Category: D-Stories

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Happy Birthday, Luther Vandross!

This May, join FANDROSS in Los Angeles, CA, for two exciting Mother’s Day weekend events honoring Luther Vandross.

On Saturday, May 10, 2025 explore Luther’s Artistry and Elegance costume exhibit at the GRAMMY Museum featuring trivia, rare photos, memorabilia, and a panel discussion with Max Szadek, Luther’s former assistant.

On Sunday night, May 11, 2025 enjoy Terry Steele‘s wonderful Luther Tribute Concerts in Bel Air at Vibrato Grill, in Bel Air, CA with special guest Pat Lacy-Aiken at 6 and 8:30 PM.

It is a privilege for Max Szadek to be featured in the NAACP Image Awards-nominated documentary Luther: Never Too Much, where he shares his story of discovering Luther Vandross after experiencing a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. He hopes to inspire others to proactively avoid a similar health crisis through advocacy.

Remember, if you notice any signs of a stroke, don’t hesitate to seek help right away – swift action can greatly impact your recovery. Let’s look out for each other! It’s essential to seek help, connect with a caring community, and share your journey.

Philadelphia’s beloved WDAS Radio personality, Patty Jackson, is a true inspiration! After surviving a stroke, she continues to bring joy to her audience behind the microphone and camera.

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L.A. Loves Luther Vandross In May 2025

This May, join FANDROSS in Los Angeles, CA, for two exciting Mother’s Day weekend events honoring Luther Vandross.

On Saturday, May 10, 2025 explore Luther’s Artistry and Elegance costume exhibit at the GRAMMY Museum featuring trivia, rare photos, memorabilia, and a panel discussion with me, Max Szadek, Luther’s former assistant.

Then, on Sunday night, May 11, 2025 enjoy Terry Steele‘s wonderful Luther Tribute Concerts in Bel Air at Vibrato Grill, in Bel Air, CA with special guest Pat Lacy-Aiken at 6 and 8:30 PM.

For more details, visit FANDROSS.com

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Why I Believe In The Power Of Love

Yesterday, in 1991, Luther Vandross released Power of Love / Love Power as a single for his seventh studio album, Power of Love. This song occupies such a powerful place in my heart.

We’d play it at the end of every Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes free outreach event to celebrate our community and pay tribute to Luther. His stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, gave me a mission in life to help others in upbeat, thoughtful, and powerful ways.

His opening phrase, “when I say goodbye is never for long because I know our love still lives on …” motivated me to jump into diabetes outreach without any experience, keep climbing over challenges and doubts and successfully present diabetes education in an entertaining way to thousands of women at risk, affected by, and living with diabetes and their loved ones.

Witnessing Luther’s health crisis and recovery firsthand motivates me to listen to my body, treat it well, and maintain wellness daily. This song reminds me that every day is a chance for me to do something to help others achieve greater health.

The Power Of Love was also the opening song on my first Luther tour, Never Let Me Go, in 1993. It was one of the last songs Luther sang when he accepted the Grammy for Song Of The Year via video on live TV.

I’m heading to Los Angeles on Mother’s Day weekend (May 10 and 11) to celebrate the amazing Luther Vandross!

I’ll be checking out the Luther Vandross: Artistry & Elegance Exhibit at the Grammy Museum and soaking up the vibes at Terry Steele‘s Luther Vandross Tribute concerts at the Vibrato Grill in Bel Air.

I can’t wait to meet fellow fans, share stories behind the sequins, and honor Luther’s incredible legacy. Stay tuned for more details—this is going to be a memorable celebration!


I hope you will join us for Divabetic’s free diabetes outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadlephia, PA.

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Divabetic Club 2025

Join us for our upcoming free Divabetic outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA.

For the past twenty years, Divabetic has been presenting free diabetes outreach in persona and online for thousands of women living with, at risk and affected by diabetes.

This month’s topic was ‘Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.’

These free monthly motivational meetings are for people touched by diabetes in Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH and New York.

Pattern Management is a skill that you can help you to manage your diabetes like a diva!

Mr. Divabetic talks to author Riva Greenberg about her new book, 50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life and the 50 Diabetes Truths That Can Save It at the Divabetic Club – NYC.

The Divabetic Club presents an upbeat mix of diabetes education and support. The safe environment of the Divabetic Club allows for participants to voice their failures and frustrations without judgement. It’s fondly referred to as a 12 step program for women living with diabetes by health professionals and patients alike.

Diabetes Late Nite podcast host, Mr. Divabetic and co-star Poet Lorraine Brooks joined comedians Tom Ragu and Nicky Sunshine on stage for a special performance at the Greenwich Village Comedy Club. As the member of the Diabetes Late Nite podcast team, Poet Lorraine Brooks writes original poems specifically for each monthly Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Mr. Divabetic challenges Poet Lorraine Brooks to play his favorite game, Shady Sugar to help raise awareness for the alarming amount of added sugar contained in many of today’s most popular beverages. If you play along you just might be surprised by the results: Dannon Dairy Drink Mango flavored (28 grams of sugar), VitaCoco Lemonade (30 grams of sugar), and Red Bull Energy Drink (39 grams of sugar).

Did you know the average American consumes around 22.2 teaspoons of added sugar every day? Both the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association (AHA) note that we should really be eating only a fraction of that amount. The AHA says that adult women should get 5 teaspoons (20 grams) of sugar per day, adult men 9 teaspoons (36 grams), and children 3 teaspoons (12 grams). If you quickly do the math, you’ll soon discover that one 12 fl oz Red Bull Energy Drink is way more than the recommended daily average.

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Divabetic’s Exclusive Angela Bofill Podcast

With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format. Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit.

Angela Bofill released 10 studio albums and numerous hit singles, including I Try, This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, and Angel Of The Night,  and was also inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. 

After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for The Angela Bofill Experience in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.

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A Food Journal

Keeping a food journal can be a fantastic way to manage diabetes! It’s a helpful tool that lets you track what you eat, when you eat, and even how different foods and meal timings impact your blood sugar levels. This makes it easier to take care of yourself and stay on top of your diabetes management.

Jotting down your meals and snacks can give you valuable insights into your eating patterns. It can also help you spot particular foods or times that might lead to cravings or less healthy choices.

You might even find out about food intolerances (gluten) or sensitivities that could be causing you some discomfort.

And the best part? Just knowing you’re keeping track can motivate you to make healthier choices and stick to your goals. It’s all about feeling your best!

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Goodbye Guesswork

Have you heard of a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)? It’s a device that tracks blood glucose levels continuously, providing real-time data to help manage diabetes and eliminate guesswork.

CGMs use a small sensor inserted under the skin to measure glucose levels. The sensor transmits data to a receiver (smartphone) that displays glucose levels and trends so you and your healthcare providers can identify patterns and potential problems with blood sugar levels. 

Medicare and commercial insurance plans cover CGMs, but eligibility and specific coverage details vary.

If you’re tired of the challenges without answers, it might be time to talk to your healthcare collaborators about getting and qualifying for a Continuous Glucose Monitor. 

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Divabetic Coming To Philadelphia In November


Changing our diet or mindset can feel like a daunting task, especially when it seems like others are breezing through the process. For our free upcoming Divabetic outreach on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Philadelphia, let’s engage in an activity, Plate Poetry, that fosters open discussion and support.

In the comments, think about something you’re considering taking off your plate—maybe a beloved snack, negative thought or an indulgence. For example, imagine what your life and health would be like if you removed ‘SHAME’ from your diagnosis. Being diagnosised iwth diabetes is not your fault and blaming yourself can hinder you from seeking help and improving your well-being.

Share something you’d like to put on your plate, perhaps a healthier alternative, positive mindset or activity that excites you.

For example, a friend of mine, Manny, faced the challenging decision to eliminate gluten from his diet due to celiac disease. While the availability of gluten-free options has grown, it still requires significant adjustment, especially for someone who enjoys Italian cuisine. It’s certainly possible to embrace this change, but it’s important to recognize the difficulties that come with it.

Manny chose to put the word, ‘TRY’ on his plate. His first goal was to switch from eating rye bread to quinoa and oats. Experts agree that it takes three months or more of fully eliminating gluten from your diet for your body and immune system to respond.

I often recall the valuable insight from a Registered Dietitian who emphasized, “I focus on telling people what to put on their plate, not what to take off.” This perspective encourages us to view dietary changes as opportunities rather than restrictions.

Philadelphia’s beloved WDAS Radio personality, Patty Jackson, is a true inspiration! After surviving a stroke, she shared that she wasn’t drinking enough water or listening to her body before it happened.

Fast forward nine years, and Patty is staying hydrated and thriving as she continues to bring joy to her audience behind the microphone and camera. It’s heartwarming to see her enjoying life and spreading positivity!

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Love Across Life Stages Of Diabetes Survey 2025 Results

We’re excited to share some highlights from our 2nd annual Love Across Life Stages of Diabetes Survey for Women, done in collaboration with DiabetesSisters!

With around 15 million women in the U.S. facing the ups and downs of diabetes daily, each of your stories is so important. Our survey seeks to shine a light on the unique experiences of women managing diabetes, hoping to provide insights that will enhance care, support, and encouragement.

It’s crucial to support women living with diabetes for their overall well-being. By connecting with others who understand similar experiences, expectations, and challenges, we can help ease the daily demands of self-care on your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Both DiabetesSisters and Divabetic are dedicated to creating safe spaces for women who are at risk, affected by, or living with diabetes, aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

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In Bed With Diabetes

For the past 64 years. Barbie has been a part of our lives, a cultural touchstone, or the quintessential image of what a woman should be but never will be – a sex or beauty object. Greta Gerwig’s big screen makeover and the related marketing blitz are making us revisit and reevaluate Barbie’s impact on our lives, including our sex lives.

After all, if Barbie and Ken are confused about what to do at sleepovers, you might be too, especially if you’re dealing with sexual health issues related to diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. People with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public.

Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon.

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy intimate life with diabetes. Inside you’ll find: The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women. An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy. Guidance on how to talk to your healthcare provider about intimacy-related issues. Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner. Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments, Authors Dr. Janis Roszler and Donna Rice use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way.

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