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Gift of Diabetes, The (Home DVD Use Only)

Title:

 Gift of Diabetes, The (Home DVD Use Only) Publishers: O. Brian Whitford
Subject: Health/Healing/Herbology, Sacred/Spitirual Traditions Video Running Time: 58 minutes

Grade Level:

 Ten, Eleven, Twelve, College, University, Adult Education Publication Date: 2005
order in Canadian funds click here Video Description
The Gift of Diabetes is a powerful and moving personal diary of an Ojibwe man struggling with diabetes. Brian Whitford tells his own story of personal loss and the complications of diabetes in this 58-minute documentary he directed. Diabetes is a troubling disease that afflicts a large proportion of the First Nations population. Whitford's Sandy Bay First Nation home was one of loss and personal tragedy. He must deal with this troubled past in order to succeed in the present struggle to live a life of pain and the complications of diabetes. He eventually begins a spiritual journey to find answers from his cultural teachings that were not a part of his youth. Whitford tries to heed the words of the medical world as well as understand and appreciate the teachings of Elders. He visits several traditional healers in this personal journey. As well he visits medical doctors who explain the effects of long-term chronic illness on a person's life and its overwhelming impact on a culture. At Wounded Knee, Whitford learns about historical trauma and the way it can affect an entire Nation. By visiting Mohawk health workers at the Akwesasne Health Clinic and a Diabetes prevention project at Kahnawake, Whitford begins to understand his personal anger and feelings of loss. Throughout his journey Whitford takes the teachings about the Medicine Wheel and slowly applies them to his situation. Then additional complications cause Whitford to take stock of his own life. He now understands that he still mourns the death of his grandfather and draws on spiritual teachings and holds a feast for his grandfather with family members. He applies more discipline to his eating, testing and stops smoking. With the help and support of his girlfriend Whitford manages to get his diabetes under control. This film is a must-see for medical staff and Native People dealing with diabetes. This film is available in VHS format.