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KANSAN.COM
NEWS
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Freshmen with diabetes adjust their lifestyles
DARBY VANHOUTAN
@darbyvanhoutan
When Emily Evans wakes up in the morning, the first thing she does is check her blood sugar.
If it's below 90, she eats peanut butter crackers. If it's above 150, as well as with every meal, she gives herself a shot of insulin. Depending on what and how much she eats, she will give herself shots of insulin 10 to 12 times a day.
For most students, beginning college is stressful in itself. But managing a chronic disease like diabetes can make it that much more challenging.
November is American Diabetes Month. According to the American Diabetes Association website, this month is a time for people to come together to raise awareness and bring a stop to diabetes. People at any age can be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, including students.
Evans, a freshman from Overland Park, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 10. She has dealt with diabetes for more than seven years, and she has experienced some changes while transitioning to the University.
"It's been harder managing blood sugar fluctuations because I'm so busy with class and because I have access to a 24-hour kitchen at my hall, not that I'm complaining," Evans said.
Along with a new diet and lifestyle, Evans has noticed difficulty in things like remembering to order supplies and equipment, which are things her parents usually did. She also sees differences between herself and peers when it comes to prioritizing and management.
"Not only do I have to focus on my school work and relationships and managing my time, I also have to focus on making sure I get enough sleep, exercise and eat really healthy to keep my blood sugars from skyrocketing too high or dropping too low," said Evans.
tion.
Evans said she sometimes has to change plans with friends based on how she's feeling. She tests her blood sugar about six times a day.
With Type 1 diabetes, antibodies in the body attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is often called juvenile diabetes because it's a genetic defect that occurs at birth. It is diagnosed at a young age, with the most commonly-diagnosed age being 11, according to the American Diabetes Associa-
DARRY VANHOUTAN/KANSAN
There are no endocrinologists at Watkins. However, there are specialized nurses, and all doctors are trained for diabetes. Myra Strothers is a physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center.
The first month here was the worst. With Type 1, everything affects it: stress, hormones, food, anything, unlike [what] many people think."
"Those people [with Type 1 diabetes] from childhood, with the help from their parents and their doctors, watch their blood sugar, [and] watch their diet," Strothers said. Then, they come to college, and they're on their own."
MORGAN FRANKLIN Freshman
ments on campus.
Strothers said when people come to Watkins for diabetes-related problems, the doctors and nurses focus on teaching them how to take care of themselves on their own. There are nurses there to help with education on managing diabetes and trainers to help students set up fitness regi-
Morgan Franklin, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old.
"The first month here was the worst. With Type 1, everything affects it: stress, hormones, food, anything, unlike [what] many people think," Franklin said.
Things like making friends, the stress of classes, and unlimited food affect everyone. However, this becomes an added stress to people with diabetes, like Franklin.
DARBY VANHOUTAN/KANSAN Morgan Franklin, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old.
"I've been late to class and been sick a lot. It's kinda hard with absences. I don't really use it as an excuse because back home it wasn't taken very seriously, so I don't even bother," Franklin said.
On the other hand, 95 percent of diabetes in America is Type 2 diabetes. Most people that develop Type 2 diabetes
Franklin said when she got to the University, she started eating healthier because she was aware of the changes it would have on her body. Along with this, she started walking more, opposed to driving everywhere like she did at home. This caused her numbers to change drastically. Franklin said along with the changes came sickness.
are in their 40s and 50s. However, now it's not surprising to see college students being diagnosed because of unhealthy habits. According to the American Diabetes Association, with the epidemic of obese kids, more teenagers are developing Type 2 diabetes.
"Maybe [students] played sports in high school. All of a sudden, they're so busy with school and having beer and pizza. They come in feeling sluggish with high blood sugar, high weight and high blood pressure," Strothers said. "Now is the time we can change that. We can catch it early."
Strothers said when people come in with Type 2 diabetes, they are provided with education on how to help control it. With things like staying active,
eating healthy and drinking more water, they can bring their body mass index (BMI) down, be healthier and even be more focused in school.
About 900 students have visited Watkins Memorial Health Center over the last four years for diabetes-related problems, Strothers said. Neither Franklin nor Evans have visited Watkins for diabetes-related problems since being at the University.
Although American Diabetes Month aims to educate about the disease, Evan said schools should do more to teach about diabetes.
"I think it's those that don't understand the disease that don't actually take it seriously," Evans said.
- Edited by Dani Malakoff
Next fall, students will be able to get a 100 percent course refund if they drop a class in the first week of the semester
ALANA FLINN
@alana_flinn
Beginning in fall 2016, students will be able to receive a 100 percent course refund if they drop a class during the first week of school. Currently, students can only receive a 90 percent refund through the first
week of classes, and then a 50 percent refund the second week of classes.
The course refund was one of the platforms Student Senate ran on during elections in reaction to student requests and common practices in the state. Students have voiced the need for an extension of the 100 percent course refunds since before 2009.
All public universities in Kansas allow students an average of two weeks to receive a 100 percent course refund, said Corbin Stephens, a junior/senior College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator. At Kansas State University, students have up to 21 days
Stephens led the charge on this platform for several reasons, including lessening the financial burden of some students as well as giving them the opportunity to try out a class and professor for a week to see if it is a good fit.
for a full refund.
"I think the main thing is it
allows [students] more time and flexibility to try out classes without being penalized financially for switching in and out of a given course," Stephens said in a phone interview. "After looking at other schools in Kansas who already had policies like this in place, I felt it was fair to have it for KU students."
Student Body President Jessie Pringle said in a news release that achieving this policy demonstrates the University's commitment to giving students more choice in classes while understanding how helpful a 100 percent refund is for many students.
— Edited by Amber Vandegrift
Simply show your valid student or faculty KU ID to your cashier, and enjoy
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now through the end of 2015.
Open daily,7am-10pm
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Closed at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day
Closed at 7pm on Christmas Eve
Closed on Christmas Day
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(785) 727-7314
Discount not valid on beer, wine or gift cards. Discount cannot be combined with any other promotional activity or case savings.
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