harmful side effects, such as a heart attack and a stroke. It could potentially send her to the hospital again.
Fortunately, Insulin pumps and glucose monitors have made Burrowes’ diabetes management easier than before. However, she expressed her frustration that there’s no magic cure for the chronic disease.
“While I’m hopeful for a cure in my lifetime, for the foreseeable future, this is my reality,” she told ESSENCE. Burrowes says that the misconceptions about diabetes also frustrate her.
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One of the biggest misunderstandings is that diabetes manifests when we make unhealthy lifestyle choices, like eating too many burgers or milkshakes.
Burrowes has had to live with diabetes her entire life. These stigmas and a lack of representation surrounding diabetes kept her isolated. Burrowes refused to believe in the stereotypes and misinformation. Instead, she allowed the disease to empower her.
“I embraced my diabetes like a badge of honor, masking my invisible illness with ease, working to achieve everything everyone else could. Nothing could stop me, even on my worst days, including my disease,” Burrowes told ESSENCE last fall. At that point, Burrowes was working on her self-acceptance.
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How COVID-19 Changed Her Life Again
Just when it seemed as though Burrowes had put the worst of times behind her, she was dealt with another health challenge. The novel pandemic hit, which left the businesswoman in a state of constant fear and depression. Burrowes admitted feeling more vulnerable than ever.
Making matters worse, those with existing health problems like diabetes were at a greater risk of contracting the virus. It was at that time she started losing hope in achieving a normal existence. In addition to managing her diabetes, Burrowes had to juggle her work and social life, trying to maintain a social life. Fortunately, Burrowes was able to ground herself again. She realized that practicing self-care was more important than ever.
The businesswoman learned a few life lessons along the way and is imparting her wisdom to those living with diabetes. Burrowes knows that while you can’t take a break from managing your diabetes, she does believe that taking time for ourselves is important. Making a visit to the spa or even reading a book, can allow us to make time for ourselves.
Additionally, finding others like us who suffer from the disease can help give us a sense of community and belonging. Even setting small, obtainable goals like exercising for 30 minutes a day can help with maintaining a sense of normalcy and stability in our lives. Burrowes has even traveled to all the places she’s yearned to visit. These goals have especially helped Burrowes manage her mental and physical well-being.
All in all, Burrowes has refused to give in to defeat. Instead, she encourages others, especially Black women, to not give up on themselves.