Living with diabetes isn’t easy.
That’s what 11 local “celebrities” heard about during information sessions Monday evening and yesterday morning, but it’s something they’ll find out first-hand starting Saturday when they begin the Canadian Diabetes Association’s annual Celebrity Challenge.
This year’s celebrities include Dawn Booth, co-ordinator of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club president Mark Jones (also of Holmlund Financial), Capt. Angel Sandoval of the Fort Frances Salvation Army, and Dana-Rae Bergner of the Royal Bank.
They’re being joined by Bridget Dobransky (Lions Club/The Body Shop), Fort Frances Museum curator Pam Hawley, Linda Blanc (La Place Rendez-Vous), Dick Bird (Lions Club), tax collector Ed Katona, new Canada Safeway manager Dave McBride, and yours truly.
During the challenge, the participants must keep track of what they eat and drink for seven days, record their blood sugar, give regular insulin “shots” to the teddy bears they carry around with them for the week, and be physically active.
Some of the “celebrities” offered their thoughts on what they think living like a diabetic for a week will be like.
“I think it will be a challenge, but it will be well worth it,” said Bergner, assistant manager of personal financial services at the Royal Bank of Canada here.
“I certainly going to stick to [my meal plan], but it’s going to be tough,” she added, noting that while she knew “healthy living” was part of a diabetic lifestyle, she thought the strict dietary regimen was a real “eye-opener.”^“I think I’ll be up to the challenge,” said Hawley. “But it will be a challenge, I’ll admit that.
“The biggest thing is the eating habits,” she remarked. “I was just looking at it this morning [Tuesday] with my daughter and commenting on the portions and specific food groups.
“After it’s all over, I might change my eating habits a bit,” Hawley remarked. “Like right now, I never eat breakfast. But if I find it gives me more energy during the week ahead, maybe I’ll start.”^“I thought it would be very interesting to find out more about diabetes, and to live a different lifestyle for a week,” said Booth.
“I’m excited. I think it’s going to be quite an eye-opener.”^Booth noted she experienced the challenge second-hand a few years ago when former co-worker Crystal Godbout took part in it— and is confident that will help her through the week.
While all the other celebrities will be doing the challenge Sept.
13-19, Katona already has started checking his blood sugar level twice a day, giving his teddy bear “insulin shots” (actually, harmless saline), and following his special meal plan yesterday.
That’s because the date of the challenge partially coincides with another challenge of his—cycling to Minneapolis, Mn. to raise funds for cancer research in conjunction with the annual Terry Fox Run.
“Yes, it’s going to be a little more difficult being on the road and all,” said Katona. “But I’ll do it. I’m committed to it. And since I started this morning [Tuesday], I’ll only have to worry about it for three days on the road.”^At the two information sessions this week, Jodis McCaine, a registered dietitian with the Valley Diabetes Education Centre, and Cindy Gauthier, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, taught the participants the definitions of Type I, II, and gestational diabetes, the signs and symptoms of the disease, risk factors in developing it, and preventive measures such as diet, exercise, foot care, and stress management.
McCaine also provided them with meal plans based on quantities in line with their normal diets.
These stress what they can eat, how much they can eat, and when they can eat.
And everyone got their teddy bears at this time. They will be required to carry them around during the challenge, not only as a substitute body for regular “insulin” shots, but to bring attention to the participant as well as spark interest from the public.
A wrap-up banquet, during which the winner of the challenge will be announced, is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 24 at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Tickets for the banquet, which starts at 6:30 p.m., cost $19 each (which includes taxes and gratuity).
Get tickets in advance by contacting George Bartlett at 274- 7305.
The guest speaker will be Dr.
B.T. Johnstone.
Fort Frances Times
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