Just wanted to share this amazing experience from Thursday night’s Soul Train Tribute to Luther Vandross at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, NY.
We kicked off the free outdoor screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary with a Soul Train Dance Line, and it was genuinely heartwarming to see so many people, including those using mobility devices, participating with such an upbeat attitude and joyful spirit.
It’s reported that as high as 80% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations happen due to mismanaged diabetes. Regardless of how or why someone experiences a lower limb amputation, it can stop them from wanting to take care of themselves and their diabetes self-care in the future. Allowing these people to still participate in social events and gatherings could boost their morale.
Moments like these remind me of the incredible resilience and determination of people facing challenges. Witnessing someone joining the Soul Train Dance Line on her scooter made me smile and brought back many beautiful memories of our past events.
We can’t wait to return to more outreach events soon to spread positivity and help everyone glamorize good health!
Freddie Jackson has been diagnosed with kidney disease. According to People Magazine, he made the statement yesterday on his social media.
“After a lot of thought and reflection, I’ve come to a point where I feel I’m ready to talk about a recent chapter in my life,” Freddie Jackson, 67, said in the video.
Freddie Jackson, who topped Billboard’s R&B singles charts in the 1980s with a slew of hits including “You Are My Lady,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” and “Jam Tonight,” said that he hopes his work with the National Kidney Foundation will “help shine a light on the importance of this issue.”
“It’s important to me that I share this with you, not just as a part of my personal story, but as a way to make a positive difference,” Freddie Jackson said. He’s partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney health and provide support.
Freddie Jackson is not living with diabetes, but there is a strong link between mismanaged diabetes and kidney disease.
Over time, diabetes that isn’t tightly managed can damage blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure.
High blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys. When the blood vessels are damaged, they don’t work as well.
On this Divabetic podcast, we’re talking with Nephrologist Dugan Maddux about kidney health. The music is by H.E.R. courtesy of SONY Music.
High blood pressure can also damage your kidneys.
Keeping your blood glucose levels and blood pressure within your target range is the best prevention for kidney disease. But it sounds easier than it is. If you’re struggling to manage your diabetes and blood pressure, seek help. A team approach to managing health conditions with competent, friendly, and open-minded collaborators.
Freddie Jackson thanked his fans for their support: “As I take this step, I’m turning my personal experience into a platform for greater understanding and advocacy. With your help, we can work towards better awareness and improved outcomes for everyone with kidney disease.
Join me tonight for the free screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, live Luther Tribute performances by Keith Anthony Fluitt, and a Q&A Panel with Fonzi Thornton and Dawn Porter in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.
Knowing and working for such an incredible artist and caring man was an honor. It’s a privilege to appear in the documentary to raise awareness of the tragic consequences of mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Seeing the trauma I experienced in my face on screen as I recalled the initial moments after Luther’s stroke made me realize how grateful I am to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and partnered with me on my various diabetes outreach efforts through my nonprofit organization, Divabetic. Org
Sadly, I wasn’t able to help Luther initially after he suffered a stroke. Heed my advice: if you are someone you love who has experienced a stroke, don’t wait to seek help or try to sleep. Every minute counts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.
Act F.A.S.T. to help identify the early signs and symptoms of a stroke:
F: Is there drooping on one side of the face? Is the person unable to smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
A: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there? Is there weakness or numbness in an arm or leg?
S: Is the person’s speech slurred or garbled? Are they unable to speak at all? Do they need help understanding what you’re saying to them?
T: If you notice any of these signs, call emergency services immediately
If you’re a Luther fan, please, “Keeping Your House A Home” by learning how to prevent diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and blindness has been my mission for the past 20 years, and it will continue to be.
If you see this documentary or love Luther’s music, you owe it to his legacy to educate and empower yourself about your health.
Enjoy our fully animated Mystery podcast, Murder Plain As Vanilla, packed with excellent diabetes information, a fun whodunnit, and many crazy characters.
Our mystery podcast is not just for mystery lovers. It’s an engaging way to learn about diabetes and self-care. Amidst colorful characters, thrilling adventures, and delightful settings, we offer health and wellness tips to help you take charge of your diabetes self-care.
We also promote the idea of thinking like a detective when you experience unexpected blood sugar fluctuations. Look for clues, gather data, talk to witnesses (friends, co-workers, and family members ), and present your ideas to healthcare professionals for solutions.
A team approach to managing your diabetes is also a great idea.
Here is a summary of Divabetic’s 10th Annual Original Mystery podcast, Murder Plan As Vanilla. Mr. Divabetic, a baking enthusiast, is invited by his arch-nemesis, Renata Whisk, to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition.
The Visions of Vanilla competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.
The competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.
However, before Max can start baking, he discovers the dead body of the Vanilla King of Madagascar. As luck would have it, Max was the last person to see the Vanilla King alive.
To prove his innocence, he seeks help from his team, USA Today’s best-selling author Tonya Kappes, health educator MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, former FBI Agent Pauline, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie.
Things take a turn for the worse when another baker is found dead near Max’s station, raising suspicions about his involvement in the murders. Even Max’s mother is at risk.
Now, with only Renata Whisk’s Puffed Pastry recipe, a rolling pin, and his team’s expertise in solving murders and providing diabetes health information, Max must solve the mystery or die trying.
Diabetic Mysteries: Murder Plain As Vanilla features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, MaryAnn Nicolay, Catherine Schuller, Dave Jones, Seveda Williams, Leisa Chester Weir, and Amparo Peterkin. Written by Max Szadek and Wendy Radford. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Animated by Max Szadek
Join me for the upcoming ImageNation’s SOUL TRAIN Tribute to Luther Vandross on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 6 PM, in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, NY.
It’s going to be a sensational night celebrating Luther’s legacy. The night starts with DJ Stormin Norman and a Soul Train Dance Line. Several local performers will perform, including Chandlar and Karen J, Chris Rob, Heshima, Michael Pollydore, and our friend Keith Anthony Fluitt. Keith performed a few of Luther’s iconic hits at Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Music & Style Celebration in April.
After the outdoor screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, Director Dawn Porter and singer and songwriter Fonzi Thornton participate in a Q&A session. The celebration continues with an AfterParty featuring live bands and a DJ interweaving Luther Tributes in their sets at Shrine World Music Venue, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between 133rd & 134th Streets, New York, NY 10030.
Earlier this week, I spoke to one of the event organizers, Joy Enterprises’ Marko S. Nobles, owner of Rhythm and Soul Radio. Marko spent years learning, growing, and becoming an experienced PR, Marketing, Radio, Event Production, and Entertainment professional.
Marko’s Rhythm and Soul Radio played Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams‘ song “Mama Kitchen Table” last summer. Paulette and I wrote the lyrics to this song, which topped the UK Soul Charts. Marko, a stroke survivor, said Joy Enterprises hosts a Soul Train Tribute every year to celebrate Don Cornelius‘s legacy of Don and the artists who appeared on Soul Train. Past honorees include superstars Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.
“I grew up on Soul Train,” says Marko. “It was a Saturday morning staple in our households.” When I asked Marko why he chose Luther as this year’s featured artist, he said, “Luther had strong ties to the Apollo, starting with ‘Listen My Brother.'” A teenage Luther Vandross was part of Apollo’s musical ensemble, Listen My Brother, which performed several times on Sesame Street during its early seasons.
Every year, there’s an independent film tied into the celebration, along with multiple mini-concerts featuring local independent artists performing songs by their legends.
“I’ve always been into radio,” adds Marko. His company, Rhythm, and Soul Radio was born from his weekly Tuesday night WHUR radio show on City College, which follows our friend Alyson Williams’ program.
Like the upcoming Luther Celebration in Harlem, Marko’s internet-based Rhythm and Soul Radio channel celebrates independent artists.
On this Divabetic podcast, writer Clarence Waldron talks about his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Editor and Writer of Jet Magazine, and his memories of Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.
In the documentary, I discuss the traumatic moment when I discovered Luther after he suffered a stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, Luther’s recovery was short-lived; he passed away in 2005.
Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Clarence and Marko’s stories are excellent reminders of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the National Stroke Association, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms.
I styled one of Luther’s outfits for the “I Know” album uncredited. At the time, Luther had gained considerable weight and was not interested in clothes or being photographed.
By this time in my tenure with Luther, I knew I had to bring some clothes (in his sizes) to supplement what the stylist had brought to shoots. I found a navy blue Polo Anorak jacket with a white stripe down the sides at Bloomingdale’s that camouflaged his size. Much to Luther’s dismay, the photographer shot Luther on the back of the set piece. It was a bare wood wall. I think I kept the jacket 🙂 George Corsillo, who designed Luther’s album covers starting with the Night I Fell In Love, was involved in the shoot. If I recall, Luther loved the cover design from the first minute he saw it.
Have you tried Chobani’s Zero Sugar yogurts? If so, please share your comments to add to our upcoming blog post.
Small changes can help manage diabetes, but where do you start? Many zero-sugar, less-sugar, and reduced-sugar foods have a strange aftertaste or leave you unsatisfied and wanting to eat more. The more these products proliferate in grocery store aisles, the more hopeless our search becomes. We’d love to hear what works or doesn’t for achieving your diabetes health goals. Let’s help each other out with some valuable insights!
Mr. Divabetic talks to nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND about The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes digital download.
Podcast guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.
Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly. Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat? If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.
I attended the U.S. Open earlier this week and witnessed some incredible matches. While on the grounds, I heard Sloane Stephens playing in one of the stadiums. She was ahead 6-0, 4-1, but ultimately lost in three sets. I can only imagine how devastated she must have felt after the loss. How does one bounce back from such a disappointing defeat on one of the U.S. Open’s main courts, especially when commentators like Chris Evert are critical of your performance? Rennae Stubbs, whom I greatly admire as an announcer, mentioned that Sloane needs to learn how to win again after a tough summer season. Losing a tennis match can be frustrating and disappointing, especially if you have high expectations for your performance.
Similarly, managing unexpected blood sugar levels can be a setback that requires steadiness and resilience. Just as in tennis, where you need to stay focused and composed even when things don’t go as planned, managing blood sugar levels demands steadfastness and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Both situations require patience, determination, and the willingness to adjust your game plan when things don’t go your way.
Sometimes, you need a plan B. For someone living with diabetes, that may mean finding a new healthcare collaborator. If you feel your provider isn’t providing advice, encouragement, or resources to help you, which is expected, then it’s time for a change. Constant worrying, negative thinking, and always expecting the worst can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. It can sap your emotional strength, leave you feeling restless and jumpy, cause insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, and muscle tension, and make it difficult to concentrate at work or on court. Check out this HelpGuide.Org RESOURCEGuide.
During the match I was watching, I saw LuLu Sun from New Zealand, the surprise Wimbledon quarterfinalist, playing in her first U.S. Open with high expectations. Unfortunately, her match coincided with the big-serving American Chris Eubanks‘s intense five-set battle, spilling large crowds of Eubanks fans into the stands at LuLu’s match. So, there she was, New Zealand’s tennis ace, playing her first match on an outside court with fans screaming nearby and planes flying overhead. On top of that, the lighting was rapidly changing from day to night, making things even more challenging. Watching LuLu, I realized that the U.S. Open isn’t as glitz and glamour as expected.
Having high expectations or setting high standards for ourselves may increase stress and pressure to meet those expectations. If we perceive ourselves as falling short of our dreams, this can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy. The fear of failure and the constant drive for perfection can take a toll on our mental well-being, potentially leading to burnout and feelings of frustration. It’s essential to strike a balance and set realistic expectations to maintain a healthy mindset and prevent unnecessary strain on our mental health. If you’re plagued by exaggerated worry and tension, there are steps you can take to turn off anxious thoughts. Chronic worrying is a mental habit that can be broken. You can train your brain to stay calm and look at life from a more balanced, less fearful perspective. Check out this HelpGuide.Org RESOURCE Guide.
Our friend, Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CD, shares “Fear of Diabetes Complications” with our Divabetic community in this blog post. READ MORE. In the blog post, “Dr. Bev” states the topic of diabetes complications stirs up a lot of emotional issues. Some well-meaning but uninformed people (they call themselves your family and friends) may tell you that if you eat that slice of cake, you will lose a toe or go blind. Trying to guilt you into eating healthy does not work. It makes many people with diabetes become oppositional and eat that slice – and more – just because they want to be assertive.
National Mindfulness Day is coming up on Thursday, September 12, 2024. One tip to help cope with worrying is to write down your worries. If an anxious thought or worry comes into your head during the day, briefly note it and then continue about your day. Remind yourself that you’ll have time to think about it later, so there’s no need to worry about it right now. Also, writing down your thoughts—on a pad or on your phone or computer—is much more complex than simply thinking about them, so your worries are more likely to lose their power.
Sometimes, being clever pays off. 🙂 We’re thrilled by the response to our Barbie-themed podcast on “Love and Intimacy with Diabetes” with ‘Sweet Romance‘ Co-Authors Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, PhD and Donna Rice RN, PhD, CCNE, CNE, which has become a summer YouTube hit.
I approached my friends, highly credentialed educators Janis and Donna, with an idea to discuss sex, sexual dysfunction, and diabetes using Barbie and Ken. Since Barbie and Ken aren’t equipped to have sex, talking about the sexual dysfunction issues that stop us from intimacy made sense to me.
The good news is that Donna and Janis willingly agreed to play along, and people from around the globe have been tuning into our conversation, which is packed with good advice and tips.
We’ve gained 100+ views on YouTube over the last month and hundreds on Blog Talk Radio, Spotify, and iTunes!! I’m happy we can offer free advice on a sensitive topic in an entertaining way.
sss
Romantic relationships play an essential role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. Intimacy-related issues can be complicated to discuss with a partner or a healthcare collaborator. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance.
The Sweet Romanceseries provides practical information and expert advice on this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.
Season 3 of one of my favorite Acorn TV shoes, Under The Vines, tackles the challenges of adult-onset blindness. The blindness of the owner of the neighboring vineyard, Hilary (Catherine Wilkin), is worsening. What Hillary is experiencing isn’t just a great storyline in a TV drama; it’s more common than you think.
One of the leading causes of blindness in U. S. adults is mismanaged diabetes. Diabetes Retinopathy is a condition caused by diabetes, which disrupts the body’s ability to convert food into energy and can damage the eyes.
Many people with diabetes don’t realize they have it until organ damage has occurred, so regular health and vision check-ups are essential.
Hilary struggles to accept her condition and ask for help. She is stubborn, willful, and narrow-minded, much like many people struggling with worsening health conditions. She flatly refuses her rival, Miranda’s offers to take her to the doctor, clean her house, and help run her vineyards. Of course, Miranda has ulterior motives for helping Hilary, but that’s another story.
If you’re concerned about your vision, follow the advice of healthcare collaborators on how often you should go for exams. Always contact an eye care provider when you have a change in vision or something wrong with your eyes. Wear your prescription glasses and contact lenses when necessary. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels tightly managed, and manage your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They cause the eye’s lens to harden and turn yellow. In the US, nearly 20.5 million people over 40 have cataracts.
The type of treatment available depends on your condition. Providers can treat some forms of blindness with medications or glasses but can’t treat others, such as those where your eyes are missing or completely damaged. In these cases, your provider may recommend visual rehabilitation. Vision rehabilitation aims to enhance visual functioning to meet your goals and improve your quality of life.
Actors Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards star in Under The Vines as two city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard, Oakley Vineyards, in rural New Zealand. The only problems are that neither of them has ever done a hard day’s work—and they despise one another.
On a hot Summer day, I picked up a can of Swoon Pink Lemonade at my neighborhood Bodega. I had never heard of Swoon before, but the bright colors and the big Zero Sugar caught my eye. I googled the product and found out that Swoon co-founder Jen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age. She was on the hunt for delicious, zero-sugar drinks with little success. Cristina and her co-founder created a sweet, fruity, tart, and deliciously flavored drink.
The only thing to note is that it does have a slight stevia aftertaste that tingles on your tongue. Apart from Pink Lemonade, Swoon offers exciting flavors like Lemonade, Ginger Lemonade, Half and Half, Peach Tea, Lemon Tea, Raspberry Tea, and Peach Tea.
What’s even cooler is that when you buy a case of Swoon online, they donate one can to a needy family through the nonprofit Wellfare and their first-of-its-kind Better Box program that’s improving access to convenient nutrition in low-income communities.
After a quick scan of the Swoon®. website, I stumbled upon this fun cocktail recipe! It’s easy-breezy, hot-pink, frosty, and delicious. You can add vodka or have it as a mocktail.
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds cubed watermelon (about 4 cups) 1 12-ounce can pink lemonade, such as Swoon® Pink Lemonade
Many people consume more sugar than they realize. Our bodies don’t need sugar to function properly. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 6% of calories each day. For most American women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. For men, it’s no more than 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons.
We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘ADDED SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast. Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP. Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
