"I planned my retirement around being active until I am 80 or 82, and I won't let anything come between me and that goal," smiles Dave Small. You don't have to know Dave well to realize that when he puts his mind to something, he does it. He lives a pretty active life as he hikes, bikes, paddles, and walks looking for creatures big and small to photograph. "I find it rewarding and peaceful to be out in nature and capture a wild animal in a moment where they almost have a human quality." Dave's fascination with photography started when he was seven years old. "I was on the yearbook staff in school. I produced a photography book while I was in the Navy, and when I was in college at the University of Maine in Orono, I took pictures of crime scenes for the Campus Police."

His mind is always racing on how to do things better and easier. His good ole' Yankee ingenuity helped him build a one-of-a-kind tripod of sorts that allows him to take his camera when he's riding his bike. "Before when I'd ride, my camera, hanging around my neck, would bang around and hit my legs or my handlebars." Now using his "tripod", the camera is stabilized against his chest, and it helps steady his shots. The thought of ever having to put down his camera because he didn't take care of his chronic disease was not a chance Dave wanted to risk.

Nearly a year ago when Dave met his care manager, Erin Horne, RN, at EMMC's Orono Family Medicine, he was motivated to make some changes. He had been taking one medication for years for his diabetes, but last January his blood sugar levels went up and it meant he would need to add a second medication. "I was willing to do whatever it took in order to stop taking that second one." Erin seized the opportunity to explain the effect of diet and exercise to Dave. "We talked about the importance of monitoring his blood sugars daily so that he could start seeing how his food choices affect his blood sugars," shares Erin. It didn't take long for Dave to realize how writing down his meals and blood sugar readings made him accountable. "It's easy for it to be out of sight, out of mind, but when it's right in front of you, you can't avoid it anymore." A few months later, documenting his meals and blood sugar levels had become a habit for Dave. "He is making great strides in gaining control over his diabetes."

Watching her patients turn a corner and become more in control of their disease is why Erin became a nurse. "I believe in Bangor Beacon's model of care. It's what made me apply for the position as a care manager. I know that with support and education patients can learn to be self-sufficient and lead healthy lives."

As for Dave, he readily admits that when he was ready to tackle his disease, he needed help. "Thanks to Erin, I am making better choices on a daily basis, and I can see the benefit of tracking my food and exercise." Dave and Erin went from talking weekly to every few weeks. His blood sugars are getting better each month, and he is reaching his goals. Dave has no intention of letting his diabetes prevent him from living every moment to its fullest. To see some of his handiwork, check out the Saturday edition of the Bangor Daily News Outdoor section. Those are Dave's wildlife photographs!