LOS ANGELES—There is no holiday from diabetes, as the more than 20
million Americans living with the metabolic disorder will tell you.
But a massive spa and education day targeting women at risk of and living with
the disease? Definitely doable, and quite necessary, say the people who run a
giant nationwide "diabetes makeover" event.
A free "Divabetic—Makeover Your Diabetes" was held in June on a sound stage at
Paramount Pictures. It was the program's second visit to Los Angeles, and future
"Divabetic" stops are scheduled this year for Washington, D.C.; Cleveland; New
Orleans; and Miami.
The three-hour event features makeup artists and image consultants,
photographers, life coaches and stylists sharing space with fitness and health
educators. Visitors can check their blood glucose levels and get a manicure, all
under the same roof.
Diabetes education and awareness are key goals, but there's no reason the
packaging has to be dull, organizers say.
"One of the challenges of delivering diabetes education is that there's a lot of
information," says Debra Norman, program manager for diabetes care at Northridge
Hospital Medical Center. "Some of it can be very dry, but there are a lot of
emotional issues. I liken it to watching a movie with subtitles. You're not
going to get everything.
"But if it can be delivered in an inspirational way that makes people feel good
about themselves and about the process, it's much more impactful."
Not everyone diagnosed
Nearly 21 million men, women and children in America have diabetes, 6.2 million
of whom have not been formally diagnosed, according to the American Diabetes
Association. An additional 2 million adolescents, age 12 to 19, have
higher-than-normal blood glucose levels that put them in the "pre-diabetes"
category.
People with diabetes are unable to produce or use insulin, the hormone that
converts sugar, starches and other foods into energy.
Targeting minorities
About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year. Blacks and
Latinos are nearly twice as likely to have the disease as whites. "Divabetic"
visits cities that have large minority populations.
"Divabetic" was the brainchild of Max Szadek, longtime personal assistant to the
late singer Luther Vandross, who had the disease. Vandross' stroke in 2003,
followed by the diagnosis of Szadek's older brother with Type 1 diabetes,
prompted Szadek to figure out a fun way to spread the word about prevention,
care and healthy choices. The event is presented by the health-care company Novo
Nordisk.
Singer Patti LaBelle, also a diabetic, proved to be another inspiration via her
mantra of "my diabetes doesn't control me."
"I needed to get out there and show people that they could prevent the
complications, that they could live healthy, and I needed to take it out of the
clinical setting," Szadek says. "I wanted to tip my hat to Luther and make it an
entertaining way for people to start to change their lives."
In addition to enticements such as goodie bags and a fashion show, "Divabetic"
features a six-stop Makeover Maze. Visitors can consult experts on such topics
as goal setting and affirmation; diabetes care; food and nutrition; fun and
fitness; and image and empowerment.
Since women are so often placed in the nurturing role, "Divabetic" is designed
to let women put their own needs first.
Emphasis on self
"We're so busy being caregivers, we don't pay attention to our own health care,"
Norman says.
Sandy Moldafsky, 60, attended last year's event in L.A. Diagnosed with diabetes
at age 47, Moldafsky was abreast of all the latest advancements in the disease
and its treatment. Nonetheless, she found "Divabetic" useful and a good time.
"There were all these information tables set up, so I got to hear about all the
cool things coming up for diabetics," says Moldafsky, a printer who works on the
Sony Pictures lot. "And with the makeovers, you get to go in and be a different
kind of woman for a day."
