James Back was making the most of his second life.

The 27-year-old multi-talented sportsman nearly died 14 years ago when, as he puts it, his body’s antibodies ‘mistook’ their mission to eliminate the chicken pox virus he had contracted and, instead, attacked his Islets of Langerhans, the components in the pancreas required to produce insulin. He spent two weeks in a Fremantle Hospital emergency ward before recovering, with a permanent legacy as a Type 1 diabetic who must inject himself four or five times a day to stay alive.

“I got a second chance, and fortunately it hasn’t stopped me from doing the normal things,” said the health-conscious, s t i l l - a c t i v e sportsman and Bachelor of Science graduate with majors in human biology and human movement. Not that James’ life was quite ‘normal.’ During 2002 and last year, James was firmly entrenched in the Western Desert and amidst the people of Punmu, where he was undertaking studies for a Masters degree focussing on Aboriginal health, specifically diabetes.

James’ scholarship was being supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation and the University of WA. He lived in a house donated by Newcrest Mining Ltd, and drove a vehicle supplied by Clough Engineering. “The Punmu elders recognised many health issues in the community,” James said. Diabetes is more prevalent in many Aboriginal communities. In Europe, about 7 per cent of the population have diabetes, in urban Aboriginal communities it’s about 30 per cent and in remote communities, up to 70 per cent.

James studied the Punmu community, looking at the risk factors which contributed to the onset of the condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyles and genetic links. “I’m here to target those risk-factors and to engender amongst the community a healthy lifestyle,” James said. “Hopefully, we’ll see a decreased incidence of diabetes risk factors and c a r d i o v a s c u l a r disease.” James undertook a series of physiological tests in search of the range of symptoms, working with the support of the school teachers and Elders. He was also able to enlist the support of UWA human movement students who, during the course of the program, travelled to Punmu with Newcrest Mining’s support to work for short periods to assist James as part of their own studies.