After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 8 years old, southwest Michigan resident Heather Olson grew up without a community of other diabetics to lean on and learn from.
Now, the 2016 Dowagiac High School graduate is creating that community. Olsen founded a nonprofit called MI Life in Numbers with the goal of supporting and empowering those with Type 1 diabetes, as well as their loved ones
“I wanted to start MI Life in Numbers to be able to help with other people who have diabetes just like myself, and be able to relate with them and help them and make them feel like they’re not alone in this process,” Olson said. “I want to give back to those people that are newly diagnosed and not sure where to go next, and their life has just kind of been turned upside down. I want to provide that community here in southwest Michigan, especially because I didn’t have that when I was growing up.”
MI Life in Numbers offers an advocate program for newly diagnosed diabetics, which provides them with a mentor to support them and their families as they deal with the new diagnosis. They have paired up with licensed therapists to offer counseling services to patients as well.
Recently, the nonprofit has partnered with Dowagiac schools to offer in-school consultations with students. Olson said she is working to get into other local schools such as Lakeshore.
“We try and help people with both their physical and mental health,” Olson said. “Anything to provide some extra resources for them.”
Olson said MI life in numbers also hosts a monthly event. This Wednesday, March 8, it is hosting a healthy cooking class at The Culinary Cottage in The Market. On March 21, Silver Beach Pizza is hosting a give back night with 20 percent of proceeds going to MI Life in numbers.
On June 10, the nonprofit hosts its second golf outing at Hampshire Golf Club in Dowagiac.
For more information, visit milifeinnumbers.com
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
