Carlos, the author
On Tuesday, January 28, 1986, the world was shocked by the cloud of smoke left behind by the Space Shuttle Challenger after it exploded over Florida, 73 seconds after takeoff. That day and that night, I was experiencing my very personal "tragedy." That was the day of my final diagnosis as an insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetic. My life would never be the same.
Nearly four decades have passed, and I am no longer the high school student I was then. I am an adult "who graduated in diabetes" and wishes to share with you his journey with this chronic condition. It has been a long and steep road; however, it has taken me to inestimable heights of self-discovery, appreciation, and gratitude.
I am Carlos Navarro, a Mexican born in the city of Puebla. My husband, Eduardo, has generously shared his life with me for almost 30 years. When he met me, I had already had diabetes for 11 years. For two decades, we lived in the vast capital of my country, but for several years now, we have resided on the Mexican Pacific coast. The touristy city of Puerto Vallarta is now our home.
Swimming and the ocean are two of my most beloved affections!
For more than two decades, my work consisted of political and media analysis for the United States government. Responding to an invitation from the Mexican President’s Chief of Staff, I worked at the President's official residence from 2012 to 2016. Currently, I have a consulting firm, which I named Connect with Mexico, focused on educating foreigners about Mexico.
I can say with absolute certainty that life has offered me no greater challenge than living with diabetes. No other event can compare in severity, demand for constant attention, and uninterrupted preventive and corrective action. I also affirm, with the same conviction, that I have become a better person since the final message of the diagnosis reached my ears and my conscience on that terrible January 28th. After the obligatory period of denial, rebellion, and blame-assignment that followed my diagnosis, I accepted diabetes as an intrinsic part of my existence. It was a fundamental and affirmative step.
Through my experience and reflection, I have discovered that, in all its irony, the arrival of diabetes has been a contradictorily positive event for me and those around me. It can become a profound source of learning, transcendence, and, yes, also satisfaction. I'm certain it can be the same for you.