Ben Vereen has been entertaining crowds for decades on the big screen, the small screen and Broadway. The Tony-award winning actor and dancer went through a dramatic change in 2007 when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Ben talked with TheCelebrityCafe's Dominick Miserandino about living with diabetes and encouraging people to become aware of it.
DM: Sounds like you've been a little bit busy lately.
BV: Yes I have been and it's so wonderful. I think that it's important to get the word out?
DM: What got you started with diabetes awareness?
BV: Christmas of last year I was diagnosed with diabetes. I didn't know the difference. I knew that for a couple of years I wasn't doing the right things. I was sitting around, eating the wrong foods. I was giving a speech and after giving the speech I collapsed. They took me to the hospital, did the tests and the doctor comes back to me and says I've got type 2 diabetes. First, you know, I went through denial; it's not me, it must be some guy down the hall. The doctor starts reading off the symptoms and I've got every one of them.
DM: I assume you have to be pretty athletic dancing around.
BV: Now I am.
DM: But you said you were eating candy, for example.
BV: Oh boy. I would get up in the middle of night and drive down to the store to get me a box of candy. I had a bad sweet tooth.
DM: That's my biggest weakness. Now you're getting me nervous.
BV: Don't get nervous. What I am trying to get people to do with this campaign is to raise diabetes awareness. Barack Obama said the other night during the debates we must do something about diabetes in this country now. Look at the rates, look at the stats. 24 million people in America have diabetes; 6 million do not even know they have it. Every 21 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes. 15-20 percent of that is in the African-American community.
DM: I figured you would be the type to know about health.
BV: Yes, but when it sneaks up on you … I wasn't aware. Honestly, I was not aware. Now I'm aware.
DM: If you weren't aware then obviously a lot of Americans aren't aware.
BV: Exactly. We didn't know what the symptoms were but now we do. When you go to your doctor for your check up you can ask for a glucose test. If you don't have it, then fine, take care of yourself. If you do, then talk to your doctor and get a program that is right for your life.
DM: It sounds like when this happened it completely changed your life's direction.
BV: Yes it did. I want to get the word out that you can live with diabetes but you need a partnership with your doctor. Check your sugar. If your sugar level is too high, talk to your doctor.
DM: If you knew a few years ago what you know now, could you have prevented it?
BV: I would have gone to the doctor immediately. I would have gone years ago. I've created a website called bensdiabetesstory.com. It tells you how to talk to your doctor.
DM: Do you think you could have prevented this from happening if you made changes in your lifestyle earlier on?
