“We must do something to reverse the ravishing epidemic of diabetes and we must act quickly.”
DIABETES WELLNESS CENTER, MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS
October 2009
By Denis Yates
The morning breakfast regulars that frequent the Canvasback Diabetes Wellness Center kitchen had come and gone and I was catching up on some office work when the door opened and one of the hospital doctors came in to take a break in the cool quietness of the center’s lobby. This happens fairly regularly but this time there seemed to be no relief to his tired frame as he settled into a chair. His shoulders were slumped and it appeared that a deep sadness had taken up residence. When he spoke, his words were in harmony with the cry of my own heart, “We must do something to reverse the ravishing epidemic of diabetes and we must act quickly.”
Diabetes is the number one killer and funerals are a common sight.
Majuro is an atoll, a narrow strip of low lying coral with swells breaking on the ocean side barrier reef and gentle waves washing the white lagoon beaches. On any given day you can notice tent canopy shelters in some front yards, with rows of white stackable plastic chairs under a tarp stretched over pipe frames. This means that another funeral is in progress. There are no funeral parlors here and according to ancient tradition each family carefully takes their loved one from the hospital morgue to their home to bathe and dress them and lay them out in a plywood coffin in the living room. Guests sit under the tarp to escape the brutal equatorial sun as they wait to come inside and grieve with the family and to make formal speeches of remembrance. Afterwards, a member of the family addresses the group and thanks them for honoring the family. The ceremony is completed as each person files past and places a dollar on the coffin. The money is received by the family to defray the funeral costs which include providing a meal for the guests.
Amputations due to diabetes
Far too many amputations of major limbs are done here in the Majuro Hospital. On a typical week, 2 to four new handicapped persons leave the workforce and become dependent upon a country so limited in resources that sometimes the power plant must shut down for lack of fuel. All too frequently amputees return within twelve months for a second amputation, and over half of those who do so do not survive.
Many finding out for the first time that diabetes can be reversed.
The Marshallese people must live with the fear that this may be the day they find out that they have the dreaded disease. But there are a few who now live free of this fear because they have defeated diabetes through a lifestyle change. Here at the Canvasback, Diabetes Wellness Center they have learned to reverse their diabetes with a regime of healthy food and structured exercise.
Brenda Davis, RD, author, world lecturer and Canvasback’s lead dietician states, “It would be difficult to design a diet that could more efficiently induce type 2 diabetes than the diet that has been adopted by the Marshallese people.” The family is often fed Marshallese fried doughnuts made with shortening, fried in fat and served with artificial tropical fruit punch loaded with sugar. A popular school lunch is top ramen noodles with MSG and a pack of sugared cool aid sprinkled over the dry noodles. In families of greater income, the kids may get a fried chicken leg with white rice and a cola. At night, dinner consists of more white rice and spam or corned beef.
There were only three persons known to have diabetes in all of the Marshall Islands in the 1950’s. By the 1990’s prevalence had reached 30% and continued to accelerate, with new cases occurring in ever younger persons. Now, new cases of adult onset type 2 diabetes are being diagnosed in children as young as 14. The popular high fat, high sugar and low fiber diet, combined with inadequate exercise is responsible for the accelerating epidemic of diabetes.
Studies at the Canvasback Diabetes Wellness Center have demonstrated that diabetes can be reversed with knowledge and lifestyle change. In this culture where health matters are private, people everywhere are talking about the “un-talk-able” and in the early morning coolness scores of people are walking for exercise. The produce department at the market is becoming very popular and the Wellness Kitchen at the Canvasback Diabetes Wellness Center has become one of the most popular eating places here in the capital city. Our participants at the Wellness Center are amazed that they no longer require meals every 2 hours and feel full and satisfied the whole day. They are so accustomed to empty calories without real nutrition that they are surprised that they can eat half as much and not be hungry later.
Changed lives
Senator Wilfred Kendal’s diabetes was progressing rapidly and he could no longer walk. His wife had to drive him and he had assistants to help him into the car. Senator Kendal had to sit on a chair during our exercise classes but he did what he could with elastic exercise bands. We would help him down onto the mat for his other exercises. Today he walks without help and drives his own car. People in town do a double take when they see him walking about.
Fred Heine had a similar situation. “I suffered a stroke because of my diabetes and was in a wheelchair. I could not walk. After joining the Diabetes Wellness Program for six months, I got rid of my wheelchair and am walking on my own again. I am healthier than I have been in many years. This program has given me more than I ever thought possible. It provides the people of the Marshall Islands with the greatest hope we have had.” — Fred Heine
Early into a program for the president and senators from parliament, the Wellness Center received a frantic call. It was from one of the president’s assistant who was begging to let her husband attend. He had been admitted to the hospital as a diabetic with a wound on his lower leg that was not healing. He was well down the path towards receiving an amputation and the family was frightened. He came straight from the hospital with bandages on his legs. We placed a chair in front of him so he could elevate his leg. He and his wife listened carefully and started exercising and eating healthy food. Within a few days he was recovering and within two weeks he felt that he was back to normal. Everyone was amazed at his recovery. A couple of weeks later, he walked so much that he wore blisters on his feet. He came to show us that his blisters healed in days instead of weeks.
Len Lenja, former mayor of Mille Atoll which lies 60 miles south of Majuro Atoll, was on a high level of medication but still his diabetes was out of control. He was overweight and living a typical Marshallese lifestyle. Len was able to get into the diabetes program here at the Canvasback Wellness Center where he became a star performer. He attracted my attention because he was a willing learner who always put 110% into the aerobics training. Len is now the principle of a grade school and is the picture of health. Len has never wavered from the new lifestyle he learned and now he is one of the people being considered for the president’s Marshall Islands Council on Fitness.
Rena, is another person whose diabetes and obesity kept her bedridden for over 2 years. Then she was accepted into the Wellness Program. Her husband who is very active came with her to every session and gave her encouragement. One morning I had to chuckle as I looked out and saw Rena ahead of her husband power walking with her cane held high over her head!
“My pilot’s medical certificate was denied when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am 38 years old. I was devastated as this certificate is necessary for my work as a pilot. I heard about the Diabetes Wellness Program, and I became a participant. I completely changed my diet and embarked on a daily exercise program. Upon my last physical check-up, I was told that I am fully recovered, and my pilot’s medical certificate was approved. I no longer have diabetes. I am very thankful. I have my career and my life back.” — Lorak Lorak
The doctors at the Majuro State Hospital have seen their patients improve so much that they are now referring them to us and telling them that the Diabetes Reversal Program will save their lives. Several of the doctors have come to the center to pledge their support. They ask on a regular basis, “What can we do to help?”
Education the Key to Progress
The Ministry of Education has asked Canvasback to teach the program to the school teachers and to develop curriculum for the public schools. The door has opened for us to teach healthy principles to every student in the country. Each student will be taught stretching, aerobics and strength building exercises that they can use for the rest of their lives. They will be told the seriousness of the present health situation in their country and they will be taught which foods are to blame and which foods will bring health. They will also learn how to read labels on the food products that they buy. Above all, they will learn to make healthy choices and to take responsibility for their own health.
We have just completed the first of two diabetes awareness workshops for the public school teachers in the outer islands. At the closing ceremonies the school, teachers spoke of their commitment to share this new found knowledge with their classrooms.
About the Author
Denis Yates defines himself as an example of “God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Denis is educated in business administration, sales, marketing and recently, theology training at Heritage of Faith Bible Institute.
Denis has added clinic administrator to his list of accomplishments that vary from contracting residential and commercial construction, highway construction district manager, owner of body and automotive shops, to pilot and entrepreneur.
