DAY CAMP TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO COPE WITH DIABETES

JACKSON -- About 19 children with diabetes got a chance to learn more about the disease and have fun during a two-day camp sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital.

About 127,000 children younger than the age of 20 are dependent on insulin.

The first annual camp for children with Type I diabetes was held Monday and Tuesday, at Main Street Fitness.

The bodies of those with Type I diabetes make little or no insulin. As long as insulin is missing, the blood sugar level remains high in the body. People with this type of diabetes must take insulin shots to live.

The campers, ages 6 - 12, took part in activities and games designed to help them better understand the importance of physical exercise and its role in blood glucose levels. Campers also were educated on how to better cope with their diabetes.

Janet Stewart, Southeast Missouri Hospital's diabetes educator, said until now children with diabetes had to travel to other communities to receive education at a camp such as this.

She said community businesses and individual volunteers have come together to make the camp successful.

The camp and other outreach programs, directed toward youth with diabetes, are largely made possible by a newly received grant.

"This camp is the kick-off for a target project made possible from a grant given by the Fraternal Order of Eagles," she said. Recently the Eagles donated a $17,383 grant which was earmarked for diabetes education and research. The new project will focus on approximately 40 school-age children.

"Through the project an individualized healthcare program will be designed for school-age children," Stewart said. "School nurses, parents, doctors, counselors, exercise experts, and a diabetes team (dietitian, nurses and pharmacologists) will work together to help the children and their families manage diabetes."

Mitch Sadler, 14, and his mother, Vickie Salder, have worked with children with Type I diabetes. Mitch, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4, said he visits newly diagnosed children.

"Basically I tell them they are just like everyone else," he said, "except they take insulin. I tell them they need to have good control of their diabetes."

Vickie Salder said diabetes is a family disease.

"I talk to the children and their families and discuss a family approach dealing with their diabetes," she said. "I tell them they can increase their quality of life through exercise, diet and insulin."

Mitch, who will attend the Junior Olympics in August as an Tae Kwan Do competitor, said he tells children to live their lives fully.

"I tell them to live a normal life and not to feel sorry for themselves," he said.

Cassie Campbell, 8, of Sedgewickville, said she has learned a lot from the camp.

"I have learned how insulin works," she said. "I can't explain it right now but I know."

Doing face painting, during the second day of the camp, was Dr. Sarah Aydt, a local pediatrician and general practitioner. Dr. Aydt was one of the many volunteers that gave their time to the project.

Aydt, a previous president of the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, said she had a personal interest in diabetes.

"Many of my patients have Type I diabetes," she said. "Kids with diabetes need to be educated and knowledgeable about the disease and need to adapt to the requirements of diabetes."