A London mom is getting ready to walk to Ottawa in support of diabetes research.
Jennifer Miller will take her first steps toward the nation's capital on May 2. Her walk will start at Banting House in London, which is considered the birthplace of insulin. She expects to reach Ottawa by June 5.
Miller's quest, which she has called "Walking the Line," aims to raise money for diabetes research. She decided to take on the challenge because both of her daughters have Type 1 diabetes.
"I just was frustrated and angry and wanted answers and wanted change," Miller says. "I just felt that turning everything negative into something positive was just going to help out."
Miller is training for the long trip by walking in and outside the city.
"We go out, just train, walking around London and area," Miller says. "Getting some kilometers on the outside roads, because walking outside of London is definitely different than walking on a regular city street. But we do both. Nights, weekends, that's where you'll find us.
Initially Miller's children were unsure about their mother's plan.
"They definitely thought I was crazy," Miller says. "They were a little bit hesitant because they just thought it was going to be a big walk. They weren't really sure what to think of it and then the more that we kept going and talking to people, we had people's support, now they think it's pretty cool. They want to be involved, now that they've lived with it so long, they definitely hope that it will make a difference."
Miller says that there are some expenses that still need to be covered, however raising awareness is most important.
"We just would like to raise awareness and any funds that come from that, then that would be fantastic as well," Miller says. "We just really want to get the word out there about how diabetes affects people, and if we can raise money to help with research then even better."
Once she begins walking, all funds will go directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association and will be used for research and camps for children with Type 1 diabetes.
There is one thing Miller wants people to understand from her journey.
"I would just really like to see the word get out there and for people to understand that diabetes is really, really hard," Miller says. "It's not an easy thing for people to live with. They do need support. They do need understanding. It's a lot of work, it's a 24/7 disease. It never gives them a break."
More information can be found at www.walkingtheline.ca
**This story was written by Kayley Leon, a student in the Media, Theory, and Production program at Western University. Kayley is currently performing an internship with BlackburnNews.com**
