For the first time, Davis Medical Center has started hosting a series of classes at the Elkins Manor Apartments in Randolph County.
Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitian James Severino headed out with a team into the community to teach more about diabetes.
“We decided this year that it would be a good idea to take our show on the road, more or less, to hopefully reach more people that have problems with transportation. We talk a little bit about the basics of diabetes. Plus, we talk about nutrition, at this point,” said Severino.
The LifeSkills program is a series of four classes which address meal planning, testing, medication usage, foot care and more.
Davis Medical Center’s LifeSkills program has been paired with the Randolph County Housing Authority’s Healthy Home program to offer diabetes and pre-diabetes education.
“The rates of diabetes are very high in our state, in our county, and community. It is important to look at ways that we can address it. We can address this through education, and there are certain aspects of diabetes that can’t be controlled but there are things that can be,” said Madalyn Humphrey, AmeriCorps Vista and Healthy Homes Program member.
One participant said her goal has been to minimize her medication and learn more about how to help her body overall.
“They all work together, and it has come down, and I see the light at the end of the rainbow. I see hope now that I didn’t have before. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to help my body work better,” said Kay Carter, a type 2 diabetic.
Participants will attend three more classes but being accountable for what their body has been doing and what their doing to their body is crucial.
“Our job is just to provide them with good information, but it’s their job to take that information back and work it into their own plans,” continued Severino.
Community members are invited to attend a Diabetes Prevention Program hosted by the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library. For more information, contact Madalyn Humphrey by phone (304) 940-6776 or email mhumphrey@rchawv.org.
