Owensboro Health Group Offers Support for Type 1 Diabetes

For folks living with Type 1 Diabetes, it's easy to feel alone. Your friends may not understand why you have that gadget on your arm or why you need to know the number of carbohydrates in everything you eat. Especially if you're a kid.

Jenny Young, diabetes educator at Owensboro Health, shared, "Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that is typically diagnosed in childhood, but we are also seeing it diagnosed later in life. The pancreas stops producing insulin, and people with Type 1 diabetes require insulin for treatment."

It is different than Type 2 diabetes in that the latter is caused when the body develops insulin resistance, usually later in life. It can often be managed and even go into "remission" with changes in diet, exercise, and medications, while Type 1 is a lifelong condition.

Stronger Than 1

If you or someone you know is living with Type 1 Diabetes, Owensboro Health hosts a monthly support group for adults, kids, parents, and caregivers. It's called Stronger Than 1 and was actually started after a guidance counselor with Daviess County Public Schools reached out on behalf of some students.

Owensboro Health/CANVA

Several members of the group came on the Morning Show to talk about their experience so far and to invite you to join Stronger Than 1. Beau and Garrett will both be in middle school next year and have benefited from their involvement over the past few months.

My friend John Michael is also part of the group. Older than the other two fellas, he has enjoyed becoming a mentor and receiving support and information from the different topics discussed at each meeting. There are breakout groups depending on individual needs.

Owensboro Health Type 1 Diabetes Support Group

If you'd like to join the group, you can email Jenny at Jenny.Young@Owensborohealth.org or you can call 270-688-4858. Meetings are held at the Owensboro Healthpark on the third Tuesday of every month at 5 PM. Upcoming dates include August 19th, September 16th, October 21st, and November 18th.