The Diabetes Conversation | Sway Magazine

Sandra Moore (L) and Dane Wright

Dane Wright describes herself as a person who, in the past, never spoke about her diabetes?adding that she felt people looked at her differently after her diagnosis. Now, each week she shares her story with members of her local community. ?I can tell anyone about what happened to me,? says Wright, a peer leader in the Diabetes Prevention Peer Leadership Project.

Funded by Toronto Public Health and led by Black Creek Community Health Centre, peer leaders are trained to provide information to communities at high risk of developing diabetes. The nine-person group meets weekly to plan activities and outreach efforts, often focusing on connecting with people at local malls. ?It?s very important for people to talk about these things,? says Wright.

Sandra Moore, another peer leader, says her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes came as a shock. She thought she was too young to have diabetes. She agrees there is a stigma and the disease is often misunderstood. By sharing their lessons and stories, the women help to open up the conversation with others.

Response has been positive. People appreciate the time peer leaders take to talk to them about type 2 diabetes risk factors, prevention and information on the community programs and assistance that?s available. ?I have learned so much,? says Moore, ?I want to get the point across that there are a lot of supportive resources and people are not alone.?

While the project ends at the end of March, members of the group are keen to continue their efforts. There are plans to restart a Caribbean peer support group and launch a diabetes advisory group in the coming months. In the meantime, Black Creek Community Health Centre will participate is the Third Annual Black Diabetes Expo on April 28, organized by the Canadian Diabetes Association and its Caribbean Diabetes Chapter. At the event, the Centre will provide more information on available services.

As people may have diabetes and show no symptoms, Moore advises, ?The bottom line is to get tested. It?s easy and simple.?

Article submitted by the Canadian Diabetes Association, which is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while working to find a cure. For resources on diabetes or the Association visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-226-8464. To pre-register for the upcoming the Third Annual Black Diabetes Expo, call 416-408-7190.

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