by David Ball
Staff Writer
Andy Mandell only has limited feeling in his feet and legs, but it’s not because he has walked more
than 9,300 miles across the United States during the past six years.
In fact, he is walking because he has lost feeling in his legs — a result of the diabetes that has afflicted him since 1985, but which ultimately inspired him to become executive director of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation and take on this current “Wake Up and Walk Tour.”
Mandell, or “Mr. Diabetes” as he calls himself, walked over the Main Street Bridge and out of Downtown Jacksonville Monday during the final leg of his trek, which will take him down the coast of Florida, through the Keys and back up the west coast to his foundation’s headquarters in Madeira Beach near St. Petersburg.
“I started in Florida and went west to San Diego, then up to Seattle and over to Maine before coming back down to Florida,” said Mandell of the more than 10,000 mile walk around the perimeter of the country that began in 2002.
“This is all about raising awareness for diabetes. It’s an epidemic and it’s out of control because the conventional wisdom has failed,” he said. “I wanted to put a face on diabetes and draw attention to the risk factors and some of the solutions.”
Mandell is insulin-dependent, and he said he wants to show that diabetes sufferers can be full functioning and lead productive lives, while also educating people about the preventability of type 2 diabetes.
Although an avid exercise enthusiast and former triathlete and marathon runner, he said this current walk has been tough on his 62-year-old body. However, he said he did enjoy his time in Jacksonville and is happy to be on the final part of his journey.
“The Downtown skyline here is great,” said Mandell, who then joked about cooling down by leaping into the St. Johns River from the top of the Main Street Bridge. “Maybe next time.”
For more information about the Defeat Diabetes Foundation or to donate money to Mandell’s walk, visit www.defeatdiabetes.org.
Photo by David Ball