Sophomore Sydney Brooks is blooming with confidence after coming to UCA where she is an involved student and friend to many.
Brooks balances her life with her schoolwork, involvement on campus and maintaining her physical health all at once.
Brooks was diagnosed at the age of 10 with Type 1 Diabetes.
“Some days it isn’t fun to deal with, but I never let it keep me from the things I love,” Brooks said.
With this condition, Brooks says the daily challenges she experiences have become normal for her.
“Thanks to the evolution of technology, it has become easier,” Brooks said. “When I was diagnosed at 10, my day consisted of at least eight finger pricks, four insulin injections and the occasional low blood sugar.”
Brooks now wears a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump.
“I don’t have to worry about injections and finger pricks anymore but it’s still not fun,” Brooks said. “Sometimes I try to conceal my insulin pump and glucose monitor because I don’t want my condition to be visible.”
Brooks said that her desire to keep her condition out of the sight of others has started to fade.
“I’m starting to overcome that by not dictating what I wear based on where my medical devices are,” Brooks said. “There’s no perfect way to manage diabetes and some days are better than others.”
Brooks said that her past experiences with diabetes and being involved in sports were not a good mix.
“When I used to play volleyball, sometimes diabetes kept me from playing the game,” Brooks said. “When I played and exerted so much energy, my blood sugar would drop. This would cause me to sit out of the game, which I hated to do. Even though it wasn’t my fault, I felt that I was letting my team down in a way.”
Brooks said that she has felt more confident over the years with having diabetes.
“It used to be my biggest insecurity but now it has become something that I am proud of,” Brooks said. “I learned how to surround myself with people who care about my health and are willing to understand diabetes for me. My friends and family have been my biggest supporters throughout all of this.”
The elementary education major is a member of the sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha and Student Mobilization, a Christian college campus ministry.
Brooks is a Panhellenic delegate for Alpha Sigma Alpha, allowing her the opportunity to work closer with other Greek organizations and as a representative of her sorority.
“The best part of this organization are the women who I am surrounded with,” Brooks said. “We continuously grow in this organization through the opportunities Alpha Sigma Alpha provides. I love that when I walk into the room, I feel fully loved and supported.”
Student Mobilization is another group on campus that Brooks is involved in.
“Several of my Alpha Sig sisters introduced me to this group,” Brooks said.
Brooks said that she has become more educated in her faith throughout her involvement in Student Mobilization.
“I truly have learned more about my relationship with God by being in this group than anywhere else,” Brooks said.
Brooks said that she attended a conference for Student Mobilization in Dallas with over 3,000 other college students.
“This conference introduced me to a summer discipleship program that I will be attending for nine weeks,” Brooks said. “Some other UCA students and I will live on the beach for the summer, working a full-time job, and learning how to be a better disciple. I would have never been given this opportunity elsewhere and I truly think it will be a life-changing experience.”
Brooks said that she thinks everyone should spread kindness to others.
“Especially with the world we live in now, love should be shown to every person,” Brooks said.
Brooks said that she is passionate about compassion and love toward other people. She offered advice for people who struggle with managing their diabetes:
“Diabetes doesn’t define you and it doesn’t make you any different than the next person. All diabetes does in your life is make you stronger. It just requires us to have an extra step in our day.”
