Diabetes Support Group founders Trish Freshwater (left) and Bonnie Wheeler (right) are recognized for their efforts.

The American Diabetes Association reports that over 25 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes. Bay Valley Medical Group is home to the longest running Diabetic Support Group in Alameda County. The group celebrated its 200th meeting in 20 years last September. With November being diabetes awareness month, we wanted to share with you how those affected by diabetes in the East Bay have strengthened their treatment programs and friendships by joining together and confiding in one other. “When I found out I had diabetes, I was devastated” recalls Trish Freshwater.

A nurse at Bay Valley Medical Group, Trish remembers how difficult it was to adapt to a new lifestyle and the treatment plan required. “Every aspect of daily life was impacted,” said Trish. Proper education, awareness and treatment are imperative to keep glucose levels under control and staying healthy when living with diabetes.

One day in the employee lounge, Bonnie Wheeler struck up a conversation with Trish asking about her medical bracelet. It turned out that Bonnie had diabetes as well. “Trish was the first person I had met with diabetes besides myself at that time. It was very isolating to go through everything alone,” said Bonnie Wheeler, manager of the customer service department at Bay Valley Medical Group.

After a year of confiding in each other, Bonnie and Trish realized that there were many other people who were in need of the type of support they found in each other. With the permission of Bay Valley Medical Group, the two women began a diabetic support group that addressed key issues when coping with diabetes.

“If I am having trouble holding a syringe and sticking myself as a nurse, imagine what it is like not having a medical background and learning to treat your diabetes,” said Trish. Twenty years later, the group has grown to not only a pillar of support for diabetics in the community, but a resource for doctors as well

“As a physician, I have noticed that my diabetic patients who join a support group have better control of their diabetes,” said Bay Valley Medical Group physician Jaya Karnani. “They are less likely to have complications associated with diabetes and are more eager to make good lifestyle choices.”

Members agree that having an outlet to ask questions and seek advice outside of the doctor’s office is beneficial. “Real people talk about real problems here. You can ask a question, and re-ask it until you can figure out a solution,” commented Joseph Soriano.

Barbara Angellar, another member of the group, attributes her success in coping with diabetes to the support group. “You might have a question, and be afraid to ask it, and then someone else will ask a similar question and the conversation begins,” said Barbara. “Sometimes I learn things here before I learn them from my doctor. Trish and Bonnie are so knowledgeable, and the tips and information they provide are always helpful.”

The meetings have a multi-prong approach that combines providing accurate information with sharing personal experiences, and offering friendly sounding boards. “We learn new information from each other, share ideas and our new favorite sugar free treats,” said Bonnie. “As a group, we also bring in food labels to determine the sugar and carbohydrate content so we know how it will affect our blood sugar levels.”

“We try to provide social and emotional support. People think that they have diabetes because they ate too much, or aren’t looking out for their health, when usually diabetes is genetic,” said Trish. “Here we can help with even the smallest things, and we look at what we can do to make it better.” Trish also provides one-on-one diabetic teaching to members of the group, as well.

“The support group is so valuable when facing the inevitabilities of diabetes,” said Shelley Horwitz, CEO of Bay Valley Medical Group. “This enables us to provide better care to our patients and members in our community.”

If you or any of your family and friends has diabetes, the Diabetes Support Group is free of charge and open to the public with no insurance or physician recommendation needed. For more information contact Bay Valley Medical Group’s customer service department at (510) 785-5000 or info@bvmed.com for meeting dates and times.