Ms. Eugeena Patterson interviews Mother Love about Diabetes Management

Retirement has awakened some of my old dreams and even some new ones I wasn’t aware of like my detective work. One of my dreams now that I’m at home during the day is to write, which is why I have this blog. Not that I will become a famous journalist or anything, but I have stepped out of my comfort zone a time or two. One of those times was recently when I looked on the Internet for famous people living with diabetes.

Now I’m a big fan of Mother Love. I love her straight-no-chaser style of dispensing advice in a spirit of love. In my head, she is my BFF or best friend forever. Well, I was so surprised and very honored when the Mother Love answered my e-mail message and said she’d give me an interview. Can you imagine that?

(In my Oprah voice.) Mother Love is adored by many people. In the 1990s she was diagnosed with diabetes. In this candid interview she discusses being diabetic – it’s ups and downs; it’s high and lows – and challenges us all to live and do better.

EUGEENA (ME): Mother Love, there is nothing sweet about diabetes. That’s what I always say. What has been the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make since being diagnosed?

MOTHER LOVE: My hardest adjustment was my family members dying prematurely. First there were six and now there are 3 siblings left. Two of us live with Type II Diabetes. Both of our parents died early, Daddy at 31 and Momma at 59, a brother at 39, and two sisters who were 51 and 53.

(ME): Now I see where you speak all over the country to audiences about diabetes awareness and the warning signs. You tell people about making a PHD. Please tell my readers what a PHD is and why it is so important to living with diabetes?

MOTHER LOVE:  PHD means making your Personal Health Decisions. It is an imperative that you take responsibility for your well-being. The doctors are not mind readers, you know your body better than anyone, you have to tell your health care provider where it hurts; when you are sick; what you are feeling or not feeling and you work together to get you well. When you are proactive in your health care the medical community will be proactive with you. If your providers are not listening to you or you don’t understand them, GET ANOTHER PROVIDER!

(ME): You look really good, by the way. I was wondering what you do for exercise. I walk. Do you have a routine or a trainer? How often do you exercise?

MOTHER LOVE: My routine is stretching and swimming. I don’t exercise as much as I should, I make sure to move something sometime during the day even if I just move, dance, stretch during commercial breaks. As I live longer I must be careful not to snap, tear or break anything.

(ME): After I was diagnosed, I had to clean out my pantry and even adjust my recipes. My family loves my cooking but they won’t eat some of the dishes I cook now. How did your family adjust to your dietary changes?

MOTHER LOVE: They were very supportive and because I am the cook in these parts, my husband (Kennedy) said we will eat like your mother eats. I did a lot of research on food, cooking methods, nutrition, moderation, modification. I have more cooking gadgets, George Forman Grills, Nu Wave, blenders, and dicers. I also realized if I did not tell them something was low-calorie or high in fiber or (Heaven forbid) healthy for them, they would not know! (ROTFL!!!)

(ME): Speaking of food, I have a couple of questions. How often do you eat a day?What are some of your favorite snacks?

MOTHER LOVE: I eat breakfast and dinner meals and graze throughout the day I am a very slow eater. Cuties (the little tangerines), pretty much all berries, and nuts. I am not a big snacker.

(ME): I understand that you’re a great cook, Mother Love. Do you plan to do a recipe book for diabetics?

MOTHER LOVE: I was thinking about it, but there are already some great books out there to help us make delicious, nutritious meals for our family. One of my faves isAngela Medearis‘ “The Kitchen Diva.” She is such a great inspirational chef and so knowledgeable about food and its history.

(ME): Will you please share with my readers about any plans you have to do movies, TV or any touring around the country? I know, like me, many will want to come out and hear you speak.

MOTHER LOVE: Thank you so much! I have been focused on my Talk Radio Show, The Mother Love Show on LATALKRadio.com. I can be heard LIVE Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 3:50 PM (PST). You may visit the site click on The Mother Love Show and download any or all of the programs to date. Members of TEAM MOTHER LOVE have been pitching a couple of TV shows for funding for TV and the Web series.

(ME):  I want to thank you and ask if you have any advice for people like me who are new to a diabetic lifestyle.

MOTHER LOVE: It did not happen overnight and it will not change overnight. Accept it, embrace it and then open up a can of you-know-what on it! Remember you are not alone in this fight. Reach out we will not let you fall. Do your due diligence, it is your life. It does not just affect you; there are people who love you very much. I say ‘I have diabetes, diabetes does NOT have me!’ Let’s get better together.

If you want to learn more about Mother Love, visit her website www.themotherloveshow.com and listen to her radio show http://www.latalkradio.com/Motherlove.php. Follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/MotherLoveShow and run on over to “like” Mother Love on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themotherloveshow.

I’m going to ask Mother Love to come back as my guest. In the meantime, if you have questions for her or want show her some love, talk to us in the comment section. Thank you so much and don’t forget to take care of yourself.

~Eugeena~