b'getting?In her 25 years at WIS, shelittle over a year ago. It took her by saidshesometimesfeltfrustratedsurprise because she never understood becausediabetesawarenessmonththe progression of the disease.wouldrollaroundeachyeartalkingThey told me I was prediabetic and aboutthesamethingsandtryingneeded to change some things like tochangethesamehabitswithoutwatching my diet and exercise, but I success.Shebelievesthatdoingitreally did not fully understand what on a very personal level and sharingit was, she sighed.So, she began personal stories is a powerful resourceresearching diabetes on her own weneedtoleverage,especiallyinto learn more and was inspired to minority communities.Judi recalledshare what she learned with others.visiting her grandmother in Daphne,The Art Pot started the diabetes Alabama as a child and watching herprevention program about nine sistergivehergrandmotherinsulinmonths ago in collaboration with the injections to treat her diabetes.Shediabetes program at AccessHealth wonderedhowhergrandmothersTri-County Network and Roper St. lifemayhavebeendifferentifsheFrancis hospital in Charleston. The wasawareofthesmallchangesI am honored to be a part of theprogram consists of weekly group shecouldvemadeinherlife,likeprogram and use my voice to helpand individual meetings with women eatinghealthierandexercising.Inelevate the conversation, educate andwho are concerned about prediabetes addition,shequestions,whataboutempower our community. and diabetes. Lydia said they also thepeoplewhocantaffordinsulin?Judi Gatson have a coach, Kayla Visser, Program Withsomanycultural,holidayandCoordinator from AccessHealth family events celebrated around food,Tri-County Health Network, who Judiadmitsthatshehadtore-thinkhowherfamilyhelps with the program.The purpose of the group is celebrates special days and big achievements.Instead ofto educate participants about type 2 diabetes and how cupcakes, they now take family trips or engage in familyto live healthier lifestyles.Lydia is a student in the experiencesthatbuildlastingmemories.AndforJudi,program also because she wants to continue learning the importance of knowing your familys health historymore about preventing and managing diabetes.The plays a critical role in preventing chronic illnesses likeprogram also uses Facebook Live as a medium to diabetes.We must not take our health for granted, sheeducate the community about type 2 diabetes.concluded.Lydia is excited about her I Really Didnt Fullyparticipation in the Faces of Understand Health campaign. I believe I have a Lydia Cotton is the Boardresponsibility, as a person diagnosed Chairperson for Art Pot.Accordingwith diabetes, to talk about it and to Lydia, Art Pot is a non-profitspread the word so it wont catch volunteer organization dedicated toothers off guard. I hope that by the dissemination of information andeducating others about this serious education in high-risk communities. health issue it motivates them to live She was invited by DHEC to joinhealthier lifestyles and ultimately the Faces of Health campaignsave lives.when they learned of her work with the diabetes prevention program atTheseladiesareaninspirationto Art Pot.Lydia said she agreed toanyone looking to take control of their participate because she has type 2health.Takeamomenttotakethe diabetes and she wanted to raiserisk test at inittogethersc.org. I know awareness about the disease in LatinoI believe I have a responsibility, asI am going to change my habits, eat and Hispanic communities.Lydiasa person diagnosed with diabetes, tohealthier and exercise more.Join me. brother also has type 2 diabetes. Lydiatalk about it and spread the word soWell be in it together. said she learned approximately fourit wont catch others off guard. years ago that she was prediabetic andLydia Cottonthat she developed type 2 diabetes a IMARA19'