Sue Sherrat Commentary at the Worldwide Lyme Awareness Protest Sydney Event - May 10th 2013
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For the speeches given on the day (for which there are "hard" copies available), click on the following names:
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Sue Sherrat - MC : Speech, Commentary of the Protest Event
Welcome
Welcome everyone - Today the world unites for Lyme disease. We are privileged to be the first country to host the first World Wide Lyme Protest in the world. Over 50 Lyme disease protests and awareness events will take place in over 25 countries around the world - including of course many across the states of Australia. Our aim is to highlight both Lyme and other tick-borne infections as serious diseases that require the urgent attention of governments and the medical community all around the world and of course we are particularly focused on Australia.
The current situation is intolerable with insufficient awareness by the broader medical community of Australia. Most doctors and specialists lack ability to recognise the clinical diagnostic signs. There is a lack of up to date research on adequate testing methods and appropriate treatment for both acute and chronic Lyme. Unfortunately this is also faced by Lyme patients around the globe. Activism efforts for recognition and awareness have been ongoing for many years in a number of countries. A number of people from these countries decided to join together to present a united International front and part of that result is standing right here. Many of you here today are very sick so I’d like to thank each one of you for making the time and the effort to be here today.
Right These Wrongs Awareness Song
I'd like to introduce two of the Lyme community's most talented vocalists/guitarists. Local girl Tara Stevens, and Ashleigh Williams-Smith. Ashe has flown down from Queensland especially to be here with us today. Together they will be singing Australia's official song for the Worldwide Lyme Protest, which was written and composed by another gifted Queensland Lyme patient, Emily Madden. 'Right These Wrongs', was written and composed by, Emily especially for the protest. It also featured on the soundtrack of the Worldwide Lyme Protest videos that appeared on you tube. 'Right these Wrongs':
Tara and Ashleigh Sing : See You-tube video on main event page
Introduction to Karen and Janice talking.
It is my great pleasure to introduce to you our National Australian Coordinators for the Worldwide Lyme Protest -
Karen Smith and Janice Foster.
We are privileged to have Karen Smith with us today who has taken the time fly down from Queensland especially to attend this event. Karen is Australia's representative on the international Worldwide Lyme Protest planning committee along with being a Lyme patient, an advocate and is also a Lyme researcher.
Janice is both a Lyme patient and advocate and is one of the Sydney protest organisers. I’d like to thank them both on behalf of all of us for taking the time to not only organize todays protest but also for being here today.
Karen and Janice speak Click on the names/links to each of these speeches.
Karen's speech - A patient perspective of the changes in Lyme Awareness in the last three years in Australia
Janice's speech - The political situation in Australia
Introduction to Mualla McManus
Our next speaker is Mualla McManus. Mualla is the founder of the Karl McManus Foundation, and is a key member of the Lyme community. The aim of the Karl McManus Foundation is to erode the barriers to the recognition and treatment of Borreliosis, especially neuroborreliosis, in Australia and to contribute to knowledge in the world about borreliosis and other tick-borne infections. For those of you and I doubt there are many here today that don’t know of the wonderful work of the Karl McManus Foundation I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it and consider donating to support the wonderful work that it does.
Mualla speaks - No "formal" speech prepared/available
Introduction to Kate Wood
The introduction to Dr Kate Wood was altered as she was unfortunately very ill for days leading up to the event, and much to her disappointment and frustration had to make the difficult decision not to attend the protest in person. Although it's a loss to us as a group that she can't speak to us today, it's also evidence of what we are protesting about - that Lyme is a serious illness that has a significant impact on the lives of patients.
Below is a little about Kate, as well as a link to the speech she had prepared for the day.
A little about Kate: Kate and her husband Nick are Lyme patients, and very passionate healthcare practitioners. They own Health Space Clinics and Retreats and are currently training staff in all of their clinics to be Lyme literate practitioners. They are also establishing Lyme Support Workshops at their Mona Vale clinic.
Kate's Speech - Lyme Disease from a Patient and Practioner Perspective
Introduction to Mal Pace
Please welcome Mal Pace, a health and fitness practitioner who is actively involved in the Lyme community. He will share with us a little more light-hearted look at Lyme Disease, based on stories his clients have told him.
Mal Speaks - No hard copy available.
Introduction to Jodie Donnelly
Please welcome Jodie to the front. Jodie is both a Lyme patient and advocate and is also one of the Sydney protest organisers. Jodie's talk today is focusing on being the carer of a Lyme patient.
Jodie's speech - Caring for a Lyme patient.
Sue makes a closing speech, and then hosts open mic time.
The protest is "closed" with Tara singing Beautifully Broken
Please welcome Tara back to the stage to perform 'Beautifully Broken', a song she has written and composed herself, based on her own experiences as a Lyme patient, and those of her sister Shannon.
Welcome
Welcome everyone - Today the world unites for Lyme disease. We are privileged to be the first country to host the first World Wide Lyme Protest in the world. Over 50 Lyme disease protests and awareness events will take place in over 25 countries around the world - including of course many across the states of Australia. Our aim is to highlight both Lyme and other tick-borne infections as serious diseases that require the urgent attention of governments and the medical community all around the world and of course we are particularly focused on Australia.
The current situation is intolerable with insufficient awareness by the broader medical community of Australia. Most doctors and specialists lack ability to recognise the clinical diagnostic signs. There is a lack of up to date research on adequate testing methods and appropriate treatment for both acute and chronic Lyme. Unfortunately this is also faced by Lyme patients around the globe. Activism efforts for recognition and awareness have been ongoing for many years in a number of countries. A number of people from these countries decided to join together to present a united International front and part of that result is standing right here. Many of you here today are very sick so I’d like to thank each one of you for making the time and the effort to be here today.
Right These Wrongs Awareness Song
I'd like to introduce two of the Lyme community's most talented vocalists/guitarists. Local girl Tara Stevens, and Ashleigh Williams-Smith. Ashe has flown down from Queensland especially to be here with us today. Together they will be singing Australia's official song for the Worldwide Lyme Protest, which was written and composed by another gifted Queensland Lyme patient, Emily Madden. 'Right These Wrongs', was written and composed by, Emily especially for the protest. It also featured on the soundtrack of the Worldwide Lyme Protest videos that appeared on you tube. 'Right these Wrongs':
Tara and Ashleigh Sing : See You-tube video on main event page
Introduction to Karen and Janice talking.
It is my great pleasure to introduce to you our National Australian Coordinators for the Worldwide Lyme Protest -
Karen Smith and Janice Foster.
We are privileged to have Karen Smith with us today who has taken the time fly down from Queensland especially to attend this event. Karen is Australia's representative on the international Worldwide Lyme Protest planning committee along with being a Lyme patient, an advocate and is also a Lyme researcher.
Janice is both a Lyme patient and advocate and is one of the Sydney protest organisers. I’d like to thank them both on behalf of all of us for taking the time to not only organize todays protest but also for being here today.
Karen and Janice speak Click on the names/links to each of these speeches.
Karen's speech - A patient perspective of the changes in Lyme Awareness in the last three years in Australia
Janice's speech - The political situation in Australia
Introduction to Mualla McManus
Our next speaker is Mualla McManus. Mualla is the founder of the Karl McManus Foundation, and is a key member of the Lyme community. The aim of the Karl McManus Foundation is to erode the barriers to the recognition and treatment of Borreliosis, especially neuroborreliosis, in Australia and to contribute to knowledge in the world about borreliosis and other tick-borne infections. For those of you and I doubt there are many here today that don’t know of the wonderful work of the Karl McManus Foundation I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it and consider donating to support the wonderful work that it does.
Mualla speaks - No "formal" speech prepared/available
Introduction to Kate Wood
The introduction to Dr Kate Wood was altered as she was unfortunately very ill for days leading up to the event, and much to her disappointment and frustration had to make the difficult decision not to attend the protest in person. Although it's a loss to us as a group that she can't speak to us today, it's also evidence of what we are protesting about - that Lyme is a serious illness that has a significant impact on the lives of patients.
Below is a little about Kate, as well as a link to the speech she had prepared for the day.
A little about Kate: Kate and her husband Nick are Lyme patients, and very passionate healthcare practitioners. They own Health Space Clinics and Retreats and are currently training staff in all of their clinics to be Lyme literate practitioners. They are also establishing Lyme Support Workshops at their Mona Vale clinic.
Kate's Speech - Lyme Disease from a Patient and Practioner Perspective
Introduction to Mal Pace
Please welcome Mal Pace, a health and fitness practitioner who is actively involved in the Lyme community. He will share with us a little more light-hearted look at Lyme Disease, based on stories his clients have told him.
Mal Speaks - No hard copy available.
Introduction to Jodie Donnelly
Please welcome Jodie to the front. Jodie is both a Lyme patient and advocate and is also one of the Sydney protest organisers. Jodie's talk today is focusing on being the carer of a Lyme patient.
Jodie's speech - Caring for a Lyme patient.
Sue makes a closing speech, and then hosts open mic time.
The protest is "closed" with Tara singing Beautifully Broken
Please welcome Tara back to the stage to perform 'Beautifully Broken', a song she has written and composed herself, based on her own experiences as a Lyme patient, and those of her sister Shannon.
Chants Integrated throughout the event:
It's about time to recognise Lyme
NSW Health don't you care? Lyme disease is everywhere!
Lyme disease; help us please
It's a crime not to recognise Lyme
Aussie ticks make us sick
Our kids are in pain, and Lyme is to blame
Lets make it clear, Lyme is here
It's about time to recognise Lyme
NSW Health don't you care? Lyme disease is everywhere!
Lyme disease; help us please
It's a crime not to recognise Lyme
Aussie ticks make us sick
Our kids are in pain, and Lyme is to blame
Lets make it clear, Lyme is here