SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., - “Our Diabetes Journey–For Parents and Kids” will be the topic at the Regional West Physicians Clinic-Diabetes Care Center support group meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 in Medical Plaza South, room 1202. The meeting will be an interactive, one-hour program presented by A1C Champions^® diabetes educators Alyssa, a youth with type 1 diabetes, and her mother, Susan. All type 1 patients between the ages of 8 and 18 and their families are invited.

“Our Diabetes Journey–For Parents and Kids” was developed by the A1C Champions^® Program. A1C Champions are people who have diabetes and are successfully managing it. They have been trained to empower and motivate other patients by sharing not only their successes, but the challenges and obstacles they’ve overcome and continue to face in managing their diabetes. 

The goal of the program is to provide education and support as well as improve communication between youth with diabetes and their parents. The mentoring team will lead discussions and activities that will help youth and parent attendees explore and understand each other’s perceptions, thoughts and feelings. 

Although most families have already heard about diabetes self-management, hearing it from other youth and parents can be a totally different experience. The mentoring teams have “walked in their shoes” and can truly understand how families living with a youth with type 1 diabetes feel. Patient mentoring may help change attitudes and behaviors.

During the program, the youth and parent team will share their story about living with type 1 diabetes. They will visit with the group about family communication, the choices youth have in managing their diabetes, and goal-setting. They will lead a discussion on the challenges that families face, as well as situations specific to the youth and their parents.

If you are interested in more information about “Our Diabetes Journey–For Parents and Kids”, please call Mary Skiles, Certified Diabetes Educator, at 308-630-3725.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.