Diabetes champion offers tips on how to live with the disease

"If you want to change something, you have to practice it. Our [health] care should be something we do automatically," said Charles Wiggens Jr. at the Taking Control of Your Diabetes session, April 30, where about 70 people gathered in Boyce Thompson Institute Auditorium.

Wiggens is a member of the A1C Champions Program, a patient-led diabetes education program. He travels around the country sharing his success story and offering lifestyle strategies based on his personal experience in managing diabetes.

Wiggens learned he had diabetes on Thanksgiving Day 2003. After a five-day stay at the hospital, which caused him to miss Thanksgiving dinner, his wedding and his honeymoon in Hawaii, Wiggens was confronted with the choice to either take control of his diabetes or to allow the disease to take control of his life.

After the hospital stay and a subsequent meeting with his primary care physician, Wiggens admits that it was hard to keep a positive attitude when everything seemed so overwhelming and negative. He began to change his attitude after realizing three things:

1. "It matters." An avid painter, Wiggins thought about the prospect of losing his eyesight and the use of his hands due to complications caused by the disease. He also thought about his future with his fiancée. He realized, "It matters to me and everyone who knows me."

2. "It is up to me." Wiggens knew that if he didn't make changes in his lifestyle, his condition would not improve. He decided that it was in his power to control some of the factors that affect blood sugar levels, including diet, exercise, stress and medications. He said, "It is not easy to make all of these lifestyle changes at once, but if you practice them, they will become habit."

3. "I am not alone." Wiggens realized that with the help of his family and his doctor he would have the support he needed to be successful at managing his diabetes.

To take control of his diabetes, Wiggens met with his physician to fully understand the disease. He had blood work done to test his hemoglobin A1C, or plasma glucose level (A1C levels persistently above 7 percent are considered out-of-control). In addition to having regular blood work to track his laboratory results, Wiggens habitually tests his blood sugar four times a day. He records his test results, food intake, physical activity, medications, mood/emotional changes, stress factors, relaxation activities and noted health issues. Tracking these factors allows him to monitor any changes in his blood sugar levels and attribute any changes to one of these factors.

Wiggens also created a support system for himself. He suggests people with diabetes find an "accountability partner," someone who will help set goals, be supportive and push in an encouraging, positive way.

At the end of his presentation, Wiggens concluded: "Be sure to be your own champion. If I can do it, you can do it. I am 74 years old!"

For members of the Cornell community, the Wellness Program offers a diabetes support group that meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in S3 105 Schurman Hall. In an informal setting, participants share questions, thoughts and helpful hints to others who are affected by diabetes either directly or indirectly. There is also an electronic mailing list (Diabetes-L) available for additional support and discussion.

Other support groups available through the Wellness Program include a Cancer Support Group and a Menopause Support Group. For complete details on Wellness Program support groups, electronic mailing lists and workshops, visit http://wellness.cornell.edu/.

Shannon Austic is a publications assistant in the Office of Human Resources Communication Services.

Media Contact

Media Relations Office