Divabetic: A Fighter With a Centerfold Face

“Imagine a fighter with a centerfold face.” is one of singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert’s favorite lyrics. “That’s how I picture all of my friends. They’re strong — and gorgeous. They make me proud.”

Miranda might sing about the bathroom sink but if you’re using insulin therapy to manage your diabetes, do not store insulin in the bathroom. Bathrooms tend to get overheated and can be too hot for insulin. Choose a temperature-controlled closet or cabinet that is easy to access.

Miranda Lambert is one of the biggest names in the industry, but she knows she isn’t perfect. The multi-time Female Vocalist of the Year winner says not winning ‘Nashville Star’ in 2003 was the best thing that could have happened. It gave her time to mature as an artist and to write and record songs that she believed in.

“When you’re in the industry and you hear ‘platinum’ you think of platinum album,” says Miranda. “But platinum is a lot of things: its hair, it’s diamonds and platinum, it’s Bud Light Platinum, it’s the color of an Airstream.”

Platinum is a double-meaning title. First, it refers to Miranda Lambert’s hair — as she sings on the title track, “what doesn’t kill you only makes you blonder” — the second meaning refers to her fame, a topic she returns to often throughout her fifth record.

The old-time shuffle Gravity’s a Bitch is a riotous admission that there’s no denying the ravages of old age. Aging with diabetes isn’t easy but it is doable.

Sure, over time, the effects of diabetes can become much more complicated. The disease can lead to serious, even life-threatening problems from your head to your toes. But with age comes wisdom. Some aspects of your self-care that were daunting at first become automatic. Most divas with diabetes we talk to, admit that sticking with a plan is solid advice.

 

Miranda Lambert and her album Platinum are inspiring us to talk about the high cost of living with diabetes on our popular monthly podcast.

The International Diabetes Federation is leading a three-year World Diabetes Day campaign to improve access to diabetes care and highlight the need for increased action to prevent diabetes and its complications. Securing universal access to insulin for all remains a global challenge. The barriers to access and affordability are complicated. The multiple steps involved in the production, distribution, and pricing, as well as the infrastructure required to ensure the appropriate and safe use of insulin are laced with greed. Get involved in the #insulin4all campaign to unite the diabetes community to fight together for access to diabetes supplies, care, and treatment for everyone.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Best-Selling Author Kim BoykinMarina Tsaplina, and Mama Rose Marie.

We’re playing selected songs from Miranda Lambert’s album, Platinum courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

Divabetic Mysteries podcast: A Christmas Peril is inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

Dolly Parton’s Coming to Diabetes Late Nite This February!

We’re talking about ‘Self-Acceptance & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from Dolly Parton’s Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture soundtrack on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 6 PM, EST.  

February’s line up of guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP,  Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN, and the Type 2 Diabetes – What To Know Community moderator Autumn Reed. Plus, we’re giving away copies of Lisa R. Young’s new book, ‘Finally Full, Finally Slim:30 Days to Permanent Weight Loss One Portion at a Time’ – tune in to win!

The Netflix film, Dumplin’, based on the best-selling 2015 novel by Julie Murphy, is about a plus-size Texas teenager named Willowdean, who uses Dolly Parton’s music and life philosophies to cope with the death of her Aunt Lucy. When Willowdean decides to challenge the unrealistic beauty standards of her Texas town, Dolly’s music guides her to find friendship and support in unlikely places.

Most psychologists agree that self-love or self-esteem (which are similar, although maybe not exactly the same) begin in childhood. If your parents love you, you are likely to feel better about yourself. But many parents are too stressed or too wounded to give their kids that kind of love. As a result, people may feel unlovable or unworthy their whole life. Media images might reinforce those negative feelings.

During the podcast we will be discussing why the journey to self-love may be complicated for many people living with diabetes and how to love yourself when your body seems to be betraying you, or when you blame yourself for health problems. Additionally, our guests will  share tips on how to resist the power structures that make them believe they aren’t worthy of love or celebration

Throughout February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we will be playing music from Dolly Parton’s Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music. Dolly Parton wrote six new songs for the Dumplin soundtrack with producer, Linda Perry. One of those original songs, “Girl in the Movies,” scored Dolly Parton a Golden Globe nomination. Dolly also reworked some of her classics with today’s leading recording artists including Miranda Lambert (“Dumb Blonde”); Macy Gray (“Two Doors Down”); Sia (“Here I Am”); and Elle King (“Holdin’ On To You”).