ATTN: Type 1 Women of New York City Metropolitan Area
Several weeks ago, Katie, a type 1 social work student in New York City contacted me because she had stumbled upon my post about the hole in diabetes health care. She was in complete agreement with me that the mental health needs of diabetics are too frequently disregarded by our health care providers. I’ve consistently been frustrated with the paucity of resources here in the Philadelphia area, and I’ve been investigating options for filling that gap.
Katie is already taking action to make a positive contribution to the need so many of us have recognized. If you live in the New York City area, and you’re a woman, age 18-35, with type 1, Katie is starting a support group in cooperation with Friedman Diabetes Institute of Beth Israel Medical Center.
Topics may include:
Managing exercise, eating, and body image
Managing relationships
Coping effectively with stress and emotions
Discussing feelings of fear, shame, or frustration
… and others that you can bring!
The first meeting is Tuesday, November 18th 6:00PM – 7:30PM. After the first meeting, the group will meet bimonthly on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
There is no cost for participation. The group will be self-led however there will be a staff member from Friedman Diabetes Institute available during the meetings. Katie’s goal is to create a place to talk with others about living with diabetes, focusing on the needs and challenges specific to being a young woman.
If you’re interested, please e-mail Katie at DiabetesNYC@gmail.com to RSVP, or if you have questions, comments, or ideas.
The Friedman Diabetes Center at Beth Israel Medical Center is located at 317 E. 17th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues on the 8th floor.
It sounds like a marvelous opportunity, and I encourage anyone who is able to attend to give it a try, whether you’re feeling challenged by diabetes or not. I believe there’s always something to be gained from being with people who understand what it means to live with diabetes.
I hope my lady friends up in NYC will consider attending (hint, hint). Much thanks to Katie for contacting me about this and for taking the initiative to organize it. I hope the group is well-attended!
I would love to go to this (I’m sure I’m included in that little hint of yours) but it starts far too early for me to go. I don’t get out of work until 6pm.
Also, these meetings are biweekly, not bimonthly. Bimonthly means every other month, biweekly means every other week. Just fyi.
Comment by Allison Blass — October 29, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Hi,
I’ve had type 1 diabetes since August of 1980. I moved to the New Jersey suburbs of Philly about 2 years ago and have found it really hard to find resources for a type 1 diabetic. I just read the link to your August post about wanting a support group in the Philly area & I think you were reading my mind. It’s funny that around that time I was looking for the same thing & was unable to find anything . I did read about the Integrated Diabetes meet-up, unfortunately I found it the day after the event.
I think the event in NY will be great & would even consider attending if I could make it in time after work – even though I’m 2 years older than the age limit
I love reading your blog – it helps me to know that there are other people out there dealing with diabetes that have the same feelings and frustrations. Please post if you hear anything about a group in or around Philly.
Thanks for your blog!
Comment by Leslie — October 29, 2008 @ 9:54 am
I don’t live in NY anymore, but when I did, I was part of a similar support group organized by a therapist on the upper west side who specializes in diabetes and mental health (and has type 1 herself). It was fabulous. This sounds like it will be equally great.
Comment by Lyrehca — October 29, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Lee Ann
This is great. Support groups that encourage and help folks are well worth it. The more the merrier. You might want to list this info as a TuDiabetes event, so others will know about it.
By the way I have to gently disagree with Allison. This isn’t biweekly, because that would mean it happens 26 times a year. At twice a month it will happen 24 times a year. So it’s semi-monthly. Don’t you love nitpickers!
Comment by Bernard Farrell — October 29, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Haha, you’re right. I had this conundrum when my parents asked me if I was paid biweekly or semimonthly… so close yet so far away…
Comment by Allison Blass — October 29, 2008 @ 2:57 pm