 Hello and welcome to HealthFocus, a production of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. I am Fenia Neptune. Today we have with us a participant of the chronic disease self-management program, Paula Thomas. Welcome to the program. Okay, as it relates to the chronic disease self-management program, how did you learn or find out about this program? I learned about the program through Philippa. Philippa, I was taking, that's our trainee exercise program I was following and she was the one that brought it to my attention that there was this program going on and she recommended that I should take part in it. Okay. And why did you choose to be part of that program? I chose because I wanted to improve my present situation and I am aware that knowledge would have helped me in my situation. Okay. So I'm guessing that you live in with a chronic condition? Yes, I am. Okay. And with this program, can you tell us, what is it like living with a chronic condition before joining this program, the chronic disease self-management program? Again, I said knowledge is very important. There are times that you go through different situations and if you are not knowledgeable about the situation, you would not know how to deal with it and oftentimes our chronic illnesses cause much stress on us and this is not always necessary. But with the knowledge, we would be able to know the do's and the don'ts. And that's one of the ways I have benefited in the program. It helped me to know what I should do and what I shouldn't do. And the program was very timely for me for as soon as I started the program, I had to deal with the sudden death of my brother and also the loss of my job at voyages where I have been the supervisor for about 30 years. This went up in smoke. So what a place I could have been. I could have not been a better place to learn how to manage that stress that I was going through at the time. So you can definitely say that the program was very timely? Oh, very, very timely for me. And you can say that you have definitely seen changes? Certainly I have because when things come upon you suddenly, you are left in a place that you don't know where to turn. It's like a wilderness experience. But the program we had that support, Janelle and Nadej were wonderful. You know, they came and they encouraged us by impacting the knowledge that they shared with us. And so even the other participants also encouraged each other. So for me, when I shared my story, I was not alone. I had them to support me and encourage me on in my present situation. Okay. And for other persons who are not part of the program, they might want to know, but what are some of the things that this program actually entails? Can you tell us? First, I want to look at stress. Stress is a very serious condition. It is a peace robber. And it is important that you learn how to deal with the stress of life, but always that you look for things come upon you. And we can focus on the pandemic, COVID. It's a stressful time. And many persons just don't know how to deal with it because all of a sudden the life has changed. During the program, we were taught how to remain positive in a stressful time, why dealing with a stressful time. And this is something that's very important, support in time of crisis. Also we learned how to eat properly, right? And there's so much to learn in that because we just figure out well to just go and purchase this or purchase that, but even your presentation of your food starts first in the supermarket because you learn how to read your labels so you can purchase the proper items so you can go and prepare your meal. And also we learn how to present it properly because before I would just put my food anyhow on the plate. But now when you plate in your food to put all your ground provisions, all your vegetables and sew together and make sure you have the colors that make that plate so beautiful, I was taught that. And this is another plus for me. When we moved on to, oh, what I love, the exercise, exercise, exercise, very important. I was much more, well I don't want to use fat and we hide behind full-figured, you understand? But I had a lot more weight and I have lost a few pounds thanks for the program that has helped me. Get to where I am and soon I'll be looking like you. Yeah, so I can tell you definitely had fun with this program. That's it, that's another thing. Fun, the meat show we had fun. We had you for bricks, I definitely want you to hold on to that fort. Yes. We'll be back in a moment. In St. Lucia, cancer is the second leading cause of death. One in every six St. Lucia males and one in every five St. Lucia females will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, stress and poor eating habits increase the risk of cancer. Changing these is our best chance at preventing up to 50% of cancer. Sometimes though, in spite of these efforts, cancer still happens. Finding what to look for is our second best chance for early detection and treatment. Be informed. Let's talk. Contact us at St. Lucia Cancer Society. Telephone 452 1538. Welcome back. We will continue our discussion with Paula Thomas, a participant of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Before we took the break, you were speaking as it relates to the program and the fact that you're having fun. Can you go a little more in depth on this? Yes. During the exercise program, they made it fun because many persons see exercise as a huge task. It's not. When you come to exercise, you have to enjoy what you do and the introduction of dance. So much we can do by dancing and that will help us to get fit. So we looked forward or I looked forward to that, you know, being able to sweat it out through dance and what fun I had. Okay. And what would you say really motivated you to continue the program as the time went by? I am feeling much better. I am more confident and I would love others to get just what I have. It would be selfish of me to just want to keep what I've learned for myself. And I know there are so many persons that can benefit from what I've learned and so I am encouraging others to take full use of the program and that will help you deal with your chronic illness and also not only you but your family members. And for me, I have family members that are dealing with chronic illnesses also. So I also pass on what I have learned for them and they can pass it on to the friends. And so if everybody pass on what they learn, what a better society we'll have. Great. And would you say from that program that you've actually developed friendships with other persons who also have similar chronic condition as you? Yes. The team we have, a very good team, we look out for each other. Many of them, I was seeing them for the first time, never knew they ever existed. And when I came on the program, I met with them. So now that you see them, you acknowledge them and also you find out how they are doing. Some, you know, you encourage them, listen, it is though the program has ended, it is not the end of it, we need to continue. So your work has never ended. It has just started. And how long is the program for, the program you participated in? It's a year, I think it's about a year, if my memory serves me well, I think it started somewhere between the end of October into November, so basically about a year or I'm not sure whether COVID made it a bit longer because if we took away COVID, it would have ended before that. And you definitely hoping to continue? Sure, as long as this is starting, my name will be the first. I will definitely make sure that I'm back on the program because I want to continue what I've started, something beautiful, something that gives you, you know, a better chance in life, just knowing your chronic illness is not a death sentence, but your attitude towards it can be the death sentence. Wonderful. And would you recommend these programs, not just to family and friends, but even persons that you don't know and you meet, would you recommend that program to them? Yes, I've been doing that because since I lost my job in the fire, I've started my own business. So when my customers come to me, I share, I have already started that. I've already started giving back to others what I receive. Wonderful. And what final message would you like to leave us in solutions as it relates to the chronic disease of management program? I would like to tell all those out there, dealing with any kind of chronic illness. Your situation is not a death sentence. Your attitude towards your situation can determine the death sentence. There is positivity in spite of what you are dealing with. Staying positive, being thankful to God, you know, not to be afraid to speak out, because when you speak out, you can get help, especially those who are dealing with mental illnesses. Speak out. It doesn't matter who laughs. They're only making a statement about themselves. But you are the one who would benefit when you tell your story, when you tell others what you are dealing with. That's the time you're ready to embrace health. Thank you so much. It was definitely a pleasure having you on here with us and providing us with this information and sharing your experience. Thank you also. It was a pleasure having you. Wonderful. Well, that's how we come to the end of the program. On behalf of the entire production team, I am Fina Neptune. Thanks for watching.