Daily diabetes management can be tough, especially when unexpected blood sugar fluctuations occur. Turn to friends and family for help. No, asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength and self-awareness, demonstrating the ability to recognize your limitations and seek support when needed.
Living with diabetes can be a challenging experience, especially when it comes to your relationships. That’s why it’s important to talk to your loved ones about your diabetes diagnosis and how it affects your life. It can help you surround yourself with a more supportive and encouraging environment.
Co-authors of Divabetic’s ebook, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love & Intimacy With Diabetes, Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, CDCES, LD/N, FAND, and Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES offer advice on discussing your diabetes diagnosis as well as issues related to intimacy, fertility, and menopause with the people you care about the most.
Romantic relationships play an important 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. And intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a health care provider. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. The Sweet Romance series is here to give you practical information and expert advice to tackle 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.
Patti LaBelleinspired me to create the term “Divabetic” during a memorable Luther Vandross Tribute Concert in New York City back in 2003.
Watching her shine on stage, radiant and dressed to impress, she shared, “I have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have me.” Her courage and sparkle made me reflect, “You’re not just a diabetic; you’re a DIVA.”
That’s when the idea of “Divabetic” popped into my head. Once I got home, I noted the word ‘diabetic’ in black ink and then creatively added a ‘v’ in red. It suddenly clicked that the ‘v’ symbolized Vandross and the divine divas he loved, like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and of course, Patti LaBelle.
I realized that encouraging Luther’s fans to embrace a fresh perspective (“NEW ATTITUDE”) on living with diabetes—just like Patti did—could really transform health outcomes.
For the past twenty years, Patti LaBelle has shown the world that you can GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS, and live well with diabetes every day.
While I don’t remember Luther discussing his diabetes openly, I knew he had a huge support system for his music, but when it came to managing his health, he faced it on his own. Tragically, he suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes at just 52. But you don’t have to follow that path or choose to walk it alone.
It’s essential to seek help, connect with a caring community, and share your journey. After all, living with diabetes can be fabulous! For over twenty years, I’ve been on this mission, all thanks to the inspiration from Patti LaBelle.
Through the Divabetic programs, podcasts, and videos, I’ve reached hundreds of thousands of men and women, spreading awareness and positivity. Let’s live life like a diva!
It is a privilege to be featured in the NAACP-nominated documentary Luther: Never Too Much and to share my story of discovering Luther after he suffered a stroke related to mismanaged diabetes, hoping to help others avoid a health crisis.
My hope is that by sharing our experiences, we can encourage others to take preventative steps for their health. If you live alone, please make sure you have a solid support system in place for any emergencies.
Remember, if you notice any signs of a stroke, don’t hesitate to seek help right away – taking quick action can really make a difference in your recovery. Let’s look out for each other!
ince many of you might be watching the Luther: Never Too Much documentary on CNN, I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about my journey. After discovering Luther, after he suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I felt driven to become a diabetes advocate.
I joined Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, on the promotional tour for Luther’s album, Dance With My Father. Sadly, Luther suffered a stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes before the album’s release.
It was a meaningful time as I shared updates about health with the media. After the tour wrapped up, I asked Mrs. Vandross if she’d be interested in participating in the first PSA for Divabetic, produced by my dear friend, Gay Ball O’Brien. Our shared loss made us a powerful team advocating for diabetes education and stroke prevention.
This path led me to found Divabetic.Org, a nonprofit dedicated to reaching out to those at risk, impacted by, and living with diabetes.
The phrase Divabetic is a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with a ‘V’ for Vandross to celebrate all the divas that Luther loved.
Patti LaBelle, living well with type 2 diabetes, inspired me one night during a Luther Tribute concert in New York City. In the middle of her performance, she boldly declared, “I have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have me,” which really struck a chord with me. Her confidence and glamour made me think, “She’s not just a diabetic; she’s a diva!”
When I got home after the concert, I felt inspired to jot down the word “diabetic” in black ink and cleverly add a ‘v’ in red ink. At that moment, it hit me that the ‘v’ stands for Vandross!
A few months later, when I traveled to Philadelphia with Luther to visit his mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, guess who was there? Patti LaBelle!
I was thrilled to present her with the first Divabetic t-shirt and share how much she had motivated me. Over the years, she’s graciously called herself a ‘Divabetic,’ and it’s such an honor!
The mission of Divabetic is to transform lives by changing attitudes, boosting spirits, and encouraging hope and motivation for those living with, affected by, or at risk of diabetes.
I couldn’t turn my back on what happened; instead, I became determined to help Luther’s fans and others learn to keep their house a home and stay healthy.
I focus on preventing diabetes complications, promoting a team approach to self-management, and educating everyone about handling unexpected self-care crises.
Luther suffered a stroke in April 2003, and by November, I was busy selling Divabetic t-shirts with the slogan “Sugar’s The Bitch Not Me” to raise funds for diabetes organizations.
I also volunteered on the national diabetes TV show, d-life, and started offering free coaching classes with two inspiring women who live with type 1 diabetes.
Fast forward to 2006, and I was out there participating in health fairs across NYC, including the Apollo Theater. I hosted monthly diabetes education meetings with a certified educator and launched my first major program, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes, with support from Novo Nordisk.
Over the next two years, my program gained recognition, becoming the highest-rated diabetes program for Novo Nordisk worldwide!
I continued to bring unique diabetes outreach to major cities, started a podcast, and created ‘man on the street’ videos to empower those living with diabetes.
Divabetic’s Diabetes Plate Poetry “What’ s on Your Plate?” video describes the emotional experience of living with diabetes. An important component of diabetes self-management, but often unaddressed, is the topic of emotional well being.
The Divabetic Club empowers those living with diabetes through media to manage their lives in healthier ways. People living with diabetes face numerous challenges in managing their disease on a day- to- day basis. Divabetic wants to encourage these individuals to stay positive and healthy in their self-management.
Our mission to glamorize good health combines fitness, nutrition, style and positive energy.
Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Tribute podcasts aim to celebrate Luther’s musical legacay, share information on the emotions associated with managing diabetes and the underlying reasons attributed to those emotions, and encourage people to ‘keep their house a home’ by learning to prevent diabetes health-related complications from occurring.
I’ve had the pleasure of creating ten Divabetic mystery podcasts with the amazing Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes!
It’s been such a rewarding experience to empower others through storytelling. Our goal is to encourage listeners to think like detectives when it comes to self-care issues. We help them search for clues regarding unexpected high and low blood sugar readings and report back to their healthcare providers.
After facing challenges, including being unwelcome at a prominent church for being gay, I found support in my volleyball league, Gotham Volleyball.
I launched the Coming Out Project to help others embrace their identities.
In 2017, after Alfa Anderson’s album release (featuring her When Luther Sings tribute song, I organized reunion concerts at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar in NYC to celebrate Luther’s musical family resulting in the creation of FANDROSS.
I also produced several Luther Tribute podcasts featuring Luther’s friends, peers, collaborators and health educators.
Working with Luther Vandross also inspired me musically. My first foray into lyric writing led to the Billboard Dance Chartting single, That Man Of Mine, with singer songwriter, Cindy Mizelle and backing vocals by Brenda White-King.
I co-wrote UK Soul Chart hit, Mama’s Kitchen Table and the holiday breakup ballad, Pink Champagne with musician, songwriter, producer Ivan Hampden Jr. and singer, songwriter Paulette McWilliams.
I teamed up with the dynamatic sister duo, Crystal Penny, and Ivan Hampden Jr., to pen, Standards, my tribule to the legendary female vocalists whose music compose the soundtrack of my life.
So, thank you all for your concern—I’m doing well, staying busy, and ready to present more diabetes outreach with dazzle this year
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic raises awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way at the Columbus Day Parade in New York, NY.
More than 35,000 marchers took part in the parade, which featured the giant head of Christopher Columbus mounted on a float. Onlookers waved Italian flags while police officers wore Italian-American sashes over their uniforms and music blasted from bagpipers and marching bands. “It’s one day of the year that we can be proud to be Italians,” one parade-goer said.
Mr. Divabetic plays his nutrition game, “Serve, Taste or Trash!” with New Yorkers along the parade route to hilarious results. In the game, you’re given three choices of fruits and vegetables. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash. Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables.
The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones. And the texture is crispy, rather than mushy. Let Mr. Divabetic inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Tune in to Divabetic’s free monthly podcast, Diabetes Late Nite hosted by Mr. Divabetic on blog talkradio.
.oin Divabetic’s facebook page, follow Mr. Divabetic on Twitter and learn more about sponsorship opportunities and event details visit: www.divabetic.org
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his new food game, “Serve, Taste or Trash” at the fifth annual Summer Streets – NYC:
