2023-11-28 21:30:56
She was born on September 28, 1993 in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. The association which today bears the name Diabète SPM currently has around sixty members. Its objective: to help diabetics better manage their daily lives in the face of this so-called “sneaky disease, without symptoms and without signs”.
On June 26, 1993, Jocelyne Poulain launched an appeal to diabetics in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to create an association to “to simply help diabetics have a normal life“.
At the time, diabetes was little known. The population and those affected by the disease are then invited to come to a meeting organized two days later. The objective is to know the number of patients in the archipelago and to learn more regarding diabetes.
It’s regarding creating an association for those who do not accept treatments and to help them feel better regarding themselves.
That year, Doctor Jean-François Desmalles, medical advisor, said to himself: very favorable to the creation of an association, and that it would even be essential“.
It was then officially born on September 28 under the name of the French Association of Diabetics of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Then in 2020, the organization changed its name to become the Diabète SPM association.
Jocelyne Poulain will be its first president. Find his interview conducted 30 years ago.
©saintpierreetmiquelon
Then in 1999, Nadine Briand took the reins of the association. The president has worked for the well-being of diabetics for many years.
In January 2016, Stéphanie Thompson took on the role of president. It still performs this function to this day.
For 30 years, members have been mobilizing with adults, but not only. Interventions also take place with young people.
Also read: The SPM diabetes association organizes workshops to discuss the psychological effects of the disease in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
For young audiences, it is difficult to know their number. In 2007, eight young people were diagnosed with diabetes. At the time, president Nadine Briand and the members of the association specified “questioning the fact that there might be more, as the young people themselves admitted, they were not well informed.”
In 1921, the discovery of insulin allowed many type 1 diabetic patients to see their life expectancy increase. Several technological developments followed such as the first pump in 1963, the pen in 1985. The first glucose measuring devices (glucometer or blood glucose meter) appeared in 1969. The year 1980 was marked by the miniaturization of blood glucose meters.
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In the 2000s, the first pump patch and the barrel lancing device were put on the market, then in 2015 the first pancreatic islet transplant took place. A year later, the first reader connected to an application was created.
Over time, treatments are adapted depending on the type of diabetes. Details from Stéphanie Thompson, president of the Diabète SPM association, speaking to Marie-Paule Vidal.
Every year, diabetes continues to progress. According to Public health France, in 2020, more than 3.5 million people were treated with medication for diabetes, or 5.3% of the population.
Diabetes is expected to affect more than 783 million adults worldwide by 2045. In November 2007, it was estimated at 246 million.
The last known figures date back to 2018.
358 people were living with long-term diabetes, including 38 recognized as type 1 and 320 as type 2 according to a 2020 study published by Public Health France and carried out by Damien Pognon, epidemiologist at the Territorial Health Administration at the time.
Six percent of patients have a slightly higher form of diabetes in mainland France and lower in Canada.
The number would increase with age from 50 years old and peak at 80 years old.
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What regarding in 2023? According to Professor Jean-Jacques Altman, endocrinologist specializing in hormonal diseases and diabetes, regarding the number of diabetics “it’s a lot, it’s increasing everywhere“.
And in the archipelago?
It’s less than 10 to 12% in Guyana but it’s more than in mainland France where it’s more like 5%. This is a significant number. Here it is increasing but it is a figure in the high average, we will say.
Professor Jean-Jacques Altman, endocrinologist
Diabetes isa dull illness“, ” people are ashamed to talk regarding it“.
Stéphanie Thompson suffers from type 1 diabetes. A disease she knows well. The president of the association discusses the feeling felt by people with diabetes. She also discusses the types of diabetes that exist. She is questioned by Marie-Paule Vidal.
In Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, it was not until February 2001 that the number of diabetics (even if the figures were not officially known at the time) justified coherent and appropriate care. It was only in 2005 that endocrinologist missions with a diabetic orientation began.
Read also : Launch of Diaby, a new support service for diabetics in St-Pierre and Miquelon
What is the current status of care in the archipelago?
Listen to Professor Jean-Jacques Altman, endocrinologist and specialist in hormonal diseases and diabetes. He was the guest of Bérénice Del Tatto in the television news on Monday November 27, 2023.
©saintpierreetmiquelon
For its part, the Diabète SPM association has been working since 1993 to make the population aware that diabetes is a reality and that it affects everyone. Its members have mobilized fairly regularly and organized numerous meetings since its creation.
It offers Christmas markets, bingos, nutrition workshops with health professionals, cooking workshops with associations and even adapted sports sessions with a private coach.
A look back at highlights of the Diabète SPM association with this clip by Séverine Luberry.
©saintpierreetmiquelon
The association also suggests combining sport and screening. June 16, 2019 for example with the first edition of diabètO diamond. It brought together 70 people.
Here there is no stopwatch but participation from the population for a good cause on two courses: 3,600 km for walkers and 6 km for runners.
70 participants took part in the very first edition of DiabètODiamant. It was in 2019. • ©SPM LA PREMIERE
Another notable event: the arrival of YouTubers, diabetic twins who have become internet stars who publish informative and entertaining videos on diabetes, thanks to their site, blog and YouTube channel called Diab’Aide. They even came to the archipelago as part of the 2020 Miquelon 25 km.
Also read: YouTubers to help diabetics in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon face the challenges of confinement
In 2021, the SPM diabetes association organized workshops to discuss the psychological effects of the disease in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Around ten people gathered around a psychotherapist to discuss this chronic illness and compare their experiences. A workshop offered in partnership with the Basque pelota league.
Other recurring events for many years are the traditional Christmas markets. The latest ones were the 11th and 12th in St Pierre and the 18th and 19th of November in Miquelon.
©saintpierreetmiquelon
The Diabète SPM association is also present during the force T challenges of the telethon every two years, and its members will be there once more on December 8 and 9.
Throughout the month of November, Diabetes Month, many meetings are organized.
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