DIABETES needs a voice in Singleton.
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And, that voice is projected by Dorothy Kingdom, who has been speaking up for awareness of diabetes in the community, and listening to the voices of those in the Singleton Diabetic Support Group for more than 16 years now.
This month the organisation will celebrate its 19th birthday – and Dorothy wishes for more people in Singleton who are affected by Type 2 diabetes to jump on board and receive the support they deserve.
As convenor of the Singleton Diabetic Support Group, she has accumulated more information on the disease than one could ever need, and knows diabetes like the back of her hand after being diagnosed in 1997 with gestational diabetes.
According to Diabetes Australia, gestational diabetes (sometimes referred to as GDM) is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels first appear during pregnancy.
While maternal blood glucose levels usually return to normal after the birth of the baby, there is a known increased risk for Type 2 diabetes for the mother in the future.
Type 2 diabetes currently represents 85-90 per cent of all cases of diabetes and usually develops in adults 45 years and older.
But, it is increasingly occurring in younger age groups including children, adolescents and young adults.
Dorothy admits that Singleton has a lot of diabetic people in the community.
Her main concern is that they aren’t learning everything they need to know about “the complex and chronic disease that we have”.
“Most people simply don’t understand the disease, and they just need to learn how to manage it,” she said.
“This is where the support group can help, as I am constantly updated with information about diabetes from Sydney, and I share that information at the meetings.”
With a background in general nursing from the Royal Newcastle Hospital, Dorothy can assure all members that they are in the best hands and are guaranteed to learn a thing or two.
Also up her sleeve is an impressive list of resources, including guest speakers from community health, who Dorothy tries to get at every meeting.
She explains that the group is always “there for information, education and support”.
“Everyone at the meeting is there to discuss and listen to any issues the members are having, and to offer their advice and support,” she added.
For anyone thinking of joining the group, Dorothy believes “they will definitely benefit from it”.
“We have plenty of resources and have interactive sharing between each person; we also have information to send people to the right services,” she said.
One of the darker sides to a disease support group is saying goodbye to members of the organisation, whether that be from the disease itself or age restrictions.
This is why Dorothy greatly encourages newcomers.
“It’s one of those groups that unless we keep new people coming in, we could end up having a problem,” she said.
The meetings take place on the fourth Monday of the month at 9.45am at Singleton hospital (Dangar Wing meeting room).
This year the Singleton Diabetic Support Group is also having a special luncheon for their 19th birthday at the Royal Hotel on Monday, September 22, beginning at 11.30am.
If you would like to attend, or have any enquires regarding the support group, contact Dorothy on 6573 2603.