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Stop digging your graves with your teeth! Dr Irad Potter

-District Representative promises to lead by example by exercising for good health behaviour
Territorial At-Large Representative Honourable Archibald C. Christian (left) was credited for his commitment shown in getting the EE/LL Health and Wellness Committee together and giving the necessary guidance for its progression. Photo: VINO
These pretty little girls were active at the event collecting data as part of a survey to ascertain the number and category of persons who attended the community fair and official launch. Photo: VINO
These pretty little girls were active at the event collecting data as part of a survey to ascertain the number and category of persons who attended the community fair and official launch. Photo: VINO
The private sector was among those who had health promotion tents at the EE/LL community fair. Photo: VINO
The private sector was among those who had health promotion tents at the EE/LL community fair. Photo: VINO
There was a wide variety of literature available at the community fair that aided the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices. Photo: VINO
There was a wide variety of literature available at the community fair that aided the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices. Photo: VINO
To match the advice of not to be digging ones grave with the teeth, was food that promoted eating healthy to stay healthy longer. Photo: VINO
To match the advice of not to be digging ones grave with the teeth, was food that promoted eating healthy to stay healthy longer. Photo: VINO
Representative for the Eight District Honourable Marlon A. Penn, a supporter of the Virgin Islands Cancer Society, has promised to lead by example by getting out and exercising more. Photo: VINO
Representative for the Eight District Honourable Marlon A. Penn, a supporter of the Virgin Islands Cancer Society, has promised to lead by example by getting out and exercising more. Photo: VINO
Starting from the bottom up was also one way to promote healthy behaviours in the quest for healthy life. Children were engaged in a number of activities at the EE/LL Health and Wellness fair and they were advised to encourage their parents and other adults to exercise by playing with them. Photo: VINO
Starting from the bottom up was also one way to promote healthy behaviours in the quest for healthy life. Children were engaged in a number of activities at the EE/LL Health and Wellness fair and they were advised to encourage their parents and other adults to exercise by playing with them. Photo: VINO
EAST END/LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI – Poor diets, bad eating habits and failure to exercise are three of the major ways residents were told are responsible for the degradation of their health and was likened to one “digging their grave with their own teeth” by Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter.

Dr Potter was the main speaker at the East End/Long Look's Health and Wellness Committee Fair and official launch of Caribbean Wellness Day activities in the Virgin Islands at Greenland Recreation Field on September 14, 201

“What used to be is what used to be, we cannot bring back or go back to the past we have to change our behaviours, we have to change to cope with what is today. Let’s take charge of our health, reduce the salt and sugar, walk, sweat and we would be taking care of our bodies."

Dr Potter supported the call made by Representative for the Eighth District, Honourable Marlon A. Penn who also took some time out to challenge himself and residents to lead healthier lives. Hon. Penn said he was startled by the statistics and data of the number of persons in the Virgin Islands affected by cardiovascular conditions.

“I am guilty myself of not exercising. Looking at me now you wouldn’t believe that I was an athlete that represented this country but I promise to lead by example and I want us all to make that commitment to exercise at least three days a week, practice healthier eating habits and save our lives and our pockets,” said Hon. Penn.

The EE/LL Health and Wellness Committee members have also committed to work with residents to promote healthy lifestyles. The committee, which was officially launched by Dr Irad Potter at the activity yesterday September 14, 2013, has as its coordinator Ms Helen Frett.

In her welcoming address, Mrs Frett made an open call for persons of the EE/LL communities to get on board the committee and become advocates by example in promoting healthy lifestyles.

“The goal of the committee is to empower you the members of this community to take leadership and responsibility for your health,” she said

Mrs Frett also made reference to non-communicable diseases being the leading cause of death in the region. “Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases are steadily increasing and are impacting not just our health but our economy,” lamented Mrs Fett.

The committee, which has been in existence for the past three years prior to the official launch, aims at providing an avenue for the exchange of information, planning activities, coordinating projects, sharing resources and enhancing the capacity of others to achieve their common purpose.

“When we do this together we can make better use of the scarce resources, and the community will become more engaged and take ownership of their health. We want to focus not only on the physical but also on our social, spiritual and environmental health to improve the quality of our life,” noted Mrs Frett.

The activity saw a great turn out of health organisations, sports groups, corporate entities and private sector health promoters. Residents also turned out in large numbers to support and participate. There were games of basketball, kids athletics, tennis and other activities.

7 Responses to “Stop digging your graves with your teeth! Dr Irad Potter”

  • ooooo (15/09/2013, 12:25) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    archie finally resurfaced from the grave...i thought he was dead after being absent for so long? but he only got about 24 more political years left anyway
  • RedStorm (15/09/2013, 17:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Potter reminds me of the days I was an althete, running the 100 meter sprint, 200 meter, broad jump and high jump, that was back in the days. I try to keep the weight off, I notice it is easy to go on and off maintain the weight is my problem, I have to be constantly on the go. I try a lot of green vegetables and fruits , but I just cannot give up the beef ribs. I don't like macaroni pie, mash potatoes, and any slaws that have sugar and milk and I hate corn that boil in milk. I love pea soup. Any type of peas, lentil peas, black peas, red peas, yellow peas.

    My grandmother says " child you must learn to cook" but I know there is a science behind of cooking that many refuse to access the knowledge. I don't believe we need that big hospital we need better cooks. I hate to see people peel potatoes and then throw them in water to boil. Science tells me that the eyes of the potatoes have all the nutrients, so I scrub mine potatoes and boil them, and peel the skin off.
  • tell we (15/09/2013, 18:06) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
    with the price of food so dame expensive how the hell are we to afford to eat healthy eh?
    • sayso (16/09/2013, 12:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @tell me you so right don't mind the negative dislike you are darn right
  • tretretrete (16/09/2013, 06:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good to see Malone among his people
  • Well (16/09/2013, 12:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Potter don’t you think we want to eat health. go tell the supermarkets owners them and the other stores which sell healthy food that tell them to stop killing people with their high prices. people can’t afford to buy healthily food in this place only junk food we can get at a inexpensive rate so go tell that to them


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