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Keeping Watch On Diabetics' Health Needs

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

RIVERVIEW - Tammy Turner knows the statistics.

An estimated 21 million Americans have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six million of those afflicted don't even know they have it. Another 54 million have prediabetes.

These aren't just numbers to Tammy. They are personal and raw.

Her son, Ryan, 14, has Type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease that requires constant care, including a regimen of insulin shots. Since being diagnosed in November 2003, he has had 10 diabetic seizures.

And Tammy has Type 2 diabetes, which she controls with diet, exercise and medication.

Yes, it's a manageable condition. But without proper maintenance, it can debilitate and even kill.

Ryan, an eighth-grader at Beth Shields Middle School in Ruskin, faces additional challenges in managing his diabetes. He also has Tourette syndrome, developmental verbal apraxia and attention deficit disorder.

Nonetheless, he consistently adheres to his strict medical routine. He understands the consequences if he doesn't.

"I need enough insulin to live my life. If I don't have enough, I could die," he says.

He has to check his blood sugar at least four or five times a day. He usually wears a continuous blood glucose monitoring system, a device that requires its own arduous upkeep. He uses an insulin pump inserted into his body with a tube. Every three days, he's required to change the entry site.

Tammy's condition is less severe. Her pancreas produces insulin, but it isn't used very well. That means she's supposed to keep her weight down, eat a healthy diet and exercise daily. She admits she's not as good as Ryan when it comes to dealing with her diabetes.

When her blood sugars get too high, she gets grumpy and sleepy. Her skin gets dry and itchy.

"I'm just not very much fun to be around," she says.

And those are the lesser of the evil symptoms of diabetes. If it goes unchecked or is not dealt with properly, those afflicted are at high risk for heart disease, strokes, ulcers, kidney disease, vision impairment, even amputation.

You can't take diabetes lightly. Tammy knows its dangers only too well.

"'Epidemic' is a word I run across a lot in my research," the Ruskin mom says.

"No one really knows what causes diabetes, but it could have something to do with all the junk food Americans are consuming. I do know we're seeing more and more of it."

Tammy doesn't complain about the dual burden she and her son share. She relies on her Christian faith to keep her spirits up and her focus on all the other blessings in her life.

She's a part-time nanny married to Tim, a substitute teacher with Hillsborough County schools. Besides Ryan, they're the parents of 15-year-old Kristin.

Tammy is also an example of how one person can funnel a personal passion into a greater good for the community.

Knowing that good health begins with education and prevention, Tammy turned to her church, River of Life Christian Center in Riverview. She knew of several members who also battled diabetes.

Why not have a diabetes health fair for both patients and the people in their lives? A place to share information about coping with the illness?

"It was a no-brainer for us to do this," says Kevin Cox, executive associate pastor at the church. "We thought she had a great idea. As a church, we not only need to be there for people's spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well."

The free June 7 program, sponsored by Bayer HealthCare, includes workshops for teenagers and diabetics, a nutrition class, screenings for blood glucose and blood pressure, free blood glucose meters, foot and eye examinations, and classes on the impact of diabetes and managing it.

Tammy wants to reach a wide spectrum of people: diabetics, caregivers, friends and family members. And she hopes to learn a few things, too.

"I want to learn more," she says. "It's one thing to just talk about it; it's another thing to listen and be a better example. This disease can cause a lot of hardships, but it doesn't have to be that way."

DIABETES HEALTH FAIR

WHAT: Workshops, free screenings, product information, free light breakfast and lunch

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 7

WHERE: River of Life Christian Church, 6605 Krycul Ave., Riverview

ADMISSION: Free. Reservations are required by Wednesday.

INFORMATION: (813) 641-2323 or rolccdiabetes@aol.com

Ryan Turner shows how he manages his diabetes in Michelle Bearden's "Keeping the Faith" segment at 9 a.m. today on WFLA-TV. She can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com.

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