Defying convention to fuel life's ambitions

Repairing engines ignites Nishani's latent talents :

Matara Roving Correspondent

MOTIVE POWER: Slowly but surely, women are entering professions and vocations which used to be the preserve of men. Such 'man-made' barriers seem to be breaking down with monotonous regularity as women bravely blur the distinction between so-called women's jobs and men's jobs.

It was not so long ago that newspapers highlighted the soaring achievements of two women pilots at SriLankan Airlines and the perseverance of a woman three wheeler driver who has successfully faced all challenges.

Now an enterprising young woman from Devundara, Matara has literally set the wheels rolling on a path-breaking career drive, repairing motor vehicle engines. Though considered a very 'manly' job, the prospect of repairing engines fascinates Nelum Nishani, still just out of her teens. Nishani does not clearly accept the notion that there are jobs only men can do.

She has mastered the craft so well that no repair is too big for her, be it a petrol or a diesel engine. Hers is a story of courage and determination worthy of emulation not just by women, but even by men.

I met Nishani, whose fame is spreading fast, at the Sri Dhammarathana Technical Institutions, Kottegoda. "I passed the Advanced Level exam, but was unable to enter university. My father was the sole breadwinner - he mended shoes and umbrellas in Matara town. He lost all his equipment to the tsunami."

While awaiting A/L results, Nishani opted to join the village Youth Club and attend various leadership training programmes. In the meantime, she got an opportunity to join the Sri Dhammarathana Technical Institution under the Canadian World University Service and selected vocational training in motor mechanism.

"I learnt about the proper place for women in society in the "Youth in Transition" Project under the patronage of the Canadian World University programme. I also realised that women can do any work that men do. So, I thought of choosing an unconventional vocation while some others opted for more conventional ones.

That is how I learnt motor mechanism," said Nishani, running her nimble fingers over a engine block. There were times that she was teased by her family and friends for choosing this unconventional vocation. But she tried her best to achieve her goals.

Her training instructor Nadeeka Wijesinghe says she can repair any motor engine. Nishani intends to open a motor engine repairing garage by using her mechanical knowledge of petrol and diesel engines, fuel injection systems and automatic transmission systems.

She hopes to widen her knowledge to cover all aspects of motor mechanism and repair. Another training instructor Tharanga de Silva says that because of her enthusiasm and interest in learning all areas connected to motor mechanism, she has gained much experience and is able to achieve successful results.

"I like what I am doing. It is challenging and interesting. Women should give up their inhibitions regarding mechanical jobs and find new avenues for self-employment," Nishani observed.

########################

Diet and arthritis

Stress on fruits and veggies for a healthy life

Sugar contains only calories and has no other food value (so-called 'empty' calories) so it can be cut down without any loss of nourishment. Eating 30 g (about 1 oz) less sugar each day saves 120 calories.

Try not to add sugar to drinks and cereals. Although artificial sweeteners contain very few calories, it is better to get used to food being less sweet by not adding them to drinks. Dried fruit like raisins can be used to sweeten cereals and puddings; unlike sugar and artificial sweeteners, they also provide vitamins and minerals.

Eat more fruit and vegetables

The World Health Organization recommends that we eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

This is to make sure that the body receives the important nutrients, particularly vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which it needs to maintain good health and to protect it during the stress of disease.

Antioxidants can help protect joints, and help reduce inflammation by 'mopping up' some of the body chemicals which cause inflammation, and may even help prevent arthritis.

Recent research has shown that people who eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly those containing vitamin C, seem to have a lower risk of developing inflammatory arthritis. Choose fruit and vegetables of various different colours especially the brightly coloured varieties as these tend to be rich in antioxidants. Examples include apples, oranges, cherries, blueberries, peppers, spinach, tomatoes, avocado, sweet potato, beetroot and broccoli.

You can also get more fibre from eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Remember that you also get fibre from wholegrain versions of bread, cereals, pasta and rice. In addition, as suggested above, fruit, vegetables and wholegrains are relatively filling and help if you are trying to lose weight.

Take regular exercise

Exercise is very important. Not only does it use up calories which would otherwise end up as fat, but it also increases your strength and suppleness. Exercise is good for your general health, especially the heart and circulation.

Of course, arthritis can make exercise difficult and painful, and the wrong kind of exercise can make it worse. But exercise does not have to mean running a marathon! A daily walk for half an hour with the dog, for example, or a walk to the local shops or park is exercise and it will help. Many people find particular types of exercise suit them: swimming is a good exercise because being in water takes the weight off the joints.

Others prefer keep-fit classes, yoga or cycling. The most important thing is that you enjoy it and so do it regularly.

Calcium and vitamin D

Should I take extra calcium, vitamin D, or iron?

Calcium is an important basic nutrient. Not having enough calcium in the diet can make you more likely to get osteoporosis (brittle bones).

Women after the menopause are particularly liable to osteoporosis. Many people with arthritis also have a risk of developing this condition.

Lack of calcium in the diet can also increase your risk of developing osteomalacia. The richest sources of calcium are milk, cheese and yogurt and, as shown below, certain types of fish which are eaten with the bones. If you are watching your weight it is worth knowing that skimmed or semi-skimmed milk actually contains more calcium than full-fat milk.

I recommend a daily intake of calcium of 1000 milligrams (mg) or 1500 mg if you are over 60. A pint of milk a day, together with a reasonable amount of other foods which contain calcium, should be sufficient.

Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium and there is some evidence that arthritis (both osteoarthritis and inflammatory types), progresses faster in people who are low in it.

If, for whatever reason, you do not take many dairy products, soya milk is now available in most supermarkets. It can be used in exactly the same way as cow's milk. Some soya milk is fortified with calcium, so try to use this type.

If you are not taking dairy products or a suitable quantity of other calcium-fortified 'milk' or other calcium-fortified products, you may need a calcium supplement. Discuss this with a dietitian or your rheumatologist.

To be continued

Dr. Kaleel Cassim, (MBBS)(MD), Consultant Rheumatologist