11-YEAR-OLD UNINHIBITED BY DIABETES, LIVING ACTIVE, FULL LIFE

Hattiesburg, Miss. – Julia Ashley will be starting sixth grade this year, and like years past, this one will be filled with classes throughout the day and cheerleading, gymnastics and piano lessons in the afternoons. At 11, she also loves reading, dancing and, of course, shopping. Her mom, Alice Ashley, said Julia enjoys being active in her church, too.

So, it goes without saying that Julia’s life is a busy one.

It also goes without saying that she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Julia has never let the fact that she has diabetes slow her down; in fact, her sky-high laundry list of school and extracurricular activities has only inspired her to maintain a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle, Ashley said.

“She keeps a positive attitude and doesn’t let diabetes keep her from enjoying and participating in all of her activities,” she said. “Diabetes does not hold her back, although, obviously, it does create some challenges.”

At the age of eight, Julia was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and with no family history of type 1, the diagnosis took some getting used to, Ashley said.

“We were shocked, surprised and overwhelmed when we found out that Julia has diabetes,” she said. “Of course, it was a big change, but now, it’s just a way of life.”

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) has been present in the Ashley family life since Julia’s initial diagnosis, when the Foundation’s area representative contacted them and offered the DFM’s services.

“The DFM has provided us with a lot of support, information and advice, which has been so helpful in learning more about diabetes and how to live with it,” Ashley said. “And every year since Julia’s diagnosis, we have participated in Mississippi’s Walk for Diabetes in Hattiesburg, sponsored by the DFM.”

Recruiting all of their friends and family, including Julia’s twin brother, Jarred, nine-year-old sister Kelsey and pet dog Mitzi, the Ashleys participate in the walk to raise money and awareness.

“The Walk for Diabetes is an important event because it promotes diabetes awareness and raises money that stays in the state of Mississippi to benefit Mississippians with diabetes, like Julia,” she said. “That’s why we’re planning on walking again this year. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

The DFM is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. Likewise, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians from children to seniors, who live with diabetes.

This year the DFM’s Walk for Diabetes will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Longleaf Trace Walking Trail. For registration details or other information about putting together a team of walkers or participating as a team captain, please contact Blake Travis, southern regional coordinator, at 601-957-7878, or visit the DFM Web site, www.msdiabetes.org.