“Diabetic In Denial” Planning Wilderness Walk
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 16:48
A northern Saskatchewan man plans to walk through the wildnerness from Ile-a-la-Crosse to La Ronge next month in an effort to raise awareness about diabetes.
Nap Gardiner is a former CEO of a northern regional health authority and describes himself as a “diabetic in denial” who doesn’t eat or exercise the way he should.
Gardiner says that’s a common response to diabetes in the North, and he hopes his walk spurs others with the illness to start taking responsibility for their health.
He says he chose to convey this message through a cross-country walk because he believes a return to the land is key to restoring well-being in his people.
The walk is scheduled to begin on the first day of spring, and Gardiner says others have indicated they’ll be joining him.