To the Editor:

I am writing to thank the Get Healthy North Country Community Integrated Health Network, and of course our wonderful teachers, for the experience we had at the Massena Public Library this summer. I attended two free classes offered by Get Healthy: one on living with a chronic condition and one on diabetes.

These classes were filled with invaluable information, strategies for success, and — I think best of all — permission and encouragement to set small, achievable goals and experience success regularly. When we were in class the atmosphere was one of empathy and encouragement. In this crazy competitive world we live in, class was a safe space to relax and learn.

I have a long way to go to achieve my health goals, but I feel well equipped with knowledge about sodium, good and bad fats, the importance of activity, food labels, etc.

I cannot express my thanks to our wonderful teachers enough. They never failed to point us in the right direction, and they were never anything less than respectful and encouraging. When we would hit a proverbial wall, our teachers would always suggest a path that we could imagine working for us.

After having taken these classes, I would not hesitate to suggest them to friends and acquaintances. To learn about these free in-person and virtual programs, visit gethealthynoco.org. 

Terry Denno
Massena