One misconception about Divabetic is that we only outreach to women with type 2 diabetes. However, if you trace our roots back to the very beginning, you’ll find an army of fabulous Type 1 women warriors who have been with us from the start! Somehow, I caught the eye of Christine, the JDRFoutreach coordinator and a fierce woman living with type 1 diabetes. Not sure if she found me at our Bee A Diva coaching sessions at the YMCA or spotted me dazzling backstage at dLife, but shortly after we connected, the New York Chapter of the JDRF sponsored our first very small diabetes makeover program at MESS Makeup Studios in NYC.
After I shared my dream of crafting a ‘diva’ experience for women with type 1 diabetes, Christine had this brilliant idea of using MESS Makeup Studios as our stage! Walking into that studio, with a row of lit-up mirrors greeting me, I felt like I had just waltzed into a Broadway show — cue the jazz hands!
Our inaugural makeover program was a whirlwind of free makeover services mixed with diabetes education sessions, image services, and exhibits like ‘Pearls & (Insulin) Pumps.’ Just when I thought we’d keep it low-key, Catherine Schuller, who later joined our national makeover team, dropped the bombshell idea: let’s go live on morning TV! Naturally, we rolled up our sleeves and scrambled to put together a second makeover program for that very same day. Spoiler alert: the morning TV gig fell through, but the nighttime event? A roaring success! We had author and comedian Trisha Porretti, a fellow type 1 warrior, lighting up the stage as our guest star!
Jessica Issler, RD, CDCES, a rockstar diabetes educator, volunteered that night and later joined our national makeover program sponsored by Novo Nordisk.
Later, Christine, hosted demonstrations on how to cut and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables at our several makeover programs.
So, there you have it—a fabulous journey filled with sparkle, laughter, and a dash of glucose!
Darlene, a vibrant and bold diva, decided to use her vocal talents not just for karaoke night but also to encourage her husband, James, to take his diabetes seriously. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 44, James spent the first ten years of his diagnosis ignoring it, hoping it would magically fix itself.
The turning point came when Darlene accompanied James to his doctor’s appointment. That day, the doctor delivered some alarming news: “I already see some eye damage.” James suddenly looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
Before that appointment, when James would run out of his oral medication, he wouldn’t refill it, like a rebellious teenager. Darlene, however, knew she couldn’t just nag him into submission—after all, she had been married to him long enough to know that wasn’t going to work. Instead, she decided to take the high road and attend diabetes support meetings.
One fine day, armed with her new knowledge and a touch of determination, Darlene made an appointment for both of them and said, “Guess what? We’re going together!”
Darlene later confessed that she didn’t want to spend their golden years watching James struggle with a myriad of health issues. “You solve nothing going through life with your eyes closed,” she quipped. Besides, she had better plans for their later years—like learning how to dance the tango and traveling the world, rather than sitting in waiting rooms.
Fortunately, Darlene’s team approach is paying off. She’s not shy to pepper the doctor with questions, and now James knows that managing his diabetes doesn’t mean giving up on life.
So, here’s to Darlene: the wife who uses humor, love, and a little bit of tough love to help her husband live his best life, one glucose reading at a time!
The first pilot program of Divabetic’s “Makeover Your Diabetes” at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, was a disaster—until the last thirty minutes!
A month or two before, I had somehow miraculously managed to convince BioSector 2, Novo Nordisk’s healthcare communications agency, to take a chance on my bold, flashy, and glamorous approach to diabetes outreach. My idea involved combining free makeover services with one-on-one diabetes education focused primarily on women. (I had once presented a much smaller version of this idea in New York City.)
Now, there I was in Atlanta, with my newly created national team, which included diabetes educators, a plus-size image consultant, and a celebrity makeup artist, providing free outreach at the Fox Theatre. We stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Novo Nordisk’s calendar. However, two hours into our program, my ambitious dreams of touring cities and venues where my boss, Luther Vandross, had performed—helping to educate and empower Luther’s fans on preventing diabetes-related health complications—were sinking faster than a lead balloon. I was sweating bullets as I hosted this expensive diabetes outreach event for women in a grand ballroom, looking out at a crowd of fewer than a hundred attendees. Talk about a nightmare! I had underestimated the sheer logistics needed to travel, market, and activate any semblance of a diabetes community in Atlanta, a place where no one had ever heard of “Divabetic” before. I mistakenly assumed that if we built it, they would come. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
So, how did I manage to flip the script in those crucial last thirty minutes and transform our Atlanta flop into a surge of interest that made it the first stop on our national diabetes outreach tour? I did what I often did backstage at the DLife TV tapings and our Divabetic support meetings at the YMCA: I started talking to women about their diabetes. I took to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and began giving away gorgeous gift baskets to women who bravely shared their personal stories of living with type 1, type 2, and LADA diabetes. Ironically, our original “Makeover Your Diabetes” plan hadn’t even included a stage show or my role as the fabulous MC extraordinaire. It wasn’t even on my radar! If you ever attended any of the subsequent programs I hosted, which featured elaborate performances without interruptions, you might find this hard to believe.
Back then, in Atlanta, my role was serving as the Production Director for the event. Our education—encompassing five educational stages (diabetes A, B, C, fitness, nutrition, goal setting, and image)—formed what we called the infamous Makeover Maze, surrounded by a ring of complimentary makeover services (makeup and chair massage). A week before the event, I enlisted my parents to host a Divabetic merchandise table. I also recruited my friend, photographer Winston Kerr (who had worked with me on Luther Vandross tours), to set up a “Pass The Boa” Diva Photo Booth and my Gotham’s Writers Workshop friend, Toni Gadsden. These last-minute ideas truly made the program shine.
Now, back to those final thirty minutes of an underperforming attempt at diabetes outreach diva-style. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a row of beautiful, untouched gift baskets sitting behind our Divabetic merchandise table. Not wanting to disappoint the vendor who donated them, I had to act fast to give them away before the event ended. I figured the best way to accomplish that was to give them away on stage. The catch? To receive a basket, you had to come up on stage and share your experience of living with diabetes with me in front of the audience. Dressed in my trusty Divabetic t-shirt and jeans (since I hadn’t designed a fruit suit yet), I hopped on stage with a basket in hand and asked, “Who wants to win a gorgeous gift basket?”
My offer proved too tempting, and slowly but surely, women began to line up to join me on stage. One woman candidly shared how she woke up one day, shocked to discover she was twenty years older and twenty pounds heavier. She realized that if she wanted to see the next twenty years, it was time to tackle her diabetes head-on.
After giving away the last basket and waving goodbye to our new impromptu stars, I returned backstage to assist my team with the load-out. I didn’t think much about my on-stage antics; it felt like just another typical Divabetic gig where sharing testimonials came as naturally as breathing. However, Novo Nordisk’s representative, Susan J., had a different perspective. She told me those poignant testimonies were powerful and enlightening—like a TED Talk but with more pizzazz. Captivated, and even with the low turnout, she was ready for round two. Against her better judgment, she approved our next Divabetic pilot program scheduled for Philadelphia, PA. But there were three conditions: I had to don my stage persona and coax women into sharing their stories again, and I needed to compensate my parents and Winston, who turned out to be the unsung heroes of the evening.
I was over the moon! But hold your applause—now, my team and I had less than a month to rally over a hundred women at risk, living with, or affected by diabetes, in Philadelphia, PA. Plus, I had to put together a stage show. Was that even possible?
Wheelchairs and mobility devices are powerful tools that empower individuals with mobility limitations, allowing them to embrace independence and take charge of their lives.
These innovative devices facilitate movement through their environments and enable participation in daily activities and community engagement. They represent more than just physical aids; they symbolize freedom and the ability to perform tasks independently.
By reducing reliance on others, these devices foster a profound sense of self-reliance and confidence, inspiring individuals to thrive and embrace opportunities.
Here’s a message of positivity and acceptance for everyone living with medical devices. It’s essential to embrace who we are, including the tools we use to stay healthy and thrive.
To those with insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGM), catheters, stoma bags, feeding tubes, and other medical devices: you are not alone, and your experiences matter.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices help people manage diabetes with fewer fingerstick checks. A sensor just under the skin measures glucose levels 24 hours a day. A transmitter sends results to a wearable device or cell phone so someone can track changes to glucose levels in real time.
It’s completely unfair that society sometimes views these necessary tools as “gross” or “inappropriate.” Our diabetes and other medical devices are a part of us—a reflection of our strength and resilience.
You deserve to take up space in the world without shame. There’s so much beauty in being authentic and true to ourselves. Your journey is valid, and your life is valuable, exactly as it is. So let’s celebrate diversity in our bodies and support one another in living freely and confidently, devices and all!
Divabetic, in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition, returns to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia to present a free diabetes outreach program on Saturday, November 8, 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 Organizationand 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.
In Bed With Barbie & Ken Podcast features music by Doug Clay.
Happy Galentine’s Day! We’re thrilled to launch the 2nd annual Love Across Life Stages of Diabetes Survey for Women in partnership with DiabetesSisters.
TAKE THE SURVEY
By sharing your experiences, you play a vital role in shaping the future of diabetes care and support.
With approximately 15 million women in the U.S. navigating the challenges of diabetes every day, your stories are invaluable. Our survey aims to highlight the unique experiences of women managing diabetes, providing insights that can enhance care, support, and encouragement.
To celebrate your contributions and the strength of our community, we’re excited to announce that two lucky respondents will win a $50 gift card, perfect for enjoying lunch with a Galentine of your choice! Stay tuned for the results in March, where we’ll share new insights and approaches to managing diabetes with love and resilience. Your voice matters!
The 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, help readers navigate the emotions related to a diabetes diagnosis and issues related to intimacy, fertility, and menopause with the people they care about the most.
