The Voice of Southwest Louisiana March 2018 Issue

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ADVENTURES of the Lake Message the Editor on Facebook at The Voice of SWLA to have your adventures featured. Living With Type 1 Diabetes By Alcina Jackson My name is Alcina Jackson and I have Type 1 Diabetes. (Mayoclinic.org) Symptoms of thirst, hunger, extreme weight loss, skinny, boney appearance and vomiting began in the summer of 2012. I was rushed to the emergency room and was diagnosed with Type 1Diabetes in August of that year. Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis was hard for me to hear because I was told that it was never going to go away. Large portion sizes and every food choice was no longer an option for me. I now had to start pricking my fingers to check my blood sugars and inject insulin. Diabetes really affects my emotions when my sugars are in the 70 – 160 range. I usually have good, happy and very positive days, but when my blood sugar is high, my day is horrible and can be very depressing. I go to my room and sketch fashion if I do not have any homework. On school days, I am up at five in the morning. I dress and do my hair. I have to look good. You know what I mean. I check my sugar at six o clock, eat breakfast, and walk on the treadmill. On weekends, I am up at seven or seven thirty in the morning. I check my blood sugar. If it is low, I eat a banana (a small one) or drink a half cup of milk. I recheck fifteen or twenty minutes later and sometimes, I will eat cereal, oatmeal or grits. I walk on the treadmill for thirty minutes and drink three bottles of water. With some family members, explaining diabetes to them can be confusing or frightening sometimes. You have to do the math. For example, if my sugar is 209, subtract 120 from 209 and you get 89. Divide 89 by 40 and get 2.9. This number tells me how much extra insulin to use. Some family members just shut down with the math or become cautious so they do not give me the wrong amount. At school, having Type 1 Diabetes can be hard because vending machines with candy and chips are in the courtyard. Temptation surrounds me even though I know what and what not to eat. In sports or other activities, I must manage my Type 1 Diabetes. Just because I am Diabetic does not mean that I cannot be active. I just carry my snacks with me and check my sugar more often. I have good eating habits! I eat fresh vegetables that my dad and I grow in the garden. Do you want to know what is cool about having a garden? Watching it grow right in front of you. I grow cabbage, greens, and all kinds of peppers, broccoli and a lot more. They are very healthy for me and without preservatives and chemicals. Vegetables are best for me because they are low in carbs and I can eat more of them, and get full. I love to eat. Really I do. I love salads and green beans. My Type 1 Diabetes has inspired me to work harder toward my desire for a fashion career. My grandmother, who sewed and mended my clothes when I was growing up, inspired me. I thought to myself, I want to carry on that tradition. I also want to be an inspiration to others with Diabetes. This is who I Am. Sonny Jackson and daughter, Alcina, pick and eat organic produce from their garden all year. Bananas from tree Peppers Broccoli 24 March 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 8
the ART SPACE ARTIST: AUGUSTA (GUSSY PAPILLON) ASBERRY Thank you for supporting the ART SPACE at the Capital One Tower on the west end of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural Center here in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I have served as curator of the Art Space for the past 4 years, and expect to continue for some time to come. My 42 year profession as an International Fashion Designer was waylaid by a tremendous bout with cancer in 1997, but I have been restored in the art world to give opportunities for our town to experience the wonderful talents from around the country. The current exhibit is by our own Augusta (Gussy M. Papillon) Asberry, who attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in the 50’s, and moved to California with her family. Gussy’s vocation was that of nursing, till her decision to dedicate herself to the arts in an expression of the African Dancers, as seen in this display. Her works will be on display at the Capital One Tower on Lakeshore Dr. from its opening on February 9 through March 31, 2018. The Art Space in the atrium will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. week days. Call or Visit our Website for More Details! NutriFeron Powerful breakthrough in immune system science. • Provides immune support at the cellular level* • Designed to naturally increase levels of interferon* Scientists and medical communities have identified interferon as being crucial to healthy immune function. NutriFeron is an exclusive, patented formula, which provides a proprietary blend of four plant extracts designed to naturally increase levels of interferon and provide immune support at the cellular level.* Phone Lines are currently open to reserve an appointment for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) Calcasieu Parish residents can make an appointment to apply for financial assistance for their electricity and gas utility expenses. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) benefited nearly 8,200 people in 2016 - 2017. Applications will be looked at on a first-come, first-served basis and residents must schedule an appointment with a representative in order to apply for assistance. LiHEAP is based on a resident’s total income, and priority is given to residents over 60 years of age, households with children under 5 years of age, and those residents with disabilities. Interested residents can call 337-721-4033 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Scheduled appointments will be given in the following communities on these specified days and times: CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY Lake Charles 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday DeQuincy 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. First and third Tuesdays of each month Vinton 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Second Tuesday of each month Starks 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Second Thursday of each month Sulphur 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. First and third Thursdays of each month Westlake 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Third Monday of each month Iowa 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Fourth Thursday of each month Bell City 9 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. First Monday of each month Volume 5 • Number 8 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM March 2018 25
Page 1 and 2: March 2018 Vol 5 No 8 Julie Branden
Page 3 and 4: editor’s By Brenda Hill Let’s T
Page 5 and 6: SWLA news Editor’s Note: This ser
Page 7 and 8: SWLA health, wealth & wellness Info
Page 9 and 10: There are four main routes of HIV t
Page 11 and 12: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer
Page 13 and 14: Welcomes Dr. Danielle Dixon Pediatr
Page 15 and 16: SWLA nonprofit Today, Pierre, Max a
Page 17 and 18: Whose responsibility is it to chang
Page 19 and 20: that we have extreme local talent h
Page 21 and 22: death does leave an indelible mark.
Page 23: Delta and Diamonds Gala Lake Charle
Page 27: laid the groundwork for the future

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana March 2018 Issue

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