Feria de Salud #PorTuFamilia (The Campaign to STOP Diabetes)

Did you know? 

• An estimated 1.3 million adult New Yorkers (almost 1 in 8) now have diabetes.
• Almost 28% of Latinos and Hispanics in the New York City market, and 31% of African American New Yorkers, have diabetes. 
• In New York City during 2007, 22 African Americans and 23 Latinos of every 100,000 died from diabetes.

I worry about diabetes. The Husband's parents are both diabetic and so is my grandfather. There is also a family history of obesity, heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure.   

The Husband is over 40 years old and has been on medication for high cholesterol on and off for the last five years. Being the parents of a special needs child, our personal health is of the utmost importance. We want need to live for as long as we can and be as healthy as possible.

We need to EDUCATE ourselves and modify our lifestyle and eating habits.

We need to teach The Boy how to eat and take care of himself so that he isn't at risk for diabetes.

George Torres aka the @UrbanJibaro of Sofrito for Your Soul has started the social media campaign #PorTuFamilia to raise awareness about Diabetes in the Latino Community. And this Saturday in The Bronx there will be an amazing family friendly event.        

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Saturday, August 17, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
St Mary's Park 146-148 Street St. Ann's Avenue, Bronx, NY

Feria de Salud is an outdoor community event, that reaches thousands of Latino/Hispanics with the important message that they may be at risk for diabetes. Feria captures the festive elements of a street fair, but maintains the important aspects of choosing and managing a healthier lifestyle for the entire Latino family. Join us for free health screenings, live music and dance, cooking demonstrations, children activites, healthy information and more!

For more information on diabetes please visit - www.diabetes.org

We Support Gay Marriage

On July 24, 2011 I had the privilege of standing witness at my best friend's (The Boy's godfather, Nino) wedding. We stood on line for hours on the streets of City Hall on a hot humid Sunday. I usually get emotional at weddings, but I don't think I've been as moved as I was on this day. 

Most couples eagerly anticipate their wedding, but for many of the couples married on July 24 - the first day of New York's Marriage Equality - it was day some had waited decades for. And as I watched my best friend and his partner exchange their vows - I was grateful they didn't have to wait that long.  

I am raising The Boy to know that he is "different, not less." I don't want anyone to discriminate against him. What kind of mixed message would I send, if I was against gay marriage? Discrimination is never okay.

If two people love each other and are committed to each other - why can't they be married? Why can't two men or two women have the same rights as a man and a woman in love? I believe everyone should be allowed the same right to marry who they love.

The Boy doesn't understand the concept of marriage but he understands love. The Boy understands Nino and Uncle Johnny are part of our family. We spend Christmas, birthdays and special milestones together. He knows that his Nino and Uncle Johnny love each other and that they love him. That's all The Boy sees and that's all that matters to him.

And I wish more people could see things the way The Boy does.

Who Will You Remember This Valentine's Day? #HeartofHaitiLBC

Valentine's Day is the day to celebrate the ones you love. But if someone you loved died on Valentine's Day, it becomes a reminder of loss. 

This is what Valentine's Day has meant for me and my family for the last eleven years.

I grew up very close with my godparents. They were my parents best friends. My Mother and Madrina knew each other as girls - growing up on the same block.  Their families intertwined. When they married, their husbands became best friends. They were in each other weddings, baptized each other's children. And they loved each other's children as if they were their own. 

And I remember as a kid we spent holidays, vacations and lazy summer days at the beach together. Some of my best childhood memories are of all of us together. 

Watching my parents and godparents together, I knew that was the kind of friendship I wanted. And I'm grateful that I do.

When my Padrino died eleven years ago - I was devastated. We all were. On the eve of his wake my Madrina asked if I could say a few words. At the time, I couldn't. 

But I would've said he was a good man devoted to his family. The kind of guy who'd greet you with a smile after he came home from a long day of work and offer you his last beer. He loved the Yankees and every summer he'd urge me to participate in a game of baseball even though I lacked coordination and the interest. And I will never forget that summer when I was eleven, we all went to Puerto Rico. He drove up and down the mountains, one arm dangling out the window, a lit cigarette in the other hand, his hand barely on the wheel. I was terrified and thought we would drive off a cliff. But he'd laugh, assured me he knew what he was doing and kept telling me to enjoy the view of the mountains.        

When I think about all of our family memories, it makes me sad that The Boy never got the chance to meet my godfather. And I'm sad that my godfather never got to see me as a mom. And my godmother has moved to another state, so we don't see each other as often as I'd like.

The Boy has a special relationship with his godparents. And I want The Boy to know that I have a special one with mine. 

And I realized the other day, that I didn't have a single photo of my godfather. So when I received my Heart of Haiti frame, I knew what picture I'd want to place in it.

Valentine's Day will always be difficult for me. But I am grateful to have had my godfather in my life, even if it was for too short a time. And it's my day to honor his memory. 

My Godparents

To learn more about the Heart of Haiti products and initiative click HERE.

Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Heart of Haiti. No compensation has been received, however I did receive the frame and the Heart of Haiti pendant. All thoughts expressed in this post are my own.