Hearing the doctor say, "you've got diabetes," can be shocking. Suddenly, things like your blood sugar levels, and what's on your plate become important. But, local diabetics are getting some help from a new coaching program.
The coaches in the program are all volunteers, and they've been trained by the Morehouse School of Medicine. Their goal is to help people struggling with diabetes to take ownership of their health, and they started with members of Big Bethel Baptist Church.
For Robert Akins Jr., the church is his home. It's also where he's learning to take control of his diabetes.
"I didn't know about blood sugar levels until I became a diabetic. I didn't know it drops, you don't eat, it drops, you know," said Akins.
"Diabetes can sometimes be a lonely disease. And some people don't want people to know they have it," said church member Alicia Oden.
But Akin wants help, and he's getting help from Oden. Their church helped pilot Morehouse School of Medicine's e-healthy Strides Program, matching volunteer coaches with diabetics who need a little coaching.
"It's not about being sympathetic: ‘Oh, well, I'm sorry you have the disease.' That's not what they need. They need someone who is going to give them some structure, answers, give them some kind of plan, support them in that plan, encourage them in that plan," said Oden.
Morehouse School of Medicine is now reaching out to Atlanta City Hall. Dr. Priscilla Pemu is recruiting diabetic city workers who need a little coaching.
"That's our goal, is to simplify self-management and to make it available. It's behavior change," said Pemu.
With the program, you check your numbers, then enter them into a database that tracks how you're doing.
"What e-healthy shows back to you is either green, which is good, or yellow, slightly out of range, or red, you need to call your physician or caregiver and figure out what you need to do to make a change,' Pemu said.
Akin is realizing that a little knowledge, really is power.
"I've been learning as we go along, you know, but it's been helpful," said Akin.
Morehouse School of Medicine is partnering with the city of Atlanta. If your church or organization would like to participate in the e-healthy Strides, call Pamela Cooper at the Morehouse School of Medicine at 404-752-1975.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
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This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
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Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
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