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| Vol. 18, No. 37 | July 22, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 37 | July 22, 1999 |
In Texas, Illinois and Delaware, Pamela Brown, education, has hiked for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She has a personal stake in fighting diabetes as her mother, Priscilla, was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 13 years.
"My mother is known as a 'brittle' diabetic-meaning it is difficult to manage her blood sugar level," Brown said. "My sister and I grew up learning to monitor our mother, to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as glazed eyes and confused speech, and to help her by quickly giving her orange juice or some form of sugar. These episodes sometimes happened so fast that she couldn't care for herself."
She described her mother as a traditional wife and homemaker, who in spite of warnings and predictions, gave birth to two children, thanks to the excellent care she received. Brown said her father, Robert, is supportive of her mother, administering the shots of insulin each day. Diabetes has affected her mother's eyesight and kidney function, although she is courageous and is currently holding her own, Brown said.
Brown grew up in Tipton, Ind., graduated from Ball State University and moved to Texas where she became certified and taught high school math. There, she participated in the Houston Juvenile Diabetes Foundation walk, an all-day hike, much longer than the Delaware walk, although it was through pleasant areas and parks, Brown recalled.
Leaving Texas, Brown returned to Indiana and then attended the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana, where she received her doctorate in educational psychology and where she also participated in walking for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Joining the UD faculty in 1995, Brown has participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes for the past two years. Last year, as a team of one representing UD, she raised approximately $450 in pledges for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. This year, although she is expecting a baby in November and will be walking for two, she said she still hopes to participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes in October if her doctor gives her the okay.
This year's Walk to Cure Diabetes will begin with registration from 8-9:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 10, at Tower Hill School. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and participants may choose a three- or five-mile course. For further information and pledging details, call 888-1117.
To volunteer to serve as UD coordinator and liaison with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, call Sharon Harris at 831-2874.
