Frances Barrett, of Pryor, tried to ignore her doctor's diagnosis of Type II diabetes. She just didn't want to deal with it while coping with her sister's death.
"It took me three years to finally come to terms with what I had," said Barrett.
With the support of her husband, Clyde, her children and grandchildren, Barrett began acknowledging her disease after attending the Mayes County Women's Health Fair. From there, she learned about a diabetic support group, which she has attended faithfully. The support group offers information, speakers, including a dietitian, podiatrist and pharmacist, as well as handouts and recipes.
"My family has been gung ho about me managing diabetes," said Barrett. "No one else in my family has had it, so it's taken a lot of research to learn about it."
Through diet, medication and exercise, Barrett is enjoying her retirement. She said the Mayes County Women's Health Initiative offers a valuable resource to women.
The Mayes County Women's Health Initiative began under former First Lady Cathy Keating. She wanted each county in the state to hold health fairs to inform women about health issues and local resources available. Keating attended the Mayes County Health Fair and declared it a success.
Mayes County sponsors eight to 10 free health events annually: Women's Health Fair, Heart Healthy Luncheon, Diabetic Health Fair, Healthy Eating, Breast Cancer Awareness, Senior Day, Nutrition for Women and Relay for Life. The events offer screenings and health information to use on a daily basis. Other monthly educational programs for women may include investing, women with disabilities or nutrition.
OKDHS offers support and resources to the fairs. The first year of the Women's Health Fair, approximately 75 women attended. Today, more than 300 women attend.
Other services include health publications and statistical information, consultation and referrals, community presentations, personal health education, health planning and inter-agency programs.
- Mayes County residents, age 60 and older, received more than 65,000 healthy meals through the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
- A monthly average of more than 5,600 Mayes County residents participated in the Food Stamp program in order to purchase healthy food
- Nearly 7,000 Mayes County residents were eligible to receive Medicaid for health care services
- Oklahoma ranked 15 in diabetes deaths in 2000