Jan. 14, 2009 — Fourteen diabetics on St. Croix have taken control of their disease through participation in the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) course presented by the V.I. Medical Institute (VIMI).
The first ever 10-week course was taught by doctors, nurses, dietitians and pharmacists volunteering their time to empower diabetics and their families through education.
"We know controllable issues like being overweight and lack of physical activity increase our risk of Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Cora Christian, clinical coordinator at VIMI. "And 80 percent of persons with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese."
People of color have a 3.4 times higher frequency of diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites, she said. Diabetes is the fourth-leading cause of death in the territory for 8.8 percent of the population above age 18.
"The facilitators did not take the place of regular physicians, they just reinforced what doctors tell their patients," said Rikki Nelthropp, chief programs operator at VIMI.
Classes consisted of understanding the body and the risks associated with diabetes.
"We wore aprons with organs attached with Velcro," Nelthropp said. "It was a real hands-on course."
There were classes on eye care to help prevent blindness and foot care to prevent costly and traumatic amputations. The average cost for time in the operating room for an amputation is $500 for 15 minutes at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, Christian said.
Participants also learned good dietary practices and information on their medications, physical activity and more.
"I learned how to exercise standing and sitting and not walking," Elisa Dennis said. "I learned a lot of things, and the facilitators take a lot of time with you."
A graduation ceremony was held Wednesday at the AARP office in Estate Diamond, with 12 of the empowered diabetics on hand to receive a certificate, an eco-friendly green bag, laminated placemats with pictures of healthy food, and a magnetic medicine reminder. The classes were given free of charge and held at the ARRP office. DEEP is sponsored by the University of Illinois and VIMI.
VIMI is partnering with physicians and clinics territory-wide to encourage their patients to attend the classes. VIMI contacted more than 150 local doctors to promote the classes, Nelthropp said. Identifying patients for the classes were four physicians, Dawn Mannings, Robert Thompson, Kendall Griffith and Robert Brooks.
The graduates gathered were older citizens who said they would miss getting together with each other. Some said they wanted to come back and do the classes again. All appeared healthy, and they shared political jokes and laughs.
"Before the class I just tried to live with it," Doris Encarnacion said. "Now I'm feeling healthier. I will continue to practice what I learned."
They had a healthy three-layer white cake with white cream icing made with Splenda, a sugar substitute, and sugar-free beverages.
"I wasn't feeling well this morning," said graduate Helena Adams. "Well, I'm feeling good now."
VIMI is a non-profit organization that works to achieve quality and effective health care at the community level. The organization provides free expert resources to consumers, doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other caregivers to make sure patients get the right care.
In November 2008, VIMI facilitated the training of 22 community-health workers to work as trainers and diabetes educators for programs such as DEEP.
"We want to get the entire diabetic population of the Virgin Islands to understand DEEP and to learn to manage their diabetes and empower themselves," Christian said.
The next course begins Feb. 24. To register for the classes or for more information, call 712-2400.
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