Pearce has suffered from diabetes for 21 years, and Hinnant helps his granddad count carbohydrates, change his insulin pump and do chores around the house.

“He is a very concerned child,” Pearce said, sitting beside his grandson, a fourth-grader at Glendale-Kenly Elementary School. “He mowed grass for his grandmamma today. He is an active little boy. He is intelligent too.”

But Pearce could just as well be looking after his 9-year-old grandson, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 4. In diabetics, the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone that turns food into energy. Pearce thinks the disease might have played a role in his mother’s death. The American Diabetes Association says genes, obesity and lack of exercise are the greatest risk factors.

“Most likely mine got worse through obesity, which I probably inherited too,” Pearce said. “I tried to control my diet and exercise, but I couldn’t do it as often as I should have. I was working and thought I was getting enough exercise at the time.”

Early on, Pearce took insulin pills to control his diabetes. But as the disease worsened, he found himself injecting insulin twice a day, and he lost feeling in his feet and legs. His grandson wanted Pearce to be able to use an insulin pump, which injects insulin when needed. But first, Pearce needed to get his blood sugar down.

That was a few years ago, and Pearce enrolled in Johnston Medical Center’s diabetes-education program. Patsy Stewart, a nurse and certified diabetes educator, helped Pearce stay on a diet plan and exercise daily. His health improved so much that Pearce began using an insulin pump a few weeks ago.

“If it hadn’t been for Patsy, I probably wouldn’t have it,” Pearce said.

More than 500 people come through the diabetes program each year, said Connie Grady, director of education at the hospital. Doctors can refer their patients to the program, which most insurance companies cover.

The education program is about taking control, Stewart said. “Somebody is going to drive this vehicle,” she said. “Either you, the diabetes or somebody is going to take control. You have to make that decision. Either I will be in control, or I’ll let the diabetes be in control.”

In the program, diabetics learn how to take their medications, plan their meals and cope emotionally with the disease. The hospital’s program, which also covers treatment options, is certified by the American Diabetes Association.

“It’s not just about checking your blood sugar or exercise or eating,” Stewart said. “It’s about everything. Education is the key to everything when it comes to taking care of your diabetes.”

Diabetes affects more than 10,000 Johnston County residents, including at least 122 schoolchildren.

“Our mission is to impact Johnston County to reduce the amount of diabetes and to manage those diabetes for those that are living with it,” said Grady, who was diagnosed 33 years ago. “The ultimate goal is to prevent long-term acute-care complications.”

One key to reaching that goal is to teach young people the value of eating healthy foods, said Debbie Stroud, a family and consumer educator with the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service. “You have kids, if they have a choice and they have the money, they will have pizza and french fries with ranch dressing,” she said. “Cafeteria workers say they see tray after tray where milk goes in the trash, and it’s never been opened.”