Diabetes first impacted Perla Bueno's life 28 years ago when she was pregnant with her daughter. First, she learned she had gestational diabetes, then about a year later she learned she had Type 2 diabetes. Perla, a clinical specialist at Broward Health Coral Springs, has a strong family history of the disease. Her mom, aunt, and siblings all have diabetes. She has daily insulin injections that she takes four times a day, and a device that monitors her glucose continuously.
But Perla has an important motto that she always sticks to: "I don’t let diabetes claim my life – I live my life with diabetes," she said.
Having a strong support system has been crucial to Perla as she faces diabetes. "I have a wonderful husband and daughters who are so supportive, and I also have amazing co-workers who are always looking out for me to make sure that I’m okay," she said.
Perla also works with other diabetic kids every summer during Broward Health Coral Springs' Camp Coral Kids. It’s an opportunity for her to share her experience and she encourages kids to take good care of themselves so that they can avoid other health complications.
"I am excited about the upcoming walk, and it means so much to me to have my fellow employees stand with me in the fight against diabetes," Perla said. "We not only provide care for patients at the bedside, but we also care about a very important health issue that impacts so many people in our community."
Have you signed up for the upcoming Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes? Register today.