Matters Update Coping with diabetes

When we last visited her in 2009, Katie Cowham shared what life was like as a child with Type 1 diabetes.

Today, Katie is a 17-year-old junior at First Academy-Leesburg. It’s safe to say her battle with the disease is going considerably well.

“I’m more independent when it comes to making my own food choices,” she says. “I also give myself insulin shots

Urgent News

The Villages Regional Hospital’s Urgent Care Center is relocating from the hospital’s East campus to the hospital’s main campus at 1451 El Camino Real Drive. The center will be on the hospital’s main floor next to the café. Designated parking for the Urgent Care Center will be conveniently in front of the hospital, and patients are encouraged to use the hospital’s main entrance.

The center, open daily from 8a.m. to 8p.m., will now offer laboratory services and an X-ray.

when necessary and constantly monitor my blood-sugar level.”

Those are big responsibilities for a teenager, but Katie is up to the task.

“I have lived a pretty normal life,” she says.

“I consider diabetes a gift given to me by God because it has made me stronger. I have a younger friend who also has diabetes and I constantly give her advice. I always tell her, ‘One day you’re go- ing to help someone just like I’m helping you.’”

A big fan of the arts, Katie loves painting, drawing and mixed media. However, her true passion is photography.

“If I see something that catches my eye,” she says, “I’m going to take a photograph of it!”

After school, Katie works at a preschool helping 4-year-olds with arts and crafts, reading and coloring. Last sum-

Navigating Health

Residents who have questions or need help enrolling in a health coverage plan can receive free one-on-one assistance from a licensed Affordable Care Act navigator. The navigator will be at South Lake Hospital on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1–8p.m. through Feb. 11.

This is part of the open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs until mid-February.

mer, she worked as a nanny for two boys. Her work experience helped her save money to purchase a 2007 Saturn Ion, which she affectionately named Sophie.

“I love my car!” she says. “It feels wonderful to own something that you’ve worked hard for.”

“South Lake Hospital felt it was important to help residents in our community understand their options in the Health Insurance Marketplace,” says Lance Sewell, the hospital’s chief financial officer. “Being able to have a navigator here at the hospital allows easy accessibility for all those in south Lake County.”

Licensed navigators have completed federal navigator training to help consumers and small businesses look for health coverage options through the Marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms. An appointment is required, and the meeting will last approximately an hour and a half. For more information, call 877.564.5031.

HEALTH: A CLICK AWAY

Want to know where the best bike paths are in Lake County? What about finding important information on diabetes? Where can you sign up your children to play Little League?

The answers to these questions — and many more — can be found on getfitlake.com, a comprehensive website where locals can find up-to-date information on fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Annacelia Gander, chairwoman of getfitlake. com, says the website originally launched in 2008 but has recently undergone a major upgrade.

“It’s 400 percent better,” she says. “We’ve greatly enhanced it.”

The goal of the website, she says, is to inform local residents about the abundance of resources available in Lake County to help people achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles.

“You’ll find everything on our website — from local farmers markets and running trails to local parks and health-related events. I think people will be impressed that they can find a wealth of information by simply clicking on the site.”