I am a Specialist Physician in Endocrinology and also an Anthropologist with special interest in the Indigenous peoples of the world.
Just attended an International Conference on Diabetes where I met a lot of lovely people. Today with my medical colleague, who also does the driving, went on the 350 km drive to visit various camps of this group of Indigenous people of the USA. It gives me great pleasure to visit them at home as they tend to tell me very culturally relevant aspects of their life, such as this lady telling me that up until 40 years ago, they lived in houses without any walls with thatched roofs. When they first moved into the modern houses (while each of them maintaining a traditional house as well), they couldn’t sleep well as they thought someone was looking at them.
At this international meeting they talked about the science behind the best treatment for diabetes type 2, which half the American patients cannot afford for various reasons. I felt content that our patients who do not pay for their medical care or medications (a truly socialist health care system within the overt capitalistic American system) could be provided with the latest scientifically evidenced best treatment..
Today I visited an indigenous person who is doing well who was recently at the concert by Rolling Stones and he had brought me a tee shirt from the concert as a gift. You can see him in the photographs.
Both my colleague and I felt that today was a good day, despite the long drive, we were able to bring the best treatment, the most modern treatment to this group of indigenous people. Patients are happy that we visit them often.
I am very grateful to the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hang whose book on Mindfulness which brings me joy each day and as always to the poets and writers of Iran and some of their modern interpreters who bring smile to my face. Those who recognise the flag in these photos, I am very fond of that country too .. especially the indigenous people living along the huge river ..
