CHERI BURCHAM Family Life Educator
I have been facilitating the diabetes program “Take Charge of Your Diabetes” for many years now, but currently it has hit closer to home.
While I had several family members that were diagnosed with it, and the participants of my classes shared their stories about living with diabetes, I luckily did not have it or had anyone close enough that I had to assist with it.
Then last fall, after several months of not feeling well and unexplained weight loss, my husband decided to finally get his glucose checked. O boy! His A1C was off the charts and he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Luckily, with medication and some lifestyle adjustments, he has been able to get it under control and is doing quite well. But the key there is “lifestyle adjustments.” Fortunately, diabetes can be a very manageable illness, but there is no “cure” and is a chronic condition that requires not just medical care, but also self-management to keep it from progressing or slow progression.
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FACTS FOR FAMILIES: Monarchs, milkweed and mowing
According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2019 there were 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, that had diabetes. Ninety-six million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes – which is high sugar levels but not quite high enough to diagnose as diabetic. And having diabetes can increase the risk for other major health issues. In fact, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2019.
If you or someone you care for has diabetes or is prediabetic, why not learn how to more effectively “take charge” and live an active and fulfilling life?
The “Take Charge of Your Diabetes” program is designed to teach those with diabetes tools and techniques to help them become better health managers. I will be co-facilitating a new series of classes with Penny Arthur of the Moultrie County Counseling Center and Sheila Greuel of Covenant Transitions.
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Classes will be offered Friday mornings from July 1 to Aug. 5 from 9–11:30 am These classes will be held at Mid-Illinois Senior Services at 114 E. Jefferson in Sullivan. Prospective participants will need to register by Monday, June 27, by calling the University of Illinois Extension office at 217-543-3755 or online at https://go.illinois.edu/takechargeofdiabetes
The six weekly sessions are highly interactive. Subjects covered include healthy eating, counting carbs, stress management, exercise and physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working effectively with medical providers and much more.
Due to funding from the Administration for Community Living, there will be no cost for the workshop, but registration is required. The American Diabetes Association identifies this program as meeting the Diabetes Support Initiative criteria for support programming.
I really hope that we can get several to attend, because participants really learn a lot from each other.
Remember these Charleston locations?
Bill’s Bottle Shop
1979: The owner of bill’s Bottle Shop isn’t concerned about House Bill 21. The Liquor Commission has proposed extending bar hours from 1 to 2 am and increasing the number of licenses from 25 to 32.
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Filter Plant
1935: The new filtering plan in Charleston has been placed in operation. The plant, which has a daily capacity of two million gallons, consists of three filter beds, mixing and settling beds. A booster pump takes care of pressure in case of fire. The water comes from deep wells. The addition to the Charleston waterworks was financed through funds on hand and by a small bond issue.
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junk yard
1965: An auto graveyard near Charleston is nestled between rolling hills along scenic Illinois 16.
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junk yard
1965: Mayor-elect Wlater Reasor Jr. and Eastern Illinois University president have urged to move the junk yards west of Charleston city limits.
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crackers
1988: Teen night fills the floor at EL Krackers.
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Rotary community pool
1974: The Charleston Rotary Community Pool is located on approximately five acres of land directly behind the Junior High School.
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Waterworks
1948: Charleston’s waterworks is being converted from diesel to electric power this week at a savings in costs of $500 a month, releasing 18,000 gallons of fuel oil a year for other uses. Oil tanks will be kept full to enable emergency use of the diesel engines which will remain in place although disconnected.
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Charleston air view
1985: Airview of Charleston.
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American Hardware Supply aerial view
1982: Aerial view shows extent of American Hardware Supply Co.’s new 240,000 square foot distribution center north of Charleston.
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Cheri Burcham is the Family Life Educator at the U of I Extension.
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