Woman walks for diabetes awareness

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To walk 25 to 30 km a day can be a daunting task for anyone. For Delores Naponse, 50, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, it will become a way of life from May 1 to July 18.

Naponse, of the (Whitefish Lake) Atikmegosheng nation near Sudbury, Ont., began the Walking for Life, Walking for the Future diabetes walk 2000 at the Manitoba border and plans to end the walk at the Quebec border in Hull.

"My mother is walking to raise diabetes awareness because of the effect it has on First Nations communities," said Paula Naponse, walk manager. "She invites walkers to join her on the walk. Right now it is only my mother walking every day. My father drives the recreation vehicle. Some people from First Nation communities along the way do walk with her as far as they can," she said.

As in a lot of Aboriginal communities across Canada, diabetes is a concern in the community of Whitefish Lake.

"It is a health concern in our area, something like in Native communities all over Canada. In our community we are making progress in self-management. The people who have diabetes are watching their sugar intake and things like that," said Paula. "I do not know everything there is to know about the disease. All I know is what my mother went through. She feels that she wants to do something for our community and the Native people who have diabetes," she said.

First Nation communities have donated towards the walk, including the Whitefish Lake First Nation, a number of local business and an insulin company. People who do not have the time to walk or the ability to do so can send a 12 x 12 inch quilt piece to the Whitefish Lake First Nation.

"We will be sewing quilt pieces together to form a large quilt or a wall hanging to have as a permanent example of how everyone participated with the walk," said Paula. "Eventually the quilt may be sent to different Aboriginal communities so that we could show the collective strength we have to fight diabetes," she said.

A celebration is being planned for Delores when she arrives in Ottawa.

"We are starting to plan some sort of celebration. We are trying to get a bus to the community to take members to Ottawa to help her celebrate," said Paula.

Delores is currently employed at the Shawenekezehik Health Centre as the patient transportation clerk. Since being diagnosed with the disease, she has worked on controlling her diabetes through exercise and diet.

"I just think that it is a really positive message that my mother is bringing to everyone. This is the first walk of its kind in the community of Whitefish Lake," said Paula. "I hope that people everywhere would get involved in the cause of diabetes in whatever way they can to show their support towards the awareness of diabetes," she said.