Latest news with #Anzac
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
New research shows bullying a main factor behind self-harm thoughts for people with Tourette syndrome
WARNING: This story contains content about bullying and suicidal ideation. When Nita Ryan's son Anzac was just 10 years old, she heard him say the words every parent dreads — and a nation-first study has found the experience is alarmingly common. "Anzac came to his teacher and us and told us at one point that he did not want to be here anymore," Ms Ryan said. "He just wanted his tics to stop." Anzac, 11, lives with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition which causes involuntary movements and vocalisations, known as tics. A new report by the Kids Research Institute Australia and the University of New South Wales found one in two children with a tic-related disorder have thought about ending their life. The rates of attempted suicide in children and adults with the condition are five times the national average. The Impact for Tourette's research project found bullying, discrimination and a lack of understanding were some of the main contributing factors to emotional distress. Anzac lives with at least 20 different tics and recently had to move schools after "severe" bullying led him to an overwhelming sense of helplessness. "[It was] horrific. A 10-year-old should never have to feel that. A 10-year-old shouldn't know what that is," his mum Ms Ryan said. "We had a few incidents where he was actually followed to our car to get picked up and he was pushed and hit." The move was the best decision the family made, but now in grade six, Anzac is worried about the future. "I don't feel teased at my school right now … I feel like when I go to high school I might be left out or in a lot of trouble," Anzac said. "Staying with my family makes me feel safe and nothing can happen to me. "[At school] it's hard to feel safe and it's hard to learn sometimes. "It's like a curse and it's a severe condition that isn't fixable." About 1 per cent of children live with Tourette syndrome in Australia and along with the social stigma, the healthcare sector is also lagging. The report evaluated systemic issues across the healthcare, education, employment and mental health sectors and found challenges across the board. It made seven recommendations to the industries to improve the treatment and management of Tourette syndrome. Senior research fellow and report co-author, Dr Melissa Licari , said one of the key recommendations was to establish a national clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment. "After they're diagnosed, there's no services available in terms of providing the therapies and treatments that they need and also the support that they might need in the community as well," Dr Licari said. "There also needs to be training and resources available for healthcare professions, for educators and also employees." Despite being severe and common, Tourette syndrome has not garnered the same attention as other disorders. Ms Ryan said Anzac also has an autism spectrum disorder and said the difference in response to the diagnosis was astounding. "When he was diagnosed with autism, we were given all of this information … here is all of the specialists that can help you, here's all of the therapies that can help you," she said. The research also found only one in 20 people have access to NDIS funding and on his third attempt of medication, Anzac's medical bills have added up. "Everything we do, we have to do privately and pay," Ms Ryan said. "It's extremely hard, especially if he's crying in pain. You can't do anything. There's nothing anyone can do."
The Age
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Pâté twice in a day: What a dietitian thinks of this food regime
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Gideon Obarzanek is a choreographer and director. The 58-year-old shares his day on a plate. 7am Tea with milk in bed looking out the window and checking overnight news and emails. 8am Breakfast is a double espresso with oat milk. Homemade muesli with Greek yoghurt, oat milk, freshly cut yellow grapefruit and persimmon. 1pm Lunch is liverwurst with dill pickles on two pieces of seeded sourdough toast. Tea with milk and one homemade Anzac biscuit. 5.30pm One non-alcoholic beer, one glass of white wine, cheese, pate, pickled fennel and crackers. 7pm Dinner tonight is roast lamb shoulder, roast potatoes and carrots. Plus a Greek salad and two glasses of red wine. 10pm Before heading to bed I have a non-caffeine herbal tea and a piece of homemade pear and ginger cake. Dr Joanna McMillan says
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pâté twice in a day: What a dietitian thinks of this food regime
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Gideon Obarzanek is a choreographer and director. The 58-year-old shares his day on a plate. 7am Tea with milk in bed looking out the window and checking overnight news and emails. 8am Breakfast is a double espresso with oat milk. Homemade muesli with Greek yoghurt, oat milk, freshly cut yellow grapefruit and persimmon. 1pm Lunch is liverwurst with dill pickles on two pieces of seeded sourdough toast. Tea with milk and one homemade Anzac biscuit. 5.30pm One non-alcoholic beer, one glass of white wine, cheese, pate, pickled fennel and crackers. 7pm Dinner tonight is roast lamb shoulder, roast potatoes and carrots. Plus a Greek salad and two glasses of red wine. 10pm Before heading to bed I have a non-caffeine herbal tea and a piece of homemade pear and ginger cake. Dr Joanna McMillan says
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Club's high tea bags $2000 for charity
Altrusa Club of Taieri hosted a high tea at East Taieri Church on Saturday, raising more than $2000 for the Cancer Society's ''Bags of Hope'' project. PHOTO: CLAIRE PATERSON Altrusa Club of Taieri hosted about 90 local women for a successful high tea at East Taieri Church on Saturday, raising more than $2000 for the Cancer Society's ''Bags of Hope'' project. Club present Margaret Munro said the event had been thoroughly enjoyable, with a delicious afternoon tea and three top-notch speakers sharing insights into different aspects of cancer. These included the role of the Cancer Society, the purpose and development of the Wellness Gym and a personal story of recovery after diagnosis and surgery. The Cancer Society's ''Bags of Hope'' project was a collaboration between the Cancer Society Otago-Southland and local schools, whose pupils created art works to decorate clothing-storage bags for people attending oncology appointments. Ms Munro said Taieri Altrusa had recently celebrated 40 years of supporting the community, and was going strong with 27 active members, most of whom were there on Saturday to help host the high tea. Recent activities have included distributing more than 500 Anzac biscuits to people at the Anzac Day memorial service in Mosgiel, continuing the ''Books for Babies'' project, donating to Riding for the Disabled, and supporting a variety of street appeals. @
West Australian
7 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Nationals MLA for Albany Scott Leary delivers moving inaugural speech in State Parliament
Albany's new MLA Scott Leary delivered a moving inaugural address in State Parliament last week, drawing laughter and even a collective 'aw' from the sitting members. Mr Leary's 17-minute speech on May 20 began with an apology after his phone went off during the preceding speech: 'As a volunteer firefighter in the Kalgan Volunteer Fire Brigade you can have whatever setting you like on the phone, but the BART system will override it.' In the wide-ranging address, Mr Leary described his humble journey into politics, from leaving school after Year 10 to rising through the corporate ranks at Westpac and Albany City Motors. 'As a proposed used car salesman — although I was a director and a financial controller — I am grateful that the chamber has lawyers and real estate agents to keep me off the bottom of the ladder,' he said to chuckles from the sitting members. He also laid out his priorities as Albany's first Nationals MLA in 70 years: regional health care, roads and transport links, backing local business, opportunities for young people, protecting the environment and increasing housing stock. He detailed the 'extraordinary natural beauty and immense historical significance' of the electorate, touching on the ancient and continuing custodianship of the land by the Menang Noongar people, the city's forthcoming bicentenary, and its 'proud' role as the home of the Anzac. 'Albany has always been central to Western Australia's story,' he said. 'It is a story of discovery, of courage, of community. 'Together, with pride in our past and hope in our future, we will write its next and greatest chapters.' He also noted the region's economic weight, though unfortunately appeared to get his facts wrong, saying that 'Our region makes up approximately 20 per cent of the number of Western Australians who live outside the greater metro area, but we contribute up to 60 per cent of the State's GDP.' The Great Southern makes up 9 per cent of the State's regional population and contributes 1.3 per cent to its gross regional product, according to data published by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation in its 2024 WA Economic Profile. But it wasn't all business for the former financial director, who took the time to thank the family members, friends, colleagues and mentors who had helped him along the way, choking up as he spoke of his 'amazing' sons. 'Of all the things I have done in my life, the greatest achievement I am most proud of is the sons and the men they have become,' Mr Leary said, drawing a collective 'aw' from the audience. He went on to thank the people of Albany, Mt Barker and the Great Southern for placing their trust in him, which he said he carries 'with deep humility and a fierce determination to serve'. 'Today is one of the proudest days of my life,' he said. Nationals leader Shane Love and Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas were among the throng surrounding Mr Leary with Mr Zempilas caught on the mic telling the newly elected member 'beautiful speech, well done'.
