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SPECIAL HEALTH SECTION FOR THE CY-FAIR AREA

Healthy Cy-FairFamilies

Diabetes Warriors Cy-Fair Families of Kids with

Type I Diabetes Band Together

‘Tis the Season to Get Fit

Advice from CF Fitness Experts

Cy-Fair Health NewsHealth Bulletins

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Alyssa Laymon is one busy kindergartener. Not only did she just join a Girl Scout Daisy troop, but she takes gymnastics, partici-pates in school and church activities, enjoys arts and crafts, and plays with her friends, her siblings and her Barbies. She loves to take care of others, especially her dog Peanut, even sometimes reading aloud to her pooch.

Alyssa already excels in math at school. In fact, she learned very early how to count from one to 350. Those are the numbers she watches daily on her insulin pump. Alyssa always looks out for Peanut, her siblings, and her friends, but she knows she must look out for herself even more. Alyssa is one of the estimated 350 newly diagnosed Type I diabetic patients in the Houston area yearly.

Alyssa’s mom, Rebecca, says the warning signs were subtle but actually dated back to the January before her diagnosis at age 4 last year. “That month, we took her to the doctor because she kept needing to go to the bathroom so much, thinking it was a urinary tract infection,” says Rebecca Laymon. Just

before that, Alyssa started taking naps again, when she’d given them up by age one. Her mother also recalls her incredible thirst, “It was like every 30 minutes, downing a big cup of her milk and she’d say, ‘Mommy, aren’t you proud of me?’”

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s im-mune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Type 1 strikes children suddenly, making them depen-dent on insulin by injection or pump for life.

Today, Alyssa reads very well in Kindergarten, in part because she likes to use her insulin pump and read everything it says. Her

parents track her carbohy-drate intake, but she does not have to limit what foods she eats—a common public misconception. In Type I Diabetes, the body does not have the ability to make insulin at all. So, unlike with Type II Diabe-tes where the body does not make enough insulin, changes in diet cannot improve a Type I diabetic’s condition.

Experts say that while insulin injections or pumps allow a Type I

Cy-Fair Families of Kids with Type I Diabetes Band Together

DiabetesWarriorsWRITTEN BY STEPHANIE DONOVAN

PHOTOS BY DEBBY COLSON

Brothers Bryce and Brandon support one another with their diabetes

Alyssa and her dog, Peanut

HEALTHY CY-FAIR FAMILIES

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diabetic to stay alive, it does not cure diabetes or prevent complications that can arise from the disease. Recent Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) research reveals that more than 13,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. each year, which trans-lates into about 35 children a day.

The disease strikes randomly and does not discriminate by age, as Michael and Tina Flores learned with their son, Aiden who was diagnosed at 16 months old. Looking back, Aiden’s parents say his early signs were simply misread as toddler development. Aiden went from February to May that year coming down with many illnesses and had bug bites that would not heal. Michael Flores says his toddler also wasn’t gaining weight. “We talked to the doctor about it, but it was about the time when he started walking, and so we thought it was that,” says Flores. “The doctor said, ‘Oh, it is probably because he is so active.’”

Today, Aiden’s parents check his blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day and the toddler receives insulin shots three times daily. Tina and Mi-chael also test him at night while he’s sleeping to make sure he doesn’t drop too low. “That’s the scary thing,” says Tina. “To put him down and realize that something could happen in

the middle of the night when you sleep, so we don’t know.” Adapting to diabetes with a toddler has been more challenging, because Aiden can’t yet fully communicate when he’s feeling bad or something is wrong.

The diagnosis came early for parents Todd and Robin Hall as well, when their son Bran-don was diagnosed at age 2 ½. But, the Halls

Alyssa (5, center) with her siblings Clark (3) Kate (9) and Grant (7)

Aiden at theJDRF RunWalk

were dealt a double-whammy when his younger brother, Bryce, was diagnosed a several years later by age 4. “It was quite a blow to get the second diagnosis,” says Robin. “I had periodically checked Bryce, but didn’t really expect it to happen. We found out that this is not so common for more than one child in the family to be diag-nosed, and we have no history of Type I diabetes in our family.”

Today, the Hall boys are 10 and 8, and both went on the insulin pump in July. Both boys are very active in soccer and basketball, and the pump has been a very positive change, according to Robin. “The freedom it gives them in eating has been wonderful. With the pump, if they eat, they get a bolus or dose of insulin. If they don’t eat, they don’t get any insulin. So, we are not regulating and limiting their food intake so much anymore.” Adds Hall, “And, of course, there are no more shots either, and we just have to change their site every two to three days.”

Part of the challenge for Alyssa this year comes with start-ing public schools and having a new schedule and surroundings. Rebecca gives Alyssa’s teachers an information sheet about her daughter’s normal demeanor and signs of what to watch for if her blood sugar is off. But, Laymon adds, “The teacher doesn’t have to

The Laymon family learns about Alyssa’s diabetes together

“Newly diagnosed diabetic children first have to figure out that just because

diabetes starts with the word ‘die,’ it doesn’t mean you are going to die.”

—Rebecca Laymon, mother ofType I diabetic Alyssa, age 5.



Cy-Fair Area Diabetes Support for Families

As the parent to two diabetic kids, Robin Hall noticed a lack of support groups for parents and families in the Cy-Fair area. So, she and her sister-in-law, Sonya Whiting, formed the Northwest Houston Diabetes Support Group. The group meets monthly of-fering support and fellowship to parents of diabetics.

“Because Type 1 diabetes requires such intensive management, and is not brought on by lifestyle choices, parents need an outlet to share their frustrations with others who truly understand them and share solutions with each other,” says Nikhi Young, JDRF Out-reach Manager. “I think Robin and Sonya’s group gives Cypress families living with Type 1 diabetes that opportunity.”

Young says the JDRF also has a mentoring program that pairs a newly diagnosed parent with a “veteran” parent whose child was diagnosed around the same age and may live in the same area. The mentor parent is available to listen and to share their experi-ences, which alleviates a lot of the loneliness and feeling of being overwhelmed for these families.

Northwest Houston Diabetes Support Group

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the Month Coles Crossing Community Center, 7 p.m.

Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationHouston Gulf Coast Chapter

2425 Fountainview, Suite #280 Houston, TX 77057 713-334-4400 [email protected] www.jdrf.org/houston

To donate to Aiden’s Army, note on your check’s memo area and send to the JDRF ad-dress.

Bryce and Brandon with Mom Robin enjoy their neighborhood park

Bryce and Brandon monkey around

know anything about diabetes, really. But, she can know this about Alyssa, and she can love my child and know if something is wrong. And, that’s really all we need.”

Robin Hall agrees, “The best advice about school is to have a great relationship with the nurse and/or school staff. Communication is so important!” She adds, “As parents, we have to be their (our kids) advocates, because so many people don’t know about all that goes along with manag-ing diabetes and the problems that can occur.”

The Laymons say that while her daughter’s diagnosis was upsetting and surprising at first, the whole family supports and learns about diabetes together now. Alyssa’s and her older siblings attended Camp Rainbow this summer, a day camp for children with diabetes held at YMCA Camp Pine Tree in Spring, Texas.

Aiden Flores’s parents have also rallied together to learn and become involved in diabetes funding. Tina is Co-Chair of the JDRF Family Teams Committee and the whole family participated in the JDRF Run/Walk to Cure Diabetes at Reliant Park. The Flores’s hope to raise $5,000 for JDRF through “Aiden’s Army” of supporters between the walk and January 2008.

Alyssa’s father says their life has moved on since the diagnosis. “It’s such a shock when you find out about it. But, then once you learn everything and change things, you know…you adapt,” says Jason Laymon. “It’s a life-style now, and it’s not as difficult as it first seemed it would be.” Robin Hall agrees, “Diabetes is a family diagnosis and everyone has to deal with it, but it doesn’t have to define you.”

Stephanie Donovan is a freelance writer and the editor of Cy-Fair Magazine. This article was personal to her, as she was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in July of 2005.

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), symptoms of Type I

diabetes can occur suddenly, and include one or more of the following:

Extreme thirst

Frequent urination

Drowsiness, lethargy

Sugar in urine

Sudden vision changes

Increased appetite

Sudden weight loss

Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath

Heavy, labored breathing

Stupor, unconsciousness

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o you find yourself making the same weight-loss related New Year’s resolution year after year?

Well apparently you’re not alone. Cy-Fair area health and fitness facilities report a significant in-crease in memberships right after the holidays, with attendance then dropping only a few months into

the New Year. “A lot of people do buy memberships in December for family and friends or their Christmas gifts. And, then on Janu-ary 1st, it picks up even more,” says Jason Heebert, a personal trainer with 24-Hour Fitness. “It takes, not even several months for the commitment to wane, mostly in about a month.”

Von Jackson, a fitness expert and Managing Partner of Sound Fitness, sees the same trend. “Unfortunately, for the fitness industry that is usually what happens,” says Jackson. “People view their health more as a luxury item, rather than a necessity.”

Jump-Starting Your ResolutionsThis year, why not beat the New Year gym rush and put better health and fitness at the top of your holiday wish list early? Health experts say, by taking

WRITTEN BY LAVONNE WOODS BRUNTPHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA MANGOS

‘Tis the Season to Get FitAdvice from CF Fitness Experts

these early steps, you increase your chances of making a healthy diet and exercise a habit before the holidays even arrive.

“I would say it’s better to start now, so that you don’t have exces-sive weight gain over the holiday season. If you get active now, you may not even want to eat as much, or you may learn how to eat,” says Kamie Johnson-Pete, Health and Wellness Director for Cypress Creek YMCA.

Hope Sampson, a personal trainer for Lifetime Fitness agrees with the jumpstart approach. “Wouldn’t you rather go into the holidays, ten, fifteen, twenty pounds lighter, so you can have those extra things, but you’re not go-ing to overdo?”

It’s a tactic that worked for Sara White, a member of Sound Fitness gym. “ I actually started working out right before the holiday season last year, just because I knew I was going to eat a lot of junk,” says White. “I didn’t really lose any weight during the holidays, but I didn’t gain any either. Once the holidays were over, I lost about fifteen pounds, which took about two months,” she adds.

D

HEALTHY CY-FAIR FAMILIESBrittany Pollard works out

on the elliptical machine at Sound Fitness

Gillian Hubert stays lean and fit by eating healthy foods like spinach salads



Let Fitness Boost Your Holiday Spirit The holidays can be a very busy and stressful time for many people. Getting started on a program of better nutrition and regular exer-cise can reap significant returns in energy and stress reduction, the very things we need most around the holidays. “Exercise is energiz-ing…sometimes we think we are too fatigued to exercise, but that’s a sign that we are lacking exercise activity,” says Elva Washington, who works out at Lifetime Fitness.

“The holidays are so stressful. If you just take 10 minutes and go walk the dog or take your children to the park and you walk while they are playing, or play with them, you burn a little stress and you burn a little calories,” says Lindy M. Pfingsten, Health and Well-ness Director for Langham Creek YMCA.

Exercise Can Trigger Better Eating HabitsMaking healthier food choices seems to go hand-in-hand with adopting a healthier lifestyle and becoming more fit. “Exercise will help you start to eat better anyway, because when you start work-ing out, your body starts to crave certain things,” says Johnson-Pete. “You’re going to want to eat right, because you feel better when you eat better. Most of the time, exercise helps you get on track with your eating,” she adds.

Pfingsten recommends starting off by increasing your water intake and keeping track of everything you eat and drink. “A good water intake is 64 oz. a day, a great water intake is about 80 oz. of fluid—especially with Houston being so humid,” says Pfingsten. “One great thing that I always have had clients start with is just

Having Your Cake and Eating it Too Making a commitment to fitness and better health does not necessarily mean you can’t enjoy our favorite holiday recipes. Here are some more tips from area fitness experts for having diet success this holiday season:

“You can still have a slice of pecan pie, just don’t have three slices of pecan pie. And, also, it’s about portion control. It’s not about denial of the foods you enjoy, it’s about modifying your behavior so you can continue to enjoy them, but maintain a healthy weight and decrease medication if you’re on it. —Hope Sampson, Lifetime Fitness

“Even though the holidays are coming, you can still make fantastic choices. If you’re going to a holiday party, you can be the person that makes that great tasting fruit dip and bring a fruit tray, or you can bring a veggie tray. — Lindy Pfingsten, Langham Creek YMCA

“My philosophy is never to deprive yourself of some-thing. If you want it, go ahead and have it, just don’t have all of it. —Kamie Johnson-Pete, Cypress-Creek YMCA

“Eat what you want, just remember that when you eat what you want, you’re going to have to work out that much harder to burn it off. —Ronnie Hoodye, Sound Fitness.


whenever you eat protein, you always want to eat a carbohydrate with it. If you eat an apple, you want to try and eat a cheese stick or an egg. By using your protein and your carbohydrates to-gether, you stabilize your blood sugar and so you’re not as hungry and you keep those glucose levels stable. This is also good for people who are hy-poglycemic or diabetic,” explains Pfingsten.

Most importantly, keep in mind that you need to allow yourself time to lose weight and make lifestyle changes that replace old habits and forgive yourself for any slip-ups along the way. “You have to be patient, it’s a process,” says Sampson.

Realize that by making a personal commitment to better health and fitness now, and sticking with it through the holiday months, you are giving both yourself and your loved ones the gift of your presence for many more holiday seasons to come.

Lavonne Woods Brunt is a freelance writer, practicing attorney, and mother of two daughters. She has lived in the Cy-Fair community for seven years.

Dustin Johnson stays trim by working out his upper body

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