 EQUALITY IN HEALTH INITIATIVE Minnie Utsey understands the value of education. A retired Denver Public Schools special education teacher, she spent 32 years in the classroom. Now, at age 75, Utsey has returned to a learning environment to find out how to manage her diabetes.“When a speaker came to the church and gave out literature on the Focus on Diabetes program, I decided it was something I really needed,” Utsey said. “My husband has diabetes, and I was diagnosed five years ago. I have a brother and sister with diabetes, so it runs in my family.” The Focus on Diabetes program — supported through The Colorado Trust's Equality in Health Initiative and provided through The Center for African American Health — is helping people like Utsey learn to self-manage their diabetes. The program comprises a series of three hour-long classes held one night every week for six weeks. Physicians, nurses, dieticians and fitness experts provide instruction on nutrition, exercise, dental care, eye care, cooking techniques and medications. “I found the program to be very interesting and helpful. It told me everything I needed to help me manage my diabetes,” Utsey said. “For instance, the pharmacy class taught me what my medication does in my system and how important it is to take it on time. Since I’ve been more conscious about my medication, I can see my blood-sugar levels staying where they need to be.” The program has also taught Utsey the importance of exercise for managing her health. Now she finds time to exercise every day, whether it’s going for a walk or doing aerobics while sitting in a chair. She also enjoys the nutrition and hands-on cooking classes, which have helped her to understand how to eat healthy portions of carbohydrates, vegetables and protein to achieve nutritional balance and help control her weight. “I love cooking, and the recipes we learn in class are new, different and wonderful,” she said. “For instance, I always used to serve mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. But instead, I learned I could fix cauliflower with cheese, garnished with parsley and basil, and it was colorful and just as tasty. My family loved it.” Utsey enjoyed the Focus on Diabetes program so much, she enrolled in it twice. And now she’s working as a volunteer, helping to register participants — and still learning something new every time. “This is such a worthwhile program that I just keep going back,” she said. “Each time I go through the program, I learn more and it refreshes what I already know. One of the things I really like is sharing what I’ve learned with my family, neighbors and church people. I also enjoy meeting new friends in the program and giving others the encouragement to go on.” So what’s the biggest thing Utsey has learned through this program? “That diabetes is manageable. It’s not curable, but along with balanced diet, exercise and the right amount of rest versus stress, it’s very manageable,” she said. “I really don’t anticipate my diabetes will everget worse, thanks to this program.” Quality Health Care |
