Teens with diabetes invited to Jan. 25 gatheringby Cindy AbolePublic Relations For many teens living with diabetes, managing the day-to-day challenges associated with the chronic disease can be a struggle that’s both demanding and stressful. That’s why the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), medical specialists, and area supporters have collaborated to coordinate a gathering for area teens and their parents on Jan. 25. The event promotes dialogue and interaction between teens diagnosed with type 1 or juvenile diabetes. In the United States, it is estimated that more than one million Americans are affected by type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a serious chronic disease due to the failure of an individual's pancreas to produce adequate amounts of insulin. Although the cause for this is still unclear, people living with type 1 diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels constantly, regulate their diets and exercise and inject insulin into their bodies daily. Often what happens to teens with diabetes is that they are challenged with the demands of daily self-management and care as they adjust to their own growing pains of independence, emotional and psychological pressures, according to SCDHEC registered dietitian Melanie Robinson, “Our goal is to help teens find a way to manage their diabetes in the best way possible,” said Robinson. SCDHEC Children’s Rehabilitative Services provides support to Lowcountry children and young adults diagnosed with specific diseases and health conditions. The program offers standard medical care for disadvantaged children and area teens diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and other severe endocrine disorders. At MUSC, a staff of physicians, nurses, pediatric dieticians and other specialists combine to form a team caring for about 500 Lowcountry area children living with juvenile diabetes. Pediatric endocrinologist Yaw Appiagyei-Dankah, M.D., is one of several MUSC specialists treating children, from infants to age 18, in their four-day-a-week pediatric endocrinology clinic. Beyond the weekly clinics, Appiagyei-Dankah extends his expertise to young patients living in Georgetown and Orangeburg on a monthly basis. “The prevalence of diabetes among children, especially type 2 diabetes, continues to grow in South Carolina,” said Appiagyei-Dankah. “As children become teenagers, they tend to grow weary of practicing their self-care routine and eventually slack off because of stress related to the disease. They struggle with so much responsibility with their disease, while seeking their own identity to fit in with others.” Appiagyei-Dankah and his team endorse the idea of organizing teens with a support group. It provides them with a forum to meet and bond together with their peers, plus allows them to discuss ideas and share issues related to their disease, said Appiagyei-Dankah. “Most importantly, it connects diabetic teens with others who’ve learned to defy the odds in living with the disease and be good role models.” Staff pediatric dietitian and certified diabetic educator Suzanne Runtz agrees. “The teen years are naturally a rocky time for everyone and more so for teenagers living with diabetes,” said Runtz. “Kids learn a lot from each other. Having a support group would help them learn to deal with issues while learning to be responsible in managing their disease.” The MUSC team has also been active in supporting Camp Adam Fisher, a weeklong summer camp specifically for children with diabetes. Each year, more than 150-200 children participate in this overnight camp. The gathering not only assembles interested teens but features a presentation and talk by diabetes family therapist Scott K. Scolnick, himself a diabetic who has lived with the disease since childhood. The event is sponsored by SCDHEC, MUSC Pediatric Endocrinology and the
Animas Corporation. For information, call (843) 792-3561 or 1-800-305-4173.
Friday, Nov. 26, 2004
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