Stop digging your graves with your teeth! 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”
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.