The Quander Quality: The True Story of a Black Trailblazing Diabetic

The Quander Quality: The True Story of a Black Trailblazing Diabetic
James W. Quander & Rohulamin Quander
Robert D. Reed Publishers
ISBN: 1-931741-62-X
Non-Fiction, Biography
Reviewed by Mona Lisa Safai

The biography of The Quander Quality: The True Story of a Black Trailblazing Diabetic is co-authored by the father and son team of James W. Quander and Rohulamin Quander. The significant story engages the reader in late life of James W. Quander (1918-2004) who was diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes shortly before his sixth birthday. He was also told by his physicians that he would live past ten.
His story is an inspiring tale of a human being put to the test on many levels. Medically, emotionally, physically, politically, and spiritually Quander met all challenges. With each new restriction or limitation he became more resourceful and more confident.

At his time, insulin was new as were other forms of treatments for diabetes. Upon his parents’ advice, he kept his illness under wraps and called it the “big secret” for the next six decades. He lived a life of strict discipline, medical regiment, exercise, and mental determination. Even when he faced severe adversity such as racial discrimination, he persevered. The biography depicts Quander’s journey through life both personally and professionally.
He earned his doctorate degree in Economics and Statistics, worked for the Federal Government, and spent the lateral part of his life as a Catholic Deacon. Quander always needed to keep active.
James waited his 86th year to write his story with good reason. Some stories require time to flourish. Or seasons that need to pass before they can be remembered to their fullest. James W. Quander’s story is such a life.
I look forward to Rohulamin Quander’s next work documenting his distinguished family history from 1684.