DVD helps health

By Lia Bichel and
THE local Wurundjeri and Burong community gathered to celebrate the launch of Healthy Yarns – a collection of stories from indigenous elders and leaders from South East Melbourne.
In an effort to encourage other Aboriginal people to lead healthy lives, the DVD features elders and leaders speaking about their experience of living with diabetes.
They share stories about the circumstances surrounding their diagnoses, and what they do to manage their condition.
Sandra Walker of Doveton was one of over a dozen people featured on the DVD. She said before she was diagnosed with diabetes, she woke up during the nights, drank a lot of water, and frequently went to the toilet.
“I was in hospital for something else because I have a crook heart, they talked me into injections,” she said. “Since then my sugars have been a lot better.”
She said that it was important for people with Aboriginal backgrounds to not be frightened to go for regular medical check-ups.
Darryl Walker of Narre Warren also shared his experience of having to take injections every day to control his condition.
“If you have to take it you have to take it,” he said. “Too many people have died too young.”
Dandenong and District Co-operative president Andrew Gardiner conducted the welcome launch, and David Dryden, whose music was featured on the DVD, entertained the crowd with a didgeridoo performance.
Healthy Yarns was produced as part of a partnership between Southern Health Community Health Services and the Dandenong and District Aboriginal Co-operative.