As an avatar in a virtual world, this man finds support and laughter with his diabetes group despite isolation of COVID-19

A jaunt to Paris, a zip-lining course and a tightrope walking attempt - while the world isolates Leroy Hardenstine, 58, packs his afternoon with wild virtual world expeditions. Next on the agenda, hitting the dance floor for Motown music along with folks from See Yourself Health, a virtual platform for diabetes education and support. And no, we’re not talking about Zoom.

“I like seeing the dance moves, they’re cool,” Leroy says of his avatar, the computer-generated persona that represents him in this virtual world.

Leroy has been coming to virtual diabetes meetings since November of 2019, but when panic of COVID-19 erupted, he began logging into the group as often as 2-3 times a day - a significant increase from the one to two weekly meetings he attended before the pandemic hit.

“It’s a way out. It’s like we’re all in a jail cell with nothing to do. You escape for that hour. You’re in utopia.,” Leroy said of the alternative education platform that uses simulation of real life activities as a means for learning.

In coming weeks, the schedule at See Yourself Health is packed with virtual world plans that extend far beyond managing diabetes - trivia hours, book club chats, film discussions, exercise classes, and even a joke hour.

Much of this “social” programming was the result of COVID-19 related isolation but the group’s traditional programming is rooted in education, goal setting and weighty discussions aimed at inspiring introspection and lifestyle change - a mission potentially of greater gravity at a time when it’s easy to fall hopeless and while away in front of the television.

“You’re being offered an alternate ego in the avatar. It releases you from the mundane situation you’re in … My stepson lives for games, he’s a gamer - plays 24/7. At first [when I heard about See Yourself Health], I thought what has this world come to? But I learned, and it’s fun.”

Leroy found himself depressed two years ago, “eating house and home,” and at a weight of 440, he said. He now weighs 350 and touts a consistent drop in blood sugar readings thanks to a local weight loss support group called the LVH - Pocono Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, the Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy, which provides food and education for diabetes patients, and See Yourself Health.

Leroy is determined to maintain his progress but in addition to the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 response, he doesn’t have personal internet access. As a result, Leroy fires the engine of his 2005 Chevy Colorado several times each day and cruises the roads for free wireless connections. He’s a near expert on local hotspots - a community library, a hardware store that doesn’t require a password, a few fast food restaurants, and his favorite, an area hospital with a strong signal.

Before each session, Leroy pulls into a parking lot, quiets his engine, and boots up a laptop. He recalled one recent evening when he lost internet access in the midst of a meeting. He drove 10 miles for a stronger hotspot and rejoined the group.

“This gives me a sense of purpose. We all need a sense of purpose … Every single session something different transpires, it’s always a learning experience … [Despite the virus outbreak] I’m staying healthy - still going for walks and watching what I eat.”

Leroy is a fixture at See Yourself Health, say team members. His familiar voice, all that is available of the physical body in this virtual space, offers comfort and optimism when other members - real people with real fear and loneliness behind masks of avatars - need it most.

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