register online through the BPL events calendar or contact Selina Johnson, Wylam Library branch manager, at 205-785-0349.
New cases of diabetes have increasingly grown in the United States over the last 20 years. The African American population has experienced the most significant rise. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, over 12% of African Americans have diabetes with women and the elderly having the highest rates.
Diabetes can be controlled and self-management is a key step toward preventing diabetes complications. To this end, a six-session diabetes self-management workshop series that is sponsored by atom Alliance is being offered at the Wylam Branch Library. The Everyone with Diabetes Counts program has sessions that take place each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., and the final session will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.
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| Michael Lawrence educates workshop participants about diabetes |
The classes are facilitated by Michael Lawrence, pharmacist and diabetic educator. Lawrence is conducting a stellar education program. The participants are eager with many questions about the disease, and Lawrence presents information in simple medical terms. He is making a compelling case for the participants to begin thinking about how to make lifestyle changes for their health.
The class, thus far, has touched on the human body and what diabetes does to the organs. There has also been a lesson on the signs, symptoms, and monitoring of high and low blood sugar. Lawrence caused some light-hearted anxiousness when he brought a scale in at the last session and offered participants an opportunity to weigh themselves and get their finger pricked to determine their blood sugar levels.
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| Illustrations of the human body help the class learn how diabetes affects organs |
The classes are all about empowering participants. The more that they learn about diabetes, the more they will empower themselves with the tools needed to build a strong relationship with their doctors about how best to achieve better health. Wylam Library is thrilled to assist the Everyone with Diabetes Counts program in being a catalyst for healthy change for members of the Wylam community.
If you would like to sign up for any of the remaining classes in the Everyone with Diabetes Counts program, you may register online through the BPL events calendar or contact Selina Johnson, Wylam Library branch manager, at 205-785-0349.
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