According to the International Diabetes federation there are approximately 31.4 thousand adults living with diabetes in Belize, but what about the children? and are there sufficient resources to educate them on their diagnosis? That's why the Belize Diabetes Association is hosting a summer camp for these children to connect with other diabetics and learn more about how they can take better care of themselves. Jomarie Lanza stopped by the camp today and here's what she gathered.
It's not like traditional summer camps, but it was designed to educate and bring together children diagnosed with Diabetes. A total of 16 of them along with some of their parents gathered here at the ITVET to connect with other diabetic children but also learn more about how they can take better care of themselves while navigating life with this disease.
Ava Tucker, Representing, Belize Diabetes, Heart & Stroke Association NY:
"Our association has been supporting the diabetic intuitive since 2012, the diaspora in New York is super supportive. We do fundraisers three times a year and they are all in so every year we find some mission or initiative to bring back home whether it be doctors, nurses, educators so when we got the call from Ms Lynette this time we said you know what we did it partially before lets do it 100% this time. It just so happens that I am here at the same time that this is happening and I am super excited to be here to represent and show you know our support and I am hoping to find other venues where we can additionally support because this is not just contained to today it is set up like a domino effect you know the participants that showed up with their parents today from PG, Ladyville, Sandhill they are the superheroes you know they are the champions they get it but how do we get others? How do we get the word out? So we have to educate them enough where they will not just become a diabetic in a camp they become dynamic in spreading the word for diabetes."
Tucker says the camp can be described as a journey of learning how they can still live somewhat normal lives despite diabetes. The association was formally established in 2010 and since then as an educator she has been working with children and other diabetics patients, hearing their stories and providing that support they need within their community. She says it is a fulfilling role that helps not only the patient but also the parent like 13 year old Triston Bainton and his mom.
Triston Bainton, Diabetic Patient:
"I am learning more about diabetes and the kidney failure thing and They are so good."
Roselyn Jones, Mother of Diabetic patient:
"Coming here is about getting well educated, knowing about diabetes more and also about the kidney failure, that will give him the knowledge to do what he needs to do to you know be healthy and stay alive. It gives me hope because I am not the only mother with a child with a non communicable disease, it makes me more stronger, dealing with Triston and his sickness you know. Its very hard, really hard especially with him not understanding what he is about to go through because taking dialysis it might seem like it is okay for him right now but further down it might be different."
And while Triston was recently diagnosed with kidney failure, there are other patients like 18 year old Damien Villafranco who's had type 1 since he was 11. He says he hopes to connect with other diabetics while participating in the camp.
Damien Villafranco, Diabetic patient:
"I hope to talk to people with diabetes because I don't usually meet other people with the diabetes that I have, and tell them what I experience and learn things from them and how they deal with it and handle it."
