"LOW" Film Screening: Diabetes Awareness Month

This event will include a screening of the film LOW in English, followed by a panel discussion featuring health professionals and community advocates. This is a chance to ask questions and collaborate on ways to improve services for unhoused individuals living with diabetes. There will be light refreshments served at the event!

LOW is a powerful and realistic portrayal of the incredible challenges faced by those living with diabetes in the under-resourced emergency shelter environment. The story is informed by the research and lived experience of the Calgary Diabetes Advocacy Committee (CDAC), a group leading community-based research and advocacy projects to improve the experiences and outcomes of their peers.

The film follows Bobby, a man struggling to manage his diabetes while experiencing homelessness; and Annika, an emergency shelter staff member caught in the chaos of the opioid crisis. The film is punctuated with anecdotes, insights and recommendations from a diabetes specialist and from people who have firsthand experience with this difficult situation.

The film was produced in partnership with the CDAC and Calgary-based Pluto Pictures, with support from Diabetes Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Calgary Drop-In Centre. Low stars Troy Greenwood, Hailey Foss and Griffin Cork. It was written and directed by Scott Westby, and produced by Dr. David Campbell, Briar Greenhalgh, Saania Tariq and Scott Westby.

Since 1969, the Centretown Community Health Centre has provided comprehensive health and social services through a diverse team of professionals. Focused on equity, anti-oppression, and collaboration, we addresses systemic barriers to health by empowering clients and communities, promoting culturally safe care, and fostering continuous learning. We offer a number of Diabetes Programs at various locations across the city including the Community Chronic Disease Assessment Program (SCREEN), Community Diabetes Education Program of Ottawa (CDEPO), and Champlain Diabetes Chiropody Program.

SCREEN organizes culturally safe diabetes screening for immigrant communities and those most vulnerable for diabetes, referring them to education programs. CDEPO offers free virtual and in-person support for adults in Ottawa with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, providing education, one-on-one appointments, and group sessions with a team of Certified Diabetes Educators. Chiropody provides foot and ankle care for adults with diabetes and open foot wounds at various locations in the Champlain region, accessible through referral by a healthcare provider.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

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