Marvin
From the priority area Community Wellness

When Marvin went to the doctor a year ago, he heard something very frightening. His chances of getting diabetes were practically written in stone. Given the history of the disease in his family and the fact he is overweight for his age, Marvin was classified as at-risk. Marvin and his mother, Ana, had tried to get his weight under control through a series of programs and nutritionists but nothing seemed to work. Years of frustration and aggravation mounted until their doctor finally referred them to Rebecca Murray, Nurse Practitioner at the School-Based Health Center at West Side Middle School.

From the first day he met Rebecca, Marvin knew this would be different. Rebecca was positive, enthusiastic and understanding. She immediately took Marvin's baseline body measurements, arranged for blood work at a hospital, and together they devised a plan of action for getting healthier.

Rebecca managed to get donated time from a personal trainer to help Marvin be more physically fit. Paired with a healthier diet and strategies such as eating off a smaller plate, Marvin is gaining lifelong good habits.

"Someone sent me an angel," says Ana of Rebecca. "She knew what my problem was," added Marvin. "She didn't treat me like a lost cause and was honest that it would take some time for me."

Marvin now enjoys exercise and weightlifting and says he doesn't sit on the couch as much, preferring to spend his extra time outdoors. He has spoken several times on behalf of the program and improving school lunches including at the State Legislature last winter. He consumes far less than he used to, shunning multiple helpings at each meal. Marvin admits to sneaking a snack behind his mother's back once in awhile but "last time I snuck something it was a banana and a glass of water," he confesses.