Diabetes Support Groups

For adults with diabetes
Cornerstone is a support group for adults with diabetes. Meetings include an education component as well as a time of sharing for the participants. Below are details about the Cornerstone group meetings:

Second Thursday of each month, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Health Education Center at 445 Biltmore, 2nd floor conference room
Drop in. No registration required.
Friends and family members are welcome
Free.

For more information call Scott and Meg Olmsted at 828-779-6306.
Three groups designed for families who have a child with diabetes all meet at the same time and place:

For young people with diabetes and their parents
Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Mission's Reuter Outpatient Center in Vanderbilt Park, just south of I-40.
Siblings welcome.
Free. Snacks served.

Both children's groups are led by a Child Life specialist, a professional in using creative projects, play and talk to help children understand and be more confident about their medical condition.

For parents
The Pediatric Support Group for parents of children with diabetes is called S.W.E.E.T. Revenge - Supporting with Education, Encouragement and Togetherness.

S.W.E.E.T. Revenge gives parents a chance to meet others in the same situation and time to talk about the issues that many families deal with. Each month there is a planned topic and often a guest speaker.

For older children
The group for teens and pre-teens has named themselves ILID - Injecting Life Into Diabetes. The leader usually covers the same topic being discussed by the parents. This group is also active in reaching out to others their age who have just been diagnosed with diabetes. Siblings are welcome and sibling issues are discussed.

For younger children
Younger children have a group offering creative play and projects guided by a Child Life specialist. Many of these incorporate medical devices and information to help the children overcome anxiety about their diabetes. Siblings are welcome.

For more information please contact Blair Simmons, Child Life Specialist at 828-213-1792. All meetings are held at Mission's Reuter Outpatient Center.