A story from Zechariah, who has learned to how to live well with Osteoarthritis.
Talofa ‘aiga! Samoan Language Week, so we are enjoying celebrating Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa with you this week!
Talofa! O a’u o Zechariah Reuelu
Ou te sau mai Porirua. O lo’u tamā o Tulano. O lo’u tinā o Lola
Hello! I am Zechariah. I come from Porirua. My father is Tulano from the beautiful atoll of Atafu, Tokelau & my mother is Lola from Satupaʻitea, a village on the southeast coast of Savaiʻi Island in Samoa.
The theme for this year’s Samoan Language Week is “Poupou le lotoifale. Ola manuia le anofale” which means “Strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive.” 🌺
For 12 months, I have lived with a condition known as osteoarthritis or OA for short. OA is common in older people and is a debilitating chronic disease and one of the leading causes of disability in New Zealand. The good news is that you can live — and live well — with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. You can get relief from its pain.
I am learning that people with OA can lead normal and active lives with their family, especially if OA is identified early and treated adequately.
Zechariah Reuelu and his children.
As a Samoan language speaker, I do struggle to pronounce “osteoarthritis”. If you also struggle, here is how you pronounce it: o·stee·ow·aa·thrai·tuhs
Please feel free to contact Arthritis New Zealand if you need support or guidance to learn to live well with Osteoarthritis.
Ia Manuia Le Vaiaso O Le Gagana Samoa
Zechariah Reuelu, Community Development Pacific Peoples, Arthritis New Zealand
O fea e maua ai nisi fa’amatalaga
O lenei ‘upega o feso’ota’iga ‘olo’o tele ai fa’amatalaga e uiga i itū’ āiga ponāivi tīgā ma togafitiga.
