Greenstone Family Health Team

I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Six Week Diabetes Self-Management Workshops facilitated by Brenda St. Amand and Terri Horan. These workshops were extremely beneficial in providing information about diabetes, diabetes management, food guidelines and other health care requirements for diabetic people. It made me much more aware of my ability to self-manage my diabetes and it provided the support of my peers to encourage continued good practices.

It was identified at these sessions that there is a real need for a peer support group in the community of Geraldton. I am taking steps to work with Terri to ensure that a support group is initiated in the new year.

Thank you again for the ability to access this information. This program is extremely beneficial to those with diabetes by providing education and raising awareness of required health care needs. I would like to see this program continue and be accessible to more people in the community.

Sincerely,

Bernadine O’Brien

Self-Management has Become a Part of Who I Am

I have seen a difference in people who have taken this program. Individuals who make action plans to walk daily are months, and even 2 years later, still walking to get their mail. An individual who, in the first session, considered themselves “border line diabetic”, is still monitoring their blood glucose daily and adjusting accordingly through diet and exercise.

I have learned alongside participants and have applied these Self-Management techniques to my own life. I have a vested interest in Self-Management because, prior to this amazing infrastructure being developed by CCAC, it took an enormous amount of time and energy to coordinate and deliver programs.

Self-Management is hugely successful in BC and is internationally renowned. Really, the journey has just begun in North Western Ontario and I believe the possibilities are endless. I see it as of the future of health care. Our population is aging and studies reveal this model of Self-Management improves people’s health and offers major cost savings to the health care system.

I identify with this concept, it works and it makes sense! It is a large part of why I am so passionately supporting Stanford’s Self-Management Program.

Self-Management has become part of who I am. It reflects my personal and professional values and beliefs. I believe in these programs because I have witnessed their benefits.

I will continue contributing to the development, growth and sustainability of Self-Management. This is a very exciting time… We are pioneers of Self-Management each within our areas.

We are being given the tools to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of those affected by Chronic Health Conditions. Self-Management is in good hands and I look forward to working with you in a volunteer capacity.

Terri Horan, Geraldton Volunteer Master Trainer in CDSMP and DSMP

This Self-Management Program was Absolutely Awesome

In September 2010, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and came home with little if any direction. I was totally overwhelmed and very anxious!!!

Within a few days, I was contacted with news that the Family Health Team was putting on a 6 week program called the Diabetes Self-Management Program, and my heart soared. I was not to be disappointed!!! Terri Horan was team leader for the program and she conducted an excellent series. Not only did she know her material, conduct the sessions in a clear, friendly and organized way, but she was so passionate about the issue that one felt a certain sense of security just because she was there.

The program itself is an excellent one. There is so much information to be absorbed by a newly diagnosed diabetic, that it is overwhelming. But this program introduces one main topic at a time, and makes sure the participants are comfortable with that knowledge, practise that knowledge, and can handle that information during the following week. Then session two brings in another important issue, familiarizes the participants with that one, and so on for the following sessions. Other issues are also covered and discussed during each session that are important as well. The program methods encourage the participants to follow through with their goals, and to help those who have difficulty doing so.

I found that dialogue with other diabetics, especially those who had been diagnosed for some time already, was very helpful for me. Without our coming together for these sessions, that would not have happened. The program offered endless amounts of important and helpful information in the form of charts, pamphlets, books, flyers, cookbooks, online sites, and more. Participants often brought in books or recipes for sharing and also exchanged tips and ideas. It was wonderful!! I felt the enthusiasm was high and we looked forward to each session.

This 6-week Diabetes Self-Management Program was absolutely awesome!! I had my questions answered, fears lessened, and nerves calmed. I am now into my 6th month as a diabetic, managing very well, and so grateful for the opportunity to have been a participant at such an opportune time, and to have gained so much confidence and knowledge from such a wonderful program.

Darlene – Geraldton, Ontario.

I advocate this program to everyone

I took the program when I completed my treatment of breast cancer and was at my lowest physically and mentally. I couldn’t believe how helpful it was. There were people with a whole variety of conditions and diseases in the group, but what we learned was that we all shared the same challenges of things like pain, fatigue, and depression. I took so much away that I advocate this program to everyone – my doctor, people in my classes, and co-workers.

Kim Murray, Thunder Bay

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