Friday, October 12, 2012

Grateful for help with Diabetics in Guatemala

We are really grateful for any help for diabetics.  We have a monthly meeting of the Diabetic Club....it is not often enough but it is what we can do for the time being.    We have about 60 people who are diabetic come every month, they have their blood tested...yes, just once a month ...I know it is not enough..but we just do not have the funds....and then we give them a healthy snack..and then they have a talk from a medical person ..
Often when people are diagnosed with diabetes here, they feel it is a death sentence.  They can become very depressed.  We have had pyschologists come and talk to them. We have had other people who are living with diabetes talk to them.  But it is very hard. Quite often, if  the person cannot afford the medicine...it is a death sentence.
We have people who have insulin and save it to use a little when they are feeling bad...they feel better, and then take it again only when they feel worse. This is not good but it is the only thing that they can do.
We often have people coming to the clinic whose blood sugar is over 500. and they have no medication.
The other problem is the diet that they are given ....many of these people are eating beans, tortillas and rice..they can't afford anything else..so it can be hard to change the diet to be able to  help themselves.
We really appreciate any help for the people in the Diabetes Club....thank you so much!
Sharon
Sharon Smart-Poage
MAYAN FAMILIES
registered 501.(c).(3) Non Profit Charity

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