BOOK REVIEW

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

THE SUGARLESS PLUM:A Ballerina's Triumph Over Diabetes
By Zippora Karz

OVERVIEW:  By the age of 20, professional ballerina Zippora Karz had already fulfilled her life's dream. Having left home at the age of 15 to pursue her career on the stage, Karz had become a rising star with the New york city Ballet, winning accolades as the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky's  classic, The Nutcracker.

A year later, however, Karz nearly lost it all. Exhausted, thirsty, hungry, dizzy urinating frequently and breaking out in sores, she was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, then desperately went from doctor to doctor trying to learn how to manage the condition that was jeopardizing her career and, Karz feared, her life. After years of ill-judged and misguided attempts to obtain peak performance, Karz finally learned the truth; the aspiring prima ballerina had Type-1 Diabetes, and would require regular injections of insulin for the rest of her life. Balancing ballet and her blood sugar would be a difficult struggle for Karz, but eventually she learned ot value her body and work with it, rathetr than rage at its limitations.

MY REVIEW: "From the very first sentence I was pulled into a magnificent story of triumph over adversity. Zippora's story gives courage and strength to anyone with diabetes." These words were written by M.D. Lois Jovanovic who works with Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. I agree with them one hundred percent. This is a magnificent story of triumph and it does give courage and strength to those with diabetes. I know. I am a diabetic.

This is not just a book for those with diabetes. Karz has written a book that will hold the attention of anyone interested in life. Her story is one of triumphant and struggle, love found and love lost. Many will identify with her in the successful times as well as the down times. Zippora Karz masterfully tells the story of walking with the elite and with the common people at the same time.

If I was looking for one word to describe Zippora Karz and her story I would choose--passion! I love it when she says, "My message is simple: Passion is what motivates us and gives our life meaning. My passion for dance gave me a reason to be healthy. Each one of us needs to find our passion in life and use that to motivate us to take care of our health."

This is a beautifully written and inspiring book. Mistakes? Yes, Ziippora Karz, like all of us, made some mistakes in life. She learned from them and wants to keep us from making the same ones. I recommend this book!