Die Gesondheidsgesin
Health Care in Bela-Bela

Ons doelwit is om self te groei in liefde en omgee, en om ander deur voorbeeld en mentorskap te help om meer balans in hul lewens in te bou. Die Evangelie is vir die hele mens in al sy fasette van mens-wees bedoel. 'n Gebalanseerde dieet, gereelde matige oefening en 'n sinvolle verhoudingslewe verrig wondere vir enige mens. Die Skepper, wat deur Sy gees in ons woon, weet wat ons nodig het nog voordat ons vra. Hy wil vir ons alles in oorvloed gee, maar eers moet ons leer om gehoorsaam te wees aan die opdragte in sy Woord, ook wat ons fisiese liggame betref.
Goeie gesondheid en lewenskwalitiet staan op drie pilare. Oorgewig kom gewoonlik outomaties onder beheer as hierdie drie elemente in plek is.  .

Oorgewig is die resultaat van te veel koolhidrate in die vorm van stysel soos brood, pasta, aartappels en rys, asook alkohol en soet bederfies soos sjokolade en koekies, en te min gereelde oefening. Are en slagare verloor soepelheid en raak verstop met ouderdom. Daar is egter bevind dat heuning en kaneel nuwe lewe in are en slagare blaas. Dit is ’n baie komplekse probleem wat verband hou met diabetes, aarverharding (arteriosklerose) en ander gesondheidsprobleme en oorsake van dood. Children deprived of adequate nutrition cannot function at their optimal levels; and it becomes far more difficult for their system to process the essential fatty acids needed for their best brain functioning. Research is showing that a deficiency of essential fatty acids can aggravate, and in some cases, produce many of the symptoms commonly linked to ADD or ADHD children. It is characterised by the inability to pay attention, distractibility, and frequently by impulsiveness which can be in their speech or their actions. Children who have the added symptom of extreme over-activity are said to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Few realise the devastating effect that these symptoms or combinations of them can have on every aspect of children’s lives. Disgusting behaviour, poor school performance and inept social behaviour, all frequently regarded as totally unacceptable, are often children’s best attempt to cope in a world that is hostile and confusing to them. In the late eighties and early nineties it was claimed that ten percent of all children were affected by ADD or ADHD; but that only three percent of all children were severely afflicted with the condition seriously affecting their quality of life. It should also be taken into consideration that the pressures of school invariably highlight weaknesses of ADD children placing tremendous stress on them. This in turn aggravates the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and dramatically reduces their levels of coping. For some children other solutions are not available. If this is the case and medication is the only way of ensuring that a child is going to achieve his education (and keep his self image and confidence levels intact), then it should be considered. We’ve all paid heavily for the convenience of our modern lifestyle. In addition there are so many additives used in foods these days that it’s almost impossible for the average parent to know what to take and what to avoid. Large letters draw your attention to, for example, NO ARTIFICIAL COLOURS, and then small print in an almost hidden corner admit to the synthetic flavourants. Let’s hope that South Africa sits up and takes notice and follows suit. We all owe it to these children to help them in safe and efficient ways. Everyone benefits when they take their place as valuable contributors to our society. This is so unnecessary and only points to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the tormentors. We also need to remember that many of these irritating symptoms are actually gifts if used in the appropriate situation: The same symptoms that caused young Winston Churchill endless difficulties as a child, proved invaluable as he changed the course of history and possibly became the greatest statesman of the twentieth century. Hopefully, as we have greater understanding of the condition of ADHD, we will be more able to assist these children.