ive His Perspe- RobctStra han
by Guest Contributor s not to be farmers. As a young man I am of the first generation of Strahan farm and even now, when I enter my I spent every moment I could at the I am home and I belong. grandparents’ old farm, it feels like and stressful job, with a large number Being a successful farmer is a complex le ers are brilliant at keeping things simp of uncontrollable variables. Good farm a ing mak I’m ther whe I’m not sure of and focusing on efficiency. Whenever voice in my head, asking me what le’s unc my hear I not, correct decision or yield there will be. ges in our society. Life has become These farming challenges reflect chan gical innovations have made it almost increasingly complicated and technolo ories. unrecognisable from my childhood mem ager trying to bamboozle my uncle and I have a memory of a young bank man money to buy a fancy new tractor. The convince him that he needed to borrow make his final decision NOT to buy the clarity of thought my uncle showed to if day, there was no yield. He knew that tractor was faultless: at the end of the ibly, sens it e drov and on the old tractor he continued his regular maintenance out of it at no extra expense. s year e mor nty he would get ten or twe nce of a supportive community. It used Farmers also understand the importa middle of doing something important, to frustrate me when we were in the our dirt road, as I knew this would and I would see a neighbour driving up think we had time for. I now realise that mean a long conversation that I didn’t important, and often it resulted in us these conversations were incredibly all given a hand by somebody. It made us either helping someone out, or being us. than just stronger and part of something bigger ers’ approach when managing our farm Men, in particular, need to take this and deal with complicated information health. We need to engage in change ded actions, maintaining our health in to determine the ‘yield’ from our inten to chat to our friends and family - you a sensible way. We need to take time are help each other. Health professionals would be surprised how often we can s step t wha and erst und to Try help you. a valuable resource and are there to then make an informed decision as to and th heal your rove imp to you can take worth the effort. whether you think that the reward is h in his fifties. Had he taken this approac My father developed type 2 diabetes he If er. bett ly cant ifi sign n would have bee to his health, I imagine his experience aps perh ges, chan ll sma e he could mak had felt empowered and realised that ificant yields in health improvement. sign with ided prov n bee he would have
WINTER 2018 Editor Natasha Simmons Editorial & Advertising Enquiries Diabetes WA, PO Box 1699, Subiaco, WA, 6904 Phone 1300 001 880 Email media@diabeteswa.com.au Editorial submissions should be sent to Diabetes WA, care of the above address. All care will be taken with contributions however no liability for loss or damage to unsolicited materials will be accepted. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in articles and the claims made in advertising materials presented in Diabetes Matters are those of the authors and the advertisers respectively, and do not necessarily reflect the view of Diabetes WA, unless stated. The information provided is for the purposes of general information and is not meant to substitute the independent medical judgment of a health professional regarding specific and individualised treatment options for a specific medical condition. No responsibility is accepted by Diabetes WA or their agents for the accuracy of information contained in the text or advertisements and readers should rely on their own enquiries prior to making any decisions regarding their own health. Thanks to Rob Strahan, Dr Nick Mabbott, Sherl Westlund, Murdoch Books, Pacific Magazines Photography DWA staff, magazine contributors, Shutterstock, Murdoch Books Design Brigitte James Print Quality Press Diabetes WA www.diabeteswa.com.au Diabetes Information and Advice Line: 1300 001 880 Email: info@diabeteswa.com.au
Diabetes WA – Subiaco Offi ce Level 3, 322 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008 Postal Address: PO Box 1699, Subiaco WA 6904 Diabetes WA – Belmont Offi ce 172 Campbell Street, Belmont WA 6104 Postal Address: PO Box 726, Belmont WA 6984
3
Rob Strahan says he has been a bit of a journeyman throughout his career, spending almost 30 years in the health industry, the majority as a career paramedic. He has also worked in sport and recreation for people with disabilities, as a trade or instruct at an acute psychiatric unit, a hospital orderly, and recently completed a graduate certificate in Health Promotion.
Men’s Contents His Perspective
Rob Strahan ..................................................... 2
Men’s Matters
Diabetes and Men ........................................... 3 In Good Company ........................................... 6 Asking for Help ............................................... 8 Q&A ..................................................................... 9 Beyond Midnight ........................................... 10
Diabetic Living
Recipes ............................................................ 12 A New Partnership ...................................... 13
Living & Moving Well
State of Play ................................................... 14
Research News
Research Round-up ..................................... 16
Members’ Area
Members’ Puzzle and Competition ......... 17
IN THE MIDDLE From the Chair ................................................ 1 Diabetes Research WA Update .................. 2
Diabetes News
DAFNE in Albany ............................................. 3 Medication on PBS ......................................... 3 Generous Supporters ................................... 4
Education Planner
Plan your Sessions ........................................ 5
Event News
HBF Run for a Reason .................................. 7
Members’ Area
Member Partners .......................................... 9
What’s On
Dates for your Diary .................................... 10