The Diabetes Support Group for Parents
Phone -- 314.454.2266
The Diabetes Support Group for Parents helps parents of children with Type 1 diabetes learn to cope with and better understand their child's illness.
When a child is first diagnosed with diabetes, a parent's natural lack of experience with the illness often leads to a host of questions and concerns about a child's healthy future. In the beginning, diabetes can seem like a looming hill of never ending worries.
The Diabetes Support Group for Parents offers people a chance to meet and talk about this unexpected hurdle in life. It allows parents dealing with diabetes for the first time to join together on this unfamiliar path, and to be guided by the knowledge of more experienced parents. Through the learning that occurs at the meetings, diabetes is revealed as a manageable illness that does not have to be the cause of endless worries and obstacles.
Meetings:
The Diabetes Support Group for Parents, founded in 1991, meets at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Approximately 35 families participate in the group. Because our education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and we are affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, the support group is able to bring top doctors and advisors in the field of diabetes to speak at the meetings. Former speakers include leaders from the ADA Diabetes Camp, representatives from diabetes supply companies, as well as a panel of teenagers who grew up with diabetes. These speakers approach such topics as the latest research in the field, or might advise parents on how to deal with eating problems that accompany toddler diabetes. Through these sessions, parents become more familiar with diabetes as they are constantly informed of the newest and best ways to work towards the welfare of their child.
When: Every 2 months during the school year. Please contact us for specific dates and times of meetings.
Where: The Edison Room Cafeteria located on the Lower Level Atrium at St. Louis Children's Hospital
For Information: To learn more about the Diabetes Support Group for Parents, please contact Beth Alseth, RN, Diabetes Educator, at 314.454.2266
