Loading ...As Suzanne Sugerbaker on the 90’s sitcom, “Designing Women,” Delta Burke was the epitome of self-assured vanity. Her successes as Miss Florida in 1974 and a long list of films since then haven’t hurt her self-confidence either. As the owner of a successful women’s fashion company, Burke has also made herself a generous fortune.
But regular viewers of “Designing Women” noticed that she was gaining weight. Burke also struggled with depression and eating disorders. For several years, she felt strange, and doctors struggled to treat her problem. Eventually, they diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes.
Burke determined to attack the problem immediately. She gave up sugar and white flour, but her blood glucose levels still spiked. Doctors told her she would need to go on insulin if she couldn’t get it under control. “That scared me enough to take action.” She became even more aggressive, losing 20 pounds. She maintained a strict diet of exclusively meat, fruits, and vegetables, which helped immensely. But the final missing piece came with a new drug. An incretin mimetic drug finally allowed Delta Burke to stabilize her sugar and live a more normal life.
Let’s Talk
As a natural communicator, Burke has used her notoriety to help others understand diabetes. She led the Let’s Talk campaign, which traveled through more than 10 U.S. cities for the purpose of diabetes awareness. Delta Burke spoke to attendees on the importance of healthier eating, exercise and proper medication.
From a high of 215 pounds down to 150, and from wobbling health to a solid pattern of healthy eating and activity, Delta Burke is a good reminder that managing diabetes simply takes hard work. This process of adjustment wasn’t easy for her, and it isn’t easy for anyone else that faces it. Thankfully, Delta Burke was transparent enough to share her struggle and make it easier for others to face the same challenges. Hopefully, more people will follow her example and be willing to talk openly about their battle with diabetes. Nobody is perfect; nobody is free from struggles. It’s time to stop pretending; it’s time to talk.
By: Daniel Threlfall
Delta Burke
Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Burke
