Police officer ‘superhero’ for kids at summer camp

UIC Police Officer Lisa Rau is accustomed to presenting talks about personal safety to college kids. But her recent audience was a little different — kids ages 4 to 9 who have diabetes.

The youngsters were attending a summer camp for kids with diabetes sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and UIC, held July 7 through 11 at the Student Recreation Facility.

“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 years old. It was really scary,” Rau said. “So I know what these kids are going through.”

The diabetes association also held day camps in Des Plaines, Glen Ellyn, Palos Park and Ingleside.

The UIC camp brought in a new speaker each day in keeping with a superhero theme, including Suzanne Elder, program director of adolescent and school health for the Chicago Department of Public Health, Rachel Janovsky, one of the association’s youth ambassadors, optometrist Fernand Jimenez and Rep. Tom Cross.