Latest news with #DavidAllen
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Why are so many people getting therapeutic tattoos?
Analysis: many cancer survivors get therapeutic tattoos to allow them to carve out a new interpretation of their changed bodies As humans, we have the power to make the world around us meaningful. Nowhere is this truer than tattooing. This is because, despite the potentially arbitrary nature of inserting ink into the skin, humans have given it immense meaning across its roughly 5,000+ years of existence. The reasons for getting a tattoo have changed over time. A very recent example of this is the creation of therapeutic tattoos: tattoos that are received for psychological purposes, to improve one's body-image, sense of identity, etc. Therapeutic tattoos are particularly common among cancer-survivors. These individuals often go through several body-changing treatments such as chemotherapy, causing port-scarring, or amputations, causing missing body-parts. However, while some survivors take pride in the bodily marks of their survivorship, others may feel unattractive, constantly reminded of their cancer, and unable to navigate their identity post-treatment. From TEDxChicago, tattoo artist David Allen on how a post-mastectomy tattoo can help someone heal For these reasons, many cancer-survivors decide to receive therapeutic tattoos, as they allow these individuals to carve out a new interpretation of their changed bodies, putting them back in control of their own story. Such tattoos can take many forms, and can be categorised as Medical (tattoo performed on scarred skin) or non-medical (tattoo performed on non-scarred skin), and decorative (tattoo design creates a new symbol) or reconstructive (tattoo design recreates a part of the body which has been lost). Below are the stories of two breast cancer survivors, which showcase the impact therapeutic tattoos can have. Lisa's story "I didn't want a tattooed nipple, they never meant that much to me when I had two, I wanted something to symbolise what had happened to my boob. When I was told I had breast cancer, I said to the surgeon, "just take it out and get rid of it", my mom had had breast cancer 10 years before, so I knew the process. My zip tattoo came about as when I looked in the mirror, they had actually cut open my boob, gotten rid of it, and sewn my skin shut again. I wanted the zip to be slightly open to have butterflies (my moms favourite) coming out of it, representing me, my mum and my dad as we all had cancer that year. Unfortunately, my parents both passed away the year I got the tattoo, so it represents more than just my cancer now. After getting my tattoo, it was easier to look in the mirror, I was so proud of it and what it represented. It wasn't just a lump with silicone in it, it was still part of me and my journey through this life. I show anyone who asks, and you can see the butterflies when wearing a strappy top. I'm someone that will explain how I found my cancer, show them my reconstruction and tattoo, and try to get people to understand that it's not always the end of the world, most people do survive and live a normal life if you have a positive outlook." The drawing process for decorative therapeutic tattoos provided by Stacie Becker from Empower Tattoo Lourdes' story "When I first learned I would need a mastectomy, there were so many unknowns—how I'd feel, what I'd look like, how I'd explain everything to my daughter. But one thing I knew for sure from the start: I wanted a nipple tattoo. That might seem like an unusual thing to focus on while facing a stage III cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and major surgery. But when you lose control over so much—your body, your hair, your future—you begin to hold onto anything you can still plan. And I wanted to feel as normal as I could, as soon as possible. After surgery, when I looked in the mirror, I didn't feel whole. It wasn't about vanity—it was about identity. There's a deep kind of grief in losing a part of yourself that's always been there. Without a nipple, I didn't feel complete. That feeling quietly turned into insecurity. I smiled and celebrated being cancer-free—but whenever I looked down, it reminded me of what was taken. That's when I started looking into nipple tattoos. I didn't want anything symbolic or artistic—I wanted to get something that looked real. I wanted to feel like myself again. When I saw the final result, I couldn't believe it. I smiled in a way I hadn't in months.. The tattoo looked so real. The tattoo didn't erase the pain of chemo, the trauma of surgery, or the fear of losing my hair. But it gave me back my confidence, I felt like me again. And in a journey filled with loss, that little piece of restoration meant the world Therapeutic tattooing isn't just about aesthetics. For many of us, it's part of healing. It's not just art—it's restoration. It's compassion. And it's a reminder that even after the medical part of recovery ends, the emotional and spiritual healing continues. I'm still figuring out what life after cancer looks like. Most days I feel strong. Some days I feel delicate. But now, when I look in the mirror, I don't see a scar or a loss. I see myself—whole, alive, and healing." Importantly, these tattoos for cancer-survivors are not as uncommon as you may think, being performed on men and women in hospitals and tattoo studios on the island of Ireland and abroad, in part thanks to the work of non-profit organisations such as the Nipple Innovation Project and However, we have only scratched the surface in terms of understanding their potential applications, which may include self-harm scar tattoos and gender-affirming tattoos. With further research, we may be able to fully unlock the meaning-making ability of therapeutic tattoos.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Kendal Calling arrests down at Cumbria's biggest music festival
Festival-goers at this year's Kendal Calling have been praised by police after an "extremely low" number of people were Police said it made 10 arrests over the four-day event, with people held on suspicion of drug offences, assaults, driving offences and one public order 40,000 people attended the festival at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith. Last year's event saw 14 arrests, which were mostly related to drug previously said there would be fewer officers at this year's festival as organisers had increased their own private security to conduct searches. Ch Supt Matt Kennerley thanked the vast majority who attended the festival and "enjoyed themselves safely and responsibly"."Although we did make a number of arrests, this number is extremely low in comparison to the large volume of people who attended the festival, and we are pleased that most enjoyed the music and had a great time," he said."Unfortunately, there were some serious crimes committed, and we deployed specialist officers to these reports."These officers are now working hard to investigate these and provide support to the victims." Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said Kendal Calling was one of the largest events the police force deals with each year."It is clear, however, that Cumbria, despite its size and full time population base, can deal with pretty much anything, and more importantly, do it well," he of the event, the Cumbria force said drugs were its main concern and it would have a "full command structure" in also said amnesty bins would be on site for people to safely dispose of drugs. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
Police use drones to clampdown on illegal use of e-bikes in Cumbrian towns
CUMBRIA Police will launch a 15-week crackdown on the illegal use of e-bikes across the county on Monday (August 4). David Allen, Cumbria's police fire and crime commissioner, was speaking at a community event at Morton Manor community centre in Carlisle, as part of Operation Respect, on Thursday (July 31). Operation Colossus is the 15-week-long operation which focusses on road safety and anti-social behaviour. Mr Allen said: 'So, starting on Monday, we've got Operation Colossus, which is part of our safer streets initiative. 'And in that operation we'll be targeting e-bikes and the misuse of them that gets reported at my office on a regular basis.' He said it would also focus on antisocial driving and he added: 'I know from doing my survey last year is literally the second most reported thing after antisocial behaviour.' Mr Allen said it would involve the force's roads policing unit as well as the force's neighbourhood policing teams and the use of drones. He added: 'So if you're using the road, you're on an e-bike, look out, drive properly, make sure your e-bike's legal. Otherwise, you will be stopped. It will be taken off you and it will be crushed.' On Thursday he had the opportunity to hear residents' concerns around policing and fire and he said: 'I've come across a few residents and spoken to a lot of people whose main concerns were, no surprises, e-scooters, certainly use on pavements and drug dealing in the local area. There was lots of antisocial behaviour on the back of that. 'All of that information that I've got today will be passed to the local police, all of it will be actioned. Results will come from that, that I promise, and that I guarantee.' Inspector Andy Leather, from Carlisle neighbourhood policing team, said: 'Operation Respect events are an opportunity for police and partners to come together within our communities and provide advice and discuss issues. 'Information from today's event will be taken into the local focus hub for partners to address any issues reported. 'It's also positive to see that antisocial behaviour has reduced, however we aren't complacent, and the neighbourhood policing team are continuing to proactively target those engaging in such behaviour. This is also supported by additional activity for Operation Enhance and the Safer Streets summer campaign.' Thursday's event was next to the community centre in Chances Park and it involved emergency services as well as other agencies. Julie Minns, the Carlisle MP, was also there and afterwards she accompanied Mr Allen and PCs Dan Fisher and Nick Leigh on a walkabout around Morton area. The MP said: 'The commissioner and I are united in our commitment to driving crime and antisocial behaviour out of Carlisle's neighbourhoods. 'After years of a declining police presence on Britain's streets, the Government is putting millions of pounds back into frontline, neighbourhood policing, and tackling antisocial behaviour that blights communities like Morton. 'Patrols like this, and the Government's £66million summer crime blitz, are a return to the principles of British policing – where officers are part of the communities they serve and are focused on tackling crimes like antisocial behaviour, theft and nuisance bikes that affect us all.' The event was run by Riverside and the various partners involved were brought together by Cumberland Council. Chris Blain, a council local focus manager, said: 'My role is to reduce on social behaviour in certain parts of the city when we have quite a lot of issues. It's an issue which the police can't fix alone and they need the support from other partners.' The commissioner is hosting two future surgeries in the county: Northside Community Centre in Workington on Wednesday, August 6, between 1.30pm and 2:30pm; Appleby on Wednesday, August 27, from 2pm to 4pm, with the venue to be arranged.
RNZ News
01-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'Bald-shaming' billboard sparks debate
An advertisement from an Australian company that specialises in overseas travel for medical and cosmetic procedure has sparked some debate, reading "You look better bald ...said no-one ever". There are questions over whether the ad is light hearted marketing or thinly disguised body shaming that assumes baldness is undesirable. CEO and founder of Australian company David Allen spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Otago Daily Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Urban planning gives town ‘deferential' treatment
Arrowtown. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An independent commissioner has questioned why Arrowtown should receive special treatment when it comes to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposed urban intensification variation. Hearing panel chairman David Allen, commissioner Ian Munro and Wanaka-based district councillor Lyal Cocks began the first week of submissions hearings on the proposal in Arrowtown yesterday. The variation seeks to amend the proposed district plan by increasing heights and densities in residential and business zones close to the commercial centres in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Frankton and Wanaka to enable intensification of development. It stems from a government mandate — policy 5 of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development — that urban centres have to zone for denser, more affordable housing. Almost 40% of submissions received came from Arrowtown residents or ratepayers, many of whom were horrified at the possibility of 12m-high housing — 11m plus a pitched roof — in the historic village, which could apply to 266 medium density-zoned properties. In a report to the panel, council resource management policy principal planner Amy Bowbyes recommended a rule be amended for that zone in Arrowtown, to enable a building height of 9m (8m plus a pitched roof), which was essentially two-storey development. In the lower density suburban residential zone in Arrowtown, she recommended a height of 6.5m, and restricted discretionary building height band of 6.5m to 8m. However, Mr Munro yesterday challenged the council's lawyer, Sarah Scott, of Simpson Grierson, on that. "I've had the, I'd say, pleasure of being invited to be a commissioner for nearly 40 years in this district, and it is just not the case that only Arrowtown has beautiful residential streets, one or two-storey houses, and has charming views of the [outstanding natural landscapes] behind them ... and extremely rich character and very high [amenity] values," he said. "Why does nowhere else in this district's urban zones get the same deferential balancing of this character and amenity if it's a valid resource consent management way to apply policy5? "The question is, if it's good for one part of the district ... why would we not ask for the same approach to be used elsewhere, too?" Ms Scott said there were "bespoke provisions" for other parts of the district, but from a legal perspective, Arrowtown's special recommendation was in the operative district plan (ODP) and proposed district plan (PDP). "Perhaps Arrowtown people have fought harder ... but the facts are, it's in the PDP, it was in the ODP and it's been recognised for some time." She told the panel the district-wide variation amends the proposed plan by increasing heights and densities in some urban zones, and by amending provisions to recognise the benefits of intensification, to ensure adequate amenity values were provided for within intensification areas, and to ensure intensification can be serviced. "It's very hard to draw a line in the sand here, but it essentially requires almost a merits-based assessment of the changes requested — it is actually about ensuring that the greater densities can ... be realised." Mr Munro questioned how that was not contradictory as it pertained to the discussion about Arrowtown. "The purpose of this plan change is ... to investigate what the correct amenity values and intensification areas are [across the district]. "Surely that opens the ability of submitters to say the correct amenity values in [their] intensification area is to have less intensification?" While Ms Scott said the council had treated such submissions as "out of scope", there was a pathway for the panel to respond to them. The hearing continues.
