Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. He forgives 
all my sins. He heals all my diseases. He saves my life from the grave. He crowns 
me with loving-kindness and pity. He fills my years with good things and I am 
made young again like the eagle. Psalm 103:2-5 (New Life Version)

As diabetes is on the rise in this country, we spend more money on weight loss 
products and physical fitness products but we seem to be steadily gaining weight 
and becoming less fit. 

What is diabetes?
• Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. 
   Insulin converts sugar and starches into energy.
• 17 million persons in the USA are diagnosed with diabetes and another 5.9 million 
   don’t know they have it.
• Type 1 diabetes-5-10% of all diabetics has this type.  In this type the body produces
   no insulin and these people must take insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes-90-95% of all diabetics has this type.  These people produce insulin 
   but their bodies don’t properly use this insulin.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?
• Frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, increased 
   fatigue, irritability, blurred vision are some of the symptoms.

What should I do if I have diabetes?
You will have the same nutritional needs but you will now need to keep your blood sugar as normal as possible.  Your doctor will tell you what you need to keep your blood sugars at and a registered dietician will help you with how to modify your diet.  A dietician or health nurse can help you learn to test your blood sugar.  In addition your doctor will tell you how often to return for more complete blood tests that will need to be done in a professional lab in order to stay healthy.  You will be expected to coordinate regular exercise into you daily routine and know how that affects your blood sugars.  Most of the type 2 newly diagnosed diabetics can benefit from a weight loss program.

Stress effects on the body:
When stress happens the body responds by releasing glucose.  This is a normal response however when a diabetic gets sick or stressed without insulin to control the glucose it will raise to unhealthy levels.

Body care:
To delay diabetic complications, take time to do good mouth care, skin care, check your feet nightly, and get regular professional eye exams.

                                     For more information visit: www.diabetes.org.

Linda Stotler, Parsons’s District Parish Nurse
Email: lstotler@sbcglobal.net 
Phone: 620-232-1786
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
             FOCUS OF THE MONTH 
                                                                     NOVEMBER 2009
                                                       HEALTH BENEFITS OF FORIVENESS

Researchers have recently become interested in studying the effects of being unforgiving and being forgiving. Evidence is mounting that holding on to grudges and bitterness results in long-term health problems. Forgiveness, 
on the other hand, offers numerous benefits, including: 
 

• Lower blood pressure 
• Stress reduction 
• Less hostility 
• Better anger management skills 
• Lower heart rate 
• Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse 
• Fewer depression symptoms 
• Fewer anxiety symptoms 
• Reduction in chronic pain 
• More friendships 
• Healthier relationships 
• Greater religious or spiritual well-being 
• Improved psychological well-being 

The nurses may be reached by calling:

Parsons District UMC Office
(620)421-9149

College Heights United Methodist Church, Pittsburg
(620)231-2540

Parish Nurses:

Linda Stotler

WHAT IS A PARISH NURSE?

A REGISTERED NURSE WHO:

• Proclaims the mission of Jesus by preaching of the Gospel and healing (Luke 9:2)
• Serves the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of parishioners.
• Celebrates a reverence for life by joining in the journey toward well-being.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PARISH NURSE MINISTRIES?

• Support for a person who is being discharged from the hospital
• Coordination of health and wellness seminars and educational classes
• Referral of parishioners to various community services
• A listening presence and prayer during the cycles of life
• Provide home and hospital visits
• Enhance emotional well-being by promoting spiritual wellness
• Address health questions voiced by parishioners
• Blood pressure screening

IS THERE A FEE INVOLVED?

No fee is involved.  This program is a ministry of the Parsons District, supported by
the United Methodist Churches of the Parsons District.

ROLE OF THE PARISH NURSE

Health Counselor
     -Assess personal needs
     -Make hospital/home/nursing home visits
     -Discuss health concerns and encourage people to take responsibility for their 
       health care

Educator
     -Provide health education classes
     -Teach through bulletin articles, newsletters
     -Provide 1:1 education

Advocate
     -Accompany parishioner to the doctor
     -Assist with discharge planning
     -Advance the agendas of the poor/ill with parish/community

Liaison to Community Services
     -Communicate with nursing home, home health, hospital staff
     -Referrals to existing community resources

Teacher of Lay Volunteers
    -Identify, recruit, educate and nurture volunteers
     -Support Groups

Healer
     -Help clarify the relationship between faith and health
     -Be a listening, nonjudgmental presence
     -Provide opportunities for meeting spiritual needs
     -Pray for and with others
 

A Parish Nursing Program may be helpful to your congregation in the 
following areas:

• single parent families
• homebound persons
• alcohol or drug dependencies
• acute and chronic illnesses
• healthy life-style and self care education
• health needs of older adults
• psychological stress and emotional needs
• loss of a loved one
• other life crisis
• wellness education

WILL A PARISH NURSE ASSIST ME IN HOME HEALTH CARE?

No, a Parish Nurse does not perform direct physical care.  A parish nurse provides holistic,
preventative care and support and assists in the spiritual and emotional needs of the parish family.

                                                    Wholeness
 The harmonious functioning of a person's body, mind and spirit.  Preventive health and self care maintains this balance. It does not necessarily imply complete physical health.