Feature Friday: Nurianne Arias

FEATURE FRIDAY: Nurianne Arias

 

Yay, it’s time for feature Friday with Nurianne Arias! Today we are learning about the amazing, Nurianne Arias who is from Aruba. She is an inspiration to many and shares her journey online. She was also Miss World in 2018 and just so happens to have Type 1 Diabetes! In addition, she is a lecturer at the University of Aruba where she teaches about health and wellness. Post-diagnosis Nurianne decided to turn suffering into empowerment through her teaching. I hope you enjoy learning about her!

Intro

Whatever I do, I do it with much passion. Passion fuels me and that is exactly what makes me driven and determined.

Children and T1D

I still do not have children yet but, already started thinking and preparing for children in the near future.

Diagnosis Story

Six years ago, I was completely blindsided for the fact that my health was in serious danger. A 12th of June Friday afternoon, “You have type 1 diabetes and you have to inject yourself with insulin for life, go immediately to ER” said the general practitioner. I was no longer eating, extremely thirsty all the time, fatigued, 12 kilos less, and a little stubborn. Also, I was completely out of it. I got to the hospital on time, with a blood sugar at 31.5 mmol. The worst part was not staying at the hospital for a week. The worst part was seeing my family and loved ones suffer.

With time I turned the suffering into empowerment. My goal became to help and educate others so hopefully they did not have to go through the same my family and I went through.

Diabetic Tip/Trick

There is no ultimate tip or trick. There are many things you can do. I always have food on me and I listen to my body. Do not over burden your body.

Thriving for Nurianne

It does not matter how bad your day was or is or how dissapointed you are with your diabetes. You know that tomorrow will be a new day and a new start. Its the optimistic view on life that things will get better and that its all because you want to make it better and are able to. What helps you thrive with diabetes? Love for life. Love for people and living with a purpose.

What do you wish someone told you earlier about diabetes?

Diabetes is not a death sentence. Life does not end with a diagnosis. A new life starts with its complications and challenges however with beautiful life lessons and journeys.

Words of Encouragement

You are stronger together. Make this journey beautiful, set life goals and help each other with health goals. After all many of us have health conditions and challenges.

What was it like becoming Miss World in 2018?

One of the most hectic years of my life. I enjoyed so much. At a certain point diabetes was a huge challenge while competing due to the stress. Diabetes never got in the way, I had to deal with more challenges such as high blood sugars but I made it through the whole reign including a month long competition in China without becoming severely affected by my blood sugars. I am absolutely proud of that.

Final Thoughts

My life changed completely when I was diagnosed. I have a purpose of education and guiding others in their health journey. A beautiful part of my life is that I have the opportunity to help others and guide others as well in my daily job as a lecturer at the University of Aruba with students. Considering how education and health merged I started my passion project ‘Q-rason’ which literally means curason ‘heart’ in papiamento or cu rason ‘with a reason/ purpose’ in papiamento my native language. Q-rason aims at educating and motivating but most importantly be that friend we all need by uniting people all over the world on health and well being.

Nurianne

Lastly, please follow Nurianne on Instagram here and check out who was featured last week here!