Sue Giannini

Sue Giannini was born and raised in the Chicago area.  She began working for her orthodontist right out of high school. As she became a mother to Christie and Jerry, she was a stay at home mother until they began elementary school. She returned to her position at the orthodontist’s office where she especially enjoyed working with the children, who made up the majority of the patient load. A few years later, the orthodontist retired and Sue then joined an oral surgeon. Always fascinated by surgery, Sue obtained a certification in anesthesiology from the University of Chicago. She continued working until her health issues became too challenging. She shares her story of how depression and family secrets and surprises impacted her life.

Sue is retired and lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Larry. While Sue says she’d love to travel the world, she most enjoys her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandson this fall.

Sue Giannini
630-653-1096

A Simple Phrase from Childhood Can Carry You Through Your Entire Life

Sue Giannini has a special tie to the Overcoming Mediocrity series. As the mother of Christie Ruffino, she encouraged and witnessed the growth of the DPWN organization and book collection. In her own right, Sue shares her story of overcoming one of life’s biggest challenges; depression.

Sue credits a strong relationship with her father as the key to overcoming her challenges. Growing up in a home where her mother battled depression, Sue and her father built a close relationship, one in which he continually encouraged her to never give up. In school work, her divorce, and career steps, Sue never gave up.

She would struggle later in life as the sudden loss of both her father and brother to suicide, caring for her ailing mother, and a shocking family secret sent her deep into depression. Drowning in grief while handling two estates and trying to perform her job, she learned that asking for help and seeking her own recovery was the most important part of never giving up.

Today, as a wife, mother, and grandmother, Sue shares her story to encourage others to seek help from doctors, counselors, and others equipped to provide healing and recovery. Most importantly, she shares the message so that others will not be ashamed of needing help in order to overcome and be their own remarkable woman.