Katrina Villarreal is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Phoenix Preparatory for AZPreps365.com  

Positivity and determination is how Ecarterina “Cati” Garba approaches life and the obstacles that have come her way. 

At 5 years old, Cati was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and just a year later had lost her hearing in first grade. Cati and her mother, Mira Todorova,  said that both events came as a shock because they happened suddenly and at different times. 

Cati said that she woke up one day and she could not hear. 

“It was tough,” Cati said. “It just happened and I didn’t expect that to happen.” 

Cati is a sophomore at North Phoenix Preparatory and is currently on the cross country team. Cati has been running cross country since she was in second grade, where it first began as a way to stay healthy during her physical education class. 

Cross country became a passion when Cati was in third grade. Being able to run alongside her friends is one of the parts Cati enjoys when it comes to the sport.

“I got inspired by my coaches to push forward,” Cati said. “Having teammates means a lot. We push each other and at the same time we help and encourage each other.”

For Cati, she has learned to have courage while also making some sacrifices when it comes to barriers that she has had to overcome. Cati has learned to monitor what she eats with the help of an insulin pump that is connected to a continuous glucose monitoring device. Todorova said that the advancement in technology has been helpful.

“The insulin pump is an awesome tool that has a constant monitor and distributes insulin without the regular shot,” Todorova said. “If you don’t have this constant monitor, you wouldn’t know how much the food affects the body.”

Having diabetes and being hearing-impaired has affected Cati but not in the way many think, as Cati said that it has helped her become more organized and become stronger. Cati has been able to race without the diabetes affecting her performance.

Cati Garba participating during a cross country event. (Photo Courtesy of Cati Garba)

Cross country coach Brad Curtis said that Cati has been able to handle both diabetes and hearing loss without it interfering with anything that she does on the team. Cati competes on either the junior varsity or varsity team depending on who is competing. Cati is currently a 28-minute 5K runner but she does not let it stop her. 

Curtis said that Cati adds a dimension of personality to the team with her uplifting personality and her ability to really connect with the other girls on the team despite being on the younger side. 

“The hearing is the only major issue we’ve had trying to communicate with her on the course,” Curtis said. “Sometimes she can’t hear us, but other than that it has been fairly good. I know she regulates her diabetes pretty well and occasionally she'll have some low points and have to drop out of a practice. For the most part, she has been able to handle two years of high school cross country and work with the varsity athletes with no problems.”

Todorova said that Cati continues to excel no matter the restraints as she continues to be successful in everything she does. The steps and obstacles that Cati has faced has made her stronger than anyone else.

“She is different but in a good way, and she does know that,” Todorova said. “Even with the disability that she has she does not let that affect her passion to learn, grow and succeed. She is growing in an environment where she can follow her dreams.”

Although she is still a long way from college, Cati said she plans to continue her cross country career after high school. A big dream of hers is to compete in the Olympics.

For those who may be facing adversities, Cati said to have passion for what you are doing and everything will begin to fall into place. In terms of playing in a sport or running cross country while having diabetes, Cati encourages others to go ahead and do it.

“Do it for passion,” Cati said. “They shouldn't be scared (for their sugar) to drop low when they're doing physical education.”