HOOD RIVER — WalkWithMe is Hood River’s newest nonprofit and founder Jayson Robidoux wants to help people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes get out of the house and rethink their approach. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in adults and it occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, resulting in high levels of blood sugar. Over time, the high levels of blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart if not treated properly.
Robidoux is not a licensed doctor or dietitian, but he wants to support and motivate people with his free walking and diet education program. Diabetes has impacted his life both as a volunteer EMT in Camas, Washington and as a son.
“My dad passed away a few years ago due to type 2 diabetes complications,” Robidoux said. “Much of what I did as a firefighter and EMT was medical and I saw so many folks with those same issues.”
Feeling inclined to help, and with the platform to do it, Robidoux felt there was no better time than the present. Robidoux owns and operates a recruiting company and his kids have grown up leaving him with more time to scratch his itch for volunteerism. Robidoux has helped visually impaired athletes run, ski and Stand Up Paddle board with the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes. Now he is asking for support from the community.
He started last month and already has a regular who enjoys going on walks and getting to learn how your diet can help fight back against Type 2 Diabetes. Robidoux said that “I don’t have any medical expertise. But I hope to visit with them in their home and kind of show them what they’re eating. Let’s look at your pantry. Let’s look at the ingredients,” Robidoux said. He said he is working with his doctor and a Florida-based dietitian to educate locals, but he hopes to expand services around the Gorge.
“Long term goal is to have local volunteers doing what I’m doing — walking with folks,” he said. Fundraising and more education is on the horizon for WalkWithMe.
If you are someone diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and interested in what services you may benefit from visit www.walkwithmeinfo.com. Robidoux is looking for volunteers to help and if you are interested call him at 415-425-0121 or email him at jrobidoux@walkwithmeinfo.org.
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