Living Healthy with Diabetes
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Sep 26, 2012 at 8:32 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 26, 2012
Staying healthy with diabetes can be a challenge, but one program is making that challenge a bit more bearable. Valerie Gonzalez-Sanchez explains how Healthy Living/ Viviendo Mejor is changing perspectives and lives.
"Sometimes diabetic people can feel really alone", says Dr. Cavazos.
People of all ages packed the room. Mothers, sisters, families, and friends rally together for a healthier happier life.
There are people with diabetes who came for self-improvement, like Adela Cardenas, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes and says, "Mostly, it's for me, because I was just declared a diabetic. I want to know everything: how I can try to control it, and be healthy, live longer." There are others who came to support a loved one, like Hector Cevallos, who says "Yo creo que es muy importante el apoyo de un familiar."
It's part of the City's Health Department bi-lingual Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor Program. Coordinator Dr. Melissa Cavazos says, "We try to integrate everything a person needs to control and prevent diabetes."
Dr. Cavazos believes education is at the heart of treatment and prevention of diabetes. The education includes lecture, physical fitness, psycho-social support and cooking demonstrations, all with one goal in mind: "If they learn together, everybody has better outcomes."
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away; although that may not be accurate, adopting healthy eating habits will make for a healthier life. After all, diabetes is not an endgame, but you do want to stay ahead of it. It's like Adela Cardenas says: "I want to be ahead of it, instead of behind it."
Valerie Gonzalez-Sanchez Pro8News, coverage you can count on.
Although registration day has passed, there is still some time to register late before classes begin on October 2, 2012. Registration is free and for more information, call the Health Department at (956) 795-4900.
