Latest news with #DavidGardiner
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Woman advised to seek grief counselling for migraine but holds out hope
Since developing migraine four years ago, Hobart resident Claire Szymanski has had to stop working and regularly misses out on social events. "I'd never previously had migraine, woke up one morning with what I thought was this shocking headache and unfortunately four years on I have not had a day's break from it," Ms Szymanski said. Ms Szymanski is one of an estimated 4.9 million Australians who live with migraine of varying frequency and severity. Another Tasmanian, David Gardiner, has experienced life-changing relief through medication but said living with the disorder had made him more accommodating of others who live with an invisible illness. Ms Szymanski said she was "in and out" of hospital when symptoms increased in intensity. She seeks temporary relief from the severe head pain and dizziness she lives with each day through the use of nerve blocks and severe migraine treatments. The single mother of two has received treatment in Tasmania and interstate. But she has now been advised by neurological specialists that it's likely her constant head pain and dizziness are here to stay and she should seek counselling for grief related to losing her quality of life. She continues to seek a solution regardless. "Any chance or hope of getting better you do what you have to do," Ms Szymanski said. Jude Kingston clearly remembers her first migraine attack more than five decades ago, when she was eight and in her classroom in Tasmania. "I kept trying to rub my eyes to work out why I couldn't see the chalkboard properly," Ms Kingston said. "I somehow managed to walk home and not long after that I had the severe headache and the vomiting." Now chairperson of advocacy group Migraine Australia, Ms Kingston said education was key to people's acceptance of migraine, which can affect vision, speech and language, and has neurological symptoms once triggered. There are 10 types of migraine and within those types, the disorder can vary in severity and frequency. Common triggers for a migraine attack include certain food, strong smells, such as perfume or a potent meal in a shared office, bright or flickering lights, and loud noises. Other triggers are hormonal changes such as the onset of perimenopause, exercise, fluid intake, changes in routine and sleep, and stress. Ms Kingston said it could be helpful for people living with migraine to look for patterns in diet, behaviour and their environment to determine triggers. If experiencing migraine symptoms, seek a diagnosis from a GP and advice on how to manage the disorder. "At this stage there is no cure and there is no cause for everybody," Ms Kingston said. Hobart resident David Gardiner has experienced a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. Mr Gardiner now realises what he has missed out on in life, since developing migraine in his late teens. Now in his 50s, he said he recently had a great response to a class of medication called CPRG inhibitors. "It's had a profound impact on my life. "It's made me realise the things you miss out on [and] makes you as accommodating as you can be of other people who experience chronic health conditions." Triggers for an attack, such as strong smells and flickering or bright lights, are difficult for Mr Gardiner to avoid, but he self-advocates when necessary. He said many people were understanding, but he had experienced stigma. "Some people think of migraine as a headache, not that you'd want them to experience it," Mr Gardiner said. "I don't think you'd wish migraine on your worst enemy." Ms Kingston encourages people who do not experience migraine to learn about the disorder to better support those who do and reduce stress from stigma. Correct language use, such as referring to migraine not in the plural, reduces stigma by reframing migraine as an ongoing disorder that can be triggered into expressing symptoms. Migraine Australia provides information about the disorder and resources, including support groups, online. "A lot of the time with this you can feel really alone, and relationships and friendships can be hard to keep … because you feel like you're constantly letting people down," Ms Szymanski said. "The support groups are really good to know you're not alone and people understand."
Global News
28-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Vancouver man says institutions unable to recognize new Indigenous street name
David Gardiner received a handout from the City of Vancouver on June 6, telling him that his street name was going to be changing. He has lived on the now formerly-named Trutch Street for 40 years, which now bears the name šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street (pronounced sh-MUS-quee-um-AW-sum), which translates to Musqueamview in English. Signposts bear the English name below the official Musqueam name, which is written in the North American Phonetic Alphabet. Gardiner said he has no issue with the name change and it was not a surprise, but told Global News that when he tried to change his address to the legal Musqueam spelling — šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm — both of his banks told him they have no capacity, nor plans, to be able to recognize the official spelling. 'I think it was very unfair because I think they should have consulted all the stakeholders and that would include the City of Vancouver itself, the province of B.C., at least all the banks, whole bunch of what they call stakeholders, and they left that job to the residents of Trutch Street, former Trutch Street, and that's kind of ridiculous,' Gardiner added. Story continues below advertisement 'We're not being paid for this.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Gardiner said he is also having issues changing his address with his credit cards and MSP. 2:08 Vancouver's Trutch Street officially renamed to šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Communications strategist Bill Tieleman said the city should have given residents way more than the two weeks' notice that they got. 'They had four years… they voted for this in 2021… and it's 2025 and they haven't done the work yet,' he said. Global News asked the City of Vancouver if staff sought data about how many Vancouverites are familiar with he North American Phonetic Alphabet but they said they did not have any. However, they said they are supporting people with questions via e-mail and they had reached out to service providers. Story continues below advertisement Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said that the name on Google Maps comes up as Musqueamview, so there are alternatives for people to use that for their address change. 'Change is hard,' he said, 'but it's the right change.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers flocking to aid iconic bird's recovery
THE iconic call of the curlew for generations has been associated with the start of spring. Sadly, the curlew is one of the country's most rapidly declining breeding bird species. But in Cumbria, volunteers are now flocking to a project whose aim is to bring these birds back from the brink. A volunteer evening hosted by the Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project proved a resounding success, with 48 new volunteers wanting to become actively involved. The Curlew Recovery Project, based in and around the Cocker Valley, started early in 2024 in response to the rapidly declining number of curlews, which are now on the Red List of the UK Conservation Status Report of endangered species. Diane Clarke, who was part of the team that saved four curlew nests last year, from which eleven chicks successfully hatched, spoked about her rewarding experience as one of the first volunteers BTO expert, Thalia, with ringed chicks (Image: Supplied) There followed a 'speed dating' session, comprising four tables with displays, each hosted by an experienced volunteer, describing the various volunteer opportunities – Surveys and Mapping, Nest Finding and Monitoring, and Protective Fencing and Maintenance. READ MORE: Volunteers were able to visit each table to learn what is involved and to see and handle all the equipment used. Last, but not least, 'The Engine Room' covered administrative roles, monitoring and analysing information, publicity and fundraising. As well as visual storyboards about the life of the curlew, a recording of the delightful song of the curlew was periodically played. 'The response from new volunteers has been amazing and we are delighted to welcome them to the group', said David Gardiner, Chair of Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project. 'We have received very positive feedback, which clearly demonstrates that residents, farmers and landowners alike, some beyond our local area, share a deep seated concern and interest in recovering nature and wildlife. "With extra funding from Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), we have been able to purchase further equipment and we now look forward to extending our work by protecting an increasing number of nests. With the help of our extra volunteers, we are on track to do just that! "The first spring curlews have already been heard in the valley and we are excited about the year ahead.' Diana Clarke said: 'It's such a privilege to be involved in this project. I have learnt so much about these wonderful birds and it makes me all the more determined to do all I can to save them' For further information, or if you would like to be involved with the Curlew Recovery Project, please contact David Gardiner If anyone sees or hears curlews in and around the Cocker Valley, an email to sightingsatmelbreakcurlews@ would be appreciated, with the date, time and location. The Curlew Recovery Project has been funded by Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) and is part of the Melbreak Wildlife Group, an initiative of the Melbreak Communities.
