Michelle Deason

Michelle Deason
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
Rocklin, California
44 years old
Financial Trust Officer, Office of Special Trustee

I was introduced to PATHSTAR at a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) class through Chapa-De Indian Health Clinic in Auburn, CA, the spring of 2015. I had been a first time participant of the DPP class after finding out about the program and having a high risk of developing Type II Diabetes based on my family healthy history, poor eating habits, obesity, and lack of consistent physical activity. I later graduated from the 16-week DPP program in June, 2015, and had successfully lost over 10% of my total body weight. The Chapa-De DPP program and staff at the clinic forever changed my life for the better. I developed essential life skills and gained much needed support from my life coaches, physical trainers, nutritionist, behavioral health clinician, doctors and nurses at Chapa De. I would highly recommend the DPP program to anyone wanting to make a lifestyle change towards better health in the form of healthy eating and exercise.

The first time I heard about the PATHSTAR Swim, I was amazed at the story, impact, and level of achievement and pride the the swimmers attained at completing the program and the swim. I truly wanted to participate, not just for myself, but to give back to the community and inspire others just like the past swimmers had done for me. This year is the year that I am going to make it happen. I’d like to learn more about making healthy food taste great and learning to love a healthier lifestyle. This is what I’d take Home to my Family is helping them to see that one can eat healthy and love a healthy lifestyle. I share my experience with my United Keetoowah Cherokee Tribal Community through pictures and an article in our tribal newspaper, which is seen by 4,000 adult tribal members. I think my participation would inspire our tribal members to take care of their health and that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. I’d also share my experience with the Chapa-De DPP aftercare program, as they have served as my ‘tribal community’ while I’ve lived here in California the past 4 years.

I will commit to these three goals by participating in the PATHSTAR program: (1) To fund-raise the entire amount through donations of friends/family, community organizations and private industry donations. (2)To be in the best shape possible prior to the swim (walking, weight workouts, swimming as much as I can and to lose 10% of my total body weight by October 2018, and (3) to share my experience with at least five wellness organizations or prevention groups within the first two years after I complete my swim.