YS Children's Type I Diabetes Support Group

Agency in Focus:
Yuba Sutter Children’s Type 1 Diabetes Support Group

Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure, although it can be managed. With proper treatment, people who have Type 1 diabetes can expect to live longer, healthier lives than they did in the past. (The Mayo Clinic)
   The purpose of Yuba Sutter Children’s Type 1 Diabetes Support Group (YSCDSG) is to assist children, teens and young adults afflicted with Type 1 diabetes and their families. YSCDSG brings together medical professionals, pharmaceutical company representatives and a host of diabetic advocates together with parents and relatives of diabetic children, in an effort to assist with the ever-changing circumstance that comes with caring for a child with diabetes.
   According to YSCDSG’s founder and Executive Director, Ouida Wakefield, the catalyst that led to the formation of YSCDG was when her seven year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. “Our life changed. After denial, anger and then acceptance, I started a support group out of our home with one family in attendance,” Wakefield said. That was nine years ago.  Since then, they grew and moved their meetings to a conference room at Rideout Health. Today they have over 60 families participating in the support group.
   Wakefield recalled a particular moment that continues to inspire today: “One day I received a phone call from a father whose son was newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I just arrived home from a house-boating trip, but took the call anyway because I remember how overwhelmed I felt when my own child was diagnosed. The father was crying, I listened to him and noticed how sad his voice sounded,” she said.
   “After listening, I asked if I could come to his home to give them support in person. I also asked my daughter to come along so she could give this young boy support as well. We arrived at their home and the whole family was waiting. My daughter brought a stuffed teddy bear wearing a homemade medical ID bracelet she had made and a pretend needle to give the bear a shot, because “Teddy” had diabetes too. As we entered the home, we could see how upset the family was, but relieved that someone who had been through it was there to help.  As, we became more comfortable my daughter gave the stuffed bear to their son and told him that Teddy has diabetes too. She pulled out the pretend needle and gave the bear an injection while he watched. He smiled and then held Teddy close to him. We talked a lot and answered many questions that day. When it was time to leave, the mother looked at me with tears in her eyes and thanked me for coming over. This is what supporting each other is all about - it takes a village!”
   The agency’s main fundraiser, Bike Around the Buttes, is scheduled for Saturday, April 12. To register go to www.bikearoundthebuttes.com.
   YSCDG serves people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. Monthly support group meetings are available to children, teens and their families. The Diabetes Resource Center is located at 990 Klamath Lane, Suite 1, Yuba City.  All services are free of charge.  And yes, they take walk-ins!  Contact Ouida Wakefield, Executive Director and founder, at 530-763-4171 for additional information.