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INUVIK
It was education disguised as comedy in the multipurpose room of the Inuvik Regional Hospital on Monday.

Diabetes nurse educator Sue Schaefer dressed as her alter ego, Mrs. Pudding, for a presentation at the Inuvik Regional Hospital on Monday. Mrs. Pudding shares a dance with Billy Gruben, left. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

Sue Schaefer, a.k.a. Mrs. Pudding, visited the packed room to present her diabetes education presentation.

Schaefer has lived with Type 1 diabetes for the past 25 years and brought some of her personal experiences into the presentation. She breaks down information in easy-to-swallow chunks and never stops moving as she parades her costumed self across the stage.

With spectacles, a curly wig and sensible shoes, Mrs. Pudding outlined her methods of managing diabetes.

"I spent a long time in a place called 'denialbetes,'" she said.

"Any of you know it?"

Schaefer is a diabetes nurse educator and was in Inuvik for two presentations, one at the hospital and the other on Sunday at the health and wellness fair held in East 3.

"The first time I see the doctor he says to me 'Mrs. Pudding, now you prick your finger with a poker ... it's a good thing,'" Schaefer said as her alter ego.

"Who are these people. What's a bad thing for them?"

Tailoring each presentation to her audience, Schaefer explained that a key part of managing your diabetes is staying active.

"It's about starting small. If you can't walk far, sit in your chair and move your arms pretending you're in a kayak," she said.

"I've seen some of the presentations on DVD before but seeing her in person was so much fun," said Crystal Navratil.

Mrs. Pudding didn't shy away from talking about some of the aspects that others might find embarrassing, like pooping or sex.

"When it comes to you, you're the manager, CEO and big kahuna of your diabetes," she said.

"You're the only one who can do it."

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