08/09/2026
FODAC, Diabetes, and . . .
The Rotary Club of North Atlanta hosts an annual medical drive for FODAC - Friends of Disabled Adults & Children. Dozens of volunteers pick up wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, etc. from donors in the area.
FODAC refurbishes the gear and makes it available to people in need who otherwise couldn't afford it. It's a wonderful, essential mission.
Donors part with equipment used by loved ones, now gone. Visits can be tender sometimes. The love -- often tinged with grief -- that compels donors to help strangers is palpable and makes us feel grateful and honored to work with them.
Our last stop of the day was at a small house in Scottdale. It was dark inside. The lady who called FODAC was a blind double-amputee. Two young people helped with a motorized wheelchair (very heavy!) and another folding one.
Our donor was sharp and lovely. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes put her in the chair and took away her sight. Have you ever met a stranger that you just wanted to keep chatting with and get to know better? She was that person. But we had to roll.
1 in 8 people in Georgia have T2 diabetes. 20% of those cases haven't been diagnosed yet. A staggering 40% of Georgians have prediabetes -- elevated blood sugar levels that can lead to full-blown diabetes. 80% of them HAVEN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED YET.
As a Lions member (as well as a Rotarian), I'm working with other Lions to promote diabetes awareness and screening throughout the state. The goal is to get people into treatment BEFORE IRREVERSIBLE ORGAN DAMAGE can occur. Before people like our donor can lose sight or limbs, or suffer otherwise.
Several Rotary clubs and non-affiliated folks participated. A shout-out to my friend and fellow Lions club member Dr. Elbonie Hornbuckle for joining us yesterday.
It was a good run!
