Next month, the original Birkin handbag is set to be auctioned, and it is likely to fetch a record-breaking amount. This bag symbolizes a value that exceeds its contents, which presents a contradiction for someone living with diabetes.
For years, during our free monthly meetings at Divabetic, we have emphasized the importance of preparedness in self-care. Being ready for unexpected high and low blood sugar levels is essential.
A source of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as glucose tablets), glucagon, a glucose meter, test strips, lancets, insulin, syringes or insulin pens, ketone test strips, healthy snacks, water, and hand sanitizer are far more precious to people with diabetes than the bag that holds them. After all, no matter its value, a handbag cannot save a life.
Interestingly, the Hermès Birkin bag was created for actress Jane Birkin. It was designed in 1984 after she expressed her frustration while on a flight about not being able to find a suitable leather bag for travel, especially one that could serve as a carry-all for young mothers. She shared her thoughts with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, saying, “Why don’t you make a bag that’s four times the size of the Kelly bag that you can leave open?” This inspired Dumas to design a black leather bag specifically for her, which later became the iconic Birkin bag. Jane Birkin receives $40,000 annually in royalties for the use of her name.
Being prepared—whether you’re carrying an expensive bag or a well-used knapsack—can significantly improve the management of diabetes, no matter where you are going or what you are doing.
An A1C is a blood test that gives your healthcare provider information about your average blood sugar over the last two to three months.
Rush Memorial Hospital‘s website states that researchers have found that lowering your A1C by just one percentage point helps lower your risk of the following complications by these amounts: Nerve Damage 60%, Eye Disease 75%, Kidney Disease 50%, and Heart Attack 57%.
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?
“I often heard women say, ‘I won’t have anything in common with the other women except for my diabetes,’ before attending a Divabetic Club meeting. However, within five minutes of meeting peers, those feelings of apprehension would fade away. Women who joined us quickly realized that sharing the experience of diabetes—whether they were living with type 1, type 2, LADA, or prediabetes—fostered a sense of community.
For several years, I hosted free monthly diabetes support meetings for all types of individuals affected by diabetes, including those with type 1, type 2, prediabetes, and those at risk, as well as their family members. These meetings were held at the McBurney YMCA in New York. The idea originated after I met Dana Hariton and Amy Jordan, both of whom live with type 1 diabetes, in the audience at a DLife TV show taping. Dana, a certified life coach, led our initial monthly meetings, which we called ‘Bee A Diva.’
Over time, these meetings evolved into Divabetic Club programs, featuring outstanding educators like Joy Pape, Jessica Issler, and Carol Yates, who volunteered their time. I specifically invited certified educators to moderate our discussions on diabetes self-care to help prevent unsolicited advice from some participants.
Every monthly meeting began with a fun icebreaker I created called “Pass the Boa.” We would sit in a circle, passing a feather boa from one participant to another. The boa represented a diva in my mind! When someone put on the boa, they had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their diabetes journey. The women openly discussed their struggles, worries, anger, frustrations, and successes.
I remember one woman who attended month after month but couldn’t accept her type 2 diagnosis. She would often say, ‘I don’t understand how I could be diagnosed with diabetes today when I didn’t have it yesterday. What happened overnight?’ In moments of distress, we would offer words of encouragement, but most of the time, we simply listened. These testimonials proved invaluable in shaping Divabetic programming.
I invited various guest speakers and organized activities such as tea tastings, flower-making workshops, image services, tarot readings, tai chi demonstrations, and even sex toy parties. Activities that kept our hands busy helped facilitate open conversation.
For the record, we never discouraged men from joining us.
“I don’t fix problems; I fix my thinking. Then problems fix themselves.”
Louise Hay emphasized that true transformation happens when we change our internal perspective, rather than focusing solely on external issues. Our thoughts and beliefs often shape the problems we encounter. By shifting our mindset, we can create more positive outcomes.
Renowned as one of the founders of the self-help movement, Louise Hay published her first book, Heal Your Body, in 1976. This book discusses the connection between the mind and body. Louise believed that our beliefs and ideas about ourselves are often the root causes of our emotional issues and physical ailments. She taught that by using specific tools, we can change our thinking and improve our lives.
Louise put her philosophies into practice when she was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of opting for surgery and drugs, she developed an intensive program that included affirmations, visualization, nutritional cleansing, and psychotherapy. Remarkably, within six months, she was completely healed of cancer.
Everyone loves a beautiful bathroom, right? Look at poet, artist, designer Apryl Miller‘s magical Eastside home in New York City!
It is truly an artist’s paradise with colorful patterned tiles, whimsical cabinetry, and breathtaking views. But even the most beautiful bathroom can’t magically fix the challenges of managing diabetes.
Managing diabetes is super important, especially when it comes to bathroom-related issues. Things like constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence can affect daily life and personal dignity.
Sometimes, people don’t recognize the early signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes and go on living without making necessary lifestyle changes. This can lead to serious complications down the road. It’s essential to keep a close eye on blood sugar levels and follow medical advice to help prevent issues like bowel control problems.
I remember speaking with a woman who had unmanaged type 2 diabetes. She shared her struggle with not recognizing when to use the bathroom until it was too late. While determined to get her life back on track during college, she faced this personal challenge. High blood sugar can cause nerve damage in the digestive system, making it harder for her body to function correctly.
Plus, certain medications like Metformin, Ozempic, and Monjaro can have side effects that include diarrhea. It’s really important to take charge of diabetes management, not just for physical health, but also to maintain that sense of dignity and well-being. Let’s remember to be proactive and take steps toward better health! The first steps to overcoming the burden of diabetes management involve education, setting realistic goals, and building a support system.
Don’t try to change everything at once. Focus on one or two manageable goals at a time, like adding more servings of vegetables or exercising for 15 minutes a day. It takes time to make lasting changes and see results. Celebrate your successes and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
Focusing on understanding diabetes, making small, achievable lifestyle changes, and connecting with others can help ease the feeling of being overwhelmed.
In last Sunday’s New York Times’ Opinion section, Dr. David A. Kessler, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner and author of ‘Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight,’ writes about his personal weight maintenance issues.
In the article, he admits that he has gained and lost weight repeatedly, putting on 20 pounds, taking it off, putting on 30 pounds, and then taking it off again.
His schooling and various degrees have not helped his metabolism fight the food industry’s highly processed, ultra-formulated, addictive food products.
Side note: My friend, High Voltage, has repeatedly shared the same thoughts with me over the last decade.
In Dr. Kessler and High Voltage’s opinion, our food has been engineered to manipulate the brain’s reward system. Food cravings and weight gain are not due to a lack of willpower; they result from issues related to one’s brain chemistry. These foods, engineered to make certain people eat more, have resulted in a health catastrophe.
Dr. Kessler writes, “GLP-1s appear to modify addictive brain pathways that are activated by ultraformulated foods, helping people to change their body weight in a decisive way.”
Using GLP-1s has helped Dr. Kessler control the addictive circuits in his brain and helping him to reset his appetite.
I’m sharing this post because I disagree with our society attaching shame and blame to GLP-1s. I hope people using these drugs are experiencing Dr. Kessler’s results.
Keeping data related to diabetes, especially blood glucose levels, is essential for effective diabetes management.
This data helps you understand how various factors, such as food, sleep, exercise, and medications, affect blood sugar levels.
This data, shared with your doctors, allows for adjustments to your treatment plans, setting realistic goals, and making lifestyle choices to manage your diabetes better.
It also provides valuable information to healthcare providers, enabling them to make informed decisions about treatment and care.
Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Tracking these levels helps you and your team identify patterns and understand what triggers high or low readings.
By monitoring your blood sugar, you can work with your healthcare team to adjust medication dosages, meal plans, and exercise routines to optimize your blood sugar levels.
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.
Are you contemplating a manicure but have concerns about the health implications of diabetes? It’s completely understandable, and there are ways to enjoy your pampering safely.
First and foremost, a conversation with your healthcare team can provide peace of mind. Discussing any specific health concerns, particularly conditions like neuropathy, is essential. If you have any open wounds, it’s wise to postpone your visit until you’re fully healed to avoid complications.
Consider a quick foot check with a podiatrist beforehand; it’s a simple step that can ensure you’re ready for a day of relaxation.
When you arrive at the salon, bringing your own tools—a pumice stone, nail polish, and other essentials—can add an extra layer of reassurance. Just remember to clean them at home before your appointment to maintain hygiene.
Also, when settling in for a soothing foot soak, always test the water temperature with your hand first. It’s a small but significant step to ensure your comfort—after all, we want the experience to be just right!
Ultimately, you deserve this moment of relaxation and care. Enjoy your time and take pride in treating yourself!
According to the Los Angeles Times, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo misrepresent the environmental impact of their plastic bottles.
I used art, creating my Halloween displays with single-use plastic, to draw attention to the alarming prevalence of single-use plastics in our lives.
The two companies are among the world’s top plastic polluters. Currently, just 9% of the world’s plastics are recycled. The rest are incinerated and set to landfills or in rivers and oceans. Experts say that almost 3.5 billion bottles are left unaccounted for and can only be recycled once or twice.
One of the other major concerns related to the abundance of single-use plastics is our health. The tiny particles in plastics known as microplastics have been detected in every ecosystem on the planet. Microplastics have been found in the brain, heart, lungs, blood, and semen. Microplastics have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes because they contain additives that act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs), which can alter the body’s hormone system and impair glucose homeostasis.
Collecting my single-use plastics, including water bottles, take-out food containers, cups, straws, and food packages over two months, really opened my eyes to the staggering amount of trash I contribute to the environmental crisis.
My single-use plastic swamp comprises plastic bottles and cardboard packaging that I painted to resemble foliage.
Everything used to make my displays, except the wigs and crowns, is made from recycled materials – water bottles, pizza boxes, FedEx boxes, damaged comic books, broken lamp shades, paper towels, toilet paper rolls, New York Times newspapers, bubble wrap, coffee cans, lids, and packing foam.
If you’re concerned about the abundance of single-use plastics and their harmful effects, focus on reducing or replacing one plastic item at a time, like your daily iced coffee container. You can also bring your reusable water bottle, coffee mug, and utensils when you go out.
Avoid buying new clothing, especially polyester, which is spun from plastic. Instead, look for secondhand options or natural fibers like cotton, wool, rayon, or silk.
Plastic containers can be reused for years, but don’t use them for hot foods or liquids, and don’t microwave them.
Please do some research to learn more about the harmful effects of single-use plastics.
