Vital Information For Parents POLO meets monthly to discuss the special problems and concerns of families with children who have diabetes. meetings are open to all family members and care givers (teachers, babysitters, etc.) and provide a structured yet informal opportunity for everyone to learn more about managing diabetes. The best care for diabetic children begins with taking an active role in the disease's management. Meal planning, exercise, the psychology of the illness, health insurance coverage and the latest developments in diabetes research are just a few examples of topics often discussed at POLO meetings. Dedicated POLO volunteers work with endocrinologists, dieticians, pediatricians, psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists and diabetes educators to development meaningful programs and useful information. Fun & Friends For Children While parents and caregivers are engaged in serious discussion, children under 12 have plenty of time for fun. Diabetic children and their siblings meet separately under adult supervision. Their meetins are filled with playing games, arts & crafts and occasional discussions of their special concerns with healthcare professionals held at their own level of understanding. Support and encouragement from other children with diabetes, important diabetes management information, the chance to see that they're no different from other kids are just a few of the benefits children derive from POLO.

You Need All The Help You Can Get And POLO was created specifically to provide the kind of help you and other parents of diabetic children need. POLO meetings are held free of charge from August through May on the last Saturday of every month -- 10:00 a.m. to noon -- at the Parma Health Education Center at 7300 State Road in Parma. POLO can do so much for you and your child -- it can help you both to realize that you are not alone with your special problems. So if you or someone you know has a child with diabetes, find out more about POLO today. For more information about POLO, call the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, Northeast Ohio Chapter, at (216) 524-6000. Healthcare Professionals And Parents Of Children With Diabetes Agree "While the children enjoy their organized play time, we parents have a chance to learn how to better deal with the uncertainties of the illness. POLO has been especially helpful because we picked up so many practical everyday tips from the other parents." --Jack & Alberta Carney Jr. "POLO complements other medical-related education." --Sue Thorn, R.D., L.D., C.D.E., registered dietitian and diabetes educator. "We recommend POLO to our patients; it offers peer support to the parents, as well as the children and contributes to their overall well-being." --Dr. Doug Rodgers, pediatric & adolescent endocrinologist, Dr. Don Hostetler, pediatrician.