Most 9-year-olds would be pretty scared to speak to a crowd of 450 people. But Brady Duncan, an aspiring actor and diabetes spokesperson, is not like most kids.
Brady, of Gallatin, Tenn., was 4 when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He and his parents, Marsha and Glen, worked with dieticians at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to get his blood sugar under control.
"We always tell people that Dr. Najjar is much more than a doctor," Marsha said. "She takes the whole family under her wing. When Brady is having a tough time she calls every day."
Brady has attended a special camp for children with diabetes for the last three years. Camp Sugar Falls has been held each summer since 1982 and is run by volunteer medical staff from Children's Hospital, and is affiliated with the American Diabetes Association.
"Camp is just fun and the counselors are really great," Brady said. "It's a great place for newly diagnosed kids to learn the basics."
In the years since his diagnosis, Brady has become a pro at taking his insulin shots and checking his blood sugar. He's also become a spokesperson and inspiration for other kids with diabetes.
Brady often makes public appearances to educate others about diabetes. He likes to ease other children's fears by giving them information about the disease and telling his story. He's also glad that there is a place like Children's Hospital for other kids with diabetes.
"Kids really need the positive reinforcement they get at the hospital," Brady said. "I don't think it should even be called a hospital anymore, it's just a place where they take care of kids."
