Angelina Correa

From her daughter, Tami:

Since this story is not my own I can only share the perspective shown to me by my mother Angelina Correa who has mastered diabetes better than anyone I have ever known. She is the youngest and last living child of John and Julia Correa. Her mother, four out of seven girls, and two out of four boys were diagnosed at some point in their lives. My mother suffered from symptoms around age ten but was not officially diagnosed until age thirteen. She was first treated with pills and then placed on insulin at age sixteen. This treatment transition included sterilization of needles and giving injections to herself in her stomach. She told me that a nurse taught her how to give the injections using an orange to simulate the toughness of the skin and force required to make sure the medication would be properly administered
From that moment on, my mother, gave and continues to give herself injections daily. She has always been able to manage and regulate her blood sugar well. I can recall many instances where my mother would indulge in cake or other sweets just like all the other party guests, family members and event goers and was somehow able to adjust her insulin intake to ensure no emergency room or hospital visit was necessary. This seemed common place to me until my first scare. I came home from school and found my mother not able to talk to me or understand my commands. My mother prepared me for this kind of possibility so I tried to get sugar into her system and called 911. Living with diabetes is not easy, I admire and am always impressed with how my mother has managed for sixty five years. Now, at the age of seventy eight she boasts triumphantly about having all her body parts and her eyesight. I’m sure the early prognosis was to not expect too much, that she might not survive.

I am extremely grateful to be able to say that they were wrong and even after all her siblings have passed away she is still standing. For years we have held our breathe, fifty five was the magic age, the age the other diabetic sisters left us, but now twenty three years later we aim to enjoy every moment. My sister Lavanda, her son Lucas, his father Kevin, my son Kahleel, my daughter Tiana, and my husband Calvin have all enjoyed the seemingly extended time with Angel (the name she is known by to most). Her four foot, eleven inch stature has never stopped her from standing up for those who can not fight for themselves and for what is right and good. She is feisty and a bit of a bad a…. . Never letting anyone take advantage of her and or anyone around her. She is a loyal friend to have and extremely generous. She likes murder mysteries, scary movies, and Disney films. My mom will try all kinds of food and eats almost every vegetable grown.

She has worked hard since age sixteen. My Mom has always like working with numbers and in the medical field. She worked in an accounting office and later as a civilian in the Health Management Department of the New York City Department of Correction. She retired around ten years ago after forty years of service with the NYC DOC. She plays with her youngest grandson every change she gets and supports her two other grandchildren in every way possible with making their dreams come true. This message is filled with a small snapshot of the woman who is my mother. The woman who has navigated diabetes my entire life and beyond with grace. She seamlessly blends the challenges into her everyday life the simple things that others take for granted can be so difficult. My mother makes it all look easy. I can only share the story which may not come close to the master class that is her life thus far living with diabetes. She is my hero and should be celebrated and respected by all for her fortitude.