Search

Families including someone with mental illness can experience deep despair. They need support

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amanda-cole-1484502">Amanda Cole</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p>In the aftermath of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/bondi-attacker-had-mental-health-issues-but-most-people-with-mental-illness-arent-violent-227868">tragic Bondi knife attack</a>, Joel Cauchi’s parents have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2024/apr/15/bondi-junction-stabbings-joel-cauchis-father-extremely-sorry-for-victims-video">spoken</a> about their son’s long history of mental illness, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17. They said they were “devastated and horrified” by their son’s actions. “To you he’s a monster,” said his father. “But to me he was a very sick boy.”</p> <p>Globally, one out of every eight people <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders">report a mental illness</a>. In Australia, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health">one in five people experience a mental illness</a> in their lifetime.</p> <p>Mental illness and distress affects not only the person living with the condition, but <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions-and-multimorbidity">family members and communities</a>. As the prevalence of mental health problems grows, the flow-on effect to family members, including caregivers, and the impact on families as a unit, is also rising.</p> <p>While every family is different, the words of the Cauchis draw attention to how families can experience distress, stress, fear, powerlessness, and still love, despite the challenges and trauma. How can they help a loved one? And who can they turn to for support?</p> <h2>The role of caregivers</h2> <p>Informal caregivers help others <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/informal-carers">within the context of an existing relationship</a>, such as a family member. The care they provide goes beyond the usual expectations or demands of such relationships.</p> <p>Around <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/informal-carers">2.7 million Australians</a> provide informal care. For almost a third of these the person’s primary medical diagnosis is psychological or psychiatric.</p> <p>It has <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1074840708323598">long been acknowledged</a> that those supporting a family member with ongoing mental illness need support themselves.</p> <p>In the 1980s, interest grew in caregiving dynamics within families of people grappling with mental health issues. Subsequent research recognised <a href="http://www.aihw.gov.au/chronic-diseases/">chronic health conditions</a> not only affect the quality of life and wellbeing of the people experiencing them, but also impose burdens that reverberate within relationships, caregiving roles, and family dynamics over time.</p> <p>Past studies have shown families of those diagnosed with chronic mental illness are increasingly forced to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24943714/">manage their own depression</a>, experience elevated levels of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692348/">emotional stress</a>, negative states of mind and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21165597/">decreased overall mental health</a>.</p> <p>Conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can severely impact daily functioning, relationships, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36875411/">overall quality of life</a>. Living with mental illness is often accompanied by a myriad of challenges. From stigma and discrimination to difficulty accessing adequate health care and support services. Patients and their families navigate a complex and often isolating journey.</p> <h2>The family is a system</h2> <p>The concept of <a href="http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/40336/1/16937_eng.pdf">family health</a> acknowledges the physical and psychological wellbeing of a person is significantly affected by the family.</p> <p>Amid these challenges, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330720/full">family support</a> emerges as a beacon of hope. Research consistently demonstrates strong familial relationships and support systems play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of mental illness. Families provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging that are vital for people struggling with mental illness.</p> <p>My recent <a href="https://www.collegianjournal.com/article/S1322-7696(24)00004-0/fulltext">research</a> highlights the profound impact of mental illness on family dynamics, emphasising the resilience and endurance shown by participants. Families struggling with mental illness often experience heightened emotional fluctuations, with extreme highs and lows. The enduring nature of family caregiving entails both stress and adaptation over an extended period. Stress associated with caregiving and the demands on personal resources and coping mechanisms builds and builds.</p> <p>Yet families I’ve <a href="https://www.collegianjournal.com/article/S1322-7696(24)00004-0/fulltext">interviewed</a> find ways to live “a good life”. They prepare for the peaks and troughs, and show endurance and persistence. They make space for mental illness in their daily lives, describing how it spurs adaptation, acceptance and inner strength within the family unit.</p> <p>When treating a person with mental illness, health practitioners need to consider the entire family’s needs and engage with family members. By fostering open and early dialogue and providing comprehensive support, health-care professionals can empower families to navigate the complexities of mental illness while fostering resilience and hope for the future. Family members <a href="https://www.collegianjournal.com/article/S1322-7696(24)00004-0/fulltext">express stories</a> of an inner struggle, isolation and exhaustion.</p> <h2>Shifting the focus</h2> <p>There is a pressing need for a shift in research priorities, from illness-centered perspectives to a <a href="https://shop.elsevier.com/books/child-youth-and-family-health-strengthening-communities/barnes/978-0-7295-4155-8">strengths-based focus</a> when considering families “managing” mental illness.</p> <p>There is transformative potential in harnessing strengths to respond to challenges posed by mental illnesses, while also <a href="https://www.collegianjournal.com/article/S1322-7696(24)00004-0/fulltext">supporting family members</a>.</p> <p>For people facing mental health challenges, having <a href="https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/families-friends-carers">loved ones who listen without judgement</a> and offer empathy can alleviate feelings of despair. Beyond emotional support, families often serve as crucial caregivers, assisting with <a href="https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/emergency-help/helping-someone-else/">daily tasks, medication management and navigating the health-care system</a>.</p> <p>As the Cauchi family so painfully articulated, providing support for a family member with mental illness is intensely challenging. Research <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804270/">shows</a> caregiver burnout, financial strain and strained relationships are common.</p> <p>Health-care professionals should prioritise support for family members at an early stage. In Australia, there are various support options available for families living with mental illness. <a href="https://www.carergateway.gov.au/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=10626744435&utm_adgroup=102994881737&utm_term=carer%20gateway%20wa&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt8T6pJzIhQMVjAyDAx2KiQl1EAAYASAAEgLj-fD_BwE">Carer Gateway</a> provides information, support and access to services. <a href="https://www.headspace.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=HS_Headspace_Brand-Exact_Search_AU-INT_Google_NA&utm_content=&utm_term=headspace&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4uKKvpzIhQMVFheDAx1bZgk8EAAYASAAEgLy6vD_BwE">Headspace</a> offers mental health services and supports to young people and their families.</p> <p>Beyond these national services, GPs, nurses, nurse practitioners and local community health centres are key to early conversations. Mental health clinics and hospitals often target family involvement in treatment plans.</p> <p>While Australia has made strides in recognising the importance of family support, challenges persist. Access to services can vary based on geographic location and demand, leaving some families under-served or facing long wait times. And the level of funding and resources allocated to family-oriented mental health support often does not align with the demand or complexity of need.</p> <p>In the realm of mental illness, family support serves as a lifeline for people navigating the complexities of their conditions.</p> <hr /> <p><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/228007/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amanda-cole-1484502"><em>Amanda Cole</em></a><em>, Lead, Mental Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/families-including-someone-with-mental-illness-can-experience-deep-despair-they-need-support-228007">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Caring

Outpouring of support for baby girl after Bondi tragedy

<p>The heart-wrenching events that unfolded during Saturday's Bondi massacre shook not just Sydney, but all of Australia. Amid the sorrow and shock, however, there emerged a glimmer of hope and solidarity as Australians united to support the victims, particularly a nine-month-old baby girl named Harriet, who became a symbol of resilience in the face of tragedy.</p> <p>Harriet, the daughter of Ashlee Good, tragically lost her mother in the Bondi Westfield shopping centre attack perpetrated by Joel Cauchi. Ashlee, described by friends and family as a radiant presence, lost her life while heroically protecting her beloved daughter from the assailant's violence. The infant, Harriet, sustained stab wounds and was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Thankfully, she has since been stabilised and moved out of ICU, but remains under close medical care.</p> <p>In response to this harrowing ordeal, the Australian community swiftly rallied together, demonstrating an outpouring of compassion and generosity. Within a mere three days, a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Ash-Good" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe campaign</a> surpassed its initial goal of $100,000 by raising over $535,000 for Harriet's support. The fundraiser, initiated to alleviate the financial burdens faced by Harriet and her father, Dan, garnered support from both loved ones and strangers alike, reflecting the nation's collective grief and determination to provide solace in any way possible.</p> <p>The sentiments expressed within the fundraiser encapsulated the profound loss felt by those who knew Ashlee and the unwavering commitment she had to her family.</p> <p>"Our hearts were broken beyond comprehension as we learned of the tragic loss of our beautiful friend, Ash, in the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon," it reads. "<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Ash was a ray of sunshine and positivity in every aspect of her life and died a hero saving her little girl from the most unspeakable evil.</span></p> <p>"We have been overwhelmed by requests from loved ones and strangers wanting to support Dan and Harriet as they face life without their beloved Ash. Being a mother to baby Harriet and partner to Dan was Ash’s whole life. Her love and commitment to them was evident to all who knew her.</p> <p>We are united in our devastation that her bright future was cut short in this way. Her beautiful and warm spirit, drive and energy inspired us all."</p> <p>Ashlee's radiant spirit, her boundless love for her daughter and partner, and her selfless act of sacrifice resonated deeply with all who encountered her.</p> <p>The profound impact of the Bondi massacre extended beyond the immediate victims, as the entire nation mourned the loss of innocent lives and grappled with the senseless violence that shattered a community. The victims, including Yixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Tahir, Jade Young, and Ashlee Good, were remembered not just as statistics but as individuals whose lives were tragically cut short.</p> <p>The makeshift memorial at Bondi Junction served as a powerful symbol of remembrance and solidarity, adorned with an abundance of flowers and heartfelt messages from those touched by the tragedy. Friends and family of Ashlee Good gathered at the memorial, finding solace in the outpouring of support from their community.</p> <p>As the healing process begins, the ongoing support for Harriet and her family serves as a testament to the strength of community bonds and unwavering compassion. </p> <p><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

Cricket legend Greg Chappell's dire situation sparks rally of support

<p>Australian cricket has seen its fair share of legends, but few have left a mark as indelible as Greg Chappell. The former Australian cricket captain, who graced the pitch during the 1970s and early 80s, has fallen upon challenging times, leaving his friends, teammates and fans deeply concerned about his well-being.</p> <p>At the time of writing, the cricketing community has rallied to support him in a bid to provide the assistance he so desperately needs.</p> <p>Chappell, a figure synonymous with the sport, recently organised a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/gc-tribute-lunch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe page </a>with the ambitious goal of raising $250,000. The campaign has garnered almost $90,000 in donations, with a substantial contribution of $25,000 from high-profile businessman and cricket enthusiast, Greg Boorer. This heartwarming response signifies the deep respect and admiration that people have for the cricketing icon.</p> <p>Chappell's plight came to the forefront when a testimonial lunch was held in his honour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Monday. The GoFundMe initiative was launched after it became apparent that arranging donation facilities at the event would be logistically challenging. The driving force behind the lunch, businessman and close friend Peter Maloney, expressed his concerns for Chappell's well-being, stating, "Greg is a very proud man. He's doing it tougher than what he says."</p> <p>It is worth noting that Greg Chappell is also the face of the Chappell Foundation, which has raised an impressive $1 million this year for homeless youths. However, Maloney emphasised that Chappell has never taken a cent out of the foundation, despite being entitled to do so. This selflessness exemplifies Chappell's commitment to making a positive impact on society, even during his personal hardships.</p> <p>During the 1970s and '80s, Chappell was a cricketing sensation, sharing the field with other greats like Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh and Jeff Thomson. As a member of the illustrious Chappell family, which includes brothers Ian and Trevor, he is part of a dynasty that holds a revered place in Australia's rich sporting history.</p> <p>However, unlike many of today's athletes, Chappell's era did not offer the financial rewards that modern sports stars enjoy. Even after retiring, he chose to maintain a low profile and never fully embraced the spotlight of full-time commentary roles or media engagements. Instead, Chappell worked behind the scenes on cricket boards, undertook selector roles, and had a brief stint as a coach for the Indian cricket team.</p> <p>Chappell, displaying his characteristic humility, stated, "I'm not on the bones of my arse. I certainly don't want it to sound like we're in desperate straits, because we're not... but we're not living in luxury either. I think most people assume that because we played cricket, we are all living in the lap of luxury. While I'm certainly not crying poor, we're not reaping in the benefits that today's players are."</p> <p>The initiative to organise the testimonial lunch for Chappell came from Peter Maloney, who recognised his friend's health issues and financial difficulties. Maloney's suggestion that Chappell deserved a testimonial dinner finally saw the light of day after a heartfelt conversation with Greg and his wife.</p> <p>The outpouring of support for the Australian cricketing legend on the GoFundMe platform is nothing short of heartwarming. People from all walks of life have come forward to express their admiration and appreciation for Chappell's contributions to the sport and society:</p> <p>"Greg Chappell is a cricket great, an inspiration for all aspiring players. He certainly deserves our support, in whatever small way we can," wrote one supporter.</p> <p>"Dear Greg, What a phenomenal cricketer you were! It is still a treat to watch your batting videos on YouTube. Wishing you all the best..." wrote another.</p> <p>"You're a true Australian sporting legend. I remember doing a school project on you back in high school. Enjoy your retirement Greg, you deserve it," wrote a third.</p> <p>It's evident that Greg Chappell holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans and Australians alike. As he faces his current challenges, the cricketing community is rallying together to ensure that this iconic figure receives the support he needs during this difficult phase of his life. It's a reminder of the enduring impact and admiration he has garnered throughout his remarkable career.</p> <p><em>Image: GoFundMe</em></p>

Retirement Income

"I’m not going to be cured". How breast cancer awareness and support sidelines people with metastatic disease

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sophie-lewis-111177">Sophie Lewis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrea-smith-15431">Andrea Smith</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-kenny-318175">Katherine Kenny</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>There have been incredible <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research">advances</a> in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in recent years. And stories about celebrities who have “beaten” breast cancer continue to be a source of inspiration for many people.</p> <p>However, this emphasis on fighting, beating and surviving cancer shuts out the voices of those who will not survive. That is, the many people diagnosed with incurable, life-limiting metastatic breast cancer, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia">which kills nine Australians every day</a> or nearly <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia">3,300 people</a> a year. Yet an <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count/">estimated 10,000</a> Australians are living with the diagnosis.</p> <p>Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, as one of the authors has been, means ongoing treatment to live as long, and as well, as possible. It also means an ongoing need for emotional and practical support.</p> <p>However, society, health-care professionals, cancer advocacy organisations, even a patient’s closest family and friends, can struggle to understand what it is like to live with an incurable and life-limiting cancer and how best to provide support.</p> <h2>Why is there so little awareness?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic">Metastatic breast cancer</a>, also called stage four breast cancer, is the most serious form of breast cancer. Unlike early breast cancer that is contained within the breast or nearby lymph nodes, metastatic breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.</p> <p>There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer despite decades of advocacy, funding and research. Treatment continues for as long as it helps to control the cancer and is tolerated by the patient. Median survival is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.51687">two to three years</a>, although newer, novel treatments mean some patients are living much longer.</p> <p>As a society, we can be uncomfortable <a href="https://theconversation.com/before-you-go-are-you-in-denial-about-death-34056">talking about and facing death</a>. When it comes to cancer, we usually prefer focusing on good news stories. These narratives are often perceived to be better for fundraising and are reassuring for people newly diagnosed. But they fail to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13704">represent</a> the diversity and reality of cancer experiences.</p> <p>Despite considerable research into people with non-metastatic breast cancer, <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count/">relatively little</a> is known about Australians with metastatic breast cancer.</p> <h2>Feeling silenced and unsupported</h2> <p>Through our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13704">research</a> we wanted to better understand people’s experiences of metastatic breast cancer. We interviewed 38 participants from around Australia with diverse experiences of metastatic breast cancer. Participants were recruited through breast cancer and community organisations.</p> <p>We found messages and public campaigns about cancer survivorship, which emphasise hope and positivity, drowned out the voices of those with metastatic breast cancer. The focus on “success stories” about surviving breast cancer made some people feel like it was their responsibility to “beat” cancer. If they didn’t, it was their own fault. </p> <p>As one interviewee told us: "I react quite badly to all the, ‘we’ve had breast cancer and we beat it and we’ve survived. Aren’t we fantastic.’ There’s almost a feeling if you haven’t beaten your breast cancer you haven’t tried hard enough."</p> <p>Silence around metastatic breast cancer was common in research participants’ experiences. It prevented many from connecting with others and to the support they needed. It even affected relationships with those closest to them leaving them feeling misunderstood: "They don’t realise I’ve got to be on treatment forever. I’m not going to be cured. I think society thinks everything can be fixed; metastatic breast cancer actually can’t be fixed."</p> <p>Sharing deep fears and worries about their life expectancy can leave people with metastatic breast cancer feeling drained rather than supported. Many participants reported having to support and shield family, friends, acquaintances and work colleagues from the reality of their terminal diagnosis.</p> <p>"You hide how you feel because you don’t want to be avoided […] You put on that big, happy face. But like an onion if you peeled the layers away, you’d find out what’s going on."</p> <p>While many participants wanted to join a community of people with metastatic breast cancer, they struggled to know how to find one. Those who did, emphasised how invaluable it had been: "Being able to identify with and know that these people really get me is a huge relief and it reduces the isolation."</p> <p>These findings echo <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/media/alcjjmm2/bcna_member-survey-report_2017.pdf">previous research</a> demonstrating people with metastatic breast cancer have higher support needs than those with non-metastatic breast cancer. And these needs are <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/media/alcjjmm2/bcna_member-survey-report_2017.pdf">less likely to be met</a> by <a href="https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-022-08269-8">health care, support services</a>, family or friends.</p> <h2>A new path</h2> <p>Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer can be terrifying, lonely and create significant support needs. It is essential people with metastatic breast cancer have their <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.20.00183">voices listened to</a> and their needs met.</p> <p>Next steps should include:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://bcna-dxp.azureedge.net/media/d32bhdzf/bcna_making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count_2022.pdf">improving data collection by cancer registries</a> so we know exactly how many people in Australia have metastatic breast cancer</p> </li> <li> <p>increasing representation of people with metastatic breast cancer in advocacy, support organisations and research</p> </li> <li> <p>nationwide access to peer-to-peer programs and professionally led metastatic breast cancer support groups.</p> </li> </ul> <p>We must ensure people with metastatic breast cancer are the ones to speak to their experience and needs. As a colleague with metastatic breast cancer said: "I read an article written by an early-stage breast cancer ‘survivor’. It felt like someone describing winter when they had only ever experienced autumn."</p> <p>If you or someone you know has metastatic breast cancer, these organisations may be able to support you or connect you with others with the same diagnosis:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.bcna.org.au">Breast Cancer Network Australia</a> for information and support</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/">McGrath Foundation</a> for information about access to metastatic breast care nurses.</p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <p><em>The authors would like to thank the members of Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Lived Experience Reference Group for their review of this article.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215458/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sophie-lewis-111177">Sophie Lewis</a>, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrea-smith-15431">Andrea Smith</a>, Research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-kenny-318175">Katherine Kenny</a>, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/im-not-going-to-be-cured-how-breast-cancer-awareness-and-support-sidelines-people-with-metastatic-disease-215458">original article</a>.</em></p>

Caring

4 ways to support someone with dementia during extreme heat

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631">Nikki-Anne Wilson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Our ability to adapt our behaviour to changes in temperature takes a significant amount of thought and decision making. For example, we need to identify suitable clothing, increase our fluid intake, and understand how to best keep the house cool.</p> <p>A person with dementia may find some or all these things challenging. These and other factors mean, for someone with dementia, extreme heat <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31520832/#:%7E:text=Conclusion%3A%20Heatwaves%20increased%20the%20risk,heat%2Drelated%20Alzheimer's%20disease%20burden.">can be deadly</a>.</p> <p>But as the temperature rises, friends, relatives and carers can help.</p> <h2>El Niño means there are challenges ahead</h2> <p>The recent declaration of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/bureau-of-meteorology-el-nino-blog/102875154">another El Niño</a> means we need to think about how we can best support those more vulnerable to be safe during the warmer months.</p> <p>Extreme heat and bushfires bring unique challenges for someone with dementia.</p> <p>Bushfires have a significant impact on older people’s mental health. But they generally <a href="https://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-03/PATH_Impact%20of%202019-20%20Bushfires%20on%20a%20Cohort%20of%20Older%20Adults_REPORT_V3_0.pdf">bounce back</a> quickly.</p> <p>However, for someone with dementia, extreme heat can lead to a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935119305110">significant deterioration</a> in their overall health and they may not recover.</p> <p>Emergency evacuations can also be confusing and distressing for a person with dementia, so it is important to think ahead.</p> <h2>Why are people with dementia more at risk?</h2> <p>Dementia can affect the parts of the brain that help <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/138/11/3360/332653?login=true">regulate</a> our body temperature. Some <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243665">medications</a> can also increase someone’s sensitivity to heat.</p> <p>Problems with memory and thinking associated with dementia <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/drinking-hydration">means</a> remembering to drink or communicating you are thirsty can be challenging.</p> <p>Heat can affect everyone’s mood. But if someone with dementia becomes dehydrated this can <a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/can-dehydration-impair-cognitive-function">increase</a> confusion and agitation, making it harder for them to know how to cool down.</p> <p>A person with dementia can also wander and become lost, which can be dangerous in extreme heat.</p> <h2>4 ways to support someone with dementia</h2> <p><strong>1. Avoid dehydration and heatstroke</strong></p> <p>Try to avoid dehydration by encouraging someone to drink throughout the day. It’s better to have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31769256/">small amounts</a> of liquid regularly instead of a large amount all at once. Little and often will help maximise hydration while avoiding sudden trips to <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dementia-continence-issues#causes-of-incontinence-in-people-with-dementia">the bathroom</a>.</p> <p>Try to offer different types of drinks, or ice blocks. Placing drinks in sight can help as a reminder to drink. Choose foods with a high liquid content, such as fruit, salads, cool broths and yoghurt.</p> <p>Look out for <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults#:%7E:text=Signs%20of%20heat%20stroke%20are,as%20under%20shade%20or%20indoors.">signs of heatstroke</a>, such as increased confusion beyond what the person would usually experience. Heatstroke may be more difficult to spot in someone living with dementia so it is important to check in when possible and to help them cool down if needed.</p> <p><strong>2. Cool the home</strong></p> <p>Try to modify their home to make it easier to stay cool. Some air-conditioners have complex settings so make sure the temperature is set appropriately and the person with dementia knows how to use the controls.</p> <p>It is important to keep blinds and curtains shut where possible to reduce heat. However, ensure the <a href="https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/supporting-people-with-dementia/dementia-friendly-environments/lighting.asp">lighting is adequate</a> to avoid falls.</p> <p>Try to support the person to make suitable clothing choices for the season by having cool, lightweight options easily available.</p> <p><strong>3. Think about communications early</strong></p> <p>If someone with dementia lives alone, consider how you will maintain contact in an emergency.</p> <p>Some people may not realise many landlines don’t work in a power outage, and of course, mobile phones can’t be recharged. Ensure the person with dementia has access to an <a href="https://www.telstra.com.au/support/category/home-phone/uninterruptible-power-supply">uninterruptable power supply</a>. This can help maintain communication for a few hours in a blackout.</p> <p><strong>4. Have an evacuation plan</strong></p> <p>In case of fire, flash flooding or severe storm, <a href="https://dementiaresearch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2447_DCRC_Prep_natural_disaster_EBook_5.pdf">have an evacuation plan</a>. If the person with dementia attends a day or respite centre, know their plan too.</p> <p>The situation can change quickly in an emergency, and this can be particularly overwhelming for people with cognitive issues.</p> <p>Understand that someone with dementia may become distressed when their routine is disrupted. So be prepared with some simple activities or comfort items, current medications, and any specific medical information.</p> <p>Stay up-to-date with <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/">current warnings</a> and act early whenever possible.</p> <h2>We can all help</h2> <p>It’s not just carers of people with dementia who can help. We can all ensure people with dementia stay safe and cool this spring and summer.</p> <p>So remember to check in on your relatives, friends and neighbours or arrange for someone to do so on your behalf.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213987/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631"><em>Nikki-Anne Wilson</em></a><em>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-ways-to-support-someone-with-dementia-during-extreme-heat-213987">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

Ted Lasso star ordered to pay massive child support sum

<p>Jason Sudeikis has been ordered to pay ex Olivia Wilde an enormous sum of child support, as a bitter two-year custody battle draws to a close. </p> <p>According to new court filings obtained by <em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/09/25/jason-sudeikis-and-olivia-wilde-settle-custody-battle-actor-to-pay-27500-per-month/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a></em>, the<em> Ted Lasso</em> star has allegedly agreed to pay his ex $27,500 ($A42,800) per month in child support for their two kids, Otis, 9, and Daisy, 6. </p> <p>The hefty settlement has been based on Sudeikis' reported 2023 income of $10.5 million ($A16.3 million) and Wilde’s estimated income of $500,000 ($A778,000).</p> <p>“The parties agree that child support for the minor children in the amount of $27,500 per month is sufficient to maintain the needs of the minor children considering Jason’s station in life … is consistent with each child’s best interest, and application of the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in this case,” the court papers reportedly state.</p> <p>The legal proceedings began two years ago, and took a dramatic turn in 2022 when Wilde, who was promoting her new movie <em>Don't Worry Darling</em> at the time, was served legal papers while on stage delivering a speech at CinemaCon. </p> <p>At the time, a source told <em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/04/29/olivia-wilde-mortified-after-being-served-with-legal-papers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a></em> that Wilde was mortified over the brazen act. </p> <p>“It seemed unthinkable to her, and it took a moment to set in, but as mortifying as it was, she did not want to give a reaction,” the insider explained.</p> <p>Since then, things have improved for the couple, as they were both seen putting on a united front at Otis' soccer game in LA. </p> <p>Wilde and Sudeikis started dating in November 2011 and got engaged in January 2013. They welcomed their two kids before separating in November 2020.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Lisa Curry's emotional post sparks a wave of support and love

<p>Lisa Curry has shared a heartfelt tribute on the third anniversary of her daughter Jaimi's death. </p> <p>Jaimi passed away in 2020 after a long health battle, at just 33 years old, and is the daughter of Lisa and former Ironman Grant Kenny. </p> <p>Lisa took to Instagram to commemorate her daughter with a painting of Jaimi that she commissioned to a local artist, and share her grief journey. </p> <p>"3 years ago, our beautiful daughter Jaimi took her last breath. We all love you and miss you everyday Jaimi and hope you’re at peace. It still feels like yesterday," she began the long and emotional post. </p> <p>“We all love you and miss you every day Jaimi and hope you’re at peace.</p> <p>“It’s been a s*** and sad week, where I’ve needed lots of hugs and am constantly wiping my tears away. I tell myself to breathe because I know it’s a bad day, not a bad life.</p> <p>“I’m doing ok ... but feeling sad on the inside while trying to be happy on the outside is overwhelming and feels exhausting," she added. </p> <p>Lisa also said that sometimes she can barely recognise herself in the mirror because she looks like "a mess" and other times she sees "the old Lisa." </p> <p>"The path to recovery is long and can only be done in my own time.</p> <p>"The last 3 years has been a long, slow, painful, uneventful decline in my health and my soul. I talk out loud, frustratingly scolding myself to get my s*** together. There are days when I don’t care about anything.</p> <p>"I need to change that talk to be more positive and give myself permission that it’s ok to move forward.</p> <p>"Moving on doesn’t mean letting go. I will never let her go," she added. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxJb9jkhg5C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxJb9jkhg5C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Lisa then said that she needed to start looking after herself so she can be "the mother, grannie, wife and friend that I should be." </p> <p>She then thanked local artist Donna Munro for the beautiful painting of her daughter, before asking her fans if they were okay, after noting that it was R U OK Day. </p> <p>She reminded fans to talk to someone and sent “Love and strength to everyone who’s struggling for whatever reason.”</p> <p>Her followers flocked to the comments to offer their love and support, and thanked her for being open and vulnerable. </p> <p>“Do what you can today Lisa and let tomorrow take care of the rest. Your baby mattered, your grief at her loss is justifiable. Don’t punish yourself for not having a heart of stone. One step after another, no time limit. ❤️🙏🌸” wrote one fan. </p> <p>“Sending love, Lisa. Can’t imagine your pain," commented another. </p> <p>“You’re very brave Lisa, sending strength and a big hug, we who have lost a piece of our heart knows how hard it is," wrote a third. </p> <p>"The words I say will never ease the pain but know you are a beautiful strong woman who inspires more people than you would ever know with your honest and raw feelings on grief. Hugs to you," commented a fourth. </p> <p>"I hope that you find a little comfort in the fact that you would have helped so many other people going through similar grief. Sending much needed hugs and sunshine," added another. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

From handing out their own flyers, to sell-out games: how the Matildas won over a nation

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-crawford-128832">Fiona Crawford</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>As the Matildas prepare for their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup sudden-death quarter final against France, they have become the hottest sporting property in the country. For example, formerly uninterested major media just days ago <a href="https://sport.optus.com.au/news/womens-world-cup-2023/os61076/matildas-record-shirt-sales-helicopter-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023">hired a helicopter</a> to spy on one of the team’s training sessions.</p> <p>The expensive, paparazzi-style move was designed to gather exclusive footage of the team, particularly of injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr.</p> <p>That conservative media was going to such lengths to gain footage of the team speaks volumes of the starkly different landscape the current Matildas are operating in, and the evolution of a team that’s gone from few resources and relatively anonymity to equal pay and national treasure status.</p> <h2>No longer an afterthought</h2> <p>More people watched the <a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/fifa-womens-world-cup/matildas-set-new-tv-ratings-record-while-sinking-denmark-in-fifa-womens-world-cup-c-11520596">Matildas’ Round of 16 match against Denmark</a> on Channel Seven, the highest rating show of the year to date, than watched the men’s NRL and AFL grand finals last year.</p> <p>Channel Seven is also <a href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/channel-7s-extraordinary-matildas-decision-for-world-cup-quarterfinal/news-story/ddd00fa51e40971c940f720be2ad9f0d">delaying Saturday’s news bulletin</a> to broadcast the Matildas’ quarter final, while the AFL will be broadcasting the match in the stadium before the men’s West Coast Eagles versus Fremantle derby.</p> <p>This is all particularly interesting given <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-03/fifa-boss-threatens-women-world-cup-blackout/102295974">FIFA had to castigate broadcasters for undervaluing the broadcast rights</a> in the tournament lead-up.</p> <p>What’s more, Matildas jerseys are <a href="https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/football-australia-celebrates-landmark-fifa-womens-world-cup-and-record-breaking-success">outselling the Socceroos’ jerseys by two to one</a>. It’s worth remembering they were unavailable to buy until recent years because manufacturers didn’t deem there to be a market for them.</p> <p>More than 1.7 million tickets have been sold, exceeding FIFA’s stretch target of 1.5 million. And the total crowd figure record of 1,353,506 set in 2015 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-attendance-record-exceeded-last-16-2023-08-06">had been surpassed</a> with 12 games to spare.</p> <p>That’s a far cry from the Matildas’ early years, when players had to produce and hand out flyers to try to attract people to watch their games, or phone television stations and beg them to broadcast matches. When the team travelled to the 2003 world cup, not a single journalist turned up to the airport press conference.</p> <p>It’s also quite the contrast from the traditional media coverage approach that relegates women’s sport to an afterthought. A <a href="https://news.usc.edu/183765/womens-sports-tv-news-coverage-sportscenter-online-usc-study">30-year study</a> of women’s sports coverage, published in 2021, determined major media generally adopt a “one and done” approach: a box-ticking exercise, providing a token women’s sports story before a succession of in-depth men’s sports stories.</p> <h2>So, how did we get here?</h2> <p>It was 1988 when the intrepid Matildas ventured out to their inaugural “world cup” – a pilot tournament FIFA only staged after <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190626-ellen-wille-mother-women-football-norway-fifa-world-cup-france">concerted pressure</a> from other organising bodies and women footballers themselves.</p> <p>There were some significant changes considered or implemented – ones that would not have been tabled for the men’s game. Matches were truncated from 90 to 80 minutes; there was some patronising discussion of whether women would play with a <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/fifa-women-s-world-cup-official-history-fifa/book/9781787393530.html">smaller ball</a>; and with the tournament absent any true FIFA badging, the players had to pay $850 each for the privilege of participating. They pulled that fee together by fundraising through lamington drives, car washes, and casino nights.</p> <p>Still, the Australian team quickly made history by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=466728760806708">defeating Brazil</a> in an upset victory in the tournament’s first match, setting the tone for an upwards trajectory.</p> <p>However, the 1995, 1999, and 2003 tournaments were not, by the Matildas’ own standards, considered breakout successes. A harsh red card for Sonia Gegenhuber in the team’s first group-stage match against Denmark in 1995 cruelled the team’s chances from the outset. And 1999 saw <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-26/meet-alicia-ferguson-cook-matilda-wwc-record-fastest-red-card/102272428">Alicia Ferguson awarded the fastest red card in history</a> for an ill-timed tackle two minutes into the game against China.</p> <p>The Matildas’ sustained upward course arguably began in 2007. The World Cup that year was the first womens’ tournament for which SBS broadcast all the games. It also became the first time the Matildas <a href="https://www.matildas.com.au/news/day-westfield-matildas-made-history-2007-fifa-womens-world-cup">progressed to the knockout rounds</a>.</p> <p>Although laundry and internet costs weren’t yet covered, that era also marked the beginning of the players receiving (albeit nominal) daily allowances and playing contracts of up to approximately A$10,000. Administrators were able to leverage that 2007 success into the establishment of the W-League (now renamed the A-League Women’s), the domestic semi-professional football league that helped the Matildas become the first Australian team (women’s or men’s) <a href="https://www.matildas.com.au/news/westfield-matildas-win-afc-asian-cup">to win the Asian Cup</a>. It’s also a development pathway for the current Matildas.</p> <p>2011 marked the emergence of the Matildas’ “golden generation”, with then-youthful players Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr attending their first Women’s World Cup.</p> <p>All the focus has been on Kerr in recent years, but at the time, Foord was tipped to be the player to watch, and was named the tournament’s best young player.</p> <h2>Striking for pay parity</h2> <p>To understand the groundbreaking success the Matildas are now experiencing, we must look at the lonely stand they took across the road from governing body Football Federation Australia’s office in 2015.</p> <p>They were off contract, unpaid, and without medical insurance. Now lapsed, they had been on contracts of around A$22,000 a year: in the ballpark of Australia’s poverty line.</p> <p>So the Matildas went on strike for two months to draw attention to the imperiled nature of their footballing careers, which demanded full-time, elite-athlete commitment and results, but with part-time, amateur pay.</p> <p>The headlines that followed encapsulated the exasperation many felt (and still feel) at the inequity women athletes experience. This included the <a href="https://junkee.com/the-matildas-have-gone-on-strike-because-oh-my-god-can-we-just-pay-them-properly/65061">Junkee headline "</a>The Matildas Have Gone on Strike Because, Oh My God Can We Just Pay Them Properly?"</p> <p>The Matildas achieved <a href="https://www.matildas.com.au/news/historic-cba-close-footballs-gender-pay-gap">pay parity</a> with the Socceroos in 2019, but the groundwork for that achievement was laid with that 2015 strike.</p> <p>The year 2017 also marked an important moment in the team’s evolution. It was when the team <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/12/matildas-break-new-ground-as-fans-scramble-for-tickets-on-resale-market">sold out Penrith Stadium</a> with a then-record crowd of about 17,000.</p> <p>The crowd figure signalled there was an engaged audience and market there – it had just been under-catered for.</p> <p>Fast forward to 2019. Off-pitch distractions imperilled the Matildas’ group-stage world cup results. The team was steered through the tournament by temporarily installed coach Ante Milicic, after incumbent coach Alen Stajcic had been sacked for reasons still not entirely clear.</p> <p>With the rise of European nations that had invested heavily in women’s football, Australian football had stood still. The Matildas’ opening loss against debutantes Italy put the team under pressure. However, the players then produced the “Miracle of Montpellier”, winning 3-2 against superstars Brazil to salvage their tournament – before being bundled out by Norway on penalties in the round of 16.</p> <p>This year, the media’s initial focus was on Kerr’s troublesome calf and then late substitution decisions by coach Tony Gustavsson. Under pressure following a shock loss to minnows Nigeria, the Matildas recorded a resounding 4–0 victory over reigning Olympic champions Canada.</p> <p>Now, in a few pressure-filled hours, Australia’s most successful football team have the potential to make history: to progress to the semi finals for the first time ever.</p> <p>A win would see Matildas’ media coverage and fandom enter uncharted, euphoric territory. But with record crowds, viewership, and merchandise sales, and with several of their players now household names, in many ways the Matildas will already have won before they even set foot on the pitch.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211338/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-crawford-128832">Fiona Crawford</a>, Adjunct Lecturer at the Centre for Justice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-handing-out-their-own-flyers-to-sell-out-games-how-the-matildas-won-over-a-nation-211338">original article</a>.</em></p>

Gina Rinehart's bid to save the Commonwealth Games

<p>Gina Rinehart has thrown her support behind a bid to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after Victoria abandoned hosting the event.</p> <p>Australia's richest person has vowed to work with sporting officials and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to help salvage the Games and move them to Queensland, after Victorian premier Dan Andrews pulled the pin on the event over major budget issues. </p> <p>Gina's support comes amid fears the Commonwealth Games are in free fall after Canada pulled out of a bid to host the 2030 Games, meaning the Games currently have no future events planned and no host city.</p> <p>Following Victoria's abandonment of the 2026 Games, London, New Zealand and several cities in Scotland have launched campaigns to host the event, with each of them garnering some public support.</p> <p>According to reports from the <em><a title="www.couriermail.com.au" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/gina-rinehart-backs-gold-coast-bid-for-2026-commonwealth-games/news-story/3a6d0b2b4acb5ff522dde7ea4bd3e6b7" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="3a6d0b2b4acb5ff522dde7ea4bd3e6b7" data-tgev-label="sport" data-tgev-metric="ev">Courier Mail,</a></em> Rinehart is not prepared to fund the Games herself, but is prepared to do whatever is needed to help the Gold Coast secure the Commonwealth Games.</p> <p>A spokesman for Rinehart said “direct athlete support” would remain the focus of Hancock Prospecting’s sports funding program, but she would back a Gold Coast bid.</p> <p>“Having seen the joy that athletes and their families experienced when competing in front of a home crowd for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Mrs Rinehart would certainly welcome the 2026 event to again be held in Australia, especially at the Gold Coast, where it was run so successfully before,” her spokesman said. </p> <p>Mayor Tate said Rinehart’s commitment was a significant endorsement in the Gold Coast, which he said could host the Games again at a cost of just over $1 billion.</p> <p>The city hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games and would have the facilities to hold the event just eight years later.</p> <p>“Her statement sends a clear message: We must show what we are capable of as a country,” Tate said.</p> <p>“The Aussie athletes deserve it, as does every young kid who dreams of representing their country."</p> <p>“The momentum behind a 2026 Gold Coast Games is growing.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

Charlie Teo's great walk of support

<p>Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has now accepted work in China following the imposed conditions on his practicing certificate after complaints from the families of two patients. Despite the restrictions, many patients still in need of his surgical skills are expressing disbelief over the situation.</p> <p>In a message posted to social media, Dr Teo has urged his supporters to join him in solidarity for a walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge – and dozens have already committed to the walk, which will take place in September.</p> <p>“Many have asked what you can do to show your support," wrote the embattled surgeon. "Well, I would be honoured if you would join me in solidarity on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.”</p> <p>Patients are rallying their friends and family to walk with Dr Teo on September 17, in a message that emphasised that Dr Teo remains determined and will be present for the event after flying in from Spain.</p> <p>The decision to work in China and other countries came after the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) found Dr Teo guilty of "unsatisfactory professional conduct", a verdict he vehemently denies.</p> <p>Dr Teo addressed those affected by brain cancer, acknowledging the severity of the disease and emphasising the importance of the Charlie Teo Foundation in offering hope and support to those affected.</p> <p>Dr Teo affirmed that while he would be working in various countries, he still considers Australia his home. He expressed sadness over his recent experiences within the Australian medical system but remains motivated by the work he continues to do worldwide. The announcement of Dr Teo's decision to focus on China garnered hundreds of supportive comments from social media users, along with comments left on news articles.</p> <p>Dr. Teo confirmed that he would soon be performing complicated brain stem surgeries in China, acknowledging that his future in Australia is likely over. As he told the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/charlie-teo-ive-been-crucified-i-have-no-choice-but-to-try-china/news-story/61bb1af2516de2705d55143c53dece47" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Saturday Telegraph</em></a>: “I am not guilty of what I am accused of. I reject what they say I have done. They just don’t believe me, so why would I show remorse for something that I deny?”</p> <p>“I could appeal, I think I would win. They wouldn’t be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the things they have accused me of because they are not true. But I’m not sure I have the strength to run an appeal. Furthermore, I don’t have the money to do so,” he said.</p> <p>“And then the whole emotional turmoil.”</p> <p>Dr Teo instead will focus on saving lives in countries that will allow him to. “I have just been granted privileges in China, in three different hospital,” he said. “The fact that I have been crucified over here didn’t appear to affect their decision, so I am going over there to check the facilities, make sure they are good. They just bought the latest MRI for me.”</p> <p>Dr Teo said he was committing to a future in China “because they have committed to me” and would continue to do the occasional cases in Europe and parts of Southeast Asia that required his expertise.</p> <p>He expressed disappointment but not surprise at the conditions placed on his practicing certificate following an investigation into two brain surgeries with adverse outcomes. Dr Teo categorically denied any failure to obtain proper consent or lacking empathy for his patients. He expressed his reluctance to appeal the decision due to the emotional turmoil and financial constraints associated with it. Instead, he will focus on saving lives in countries that permit his expertise.</p> <p>Having recently been granted privileges in three hospitals in China, Dr Teo expressed his commitment to this new chapter in his career. He mentioned that the accusations against him would not hold up if challenged but admitted uncertainty regarding his ability to endure an appeal process.</p> <p>Dr Teo's primary concern lies in ensuring quality facilities and patient care in China. While he plans to continue performing occasional cases in Europe and Southeast Asia, he lamented the fact that he can no longer assist patients in his home country.</p> <p>Dr. Teo criticised the recent findings by the HCCC, stating that they send a negative message to doctors who offer contrary second opinions. He expressed concern that neurosurgeons across Australia may become reluctant to undertake risky surgeries, fearing media scrutiny and judgment from colleagues who lack the necessary expertise to treat complex tumour cases.</p> <p>Dr Teo also revealed that he continues to receive regular calls from individuals suffering from rare brain tumours seeking his help, but he is forced to turn them away.</p> <p><em>Image: Wikimedia</em></p>

Caring

Father of murdered Aussie soldier voices support for Ben Roberts-Smith

<p> The father of an Australian soldier murdered in Afghanistan has spoken out in defence of former SAS member Ben Roberts-Smith.</p> <p>Hugh Poate’s son, Robert, was playing cards with two other Australians when they were tragically shot by a rogue Afghan soldier named Hekmatullah in 2012.</p> <p>According to Poate, Roberts-Smith was simply following orders in a bid to apprehend Hekmatullah, who had brutally taken the lives of their son.</p> <p>Acting on intelligence, they were taken to the village of Darwan, where Roberts-Smith had allegedly kicked a farmer named Ali Jan off a cliff and ordered his execution.</p> <p>“These citizens in the village could well have been a civilian one day and pulling the trigger the next, that‘s the way the Taliban operated. This perspective should have been included to provide some balance and context,” Poate told the<em> Daily Telegraph</em>.</p> <p>The federal court <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/a-win-for-the-press-a-big-loss-for-ben-roberts-smith-what-does-this-judgment-tell-us-about-defamation-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dismissed</a> Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial against the <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em>, <em>The Age</em>, and the <em>Canberra Times</em>, with Justice Besanko concluding the various titles had substantially proven the former soldier unlawfully killed four unarmed Afghan prisoners during his service in the SAS between 2009 and 2012.</p> <p>The judgement also acknowledged instances of Roberts-Smith’s alleged bullying of fellow soldiers. However, the court dismissed two other murder allegations and an accusation that he had assaulted his mistress.</p> <p>In his thorough 736-page judgement, the judge determined that Roberts-Smith and four key witnesses called to testify were both dishonest and unreliable in their evidence.</p> <p>Following the release of the completed judgement, Roberts-Smith’s legal team is now closely inspecting the document to identify potential grounds for an appeal.</p> <p>Poate emphasised the fact that Hekmatullah was captured and convicted of war crimes and subsequently released. In comparison, Roberts-Smith <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/australian-war-memorial-urged-to-remove-ben-roberts-smith-s-uniform-from-display" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has not been convicted</a> of any war crimes. Potae perceives the treatment of Roberts-Smith as a case of double standards.</p> <p>Additionally, Poate asserted that the responsibility for any wrongdoing committed by the SAS in Afghanistan lies with others in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). By acknowledging the collective accountability within the organisation, Poate has suggested a wider perspective on the matter.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Legal

6 ways to be more supportive to those closest to you

<p><em><strong>Susan Krauss Whitbourne is a professor of Psychology and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She writes the Fulfilment at Any Age blog for Psychology Today.</strong></em></p> <p>During difficult periods of life, such as experiencing a tragic loss or sudden break-up, those you care about need you to be there for them. At other times, your loved ones may not need help, but at least would like some support and encouragement. It’s well known that receiving social support is one of the best and most effective ways to cope with stress. People who perceive themselves to be supported are also most likely to be happier, and may even live longer than those who don’t. New research on social support for parents of autistic children shows just how you can be the person on whom your loved ones can most rely.</p> <p>The ageing parents of adult children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) undoubtedly face major challenges in their daily life and, according to this new research, benefit tremendously from the type of social support that friends and loved ones can provide. Christine Marsack, in the School of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University, teamed up with Preethy Samuel of Wayne State University (2017), to investigate the role of social support in mediating the amount of perceived burden and quality of life. As the authors point out, caregiving research on adult children and their ageing parents has typically focused on predicting burden in the children. There is far less known about what happens to ageing parents when it’s the children themselves who are in need of caregiving.</p> <p>The Michigan team based their work on the cognitive model of stress and coping, in which it’s the appraisal of an event as stressful that leads it to have a negative impact on the individual. In the case of parents of children with ASD, after coping with the challenge of receiving the diagnosis itself, their next step is to come “to grips with the condition and obtain access to support services to assist with caregiving” (p. 2379). The question that Marsack and Samuel investigated was whether formal or informal social support would have ameliorating effects on parental stress.</p> <p>Using a sample of 320 parents aged 50 and older, the majority of whom were under 70 years of age, the research team administered an online survey inquiring about psychological quality of life, perception of caregiving burden, contact with formal support agencies, and perceived degree of informal social support. Formal supports were used heavily by sample members, including psychiatric, financial, counselling, and adult day care, for example. Even the relatively wide range of opportunities to get help in this way was not enough to stave off the effects of perceived burden on parental mental health outcomes. Instead, it was their answers to a six-item questionnaire of informal support that proved to be key in reducing their perceived stress.</p> <p>The questionnaire used by Marsack and Samuel was one developed for use in assessing perceived availability of social support by coronary heart disease patients that has been widely adapted to other situations. It’s from this measure, known as the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) Social Support Index (ESSI), that we can now look to see how you can support people coping with challenges in their own lives right now:</p> <p><strong>1. Be available to listen. </strong></p> <p>The ESSI asks whether there is someone who will be available to listen when needed. This means that you provide a sounding board when the person who needs your support approaches you. It doesn’t mean that you provide help regardless of whether you’re being asked for it. Let the person you care about know that you’re willing to listen, uncritically, when the situation demands it.</p> <p><strong>2. Be available with advice. </strong></p> <p>When you are approached for help, providing advice can prove to be very supportive. Again, providing unsolicited advice isn’t perceived as particularly supportive, but being ready for it when asked will help ensure that your advice hits a receptive audience.</p> <p><strong>3. Show love and affection. </strong></p> <p>Without providing anything in the way of objective support, it’s often enough just to know that someone cares to help get the stressed individual through tough times. The love and affection could be of the face-to-face form, and it's probably best when it is, but it can also come in the form of virtual cheers.</p> <p><strong>4. Help out every now and then with daily chores or by running errands. </strong></p> <p>This is something you need to be able to do in person, so if you live some distance away from the individual you would like to support, it may mean that you take a trip there every few months to do some of the heavy lifting around the house, or just help with some on-site logistics.</p> <p><strong>5. Support the individual during the decision-making process. </strong></p> <p>The person you care about may have to come up with plans that require more than just a sounding board or advice. Being patiently willing to go through the steps required to solve the problem can give the person you care about a more balanced perspective than would be possible if he or she were making this decision alone.</p> <p><strong>6. Be a person who the person you care about can trust and confide in. </strong></p> <p>The ESSI inquires about being actually present, but if this isn’t feasible, that quality of being trustworthy seems to be key. Caring for an adult child with ASD may have led some of the parents to wish they could talk about their frustrations, perhaps even about those they felt toward their spouse, with someone outside the relationship. Worrying that the person they told might violate that trust would only add to the stress of their situation.</p> <p>You might think it’s enough for the person you care about to sign up for an established support network or to be able to receive financial or emergency assistance. The Marsack and Samuel study shows that the quality of the friendship, trust, and sensitivity you provide that can make an even greater difference.</p> <p>There’s no way to avoid all of the stressful situations that life can present, whether through family situations, work problems, or emergencies. Fulfillment in our relationships involves, as this study shows, that willingness to give the support that will make the most difference in helping those we care about.</p> <p><em>Written by Susan Krauss Whitbourne. Republished with permission of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/4141/the-neuroscience-joyful-education-judy-willis-md.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Psychology Today</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Relationships

‘We lose ourselves’: carers talk about the lonely, stressful work of looking after loved ones

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fleur-sharafizad-1138251">Fleur Sharafizad</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/esme-franken-947855">Esme Franken</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/uma-jogulu-1278812">Uma Jogulu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p>An informal personal carer is someone who looks after a family member, neighbour or friend in need of care due to disability, illness or age.</p> <p>In Australia, there are approximately 2.8 million informal personal carers, including 906,000 who are primary carers. Projections suggest the national demand for carers will <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FINAL-Value-of-Informal-Care-22-May-2020_No-CIC.pdf">rise 23% by 2030</a>.</p> <p>Around one in ten Australians are informal carers: <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/informal-carers">most of these unpaid</a>. This group of people support one of society’s most foundational needs and our economy would struggle without them.</p> <p>Yet, little is understood about their experiences. <a href="https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/ijcc/aop/article-10.1332-239788223X16789866214981/article-10.1332-239788223X16789866214981.xml">Our recent research</a> reveals how this group of carers lack necessary support for their own wellbeing.</p> <h2>Our research</h2> <p>We interviewed 36 informal personal primary carers living across Western Australia and Queensland. Respondents were aged between 34 and 69 years, and had all been the primary carer for a child, parent, partner, or in-law, for between two and 21 years. Data was collected in two waves: one in 2020 and the other in 2021. Respondents were recruited with the help of an Australian carers’ organisation.</p> <h2>‘I’d rather it be someone else’s problem’</h2> <p>Many of the carers we spoke to said they were not caring by choice, but by necessity. They said they feel both unseen and undervalued. A husband who had been caring for his wife who suffers from Alzheimer’s said: "I would rather work. I really don’t like being a carer. I’d rather it be someone else’s problem. Being a carer, you just get forgotten."</p> <p>Carers generally provide care around-the-clock, yet their compensations (such as <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/carer-payment">carer payments</a>) are far from equivalent to full-time pay. The carer payment, for example, equates to only <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/programs-projects/caring-costs-us/">28% of weekly ordinary time earnings</a> in Australia, and carers can expect to lose <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/carers-are-17700-worse-off-every-year-in-superannuation-payments/#:%7E:text=Caring%20Costs%20Us%3A%20The%20economic%20impact%20on%20lifetime,every%20year%20they%20are%20in%20that%20caring%20role.">approximately $17,700 in superannuation</a> every year they provide care.</p> <p>Few of <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/FINAL-Carers-Australia-2023-24-Jan-2023-Budget-Submission.pdf">Carers Australia’s pre-budget submission items</a> to benefit carers were adopted in the most recent federal budget. Instead, the budget contained items which may indirectly benefit carers through <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-24-Budget-What-it-means-for-carers.pdf">increased support for the cared-for</a>. But these measures do not explicitly recognise and support carers’ wellbeing.</p> <p>Similarly, the recent draft of the <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/draft-national-strategy-care-and-support-economy">National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy</a> recognises the contribution informal carers make to Australia’s economy but focuses on paid care and support.</p> <p>Our interviewees spoke about the personal costs of their work, and the stress and loneliness they experience. They shared feelings of being taken for granted as if their role was not work, let alone difficult work.</p> <p>One mum caring for her disabled son shared: "I just want people to see that, [a] carer doesn’t have any leave, paid leave, or recognition. People just think that’s your loved one, that’s your job. But I do want people to understand that I did not choose to be a carer as my career, but I will do it because it is important."</p> <p>This played into a feeling of people losing their sense of self, because caring work was so demanding and time consuming. A mother who had been caring for her daughter for 17 years after she had been involved in an accident said, "People don’t realise how much we put our life on hold to support the people that need that emotional and mental and physical and spiritual support. We put ourselves in the back shed while we’re supporting them, so we lose ourselves."</p> <h2>A mental toll</h2> <p>Many spoke of how they once had individual goals and ambitions, which they now considered unachievable. All of our interviewees had quit jobs and halted careers to take on personal care full-time. One mother caring for her ill child said: "I think if I had a crystal ball, I don’t know that I would perhaps have become a parent, I think I would have just stuck to my corporate life and had a cat and be done with it."</p> <p>The mental health toll experienced by carers in our study was clear throughout all interviews. A mother looking after her child with mental health challenges expressed: "Every carer has mental health impacts from being a carer. They won’t say it’s depression or anxiety, but it’s mental health because when the hierarchy of needs is not being met for you, you can’t provide them for somebody else."</p> <p>As one interviewee explained, the demanding nature of the work had left them exhausted and as though they “can’t do it”. Our interviewees spoke of “falling apart” under the strain of constantly caring for high-needs people in their households.</p> <p>One mother who cared for her children who were both on the autism spectrum recalled: "How many times, if I don’t go to the bathroom and have a shower to cool down myself, I could kill the kids and myself easily. That’s how bad. We are not ever in the category to get help."</p> <h2>Feeling abandoned</h2> <p>Because so much of their work happens in pre-existing relationships and behind closed doors, carers talked about not just feeling unseen but abandoned. A common theme across all interviews was how carers felt abandoned by institutions, health professionals and, in many cases, friends and family members.</p> <p>One husband who had cared for his wife for close to 20 years said: "The government doesn’t even care about the carers […] we’re not really getting anything and then they’re trying to take the crumbs off us."</p> <p>Carers do not have psychological, institutional or social support for themselves as individuals, separate from their role. But these support pillars are necessary so the entire responsibility of care does not fall solely on informal carers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/FINAL-Carers-Australia-2023-24-Jan-2023-Budget-Submission.pdf">Carer-inclusive activities</a> could be a good start. But policy should also be responsive to the unique and unmet needs of carers. These relate to the lack of personal and professional development, feelings of abandonment and social isolation.</p> <p>With an ageing population, a pandemic, and an emerging crisis over the quality of care for older Australians and people with disabilities, the role of informal carers has become increasingly important.</p> <p>The truth is that most of us will likely, at some point, undertake care work or be the person being cared for. Better formalised support for carers will ultimately improve the care for the most vulnerable among us and society as a whole.</p> <p><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14. <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/about-us/what-we-do/">Carers Australia</a> also offers advice and support.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206409/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fleur-sharafizad-1138251">Fleur Sharafizad</a>, Lecturer in Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/esme-franken-947855">Esme Franken</a>, Lecturer in Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/uma-jogulu-1278812">Uma Jogulu</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-lose-ourselves-carers-talk-about-the-lonely-stressful-work-of-looking-after-loved-ones-206409">original article</a>.</em></p>

Caring

“We can be better”: Support flows for outgoing ABC host Stan Grant

<p>Australians have banded together in support of veteran journalist Stan Grant, flocking to social media to rally behind the resigning <em>Q+A</em> host after his final show at the helm. </p> <p>Grant’s final panel discussion saw the likes of Labor member Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Liberal member Zoe McKenzie, Independent Senators David Pocock and Tammy Tyrrell, and Greens member Griffith Max Chandler-Mather.</p> <p>The panel of first-term parliamentarians were there to review the Albanese government’s initial year in charge following their federal election win. </p> <p>It marked Grant’s final discussion in the wake of his decision to step back from the show, an announcement that had come following the host’s experiences with racial abuse.</p> <p>The first audience question of the session cut right to the chase, with one member - Anaru August - raising the matter of the abuse directed at Grant. </p> <p>“I have been disgusted by the hatred and abuse that has been fired at Stan Grant because of his colour and the articulation of his professional essence,” August said, before asking the panel “what needs to happen to stop hate speech?"</p> <p>The question drew immediate praise across social media, from both fans of Grant and the show, to Indigenous advocates, and his colleagues at the ABC.</p> <p>It wasn’t the first show of support from the latter, either, with a group of hundreds gathering outside the ABC’s Sydney headquarters that same day to spread the message that “enough for enough”, and that they stood with Stan. </p> <p>"The line in the sand is here, and we will not tolerate our staff being subjected to racial abuse, or any form of abuse. It must stop," ABC News Director Justin Stevens said of the move. </p> <p>"I would say, other sections of the media that play a part in facilitating, encouraging, or drawing attention to this ... need to take a really good hard look at themselves and the role they play.</p> <p>"We all stand with Stan. The abuse he copped is abhorrent and egregious and needs to stop. I'm incredibly sorry that he felt let down by our organisation, that we could have done better by him in defending him. We will do all we can to make up for it from this moment. </p> <p>"It's important we create a safe space for Indigenous and diverse journalists."</p> <p>It was a message continued in feedback over the episode, with not-for-profit inclusivity advocacy group Media Diversity Australia noting that Grant was “One of Media Diversity Australia's earliest and most high-profile supporters … A mentor to countless young reporters, especially Blak reporters … Stan Grant is a tireless veteran journalist that we admire, support, and respect” along with the hashtag “#IStandWithStan”. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">📣 One of Media Diversity Australia's earliest and most high-profile supporters. </p> <p>📣 A mentor to countless young reporters, especially Blak reporters. </p> <p>📣 Stan Grant is a tireless veteran journalist that we admire, support, and respect.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithStan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithStan</a> <a href="https://t.co/rPUSEZ7AfN">https://t.co/rPUSEZ7AfN</a></p> <p>— Media Diversity AU (@MediaDiverseAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaDiverseAU/status/1660614419859259394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>It was a message that continued through the flood of tweets, with Seven News reporter Christie Cooper writing that racism, and “personal attacks on journalists”, were not okay. </p> <p>“#IStandWithStan,” she said, “and I’m so sorry Stan Grant has been so hurt by racial commentary, both in and out of the media, that it’s forced him to walk away. It’s 2023, it’s not good enough.”</p> <p>“Solidarity to the ABC journalists standing in support of their colleague Stan Grant and to all journalists who face racists and racism for doing their job,” one supporter added. “Look at the replies to their tweets. It's not the exception, it is the rule. </p> <p>“Australians need to reckon with our racism.”</p> <p>As Grant himself said when closing his final episode, “to those who have abused me and my family, I would just say - if your aim was to hurt me, well, you’ve succeeded. </p> <p>"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I must have given you so much cause to hate me … I will get back up. And you can come at me again, and I will meet you with the love of my people.</p> <p>"My people can teach the world to love."</p> <p>It was a moment that resonated with viewers, with one taking to social media to share that ”history will remember this moment. A moment when Stan Grant, his passion as palpable as his pain, spoke poignant truths to Australia & bravely faced his racism with power, love & grace. Solidarity.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Sometimes, strength is knowing when to say stop."</p> <p>History will remember this moment. A moment when Stan Grant, his passion as palpable as his pain, spoke poignant truths to Australia & bravely faced his racism with power, love & grace. Solidarity. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithStan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithStan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/fVjUVvZ9GE">pic.twitter.com/fVjUVvZ9GE</a></p> <p>— Sahar Adatia (@sahar_adatia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sahar_adatia/status/1660644110770814976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: Q+A / ABC</em></p>

Ally Langdon breaks down in tears over 13-year-old life support patient

<p dir="ltr">Ally Langdon has broken down in tears while hearing the heart-breaking story of 13-year-old Esra Haynes.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>A Current Affair</em> host was joined by Esra’s parents, who shared that their daughter had fallen victim to the dangerous practice of “chroming”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Chroming is when a person inhales solvents or other household chemicals, or aerosol deodorant in Esra’s case, to get high.</p> <p dir="ltr">Esra’s parents, Paul and Andrea, recalled receiving a phone call while their daughter was at a sleepover that changed their lives forever.</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the Easter long weekend, the teenager had gone into cardiac arrest as a call was made to the parents to “Come and get your daughter”.</p> <p dir="ltr">When Andrea arrived at the home, police and paramedics were trying to resuscitate the teen before she was taken to hospital and placed on life support.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just eight days later, Esra passed away.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We thought we would bring her home,” Andrea <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/esra-haynes-melbourne-family-open-up-to-ally-langdon-about-tragic-chroming-trend-that-killed-daughter/7b4fcf4e-662b-4a91-8875-76fa4024a31a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told </a>Langdon.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We still had hope, we did not think the worst,” Paul said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Although her parents were optimistic their little girl would recover, a scan revealed Esra had sustained irreparable brain damage from the dangerous chemicals.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple were forced to make the painful decision to turn off Esra's life support, and were told to bring in friends and family to say their final goodbyes to the teenager on her deathbed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was put onto a bed so we could lay with her,” a heartbroken Paul said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We cuddled her until the end.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Langdon was visibly overwhelmed by the parents' memories of their final day with their daughter, and teared up alongside them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Andrea and Paul are now dedicating their time to educating young people about the dangers of chroming, which has claimed the lives of more than a dozen young Australians since 2009.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Haynes family have an unimaginable pain that they'll never recover from.</p> <p>After losing their 13-year-old loved one to a dangerous teen craze, they're now pleading with families across the nation to try and stop anyone else going through the same heartbreak. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9ACA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9ACA</a> <a href="https://t.co/zZt1MF6way">pic.twitter.com/zZt1MF6way</a></p> <p>— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACurrentAffair9/status/1660529859897200640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It's unquestionable that this will be our crusade,” Paul told the <em><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/lilydale-high-school-mourns-loss-of-muchloved-year-7-student-esra-haynes/news-story/4d58fa97b02019475bc830920f32c357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away. It's not something she would have done on her own.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Esra’s family and friends have honoured her memory online, with a flood of tributes from her loved ones recalling her sweet nature.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of her closest friends wrote on Facebook, “There wasn't one day in the past three years you've not made my day by your contagious laugh and gorgeous smile.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“My heart aches and it doesn't feel real knowing I'll have to say goodbye to you Esra. You're so young. You were gone too soon.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Caring

“She wasn’t ready to die”: Son speaks after mum on life support dies during power outage

<p dir="ltr">A grieving son is calling for energy companies to do better after his mum, Gloria Shae, 80, who was on life support, died during a power outage in Dubbo.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gloria was found collapsed on the floor after her oxygen machine switched off during an unexpected blackout at around 5am on May 8.</p> <p dir="ltr">The great-grandmother was woken up out of a deep sleep and was later on found trying to reach for her bottled oxygen.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now, her son Brian Shae, has spoken up about the tragic incident and is calling for energy companies to do better.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She wasn't ready to die," Brian said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She was full of life and energy, she had planned what she was doing the next day.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said that his mother was a registered life support customer with Origin Energy and Essential Energy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Neither Brian, who lives in the same property, nor Gloria were notified about the outage by their energy providers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"If there was some sort of automated system that sent out a text message, I could have been there in 30 seconds, in under a minute,” the grieving son said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We could have assisted her, we could have got her oxygen bottles to her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She does have oxygen bottles in the home but at night you rely on the oxygen generator."</p> <p dir="ltr">Although emergency services arrived about 15 minutes after Gloria was found, and they managed to restart her heart, Brian said that by then she was already brain dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gloria’s oxygen machine was rented and didn't come fitted with a back-up battery.</p> <p dir="ltr">Providers currently only need to give customers using life support four days' notice if there is a planned power outage, but in the case of a blackout there is nothing in place to contact their customers or the next of kin.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, they urge vulnerable customers to have a back-up battery or generator, to call triple-zero in an emergency, and to “have contingency plans in place”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But how could an 80-year-old lady who has woken up out of a deep sleep (and) short of breath manage to go out (and) start a generator?” Brian asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">Health Minister Ryan Park described the death as a “terrible tragedy” and said that he has spoken with NSW Health. The Health Minister also encouraged energy companies to find better ways to support vulnerable customers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If there’s anything that we could have done differently, we will look at that,” he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">An Essential Energy spokesperson has also commented and said that the team had personally contacted the family to extend their "deepest condolences".</p> <p><em>Images: 9News</em></p>

Caring

Rare sighting as famous friends step out in support of Michael J. Fox

<p>Michael J. Fox has been joined by a host of his famous friends for a screening of his upcoming documentary. </p> <p>The new documentary explores the <em>Back to the Future</em> star's ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, and the changes in his life and condition as he gets older. </p> <p>In a show of support for the actor, his celebrity mates joined together for a screening of <em>Still</em> at New York's Lincoln Center. </p> <p>Among the famous faces was actress Meg Ryan, who has not been spotted in public for more than six months. </p> <p>The former rom-com queen, best known for starring roles in films like <em>When Harry Met Sally</em>, <em>Sleepless in Seattle</em> and <em>You’ve Got Mail</em>, lives a more quiet life outside of the spotlight these days.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr1TCUeO8e3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr1TCUeO8e3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tracy Pollan (@tracy.pollan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ryan hasn’t appeared on screen since the 2015 film <em>Ithaca</em>, which she also directed.</p> <p>However, she is plotting a return to screens later this year, with Ryan starring in and directing the film <em>What Happens Later</em>, which is currently in production.</p> <p>Ryan was among a star-studded group of famous friends supporting J. Fox for the premiere of his doco, with stars including Bill Murray, Denis Leary, Joan Jett, Katie Couric, Mariska Hargitay, and Debra Messing. </p> <p>The screening of the documentary comes after Michael J. Fox <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/i-m-not-gonna-be-80-michael-j-fox-s-tragic-admission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">admitted</a> that his battle with the disease is getting more difficult. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“I’m not gonna be 80,” he said in a preview for an upcoming episode of the American current affairs program <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">CBS Sunday Mornin</em>g, according to <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Page Six</em>.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">In the clip, Journalist Jane Pauley tells Fox that he has “not squandered” but that his condition will eventually “make the call” as to when it’s his time to go.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“Yeah, it’s, it’s banging on the door,” the actor said.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“I’m not gonna lie. It’s gettin’ hard, it’s gettin’ harder. It’s gettin’ tougher. Every day it’s tougher.”</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Go Floyd! Huge support for 9-year-old heading to World Dwarf Games

<p>One multi-talented nine-year-old boy from Northern New South Wales is hard at work preparing to represent Australia at the World Dwarf Games. </p> <p>Floyd Morley was born with a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia - a condition considered to be one of the most common types of short-limbed dwarfism, said to affect approximately one in every 25,000 people. </p> <p>His parents - mother Jade and father Ross - were initially concerned about the challenges their son may face in life, considering everything from potential health conditions to bullying.</p> <p>“At the beginning, we were really worried about all his health concerns,” Jade explained to <em>A Current Affair</em>’s Leila McKinnon, “we were worried that he was going to get picked on, we worried that he was going to get bullied.” </p> <p>However, all the pair truly wanted was for everyone to “celebrate him. He’s the best. He is the best kid.”</p> <p>After too much time spent unable to catch anyone playing tag, or finishing behind his peers in school races, Floyd was left feeling “very frustrated” and “very lonely.” </p> <p>“I didn’t really realise how much it affected him,” Jade admitted. </p> <p>“I didn’t really feel that confident,” Floyd explained, “of playing soccer. I only just took to surfing and handball.” </p> <p>And now, everyone will have the chance to see that Floyd is the best at what he does, with the nine-year-old’s sights set on competing in Germany alongside his friends and teammates. </p> <p>It was a convention for short-statured people that changed things, giving Floyd the opportunity he needed and deserved to find his confidence and joy in what he was doing.</p> <p>"He comes running up to me and he has had this beam of light and he was like, 'Mum, I caught them in tag'," Jade said of that pivotal moment. </p> <p>"No one was slowing down for him to catch them … then he participated in soccer and basketball and he was like, 'oh my God, I'm good at this'."</p> <p>As Floyd’s pride for himself and what he could accomplish grew, and his connection to those who were like him, so did Jade’s - as she had said, “I just want him to be proud and to have that real soul about him that’s like ‘I am proud of who I am’” - with his mother also confessing that it had been a “beautiful experience.” </p> <p>When asked what the upcoming World Dwarf Games meant to him, Floyd wasted no time in declaring that he “felt really proud of myself, I felt really great, I couldn’t wait to meet all these people that were just like me.”</p> <p>The games - which take place every four years in Germany - are run by volunteers, and the Australian team rely on fundraising and donations for their financial assistance. Funds go towards training costs for the athletes, as well as travel to and from the games, and are vital for budding talents such as young Floyd.</p> <p>Short Statured People of Australia set up a fundraiser for the 2023 competition, and their page has seen a flood of love and support for Floyd and his team, after Jade admitted that “we're looking for multiple sponsors or one really big sponsor. We've got shirts, we want to put sponsors' names on them."</p> <p>“You deserve the world Floyd,” wrote one donor. “Keep shining your magic!” </p> <p>“Go Floyd! And all the amazing guys and girls participating in the games,” said another. “What an inspiration you all are. I will be following these games all the way.” </p> <p>“Go Team Australia! Can’t wait for My Sophia to join you in the future!!” said one proud supporter.</p> <p>And as another put it, “way to go Floyd. You’re a true inspiration of your parents.” </p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair / Nine</em></p>

Caring

"Show some damn respect": Carrie Bickmore targeted by vile online trolls

<p dir="ltr">In a tale as old as time, strangers online have seen fit to make disgusting comments about a woman’s body. </p> <p dir="ltr">When Carrie Bickmore took to social media to share some happy snaps from a day out with loved ones, the last thing on the minds of her fans was to nitpick how the presenter looked.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, for the trolls crawling from the internet sewers for their daily hatefest, that was the first - and only thing - they cared about. </p> <p dir="ltr">The images Carrie had opted to share were simple enough - two saw her jumping for joy alongside a forest path, and another saw her laughing with an arm around friend Fifi Box.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Forest fun for city girls,” Carrie captioned the series of pics. She went on to add that they’d driven an hour and a half to find their intended forest destination only to learn it was closed, before travelling another hour to an open one. The friends shared a picnic, a game of hide and seek with the kids, a milestone “first LEECH” encounter, and a touching photo credit to “a 4 year old.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpuqg9-PcWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpuqg9-PcWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Carrie Bickmore (@bickmorecarrie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Carrie was dressed comfortably for the adventure in an oversized hoodie and yellow bike shorts, Fifi in a red jacket and full-length leggings. But unfortunately, in the year of 2023, these simple and appropriate options didn’t sit well with the noisy few. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her supporters didn’t miss a beat, swarming her comments with positivity, all while calling out the “inappropriate, sexual” commentary invading her post. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Your 4 year old has taken beautiful pics of his Mum having fun and enjoying the long weekend. Great pics,” wrote one. “From all the good men out there, you rock Carrie and keep being you. You bring joy and happiness. Lots of love and support from us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ffs [for f*** sake] it’s 2023 and there are still guys that think it’s ok to pass sexually inappropriate comments or body shame women all from the safety of their keyboards,” lamented another. “What if people were saying these things about your mother or sister or even daughter? It’s 2023 we must be better than that and treat all women with the respect they deserve. Beautiful photos Carrie.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When one man piped up to share his wildly inappropriate take, the second fan returned to the comments section, writing, “what gives you, me or anyone else the right to mock or embarrass others because of what they choose to wear or their clothes size? Especially people that hide behind a keyboard and have their settings set so they can not be mentioned or called out directly? </p> <p dir="ltr">“If a male chose to wear the same outfit and received similar vile comments then I would still stand up for them and their right to do so. The outfit is in no way offensive but some comments are very much so … I appreciate you have the right to your own opinion but not the fact that you use it in an attempt to make others feel bad. As I said previously, beautiful photos, Carrie.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some of you have children and here you are commenting on @bickmorecarrie's photos as if she is a slab of meat,” added another. “It’s disgusting. You’re grown men ffs. Show some damn respect.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And as one other put it, “jeeeeebus. Guess I never read your comments (sm comment sections are generally cesspools to be avoided imo [in my opinion] lol) so don't know if this is standard or because some folk can't seem to handle a woman in (entirely appropriate) close fitting attire but holy bejaysus some of the repulsiveness going on in here … hope you had as great a time as it looks like you did! absolute dote!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Images: Instagram</p>

Body

“I didn’t come to play”: Bruce Willis’ wife smacks down trolls

<p>Emma Heming Willis has been forced to shut down the heartless trolls targeting her in the wake of husband Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis. </p> <p>In a video posted to social media, the 44-year-old model throws away claims that she’s been using Bruce for her “five minutes” of fame, and instead declares that she will turn them “into 10 because I'm always going to advocate for my husband.”</p> <p>Emma - who has spoken openly about her support for Bruce - once again stressed that she would be using this opportunity to raise awareness, before she was “going to turn my grief, and my anger, and my sadness, and do something good, around something that feels less than.”</p> <p>“So, watch this space,” she said, “because I didn’t come to play.”</p> <p>Emma’s message comes barely three days after she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/any-tips-bruce-willis-wife-posts-heartfelt-plea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reached out to followers</a>, “caregivers, or dementia care specialists navigating this world” alike, seeking advice on how to help “get your loved ones out in the world safely”.</p> <p>“If you are someone who is looking after someone who has dementia,” she said in the clip, “you know how difficult and how stressful it can be, just to get them out into the world and navigate them safely - even just to get a cup of coffee.”</p> <p>And while the response to her post was overwhelmingly positive, the cruel few determined to make things worse for everyone just had to say their piece, and to prompt Emma’s fight back. </p> <p>They were nowhere to be seen in her latest post - possibly hiding with their tails tucked between their legs - and instead, she was once more met with an outpouring of support. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpf2KBOOVc7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpf2KBOOVc7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“HELL YES!” wrote Bruce’s eldest daughter, Rumer. “I am so so proud of you!”</p> <p>“As a Registered Nurse, I appreciate you being a patient advocate for your husband,” said another, before requesting Emma do the exact opposite of what the internet trolls craved, “please don’t stop, we need people like you in the medical community!!! Hang in there. You are doing beautiful.”</p> <p>One now-supporter, who admitted that her previous perception of Emma had been negative and generated by the paparazzi, said, “Good for you … so sorry for what you and your family are going through. You truly are a woman of substance and power. I will be listening and learning.”</p> <p>“You go girl! There is an army of people behind you,” urged another. </p> <p>“Having to deal with your husband’s illness is bad enough but also having to deal with rude and intrusive press is unimaginable,” one said. “Keep shouting, keep protecting. He deserves the best life imaginable!!”</p> <p>“Emma, how sad is it when people don't get it,” another wrote, “this is such a problem in our society today...the lack of empathy. Why would people choose to believe that this is something you are doing for attention? Your family is going through hell - their foundation rocked, but it's a ploy??? Advocating for and protecting your family is what mama bears do!!!”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Families including someone with mental illness can experience deep despair. They need support

Outpouring of support for baby girl after Bondi tragedy

Cricket legend Greg Chappell's dire situation sparks rally of support

"I’m not going to be cured". How breast cancer awareness and support sidelines people with metastatic disease

4 ways to support someone with dementia during extreme heat

Ted Lasso star ordered to pay massive child support sum

Lisa Curry's emotional post sparks a wave of support and love

From handing out their own flyers, to sell-out games: how the Matildas won over a nation

Gina Rinehart's bid to save the Commonwealth Games

Charlie Teo's great walk of support

Father of murdered Aussie soldier voices support for Ben Roberts-Smith

6 ways to be more supportive to those closest to you

‘We lose ourselves’: carers talk about the lonely, stressful work of looking after loved ones

“We can be better”: Support flows for outgoing ABC host Stan Grant

Ally Langdon breaks down in tears over 13-year-old life support patient

“She wasn’t ready to die”: Son speaks after mum on life support dies during power outage

Rare sighting as famous friends step out in support of Michael J. Fox

Go Floyd! Huge support for 9-year-old heading to World Dwarf Games

"Show some damn respect": Carrie Bickmore targeted by vile online trolls

“I didn’t come to play”: Bruce Willis’ wife smacks down trolls

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Families including someone with mental illness can experience deep despair. They need support

Outpouring of support for baby girl after Bondi tragedy

Cricket legend Greg Chappell's dire situation sparks rally of support

"I’m not going to be cured". How breast cancer awareness and support sidelines people with metastatic disease

4 ways to support someone with dementia during extreme heat

Ted Lasso star ordered to pay massive child support sum

Lisa Curry's emotional post sparks a wave of support and love

From handing out their own flyers, to sell-out games: how the Matildas won over a nation

Gina Rinehart's bid to save the Commonwealth Games

Charlie Teo's great walk of support

Father of murdered Aussie soldier voices support for Ben Roberts-Smith

6 ways to be more supportive to those closest to you

‘We lose ourselves’: carers talk about the lonely, stressful work of looking after loved ones

“We can be better”: Support flows for outgoing ABC host Stan Grant

Ally Langdon breaks down in tears over 13-year-old life support patient

“She wasn’t ready to die”: Son speaks after mum on life support dies during power outage

Rare sighting as famous friends step out in support of Michael J. Fox

Go Floyd! Huge support for 9-year-old heading to World Dwarf Games

"Show some damn respect": Carrie Bickmore targeted by vile online trolls

“I didn’t come to play”: Bruce Willis’ wife smacks down trolls

Our Partners

Join Over60