A Little determination goes a long way

SINGER JIMMY LITTLE HAS BEEN a household name for several decades. For his musical talents he has been named Australian of the Year, sold gold records, received numerous accolades, honorary doctorates, an Order of Australia Medal and been named a ‘National Living Treasure.’

However, the remarkable thing about Jimmy is that he has yet to be recognised for rising to his greatest challenge yet - with the same courage, grace and calm with which he weaved his music career.

For the past one and half years, Jimmy has been recovering from a kidney transplant. He has also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. His diabetes was brought on by the immunosuppressant medications he had to take to avoid rejection of the new kidney.

Jimmy says that he wishes he had been more aware about the effects of kidney disease when he was first told he had problems in 1990.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get check-ups often enough or soon enough to realise the possibility that my kidneys could fail.”

“When my doctor told me I had kidney failure, it was like being hit by a bolt of lightening,” Jimmy says of the fateful day in 2002.

Jimmy then spent two and a half years on dialysis while he waited for new kidney to become available.

Throughout this challenging time in his personal life, Jimmy has remained committed to his music. Refusing to be held back, he learned to dialyse with a self-administered machine four times a day, for 40 minutes at a time… while travelling on the road for live performances.

He achieved this feat while also managing his type 2 diabetes with tablets and healthy lifestyle.
“I feel like this is just another stage for me to perform on,” Jimmy says of his health management.
“And in music, as with medicine, you build on your best result.”

As a lifelong non-smoker and non-drinker, the 68-year-old turned his attention to a diet and exercise to improve his health and now keeps a routine of regular walks and visits the gym twice a week.

“When they diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes I realised that if I didn’t look after my condition by Doctors order’s I could be in serious trouble,” he said.

He said the new routine was a little difficult when he started, as his walks left him short of breath, but he started with small walks and gradually increased them as his fitness improved.

“We all have the power and principals within us to work with our destiny and find a solution,” he says.

Jimmy’s wife Marjorie also has type 2 diabetes, and as he didn’t much understand the condition when he was diagnosed, Jimmy says her support has been wonderful.

“I admire her in so many ways, she’s very self-disciplined and well-organised,” he said.
“We started off as two good friends, became two sweethearts, and now we’re two patients looking after each other!” Jimmy laughs.

Because Indigenous Australians are at significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes, Jimmy says it’s important for them to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet and keeping physically active can help lower the risk of the disease.

“That’s going to be our only salvation, “ Jimmy said, “our modern kids need to be aware of the programs for good health that are available for all children.”

“It’s about not loading the body with too much rich foods. It’s clashing with our bush tucker roots.”

For the future, Jimmy particularly wants to encourage indigenous musical talents, along with Australian musicians in general.

“I can see myself directing, going into production and counselling our people in their direction - their music, dance, art and culture,” he said.

Jimmy continues to perform live at selected venues - see www.jimmylittle.com.au for details.