Get moving, prevent diabetes

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Injecting herself with insulin was the hardest thing Chrissy Landry needed to deal with after learning she had diabetes.

At 13, Landry faced the challenge of the disease with a little fear and a lot of support from her mother, but it still didn't prepare her for the total lifestyle change she would need to make. It took her more than a year to feel confident enough to administer her own insulin.

"When I got diabetes, I couldn't do my own needle; it was so bad. Then there was watching people enjoy a big piece of birthday cake while I had this little tiny piece."

Being young and feeling invincible, Landry didn't realize how serious the complications of diabetes could be. At 15, Landry needed surgery on her eyes to remove cataracts.

"Sometimes it seemed like my life was over because it was like such a big deal to look after myself with diabetes."

It's been years since that first anxiety of being diagnosed. Today she is living with her diabetes in a positive way. And most importantly her health has improved, as has her attitude.

It's now part of her day to check her sugar levels and take her insulin. Landry said it took practice, patience and some common sense.

"I realized it wasn't a big deal and that I could live with it," said Landry.

Living with diabetes is something that the organizers of the Metis Youth Preventing and Living with Diabetes Awareness Workshop hope fewer Aboriginal young people will have to do. The workshop, to be held Feb. 3 to 5 in Edmonton, is about diabetes prevention, awareness and educational activities.

Aimed at young people 12 to 18 years old, conference organizers have included young people in the planning.

"We are thinking of young people and their families. And we need to pay special attention to the young people today. Get them in the zone," said Fran Hyndman, project coordinator at the Metis Nation of Alberta.

Hyndman explained getting into the zone means things like parking a block away from where you're going, walking, joining a soccer team, getting active. This is the message that will be presented at the workshop. Hyndman also wants to tackle some misconceptions about the disease. Diabetes is prevalent among Aboriginal people and Hyndman believes current statistics do not reflect how high the numbers are. She thinks diabetes is a concern now more than ever for young Aboriginal people because there's more sedentary activities like video games and eating too much junk food.

One way to determine if young people are in a pre-diabetic state is through a product developed by CEAPRO. At the workshop several young people will fast for a number hours and then eat eight graham-type wafers. They will then be given a blood test that will determine if they are developing diabetes. The testing with the wafer is accurate 80 per cent more times than the current form of testing that is used.

Dr. Dianna Shaw will be one of the presenters at the workshop. She will also conduct the CEAPRO wafer tests on participants. A documentary about the possible deadly effects of unhealthy eating habits will be presented at the workshop.

"Supersize Me," a documentary about a man who ate McDonald's food for every meal for a month, will be shown, followed by a facilitated discussion. Along with the nutritional informational sessions there will be "Just Jig It," an interactive demonstration on the benefits of jigging your way to good health. And what workshop for young people would be complete without a Much Music dance & pizza party.

A poster and logo developed and designed by young Aboriginal people will be unveiled at the workshop. The message is 'Become Aware-Prevent Diabetes.'

It's been eight years since Chrissy Landry first discovered she had diabetes. Now at 20 years old and the mother of a healthy one-year-old, Landry believes living a healthy lifestyle is a good choice, even if you haven't got diabetes. Landry hopes the conference will offer young Aboriginl people something she feels she didn't have when she was 13.

"I think different kinds of training courses than they had when I was young should be offered to young people because we think a little different. I also hope that one day there will be a cure," said Landry.

While there may not yet be a cure for diabetes there is hope for preventing it and that means living a healthier life. That's what the workshop organizers hope to get across to all who attend.

The workshops are open to young Aboriginal people and their families. Contact the Metis Nation of Alberta for more information at (780) 455-2200.