The Indigenous Eye Health Unit (Minum Barreng) at The University of Melbourne were proud to partner with the Indigenous Hip Hop Project, Gilimbaa, Koori Services Hub Ballarat, BADAC Co-Op Ballarat and Budja Budja Co-Op Halls Gap, to create this music video to raise awareness around the issue of diabetes and eye health in Indigenous communities. This music video will form the part of a National Campaign encouraging community members with diabetes to get a yearly eye check and to raise awareness among the community around prevention and treatment for eye health.
Check out the lyrics below for more.
See Tomorrow.
Verse 1
Listen up people who wanna see clearly.
Get an eye check and make it yearly.
To know where we goin’, gotta know where we’re from
We gotta stay healthy. We gotta stay strong.
You are in control, you can fight it
Don’t try and hide it or deny it.
Look at your grand kids, husband or wife
How you gonna feel if you lose your sight.
Get your eye doctor to check your retina
You might forget but we won't let ya
Be sure you find the right person to talk to
Go to the clinic they will support you
Don't let your blood pressure rise sky high
Take your medication to stay alive
If ya wanna see well, wanna see clearly
It’s about prevention check your eyes yearly.
Chorus
Get a check today - if you wanna see tomorrow
Get a check today - if you wanna see your future
Forget your shame - there’s no denying
It’s not a game – and we ain’t lying
Get a check if you wanna see tomorrow
Verse 2
No warnings, symptoms, signs
Early detection could save your eyes
If you take it for granted, you’ll go blind
Wishing you could see one last time.
Get in quick, get in early
We wanna’ see clearly, not blurry
If you don't check your eyes
Over time you could loose your sight
Share your visions, share your stories
So all our mobs can see the warnings
Look into my eyes an’ you will see
My family and my mob is important to me
An eye check today to see tomorrow
Dont want family to feel the sorrow
Dont sugar coat it, don't make excuses
Healthy eyes is up to you
Chorus
Get a check today - if you wanna see tomorrow
Get a check today - if you wanna see the future
Forget your shame – there’s no denying
It’s not a game – and we not lying
Spoken word.
One day I’ll wake up to blackness
Can’t look and see, all I got is memories
I may not have sight but I have a vision
To help the youth make better decision
I was too proud to ask for help
Let myself down not watching my health
Don’t take it for granted hear my plea
I lost my sight to diabetes
I had my day with the goodtimes
Drinking smoking walking the line
You gotta change your ways to improve your past
Today is the day of your life’s new start.
i didn’t listen i never realized
That diabetes can affect your eyes
It didn’t take long. I Lost my sight.
All the days turned into night.
