Latest news with #Woodbine
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aussie mum claims her job was so disgusting it left her unable to speak for SIX years
An Aussie mum says she lost her voice after being exposed to filthy conditions at her former workplace. The 44-year-old was allegedly sent into urine and faeces-covered homes while employed as a disability support worker for Woodbine, a not-for-profit organisation that supports people with intellectual disabilities based in Warracknabeal in north-west Victoria. In 2019, the fit and healthy mum-of-two, who has asked not to be identified, transported a client who required medical treatment to Warracknabeal Hospital. She had to stay with him for several days as the hospital was unable to provide the necessary support for his needs, reported. During that time, the woman came down with a respiratory illness similar to that of other patients. The woman, who worked for the not-for-profit for two decades, was off sick for three weeks before returning to work in allegedly unsafe conditions. 'Unfortunately [the clients] weren't able to keep their house clean, it would be filthy... urine, faeces, and mum would have to go there quite a bit,' her 21-year-old daughter told the publication. 'Mum didn't want to be rude. Woodbine was aware of the circumstances but there was nothing put in place to protect mum at all.' The disability support worker's respiratory condition is said to have worsened following her return to work. She was later diagnosed with a chest infection and pleurisy, inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, which symptoms include a sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens with breathing, coughing or sneezing. She was hospitalised in March 2020, where she lost her voice completely. Her daughter said her mum's condition 'developed into this vocal cord dysfunction from the recurrent infections'. The mum-of-two never regained her vocal function and today, she can't speak for more than a few minutes at a time, and lives in constant pain. She was left unable to work and moved to the Gold Coast in 2022. Her daughter claimed her mum's life has been impacted severely by the condition and feels let down by her former employer. Once fit and healthy, she requires medication to get through the day and is no longer able to exercise. The financial implications have also been 'significant.' The 44-year-old has received WorkCover payments at 80 per cent of her previous salary for more than five years. However, the mum-of-two now intends to lodge an application for a serious injury certificate. She is being represented by Shine Lawyers senior associate Nehad Elmassry, who described the case as a 'very bizarre and unique situation'. The lawyer alleged Woodbine failed in its duty of care as an employer by not providing the mum with personal protective equipment. Mr Elmassry said the her client had met the threshold to get compensation for losing her voice, but she would 'have to sue the Victorian WorkCover Authority, which steps into shoes of the employer' to get further compensation.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Disability worker loses voice for six years due to filthy conditions
A former disability support worker who alleges she was sent into urine and feces-covered homes by her employer has been left unable to speak for six years. In late 2019, the 44-year-old, who asked not be identified, was working as a support worker for Woodbine, a not-for-profit that assists people with intellectual disabilities based in Warracknabeal in Victoria's wheatbelt, about 205 miles northwest of Melbourne. Advertisement The disability support worker of two decades took a client to Warracknabeal Hospital for treatment and had to stay with him for several days as it wasn't equipped to properly cater for their needs. A 44-year-old mother working in disability support for Woodbine, a not-for-profit that helps those with intellectual disabilities, alleges being sent to urine and feces-covered homes, leaving her unable to speak for six years. Google Maps A number of other patients there had respiratory illnesses, and she came down with a similar illness as a result of her time there. The mom-of-two spent three weeks off sick, and when she returned she alleges she was put to work in unsafe conditions. Advertisement 'Unfortunately [the clients] weren't able to keep their house clean, it would be filthy… urine, faeces, and mum would have to go there quite a bit,' her 21-year-old daughter said. 'Mum didn't want to be rude. Woodbine was aware of the circumstances but there was nothing put in place to protect mum at all.' As a result of her exposure to that environment, her respiratory condition worsened and she was diagnosed with a chest infection and pleurisy — inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Her condition continued to deteriorate before she was eventually hospitalized in March 2020, losing her voice completely. Advertisement 'She never came back and it developed into this vocal cord dysfunction from the recurrent infections,' her daughter said. '[The doctors said] mycoplasma pneumoniae is really hard to treat.' Six years later, she can't speak for more than a few minutes. She lives in constant pain and has to take heavy muscle relaxants just to keep her vocal cord at peace. She moved to the Gold Coast in 2022, and has been unable to work since her injury. Advertisement Her daughter said the impact on her mom and their family had been 'devastating'. 'Day-to-day is pretty up and down,' she said. 'Prior to this injury mum was quite a fit and healthy person, mum would do swimming with me, exercise has all come to a halt. She has to be on medication to get through the day. The financial implications have been [significant].' 'It's a very bizarre and unique situation,' said Shine Lawyers senior associate Nehad Elmassry, who is representing the worker. 'She contracts this viral disease — this is in the pre-Covid days — then she loses her voice chronically for the rest of her life. There's no surgery, no therapy, no kind of treatment that's going to get her to be able to speak the same way.' Shine alleges Woodbine breached its duty of care by failing to provide her with personal protective equipment. 'There was no risk assessment when they sent her to the hospital,' said Elmassry. 'She complained about the environment the patients were in and they still sent her. She complained the patients were unwell, they told her 'go do your job'. Her condition continued to get worse. No one expects to go to work and lose your voice for the rest of your life. [Being] unable to work, that's the least of your problems. Her daily activities are impacted — she can't go to the shops, speak to other people, all of the things we take for granted.' 'Prior to this injury mum was quite a fit and healthy person,' her daughter said. 'She has to be on medication to get through the day. The financial implications have been [significant].' Advertisement She has been receiving WorkCover payments at 80 per cent of her previous salary for more than five years, but now intends to lodge an application for a serious injury certificate with the insurer in the coming months. 'She met the threshold to get compensation for losing her voice, now to get further compensation you have to sue the Victorian WorkCover Authority, which steps into shoes of the employer,' said Elmassry. The claim has not been finalized but is expected to be 'hundreds of thousands for pain and suffering and economic loss'. Advertisement 'Certainly if she can't work again, the WorkCover insurer would have to compensate her for the economic loss she would have suffered up until the age of 67,' he said. Shine is hopeful the claim will reach settlement without having to go to court. 'If there's a dispute and we can't come to agreement on who's at fault, it could land in court,' said Elmassry. 'Woodbine [are] going to be under the gun. They'll be responding because they'll be asked a lot of questions.' Advertisement The woman's daughter said her mom felt let down by her employer of more than 20 years. 'They forced her to resign on pretty bad terms, it ended pretty nasty,' she said. 'Mentally it was just so draining. Mum was so passionate and caring for her clients, they were always treated as so much more than a job. They were mum's world, she loved her job. It's just been really tough.' She added that the goal of the claim 'more to be recognised, to be shown that what happened wasn't fair'. Advertisement 'This has been a really lengthy process and ultimately she just really wants it to come to an end,' she said. Woodbine has been contacted for comment.
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Disability worker loses voice for six years after being exposed to filthy conditions
A former disability support worker who alleges she was sent into urine and faeces-covered homes by her employer has been left unable to speak for six years. In late 2019, the 44-year-old, who asked not be identified, was working as a support worker for Woodbine, a not-for-profit that assists people with intellectual disabilities based in Warracknabeal in Victoria's wheatbelt, 330km northwest of Melbourne. The disability support worker of two decades took a client to Warracknabeal Hospital for treatment and had to stay with him for several days as it wasn't equipped to properly cater for their needs. A number of other patients there had respiratory illnesses, and she came down with a similar illness as a result of her time there. The mum-of-two spent three weeks off sick, and when she returned she alleges she was put to work in unsafe conditions. 'Unfortunately [the clients] weren't able to keep their house clean, it would be filthy... urine, faeces, and mum would have to go there quite a bit,' her 21-year-old daughter said. 'Mum didn't want to be rude. Woodbine was aware of the circumstances but there was nothing put in place to protect mum at all.' As a result of her exposure to that environment, her respiratory condition worsened and she was diagnosed with a chest infection and pleurisy -- inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Her condition continued to deteriorate before she was eventually hospitalised in March 2020, losing her voice completely. 'She never came back and it developed into this vocal chord dysfunction from the recurrent infections,' her daughter said. '[The doctors said] mycoplasma pneumoniae is really hard to treat.' Six years later, she can't speak for more than a few minutes. She lives in constant pain and has to take heavy muscle relaxants just to keep her vocal chords at peace. She moved to the Gold Coast in 2022, and has been unable to work since her injury. Her daughter said the impact on her mum and their family had been 'devastating'. 'Day-to-day is pretty up and down,' she said. 'Prior to this injury mum was quite a fit and healthy person, mum would do swimming with me, exercise has all come to a halt. She has to be on medication to get through the day. The financial implications have been [significant].' 'It's a very bizarre and unique situation,' said Shine Lawyers senior associate Nehad Elmassry, who is representing the worker. 'She contracts this viral disease -- this is in the pre-Covid days -- then she loses her voice chronically for the rest of her life. There's no surgery, no therapy, no kind of treatment that's going to get her to be able to speak the same way.' Shine alleges Woodbine breached its duty of care by failing to provide her with personal protective equipment. 'There was no risk assessment when they sent her to the hospital,' said Mr Elmassry. 'She complained about the environment the patients were in and they still sent her. She complained the patients were unwell, they told her 'go do your job'. Her condition continued to get worse. No one expects to go to work and lose your voice for the rest of your life. [Being] unable to work, that's the least of your problems. Her daily activities are impacted -- she can't go to the shops, speak to other people, all of the things we take for granted.' She has been receiving WorkCover payments at 80 per cent of her previous salary for more than five years, but now intends to lodge an application for a serious injury certificate with the insurer in the coming months. 'She met the threshold to get compensation for losing her voice, now to get further compensation you have to sue the Victorian WorkCover Authority, which steps into shoes of the employer,' said Mr Elmassry. The claim has not been finalised but is expected to be 'hundreds of thousands for pain and suffering and economic loss'. 'Certainly if she can't work again, the WorkCover insurer would have to compensate her for the economic loss she would have suffered up until the age of 67,' he said. Shine is hopeful the claim will reach settlement without having to go to court. 'If there's a dispute and we can't come to agreement on who's at fault, it could land in court,' said Mr Elmassry. 'Woodbine [are] going to be under the gun. They'll be responding because they'll be asked a lot of questions.' The woman's daughter said her mum felt let down by her employer of more than 20 years. 'They forced her to resign on pretty bad terms, it ended pretty nasty,' she said. 'Mentally it was just so draining. Mum was so passionate and caring for her clients, they were always treated as so much more than a job. They were mum's world, she loved her job. It's just been really tough.' She added that the goal of the claim 'more to be recognised, to be shown that what happened wasn't fair'. 'This has been a really lengthy process and ultimately she just really wants it to come to an end,' she said.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'She Put Me On The Map': Groom Troy Garnett Thanks King's Plate Winner Caitlinhergrtness
Once a week, from January to April, Woodbine will profile a horse who had a life-changing impact on one of their closest connections in week, groom Troy Garnett and 2024 King's Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness, who is also a finalist for the 2024 Champion Three-Year-Old Female Sovereign born and raised in Barbados, came to the barn of trainer Kevin Attard in March 2009.'One day, I found myself walking through Kevin's barn. A person, who is also from Barbados, was working there and told me that Kevin was looking for a hotwalker. It just seemed like it was a good fit. And it was. I have been working for Kevin since that day.'Attard is grateful to have Garnett along for the ride.'Troy truly loves the horses. He is one of the most hard-working and dedicated horse people in our industry. He comes into the barn with a smile on his face every day. We are lucky to have him on our team.' Foaled: April 22, 2021Sire: Omaha BeachDam: BelatrixPurchased: Current owners bought her for $375,000 from the Off the Hook consignment at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in TrainingStarts: 9Wins-Seconds-Thirds: 3-1-2Earnings: $693,812 (U.S.)Notable races: Won the King's Plate in 2024. Second in last year's Woodbine Oaks. Third in last year's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. Broke her maiden at Belmont on September 28, 2023. Trainer: Kevin AttardOwner: Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLCGroom: Troy GarnettBreeder: Jesse Korona What do you remember from the first time you met Caitlinhergrtness?'I am the person who took her off the trailer when she first came to the barn. It was early morning, and I walked her into the stall, took off her bandages, got her settled and made sure she was okay. It was the size that I noticed. She looked great for a young filly. Then I looked at her breeding and I thought, 'This is a nice horse.'''I loved her from day one, even before I did research on her. She looked amazing. And she was nice to work with right from the start. She allowed me to work with her and I think that was a big plus. Never one day did she rebel.'After four races in the U.S., she had her first start (a win) at Woodbine on July 6, 2024. What did you think of her performance?'She was working so well, and she worked like a very good horse. She was doing it rather easily, too. That is what stood out for me. I felt like she was going to be very tough in that first race at Woodbine.' What do you remember most about the King's Plate?'For a horse who had a big shot of winning the Plate, I was very relaxed. She made it easy on me to feel that way. Knowing her capabilities, she made my morning easy. She was like a champion going over. She meant business, she was relaxed, she wasn't getting too hot – when the saddle went on, she knew it was game time. Things can go wrong in the race, but the day seemed perfect.''Even before she came around the turn, I felt everything was setting up perfectly for her. I know she loves to chase a target, so when she got up to a length or so of the lead, I felt she had it. I could see by the way she was getting to the horse coming around the turn and that she was digging in. She was training that way in the mornings, so that she would run that type of race.''I was so happy. I had a couple of shots at the Plate before – one horse finished sixth and another horse got scratched a day or two before the race – so it kind of felt Caitlinhergrtness was the one who was going to give me that win. I started shaking in mid-stretch because I knew she had it. What a fantastic feeling. All the hard work that goes into winning that race – I felt like Lady Luck was on my side.''When she came back to the winner's circle, I told her, 'Thank you.' I kissed her and patted her. I told her that I loved her and that she put me on the map.' What are the three best words to Caitlinhergrtness?'Classy. Welcoming. Determined.'How has she changed your life?'She has changed my life in a big way. Being in the game a long time, she propelled me to new heights. Whenever people see the board with the list of Plate winners, her name will be on there forever. She has given me so much and I truly love her.'
