John Billings was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 1996 and has been looking for a local support group ever since. Now, he's starting his own

"Having diabetes is like being on a rollercoaster," says John. "There's nothing like sitting down and talking with another person with diabetes. I've been looking around for years and have found no support group like this, where you can make friends, so if you're having a bad day, you can call someone. A group where you can say, 'Hey, this person relates to me.'"

The new support group is also open to caretakers of those with diabetes, if for no other reason than because "it can be frustrating when you don't quite understand what the person you love is going through," says John. "No matter if you had diabetes for years or were just told that you have it, or you are a caregiver of a diabetic, or you have a loved one that has diabetes?this group is for you."

On Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Guilford's Vineyard Church, John will kick off the new shoreline support group he's founding, Stronger, with a special workshop meeting. The event features guest speakers from Shoreline VNA, who will discuss a new homecare program, and the American Diabetes Association, who will answer questions and talk about topics such as nutrition and other issues affecting diabetics daily.

John will emcee the day and share tips he's come across in an effort to improve his own quality of life for the past 17 years, right up to apps he's recently found that can log blood sugar levels via smartphone and even a meter that plugs right into an iPhone. He says he's looking forward to talking on a couple of topics that hit home for him, adding, "The list keeps on growing every week."

A question-and-answer session and a chance to get to know one another will round out the Jan. 26 workshop meeting.

"The workshop is a kick-start and we're thankful for Vineyard Church supporting us by giving us a place to meet for it. We're still looking for a place to meet permanently," says John.

In addition to starting up Stronger, John's made earlier efforts to share his knowledge locally, including two John's World shows, both dedicated to the subject of diabetes, which he's taped for GCTV (now available in the GCTV archives).

"With the shows, I'm trying to get rid of some of the myths-and there are bad myths out there-about diabetes," says John.

He also wants to spread the word about diabetes because so many are at risk, he says.

"Diabetes is affecting 25 million people right now; half of who don't know they have it," says John.

John is a Guilford resident (and Guilford Walmart customer service manager) who's also involved in his community as co-host of another GCTV show, Inside Guilford, with Joe Genera. With his wife Amanda, John has been an active member of Guilford Agricultural Society and its Guilford Fair for more than 20 years.

John's excited to now be getting Stronger off the ground; so named because he believes being informed and educated about the disease, in addition to working with professionals and having a great relationship with primary caregiving physicians, makes each person living with diabetes stronger in his or her daily life. John has an excellent relationship with his physician, who also lives with diabetes, he notes.

"It's really important that you be comfortable with your doctor," says John.

Additionally, John advises, "Own your illness.

"Since day one I've felt you really have to know your illness and own your illness; don't let your illness own you. A lot of people go into denial and shock. I didn't. I jumped right in. I wanted to know all about it."

The Shoreline Stronger Diabetes Support Group kick-off event takes place Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vineyard Church of Guilford Parish Center in Village Walk Plaza, Route 1 in Guilford. Walk-ins are welcome, however, pre-registration is encouraged. Sign up by Saturday, Jan. 12 by calling John Billings at 203-909-5604 or emailing johnb06437@gmail.com. Stronger is looking for a place where the group can meet on monthly bases. If you know of a place, please contact John Billings. A newsletter with updates on days and times the support group will meet is also available by contacting John Billings.