“80% of people with Alzheimer’s disease have either full-blown diabetes or insulin resistance. The link between insulin resistance and AD is so obvious to some researchers they’ve began calling it diabetes type 3!,” reports registered nutritionist Tim Reed BSc mBANT rCNHC for Medium.
Research has revealed a strong link between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and high blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes who mismanage their blood sugar levels—are two to three times more likely to suffer from the most common form of dementia.
Barry Manilow’s classic hit, I Made It Through The Rain sparks real-life confessions about overcoming challenges related to diabetes self-care on this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.
Hear how Alyson Williams, who is living with type 2 diabetes, made a triumphant return to the stage after her near-death experience from COVID and “The Rollercoaster Ride Of Diabetes” blogger, FatCatAnna, who is living with type 1 diabetes, opens up about her attempted suicide and managing diabetes in a mental hospital.
Additionally, we’re sharing an honest, no-filter look at the daily grind of living with diabetes and practical ways to help you pivot and stay positive. We encourage others with diabetes to live life to the fullest and apply Barry Manilow’s attitude to their daily lives.
“I believe that we are who we choose to be. Nobody is going to come and save you. You’ve got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you anything. You’ve got to go and fight for it,” says the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning music icon with 50 Top 40 hits, 12 #1 singles, and more than 85 million albums.
Guests include The First Lady of Def Jam Alyson Williams, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, diabetes advocate, blogger, and mentor FatCatAnna. Music from The Essential Barry Manilow courtesy of SONY Music. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
July’s Divabetic Inspiration, Ms. Patti LaBelle performs tonight on A Capitol Fourth on PBS and NPR, July 4 at 8 PM. EST. TUNE IN
It seems only fitting on the 4th of July to reflect back to the time when Patti LaBelle’s electric persona sparked my desire to become a diabetes advocate.
Yes, it’s true the world’s most famous ‘Divabetic’, Patti LaBelle inspired me to coin the phrase ‘Divabetic’ in 2003. During a Luther Tribute concert at Madison Square Garden she stopped singing and admitted to the sold-out audience that she was living with type 2 diabetes.
Ms. Patti LaBelle said, “I have diabetes, it doesn’t have me.’ and I thought to myself as I looked up at her on stage, ‘she’s a DIVA, not a diabetic’.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now it’s time to let it through
Seconds later, I realized that the ‘V’ in ‘Divabetic’ was a subtle reference to my boss, Luther Vandross’s last name. These initial thoughts are what pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue diabetes advocacy. Shortly thereafter, I started making ‘Divabetic’ t-shirts as a one-time diabetes fundraising effort. My t-shirts had ‘Divabetic written on the front and ‘Sugar’s The Bitch. Not Me.’ written on the back.
I personally gave Patti LaBelle one of my first Divabetic t-shirts and told her that she inspired me to coin the phrase ‘Divabetic’. We were both visiting Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross at her home in Philadelphia, PA. I told her how much I appreciated what she said up on stage and mentioned that I wished Luther could have been as open and forthright about his diabetes as she is.
Of course, I’ll never really know what would have happened if Luther had adopted Patti LaBelle’s attitude. Could he have avoided a major health crisis? All I know is that I wouldn’t have felt as helpless as I did when I found him on the floor of his home after he suffered a debilitating stroke.
Since the day I presented Patti LaBelle with a Divabetic t-shirt, she has happily proclaimed herself a ‘Divabetic’ on TV and radio and in magazine interviews. She has helped me to show women living with, at risk, affected by diabetes that they are NOT alone.
https://youtu.be/kxCcTfAkaE0
Let Ms. Patti LaBelle inspire you to create your very own entourage of healthcare professionals to live with diabetes like a diva!
According to the American Diabetes Association, your diabetes wellness healthcare team should include: your primary doctor, endocrinologists, registered dietitian (RD), certified diabetes educators (CDE), eye doctor, podiatrist, dentist, therapist, and loving, caring friends, family and co-workers.
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
My journey may seem ‘glamorous’ but the truth is that diabetes devastated my life and my dream. It silenced Luther Vandross’ beautiful voice. I encourage you to make time and ‘keep your house a home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication such as stroke from occurring.
We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”– Ms.Patti LaBelle. She has inspired us to adopt and promote a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes!
Thank you to our loyal listeners for sharing your stories, questions, concerns, and successes with us over the past decade. Our aim has been and continues to be to broaden the appeal of diabetes education with music, beauty/style, games, real-life stories, cozy mysteries radio dramas, and laughter.
10th Year Anniversary Podcast guests include: Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Terri Seidman and special guests.
One lucky listner in our random drawing will win aDario Blood Glucose Meterstarter kit. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes.
We’d like to acknowledge everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members living with diabetes and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing.
Divabetic is proud to partner with the Vandross Family Estate to present the inaugural Fandross Festival celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross.
As much as we’re looking forward to seeing Luther’s outstanding band members and vocalists perform again and meeting fans we are more interested in helping those at risk, affected by and living with diabetes to stay happy and healthy.
Luther Vandross had over 50 people supporting him with his music but when it came to managing his type 2 diabetes, he chose to manage it alone. That was a terrible mistake because daily diabetes management is challenging as well as overwhelming for many. Don’t go it alone choose to manage your diabetes with ‘team approach’ and build your own healthcare entourage. Working with different healthcare providers, family members and friends helps you to learn in-depth information regarding their health and well-being, boost confidence and find comfort during difficult times. It also ensures that your needs are cared for and addressed.
If Luther’s music has brought joy to your life, then please take a minute to “Keep your House A Home” and learn how to prevent diabetes health-related complications (such as stroke) from occurring. The first step is learning to love yourself and your diabetes health without shame.
Are you ashamed of your diabetes? Afraid of judgment?
Denial of a diagnosis plays a significant role in why people may experience diabetes health-related complications. Ignoring your diabetes has significant repercussions. Learning to accept your diagnosis is not easy and for some, takes years.
Here are three ways to help break the diabetes shame cycle.
1. Respond, don’t react. If your medical professionals are judgmental, consider switching. Realize that you’re in a system that creates shame. Change your mind about how you’re going to see that system.
2. Think about how to transform your behavior and why. “When we really let ourselves understand what our values are and value those things, we are less likely to call ourselves bad people,” says Joseph Nelson, a psychologist in Minneapolis and spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. “By getting in touch with what we want in the world, we can tell ourselves that we’re OK and get rid of the shame. Value who you are, no matter what.”
3. Seek support. “Surround yourself with people who know your deeper motivation to change, who aren’t critical, and who are open enough in your relationship with them so that when they do act in a shaming way, you can approach them and tell them why what they’re saying is counterproductive,” says Ann Goebel-Fabbri, PhD, a psychologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Fandross Festival 2018 Calendar of Events:Fandross Kick-Off Party & Live Music Tribute hosted by Alfa Anderson at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar on 5/10/18, Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton Concert with VIP Meet & Greet at the Blue Note on 5/11/18, Fandross Festival (Film & Panel Discussion) at SVA Theater on 5/12/18, Fandross ’80’s Music & Fashion Brunch featuring Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP and Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE at Casa de Femme on 5/13/18. All tickets sold separately on Eventbrite. More event details at Divabetic.org
Enoy our Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast with guests include ‘Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes’ Author Dr. Michelle May, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, R & B Singer Alyson Williams, ‘Here & Now’ Songwriter and Entertainer Terry Steele, Seveda Williams, Luther Vandross Historian Leon Petrossian and Luther Superfan John Price. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring selected songs from the album entitled ‘Busy Body’ courtesy of SONY Music. On ‘Busy Body’, Luther Vandross’ third album features ‘Superstar’, ‘For the Sweetness Of Your Love’, and the duet with Dionne Warwick entitled ‘ How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye’. LISTEN NOW
