Diabetes 101
Why me? What is and isn't working and how we can help you manage your diabetes better; blood glucose goals, blood glucose monitoring, A1c
Diabetes & Food
Eating healthy with diabetes: what's a carb? Making small changes at home, different choices eating out-changes you can live with
Staying Healthy with Diabetes
What to do to prevent problems with your feet, eyes, kidneys, and heart-health. Stress Management and staying motivated.
What is a Certified Diabetes Educator?
A Certified diabetes educator (CDE) is a health care professional, usually a nurse or dietitian, who is specialized and certified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their condition. A CDE is an invaluable asset to those who need to learn the tools and skills necessary to control their blood sugar and avoid long-term complications due to hyperglycemia. A CDE must have a clinical degree in addition to 1,000 hours of diabetes teaching experience, and a formal examination prior to being awarded the CDE status by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Meet our Educators
Marilyn Novosel, RN, MPH, CDE
Marilyn is a nurse with 20 years of experience. She became a certified diabetes educator in 2005, and is also a certified insulin pump trainer. Marilyn enjoys teaching people the practical skills to manage their diabetes, and her class participants enjoy her ready laugh and easy-going approach. Marilyn lives in Sanford and teaches the Diabetes Bus classes in Benson and Sanford.
Shana Bare, MPH, RD, LDN, CDE
Shana is a dietitian who has also been a certified diabetes educator since 1999. She is a certified insulin pump trainer, as well. She puts the class participants at ease by helping them more easily navigate the complexities of nutrition and diabetes management and with her friendly, practical approach. Shana lives in Granville County and teaches the Diabetes Bus classes in Wake Forest, Oxford, and Henderson.
Lynne Braxton, MSN, CNS, CDE
Lynne is a nurse who has also been a certified diabetes educator since 2001. Her soft-spoken, calm approach and humor allows class participants to learn with ease. Lynne lives in Winterville, NC and teaches the Diabetes Bus classes in Mount Olive.
Sue Liverman, RN, BSPA, CDE
Sue is a nurse who has also been a certified diabetes educator since 1998. She is very patient and caring with all of her class participants. She uses unique and creative teaching methods to help people understand diabetes. Sue lives in Ahoskie, NC and teaches the Diabetes Bus classes in Ahoskie.
Diabetes Support, and Resources
The Diabetes Bus Initiative encourages people living with diabetes to utilize community resources and support. In some communities, we facilitate support groups, in other communities there are other groups and resources. Living with a chronic condition is not easy. Support from family, friends and your community are VITAL.
Goals of Diabetes Support Groups sponsored by DMS:
- to encourage diabetes self care
- to form health care partnerships
- to increase knowledge
- to enhance well being
- to foster empowerment
Support Groups can do many things for people living with a chronic illness
- make you feel that you are not alone
- make you laugh
- allow opportunities to learn from others
What support groups should NOT do:
- make anyone talk about their feelings, unless they want to
- dwell on the problems and complications of diabetes
- lecture or find fault
Please read our most recent newsletter for a list of support groups in our communities. (link to recent newsletter)
Getting the Support You Need from Family and Friends
Studies indicate that one of the best predicators of how well someone takes care of their diabetes is the amount of support they get from their family and friends. However, not all support is helpful. For example, one person might enjoy their family watching everything they eat while another person could be driven to the do the exact opposite by that type of scrutiny. You need to tell the people in your life what you need. If they have embarrassed or irritated you in the past it might be that they don't understand diabetes, or they are not sure how to help. They simply did what they thought was helpful. Therefore, you need to:
- Educate your family and friends about your diabetes
- Define how you want family and friends to help
- Ask them directly for help and teach them how to give it.
Family members and friends need to understand diabetes, listen to what you think and feel, and support or join you in making some healthy changes. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, it simply will be easier if your family also eats the same lower fat foods. Going on a nightly walk with you is another way to show support. Family members should have realistic expectations about blood glucose levels and to avoid blame. Family members need your help in order to understand that you cannot always control blood sugar levels even if you follow your diabetes care plan. Blaming the person with diabetes for high or low blood sugar levels never helps and frequently causes hurt feelings, arguments or serious conflict. The key to genuine support is to avoid blame and focus on problem solving. But also that there may be no clue as to what has caused a high or low blood glucose. At moments like these what may be needed is a hug, a sympathetic word or a dozen roses. Family and friends need to understand that this kind of support can be very helpful during frustrating times.
Other Resources
If you are experiencing financial difficulty with your diabetes medications and supplies, be honest with your doctor and nurse. They may prescribe differently knowing that you are struggling. For more information on resources for diabetes prescriptions and supplies, read our 2009 resource list. (attach Diabetes Resource document)