Vanessa Pirolo, Brazil
Video interview with Vanessa
Watch the video interview with Vanessa telling about her life with diabetes and how she has learned to cope with the condition - access here (3:32 min.)
About Vanessa
For Vanessa, being diagnosed with diabetes has been a life-transforming journey of self-discovery. She found the inner strength to overcome the challenges of coping and living successfully, completing her education as a journalist, staying fit and becoming actively involved in the Association of Juvenile Diabetes in Brazil.
”I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was eighteen.” It was a difficult period in her life. She had problems controlling her glucose levels, even though she complied with her insulin regimen and maintained a healthy diet.
“So I started working out,” she says. “I went to the gym, started jogging and began seeing a therapist to understand myself better.” Vanessa reflects on the positive ways being diagnosed with diabetes has transformed her life. “Before being diagnosed I lacked self-confidence and wasn’t very independent. Suddenly, I had to be an adult.”
Vanessa is a fighter. “By enduring the suffering to live another day with my family, I learned that I should never give up, that I could overcome any obstacle and I could make my dreams come true and also can help others overcome this disease.”
Why she’s involved in DAWN Youth
“The reason why I am involved in DAWN Youth is because I believe in its mission. I respect the seriousness of the Youth Panel and the mission of Novo Nordisk. I love participating in a programme that improves the health and quality of life of people with diabetes. In short, I want to work on raising awareness to diabetes in my city and country.”
Vanessa’s advice to others
“My best advice”, Vanessa says, “is to understand the way diabetics face the disease. In my opinion, I think you should not see diabetes as a problem. It is an opportunity for individuals to learn to know themselves better - and see diabetes as a challenge to be conquered. It can improve your quality of life.”
