Tag: type 2 diabetes

Posted on

Why I Believe In The Power Of Love

Yesterday, in 1991, Luther Vandross released Power of Love / Love Power as a single for his seventh studio album, Power of Love. This song occupies such a powerful place in my heart.

We’d play it at the end of every Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes free outreach event to celebrate our community and pay tribute to Luther. His stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, gave me a mission in life to help others in upbeat, thoughtful, and powerful ways.

His opening phrase, “when I say goodbye is never for long because I know our love still lives on …” motivated me to jump into diabetes outreach without any experience, keep climbing over challenges and doubts and successfully present diabetes education in an entertaining way to thousands of women at risk, affected by, and living with diabetes and their loved ones.

Witnessing Luther’s health crisis and recovery firsthand motivates me to listen to my body, treat it well, and maintain wellness daily. This song reminds me that every day is a chance for me to do something to help others achieve greater health.

The Power Of Love was also the opening song on my first Luther tour, Never Let Me Go, in 1993. It was one of the last songs Luther sang when he accepted the Grammy for Song Of The Year via video on live TV.

I’m heading to Los Angeles on Mother’s Day weekend (May 10 and 11) to celebrate the amazing Luther Vandross!

I’ll be checking out the Luther Vandross: Artistry & Elegance Exhibit at the Grammy Museum and soaking up the vibes at Terry Steele‘s Luther Vandross Tribute concerts at the Vibrato Grill in Bel Air.

I can’t wait to meet fellow fans, share stories behind the sequins, and honor Luther’s incredible legacy. Stay tuned for more details—this is going to be a memorable celebration!


I hope you will join us for Divabetic’s free diabetes outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadlephia, PA.

Posted on

Divabetic Club 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 Organization and 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.

Posted on

Divabetic’s Exclusive Angela Bofill Podcast

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.

Posted on

Divabetic At the Philippine Independence Day Parade

We stopped by the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way.

Today one out of every five Filipino adults or approximately 11 million has either pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with participants and crowd goers to help encourage people to read nutritional labels. You might be surprised by the facts.

In the game you are given three choices of popular snack foods: Mounds Dark Chocolate candy bar, a Chocolate Brownie Cliff Bar and a Mixed Berry Blast Power Bar. To play you must decide which item you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

The American Heart Association (AHA) advises that women should limit added sugars to 100 calories (6 teaspoons) per day, while men should keep it to 150 calories (9 teaspoons).

Common sources of added sugar include items like cola, which can have around 41 grams (or 10 teaspoons) in a 12-ounce can, and cupcakes, which can contain about 18 grams (4.5 teaspoons) in a single serving. However, added sugars can also be found in less obvious foods such as ketchup (approximately 1 teaspoon per tablespoon) and bread (about a quarter teaspoon for a slice of white bread). Fruit drinks are another potential source of hidden sugars.

Can you tell which food item contains the most sugar? The Power Bar Mixed Berry Blast contains 29 grams of added sugar, Cliff Chocolate Brownie contains 23 grams of added sugar and the Mounds Dark Chocolate contains 21 grams of added sugar.

SAVE THE DATE: Divabetic returns with a free diabetes outreach program on November 8, 2025 to Philadelphia, PA.

Posted on

Goodbye Guesswork

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. 

Posted on

In Bed With Diabetes

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.

Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon.

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.

Posted on

Divabetic Mysteries: Gypsies, Tramps and Peas

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. Was it an accident or foul play?

Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim?

Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his nosey Italian mother and friends. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Posted on

Please Take Our Survey For Women With Diabetes

We’re thrilled to launch the 2nd annual Love Across Life Stages of Diabetes Survey for Women in partnership with DiabetesSisters. By sharing your experiences, you play a vital role in shaping the future of diabetes care and support.

TAKE OUR SURVEY

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.

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 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. 

Posted on

Divabetic Advocates For Diabetes And Stroke Awareness

It is a privilege for Max Szadek to be featured in the NAACP Image Awards-nominated documentary Luther: Never Too Much, where he shares his story of discovering Luther Vandross after experiencing a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.

He hopes to inspire others to proactively avoid a similar health crisis through advocacy.

Remember, if you notice any signs of a stroke, don’t hesitate to seek help right away – swift action can greatly impact your recovery.

Let’s look out for each other! It’s essential to seek help, connect with a caring community, and share your journey.

Philadelphia’s beloved WDAS-FM Radio personality, Patty Jackson, is a true inspiration!

After surviving a stroke, she continues to bring joy to her audience behind the microphone and camera.

SAVE THE DATE: Divabetic Holiday Outreach Program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition at Alumni Hall at Thomas Jefferson University Hosptial, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 11 AM – 1:30 PM.

Enjoy a Glam More, Fear Less Fashion Show, Cooking Demonstration, Guest Speakers, Chair Yoga Exercises, and Community Support. Free Admission.

Through the Divabetic (Divabetic.Org) programs, podcasts, and videos, we’ve spread awareness and positivity to hundreds of thousands of men and women.

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.

Divabetic’s Sweet Romance ebook 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. BUY NOW

Posted on

Love Yourself

I was talking to a friend with type 1 diabetes yesterday, and he shared an experience with me that highlighted the challenges of managing diabetes. His insurance company had miscoded his request for insulin, which caused his pharmacy to be unable to refill his prescription. After hours of phone calls, a trip to the Emergency Room, and a lot of frustration, he finally resolved the issue.

This situation emphasized how difficult and frustrating it can be to advocate for one’s health with diabetes. Many people assume that individuals with diabetes should be able to manage their condition without any problems. Unfortunately, empathy, compassion, and encouragement for those living with diabetes are rarely expressed. Instead, there’s an assumption that it’s “no big deal.”

Statistics show that many people struggle with medication compliance, even with oral medications. It raises the question: why don’t others recognize the courage, determination, dedication, and perseverance it takes to manage diabetes day in and day out, year after year? While I don’t have an answer to that rhetorical question, I do recommend giving yourself a pat on the back, encouraging yourself, and appreciating the hard work you put into managing your health.

Remember, it starts with you. Take a minute to love yourself, and let this post be a reminder to you that we see you, recognize your commitment to your health, and love you too. You are amazing!!!


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. BUY NOW

Proudly powered by WordPress