Josefina’s journey with diabetes started when she was 17 months old. Her mom, Andrea, had an inkling that something was wrong when Josefina was always thirsty, frequently urinating, and one morning her head began slumping over while eating breakfast.
“The pediatrician told me to bring her in. Josefina walked into La Rabida with her little pink hoodie and her sunglasses on, popped up on the table, and our world changed within 20 minutes,” explained Andrea. “She was diagnosed with diabetes that day, October 2nd, 2008. You don’t ever forget that day.”
Josefina was then admitted aboard the S.S. La Rabida inpatient unit.
“It was a really terrible four days. I don’t remember crying that much ever before. We really just didn’t know what to expect,” shared Andrea. “The La Rabida team, from that very first day, helped pick us up as a family and walked us through each step. Each day we focused on different things. We met with the nurses, the diabetes nurse educators, the endocrinologists, the social worker, the dietitian – you name it there was a person for it.”
The goal of La Rabida’s Chicago Children’s Diabetes Center (CCDC) is to help support kids like Josefina navigate the obstacles they are facing while also providing support for their families. “It is truly an entire team that navigates this with the families together, especially in the beginning,” said Andrea. “I can’t speak highly enough about this team.”
Since Josefina was discharged, she has continued to visit the CCDC and Dr. Anita Swamy. “La Rabida has been there from the very beginning and through each phase of diabetes. Josefina was so little when she was diagnosed she couldn’t articulate or verbalize what she needed, so it was very difficult trying to navigate that world. Each phase [of childhood] has its own challenges and the CCDC team has been there for each one,” explained Andrea.
Now 14 years old, Josefina is thriving, playing travel soccer and is a member of both the swim and water polo teams.
“She’s very active and healthy - your typical teenage girl. But that doesn’t come without a ton of hard work. I don’t know that words would express our sincerest gratitude to the La Rabida team. My words would be better served with just a genuine hug to each and every one of them.”
