Renee L. Cruea
March 24th, 2008
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 14 years old. The most prominent memories I have of that time period include being told I would have to inject insulin every day for the rest of my life. As terrifying as that news may be for a teenager, it was not the most upsetting memory I have. I recall vividly being told I could no longer eat pasta, I should not risk a pregnancy and I was led to believe that my expectations of what I wanted out of life needed to be “tempered.” Try telling a 14 year old Italian girl from New York that she needs to temper her goals in life and do so without pasta, and you have one unhappy child determined to prove them all wrong. Attitude is an important and vital key to success in life. It can be more difficult initially to maintain a positive attitude but it can be done and I am proof of that.
Fortunately, the advances in medical technology over the past twenty-five years have been immense and dealing with diabetes has become much easier. I went from injecting insulin multiple times a day with syringes to wearing an insulin pump. My glucometer, which measures my blood sugar levels at any given time, is painless and small enough to fit in my purse, unlike older, larger models. I can wear a continuous glucose monitor without having to draw blood at all. My blood sugar results from months back are downloaded on my computer so that I can see patterns in my blood sugar levels over time. I eat pasta on occasion with abandon and know instinctively how far I need to run and how much insulin I need to take to ensure my blood sugar levels remain as close to normal as I can get. I had a complication-free pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy daughter when I was in my 30’s. I am writing this as I sit in my Washington, D.C., office as Executive Director of an advocacy organization, clearly I never tempered my goals personally or professionally. However, technology enables us to reach out and connect with people who deal with the similar health issues, which was not possible years ago. Today, with the Internet, you never have to deal with chronic illness alone. On the Internet I founded a group that I named the SugarMommas. The SugarMommas are women from all over the world with Type 1 diabetes and who have children, a priceless resource for those of us who juggle families, careers and insulin pumps. It is priceless to know women who can relate to the issues I deal with daily. I can come home from the office, sit at the computer with a glass of wine and vent to my friend in Australia who also had her insulin pump battery run out in the middle of a business meeting….and had to also deal with the gaze of those in attendance as the pump I wear in my bra buzzes every 30 seconds reminding me of such. Only another Type 1 woman with breasts would truly get that and laugh with you from half way across the world.
I have had Type 1 diabetes for 25 years without a single complication. Enjoying the new therapies, medications and technologies is truly wonderful, and the way we manage and live with diabetes has improved and will continue to do so as research continues. We all know that it is not enough that diabetes can be managed, it needs to be cured, but I am grateful I have the tools that allow me to live my life fully right now and with pasta.
4 Responses to “ Renee L. Cruea ”
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March 31st, 2008 at 2:51 am
Renee:
This is a great “life” story, that I expect to share with my Montessori students one day…how a positive attitude can help and keep us going… EVG
March 31st, 2008 at 4:47 am
Renee, you are truely my hero… you are an amazing woman and I am very proud to call you my FRIEND! To have accomplished all of the things you have in your life and the things you will do in the future is something that many others will benefit from. You are such a caring and giving person….we are all so proud of you…love you
March 31st, 2008 at 11:21 am
Renee, you and your story are incredible. I never would have guessed that you are diabetic. You are so normal that you are almost abnormal! Thanks for sharing an inspiring story. You have a life challenge that you approach with graceful ease. I applaud your candor and advocacy of healthy lifestyle.
Many hugs!
Ed
April 5th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Renee,
Every day in the community I work with adults/children who have diabetes. Some have given up hope and do not take care of themselves and I encourage them to press on. I was so happy to find this website so that I can share this much needed inspiration with those who are truly in need. By the way, is there a Sugardaddies” support group for fathers?