Kad ti život da dijabetes, zasladi ga! @inesnerina
Intervju s Ines Nerina @inesnerina
Pripremili smo novi intervju s još jednom poznatom influensericom s dijabetesom. Iako nema česte objave na engleskom jeziku, to nas nikako ne sprečava da ju pratimo na njenom nacionalnom jeziku. Pratimo slike i videe koje redovito objavljuje na svojem Instagram računu, posebice u obliku dnevnih priča. Predstavljamo Ines Nerinu, simpatičnu influencericu iz Rumunjske. Ova veoma zanimljiva i atraktivna plavuša ispričala nam je svoju priču, podijelila zanimljive savjete i vjerujemo pripadnicama ljepšeg spola otkrila ono najvažnije, kako kupiti njenu slatku kolekciju odjeće. Unatoč dijabetesu Ines zagovara sport, dizanje svijesti o dijabetesu na svakom koraku te uživa u testiranju svih tehnoloških dostignuća u svijetu dijabetesa koji joj dođu pod ruku. Pročitajte što je Ines Nerina otkrila samo za vas! Kako vam u uvodnom djelu ne bismo otkrili sve pikanterije ovog intervjua, ostavljamo vas guštima Inesinih odgovora.
Bok Ines, za početak ovog intervjua, možeš li nam reći nešto o sebi?
Hej ekipa, ja se zovem Ines Nerina i moja je priča prilično iskrivljena. Oduvijek sam sanjala o tome da postanem učiteljica, ali dijabetes mi je ušao u život dok sam bila na master diplomskom studiju. Potpuno sam promijenila karijeru i tri godine kasnije postala “učiteljica dijabetesa”. Prva sam rumunjska blogerica i Youtuberica s pumpicom koja govori o životu s dijabetesom i zagovara za ljude koji žive s dijabetesom.
Kako su ti dijagnosticirali dijabetes tipa 1?
Dijabetes tipa 1 dijagnosticiran mi je prije tri godine, s navršenih 23 godine života. Uz sve simptome koje sam imala, bila sam vidno shrvana kad sam saznala da moram pikati više puta dnevno kako bih ostala živa. No, kasnije sam shvatila da je dijabetes najbolje što mi se ikad dogodilo jer me učinio jačom, naučio kako u potpunosti razumjeti i voljeti život, pomogao mi kako da sagledam stvari te me postupno učinio vođom. Šokantnu dijagnozu zvanu dijabetes tip 1 pretočila sam u priliku da postanem bolja verzija sebe.
Reci nam svoje svakodnevne rutine i kako zapravo izgleda tvoj dan?
Moja rutina je sve samo ne obična. Jedina “rutina” koju imam je kontroliranje šećera u krvi i uzimanje inzulina. Osim toga moj život je potpuna avantura. U ponedjeljak mogu biti kod kuće uređujući video, u utorak mogu čitati knjigu u avionu, u srijedu mogu biti u planinama penjući se na najviši vrh kako bih podržala kampanju, u četvrtak mogu trčati maraton, u petak se mogu probuditi u Turskoj i tako dalje.
Kako si postala dijabetički bloger i YouTuber?
U svijetu u kojem pojam ‘influencer’ ima negativnu konotaciju, želim biti iskreni influencer, razlog zbog kojeg ljudi koji žive s dijabetesom ne odustaju od svojih svakodnevnih bitaka. Kad sam prvi put počela pisati na svom blogu, nisam ni slutila gdje će me društvene mreže odvesti. U to sam vrijeme samo pričala svoju priču o dijagnozi i prepričavala svoje svakodnevne borbe. Ljudi su suosjećali sa mnom i cijenili moju ranjivost. Bio je to autentičan i prirodan rast jer nisam imala, a još uvijek nemam nikakav cilj ili plan na društvenim mrežama. Jedino u što sam sigurna je da zaista volim podržavati svoju zajednicu, pomagati im da bolje razumiju upravljanje dijabeteom u svom životu te u konačnici, pružiti im što više savjeta mogu.
Koristiš Medtronic 640G, no šećer u krvi mjeriš glukometrom. S druge strane, vidimo da ponekad koristiš Enlite i Dexcom senzor. Koje tehnološke uređaje za dijabetes najčešće koristiš i zašto?
Jednom sam rekla: ˝budući da moj dijabetes neće uskoro nestati, imam svo vrijeme ovog svijeta da ih sve testiram!˝ Zato sam testirala i koristila gotovo sve dostupne medicinske uređaje jer je, prvo, zabavno, a drugo, mogu ih isprobati i reći svoje iskreno mišljenje o njima. Trenutno koristim Medtronicovu 640G pumpu i volim ju i Dexcom G6 – apsolutno obožavam ovu malu stvarčicu. Uskoro planiram prelazak na ‘loop’.
Prema tvojem mišljenju, koja opcija ‘loopa’ je trenutno najbolja?
Temu Loopa trenutno proučavam i još uvijek ima dijelova koje ne razumijem tako dobro. Ono što sam pročitala, ‘open loop’ je najbolja opcija, jer pacijentu pruža preciznija prilagođavanja bazala odnosno bolusa. Izvrsno je vidjeti koliko je evolucija ovih medicinskih uređaja uznapredovala i jedva je čekam isprobati na sebi.
Koji su troškovi života s dijabetesom u Rumunjskoj? Što pokriva rumunjsko nacionalno zdravstveno osiguranje za osobe s dijabetesom?
Nacionalno zdravstveno osiguranje pokriva sve što se tiče pacijenata sa tipom 1 – pumpe, CGM, inzulin, test trake, igle.
Tko ti je najveća podrška u životu s dijabetesom?
Brat mi je najveća podrška i znači mi sve!
Imaš web trgovinu i dizajniraš odjeću za osobe s dijabetesom. Kako i zašto si se odlučila za takvo nešto?
Ideja o ovoj slatkoj liniji odjeće došla mi je kada sam se s MDI (višestruke dnevne injekcije – inzulinski injektori) prebacila na inzulinsku pumpu i nisam ju imala gdje staviti dok nosim suknje. Tada mi je pala na pamet ideja suknje koja će imati lakši pristup do inzulinske pumpe. Isto tako, stvorila sam kolekciju s moćnim i osnažujućim porukama kao na primjer: ‘Jaka i slatka’, ‘Kad ti život da dijabetes, napravi ga slatkim’, ‘Sve što mi treba je inzulin’, ‘Danas sam poput svoje gušterače: lijena’ itd. Dakle, za mene je ova kolekcija više od odjeće, ona je svojevrstan manifest da svoj dijabetes nosimo s osobnošću!
Kako možemo kupiti tvoju kolekciju u Hrvatskoj? Pokušala sam osobno kupiti jednu majicu, no nisam uspjela. Vjerojatno iz razloga što nemam rumunjsku adresu. Ipak, je li uopće moguće kupiti izvan Rumunjske?
Malo sam u šoku kako moji strani ‘diabuddies’ pokazuju toliko interesa za moju odjeću. Budući da sam otvorila web shop prije samo nekoliko tjedana, još uvijek pokušavam dokučiti kako upravljati tvrtkom. No, naći ću rješenje na koji način da napravim mogućnost i za međunarodne isporuke. Za sada me ljudi koji su voljni kupiti moju odjeću mogu izravno kontaktirati u privatnoj poruci i pronaći ću način da im pošaljem paket.
Odakle pronalaziš inspiraciju za pričanje o dijabetesu kroz blog, Instagram priče itd?
Sve je nekako došlo prirodno, jer želim dati kvalitetnu informaciju i educirati o dijabetesu. Pretvorila sam svoje borbe u lekcije za druge. Svakog dana trošim energiju i vrijeme da objasnim ljudima „što je to na mojoj ruci“. Da biste podigli svijest o dijabetesu, morate djelovati u skladu s tim. Ja osobno dijabetes nosim sa sobom i želim biti glas onima koji nemaju istu hrabrost govoriti.
Vidjeli smo da si prije nekoliko mjeseci otrčala polu maraton i na tome ti čestitamo. U tvojim pričama možemo vidjeti da si često u teretani. Što je sport za tebe kao osobu s dijabetesom? Kako si postala dio trkačkog tima NovoNordisk?
Sport bi trebao biti “zdrava tableta” koju bi svatko trebao uzimati svakodnevno! Ne mogu dovoljno naglasiti koliko je važno vježbati i koliko koristi imate kad se redovito bavite sportom. Čvrsto vjerujem u snagu primjera, to je glavni razlog zašto sam se udružila s NovoNordisk-om u kampanji trčanja na 25 km. Još jedna dijabetička udruga mi je pristupila i predložila me da postanem ambasador ovog trkačkog natjecanja u svrhu podizanja svijesti o dijabetesu. NovoNordisk je postao dio mog života, s jedne strane otkako sam počela koristiti prvu bočicu inzulina, te s druge strane, kada su me primijetili kao vrlo aktivnu zagovornicu širenja znanja o dijabetesu.
Tvoje priče na Instagramu o hrani i upravljanju dijabetesom dok jedeš ‘brzu hranu’ smatram vrlo inspirativnima i korisnima za osobe s dijabetesom. Razmišljaš li o prelasku na međunarodnu scenu i o pisanju i pričanju na engleskom jeziku?
Iskreno, ove upite dobivam često i razmišljam u budućnosti raditi na međunarodnom sadržaju.
Koji je tvoj savjet osobama s dijabetesom u Hrvatskoj? Kada te možemo očekivati ovdje? ;)
Ne postoji tuga koju nada ne može zacijeliti i zato držite se i budite hrabri! Mislim da bi dijabetes trebali vidjeti kao šansu da postanete bolja verzija sebe, a ne kao smrtnu presudu. Vi kontrolirate život, a ne dijabetes!
Hrvatsku ću posjetiti s prvom prilikom jer još nikad nisam bila u vašoj zemlji. Hvala vam puno na mogućnosti da ispričam svoju priču.
Nadamo se da ste uživali u razgovoru s Ines te ju svakako nastavite pratiti na njezinim profilima: Instagram, Facebook i web blog.
When life gives you diabetes, make it sweet!
An interview with Ines Nerina @inesnerina
We have prepared a new interview with one of the well-known diabetes influencers in our area. Although she does not have frequent English language posts, we follow her in her national language, following the pictures and videos she regularly posts on her Instagram account, especially in the form of daily stories. Her name is Ines Nerina and she comes from Romania. This very interesting and attractive young woman told us her story, shared lots of tips, and most importantly discovered how to buy her sweet collection of clothes international. Ines advocates for the sport & diabetes, diabetes awareness at everyday life and testing all the technological possibilities in life with diabetes. Read what Ines Nerina discovered just for us!
Hey Ines, first of all can you tell us something about you – something to get to know you better.
Hey, guys, my name is Ines Nerina and my story is quite twisted. I have always dreamt of becoming a teacher, but diabetes came into my life while I was studying for my MA degree. I have completely changed my career by becoming a “diabetes teacher” three years later. I am the first Romanian blogger and Youtuber with a pump speaking about living with diabetes and I advocate for people living with diabetes.
How were you diagnosed with diabetes type 1?
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 23, 3 years ago. I experienced all the harsh symptoms and I was devasted when I found out that I have to take multiple injections daily just to stay alive. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me because it made me stronger, it taught me how to fully understand and love life, it helped me put things into perspective and eventually made me a leader. I took this shocking diagnosis and turned it into the most important chance for me to become a better version for myself.
Do you have some everyday routines and how does your regular day look?
My routine is everything but ordinary. The only “routine” I have is testing my blood sugar, taking insulin but other than that my life is a complete adventure. On Monday I can be at my place editing a video, on a Tuesday I can be reading a book on a plane, on a Wednesday I can be in the mountains climbing the highest peak to support a campaign, on a Thursday I can be running on a marathon, on a Friday I can be waking up in Turkey and so on.
How did you become a diabetes blogger & YouTuber?
In a world where the term “influencer” has a negative connotation, I want to be a true influencer because I want to be the reason why people living with diabetes would not give up on their daily battles. When I first started to write on my blog, I did not know where this social media thing will bring me. At that time, I was just telling my diagnosis story and my day-to-day struggles. People seemed to resonate with me and they really appreciated this vulnerability. It was an authentic and organic growth because I had, and still do’ t have, a target or a plan what so ever when it comes to social media. This only thing that I am sure about is that I really love supporting my community, helping them better understand the management of diabetes and give as many pieces of advice I can provide.
We know that you are using Medtronic 640G, but you are measuring your blood sugar with BG meter. And on the other hand, we see that sometimes you have Enlite and Dexcom sensor. So, in the end which tech devices for diabetes are you using most often, and why?
I have said once that since my diabetes will not go away any time sooner, I have the time in the world to test them all! So this is why I have been testing and using pretty much all the medical devices out there because, first of all, it is fun, and second I can review and tell my honest opinion about them. I am currently on 640G and loving it and Dexcom G6 and absolutely adore this little one. I am planning on shifting to looping.
What looping option is the best in your opinion nowadays?
The looping toping, I am documenting right now and there are still a lot of aspects I do not get really well. But from what I have read the open loop is the best option because it gives the patient more precise adjustments. It is remarkable to see how far the evolution of these medical devices have come, so I cannot wait to try it on myself.
What is the cost of living with diabetes in Romania? What does the Romanian national health insurance cover for managing diabetes?
The National Health insurance covers everything when it comes to patients with type 1 (pumps, CGM’s, insulin, test strips, needles).
Who is your biggest support in life with diabetes?
My brother is my greatest support in my love and he means the world to me!
You have web shop and you also design clothes for people with diabetes. How and why did you decide to do something like that?
The idea with this sweet clothing line came to me when I shifted from MDI (multiple daily injections) to a pump and I had no place to put my pump while wearing my feminine skirts. So, I invented the idea of a skirt double pocked for having an easier access to the pump. Then I created a collection with powerful and empowering messages (‘Strong and sweet’, ‘When life gives you diabetes, make is sweet’, ‘All you need is insulin’, ‘Today I am like my pancreas: lazy’ etc). So, for me, this collection is more than clothes, is a manifest to wear your diabetes with personality!
How can we buy your clothes in Croatia? I mean, I tried to purchase one of your t-shirts, but I couldn’t do it. Probably because of I don’t have Romanian address, but is it possible to buy it from Croatia?
It is overwhelming for me to see that international diabuddies have interest in my clothing line. Since I have opened for only a few weeks I am still trying to figure all out on how to manage a business but I will find a way to make an international delivery option. For now, international people who are willing to buy my clothes can contact directly me on dm and I will find a way to send the parcel to them.
Where do you find inspiration for advocating diabetes though blogs, Instagram stories etc?
This came really naturally to me because I wanted to give good quality information and education about diabetes, I turned my struggles into lessons for others. Every single day I take my time and my energy to explain people “what is that thing on my arm”. In order to bring awareness about diabetes you have to act accordingly. I, myself, wear my diabetes with personality and I want to be the voice for those that don’t have the same courage to speak up.
We saw that you did a half marathon few months ago and we congratulate you for that, and we can see in your stories that you are often in a gym. So, what is sport to you as a person with diabetes? And how did you become part of NovoNordisk running team?
Sport should be the “health pill” everyone should take daily! I cannot stress enough how important exercising is and how many benefits are when you do sports on a regular basis. But I strongly believe in the power of example, this being the main reason I have partnered up with NovoNordisk for the 25km run campaign. Another diabetes association reached me and proposed me to become the ambassador of this running competition in order to raise the awareness. NovoNordisk become a part of my life, on one hand when I used the very first vial of insulin, and on the other hand, when they saw me as a very active advocate.
Your Insta stories about food and managing diabetes while eating ‘fast food’ are very inspiring and useful for people with diabetes. In the future would you consider going international and started speaking and writing in English?
I get asked this question a lot, to be honest, and I am considering to do an international content in the future.
What is your advice to people with diabetes in Croatia? When can we expect you here? ;)
There is no sorrow that hope cannot heal so hold on and be brave because you can handle this! I think you should see diabetes as a chance to become a better version of you, not as a death sentence. You are in control, not diabetes!
I will visit Croatia with the first chance because I have never been to your country J Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to tell my story. :*
