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Don’t suffer in silence

Foothills diabetes suffers Sue, Irene amd Freda call for people to attend support groups. Foothills diabetes suffers Sue, Irene amd Freda call for people to attend support groups.

– Tania Martin
SUE Lucas says its time for diabetics to start seeking support.
The Upper Ferntree Gully woman and type two diabetic said it was alarming to see the rate of the disease rising dramatically but the number of people attending support groups plummeting.
Ms Lucas is now urging foothills people to reach out to seek support and advice from fellow suffers.
She said the Outer Eastern Suburbs Diabetes Support Group in Knox was one of many groups fighting a downward trend in membership numbers.
Ms Lucas said the group had been going for more than 20 years but was currently facing a membership slump.
She is now calling on sufferers to come along to the group meetings on the second Tuesday of every month and share their own stories.
Ms Lucas said it made no sense that membership numbers were declining, with more than 6000 diabetics in Knox and more than three million in Australia. The eastern region group currently has 30 members, a significant decline from its usual 50.
The group has also been forced to abandon its night meetings because there were not enough numbers.
However, Ms Lucas said that if the group was able to gain some more members it would be able to reopen the Tuesday evening sessions.
Type one diabetic Freda Smith said the group was not only a great way to meet others with similar illnesses but to make new friends and share stories.
Mrs Smith said the support group promoted ways people could live with diabetes and still live a happy and healthy life.
“We talk about food issues, swap ideas and recipes.”
The group has guest speakers such a doctors speaking about new developments in the treatment of diabetes.
Mrs Smith said the group was a great opportunity for people to learn new tips on how to live with the disease.
“It’s a great way to share your story with others and makes you realise you are not alone.”
The Outer Eastern Suburbs Diabetes Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the Knox Community Health Service, on the corner of Spring and Station Streets, Ferntree Gully.
It is open to anyone who is interested in joining.
To find out more about the group call Irene on 9763 5327, Sue on 9758 2216 or Freda on 9755 6168.

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