History
As some may remember, during the 2018 CCB Conference and Convention, at one of the concluding sessions, our beloved Ken Metz announced his desire to start a special interest affiliate especially for CCB members living with diabetes, and asked if there was any interest, and he discovered that many expressed their wholehearted interest and support. Not long thereafter, Ken passed away, but those who had expressed their interest decided that his wish for the group should become a reality. Accordingly, they publicized the idea for the group on what was then known as the California Connection, now the Happenings, as well as on various leadership lists. They held their first telephonic meeting in October, 2018. It was facilitated by Northern California member Dave Jackson, and met with an enthusiastic response. CCB President, Judy Wilkinson said a few words of welcome and Dee Clayton from ACB Diabetics in Action applauded the launch of a CCB Diabetes Group. During the first meeting, Pam Metz outlined Ken's vision for the group, saying that He hoped for a space where blind people who also were living with diabetes could share experiences and knowledge, lifestyle suggestions, and ways to advocate. The group decided to wait a while before affiliating so that they could gain a feel for who they were, what they wanted, and what their goals might be.
The Present
The CCB Diabetics group now meets via phone and zoom from 7 to 8 PM on the second Monday of every month. The topic for discussion is always posted in the CCB Happenings and on both the Diabetics Group and ACB Diabetics in Action email lists. Topics have included suggestions for making healthy food choices during the holidays, quick and easy snack ideas, evaluating alternative health therapies, and occasionally, those involved in the group invite guest speakers. Sugar Lopez posts healthful recipes to the group's email list every Tuesday! (Sugar's Recipe Corner)
"Our group is wonderfully diverse," says northern California CCB member Maile George. "The age range is from maybe 30 to 90, and the participants are from southern, central and northern California, and beyond! We embrace our diversity and have fun together. We're people who happen to have diabetes, a disease we acknowledge, but we also try to make good choices so we can live long and live well by learning from and supporting one another. CCB member from Fresno, Veronica Hernandez helped to raise awareness about the Diabetes Group at the recent 2019 CCB conference and convention by making lavender scented soaps. She partnered with Guillermo Robles by creating large print and Braille cards that introduced the group, featuring the group's mission statement, and the cards were to be included in each registration bag. The Diabetic Group is already turning its attention toward the 2020 CCB convention, to be held again at the Double Tree Hotel in Fresno. The group plans to work with the convention committee and the hotel concession staff to insure that healthful choices are offered to all convention attendees.
"This can be some advocacy work for us," says Maile. "It could warm us up for bigger advocacy projects ahead, such as influencing positive change with regard to accessible medical equipment. We are in a unique position. Not only are we blind, we are also diabetic. Many, if not all insulin pumps currently on the market are not accessible to people who are blind. This is because we are a small piece of the market, and many manufacturers don't view us as valuable customers. We need to advocate. We need to make them aware of our health needs- the incidence of diabetes is rising globally, - not shrinking."
The CCB Diabetes Group meetings/conference calls take place on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 8 PM. Those who are interested are welcome to join new friends and old on a future call using Zoom at 408--638-0968 ID: 158236260. Smartphone or online access through Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/158236260. To join the Diabetes Group email list, please send your name, first and last, your email address and a brief statement on how you heard about the CCB Diabetes Group to Maile George at maileg921@gmail.com.
The mission of the CCB Diabetes Group is to empower people who are blind and diabetic and their families through education and community support.
