WHAT is The Diabetes Bus Initiative?
Since 2001, our organization has addressed the problem of access to quality diabetes self-management classes by providing these classes in provider practice offices and hospitals in underserved North Carolina communities.
WHERE is The Diabetes Bus Initiative?
Currently, we are holding diabetes self-management classes in Benson, Wake Forest, Henderson, Oxford, Mount Olive, Sanford, and Ahoskie. The decision of where to offer services is decided by the DMS board. It is based on our own CAN index of collaboration, access, and need. We hope to be able to offer diabetes education and support to underserved communities all over the state of North Carolina by 2012.
HOW does The Diabetes Bus Initiative procedure work?
We make it easy! Participants must be referred by their provider and scheduled for class. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes and are willing to drive to one of our current locations, please call us for information on obtaining a referral from your physician.
A Look Inside Our Classroom Even though we still have a "Bus" that we use for community events and diabetes health fairs, our participants attend classes in a comfortable classroom in a provider office or a hospital. The three part class series starts with two classes one week after another for two hours. This is to give you the basics of managing your diabetes in your daily life. The third and final class is no less important. It takes place two to three months later, also for two hours. It is to answer your follow-up questions and also to review how to stay healthy in the future with your diabetes (what tests you need to have, taking care of your feet, heart and kidney health, and more)
The Diabetes Bus Way
- Certified Diabetes Educators as teachers – Certified Diabetes Educators are clinicians that have specific diabetes education experience and have passed a national examination.
- Group Learning – less intimidating and more fun.
- Hands-on experiences – tasting better juice choices, measuring cereal, and more.
- No Diet – just practical information for eating healthier with diabetes, without giving up any particular food.
- No Blame – It’s not your fault you have diabetes. We want to help you make better choices when you can and live your life YOUR way, while managing your diabetes.
- No Scare Tactics – you have likely been told about the potential complications of diabetes. You could list potential complications for people without diabetes, too. We are here to teach you the management behaviors that will keep you as healthy as possible, not to dwell on the risks.
- Cost – We are a nonprofit. There is no specific cost for classes. At each class we offer our participants the opportunity to make a donation, if you choose. Please remember that we do not receive any money from your provider or from government grants.
What Participants Have Said:
- "The instructor was very thorough and knowledgeable- I learned more than I thought I would." Mary, Oxford
- "The printed material was great. Although diabetes is very serious, our instructor did much to remove the fear." Carl, Benson.
- "I wish I had been in this class years ago when I first had diabetes. I learned more than I expected after having it for 10 years. Everyone who is new to diabetes should take these classes!" Judy, Henderson.
- "Thanks to these classes, I finally have my diabetes under control, lost some weight, and can feel my fingers again!" Paul, Sanford.
- "Two years ago my doctor diagnosed me with diabetes. He strongly suggested I take the courses offered by Diabetes Management Solutions. This organization visited my area and held classes free of charge to educate me about this problem. Thru this series of classes I came to understand how I was in danger if I did not change my lifestyle. Without these classes I may have never come to understand just how serious diabetes is and would not have taken the corrective action so seriously needed." Tom, Wake Forest