News Review - Health (Editor's Choice) ABC TV and Discover Magazine

 

Ignorance Is Not A Satisfactory Excuse And Or Answer

The Upside of Downs. A brave, educational program which ‘touches a chord’ and challenged its TV Host's very existence.

 

ABC TV - LIVING WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND PRENATAL TESTING

Julia Hales and producer Kim Akhurst.(ABC TV)

"Actor Julia Hales, ABC's first TV host who is living with Down syndrome, explores the issue of prenatal testing in new documentary

Julia Hales (right) has worked as an actor and is making her television debut in an ABC documentary on prenatal testing. (ABC TV)

"I want everyone to know that people with Down syndrome are capable of living in the world and reaching their goals. I want their voices to be heard and to make the world a better place for them." — Actor Julia Hales

Julia Hales is a passionate person, I saw that the moment I met her.

She's a Perth-based actor who co-wrote the award-winning play You Know We Belong Together, which featured at the Perth Festival

I heard about Julia through theatre director Chris Kohn, who was working with her to develop a play called Screens looking at prenatal screening.

It coincided with the Federal Government considering changes to prenatal screening to include a DNA blood test on the Medicare benefits scheme.

This non-invasive prenatal test makes it easier to detect Down syndrome.

It's currently offered privately and costs extra but this proposal would make it widely available and more affordable.

What would that mean for pregnant women and for people living with Down syndrome?

I knew there were some interesting questions to explore in a story for the ABC.

And I thought who better to tell it than someone living with Down syndrome? "

"This is a direct Citation" By producer/director Kim Akhurst. Posted Sunday (2020, October 18) at 4:59 am. ABC TV. Read the Full Story, retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/about/backstory/2020-10-18/julia-hales-first-abc-tv-host-living-with-down-syndrome/12774514

The Upside of Downs aired at 9.30 pm, Tuesday (2020, October 20) on ABC TV and iview. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

From the time I watched this documentary, its memory has stayed with me – Five Stars *****

DISCOVERY MAGAZINE KEEPING US AWARE

Update

(Credit: Jay Smith)

"Autism's Gut Connection: Microbes Could Soon Lead to New Treatments

Researchers are finding clues to autistic behavior — in patients' gut bacteria. Using fecal transplants to improve symptoms have shown promise in preliminary studies."

Sarkis Mazmanian, shown in front of a mural that celebrates the human gut, is part of a group of microbiologists researching the effects of the digestive tract on a range of disorders. (Credit: Caltech)

"This is a direct Citation" By Adam Piore. ABC (2020, October 14). Retrieved from https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/autisms-gut-connection-microbes-could-soon-lead-to-new-treatments?

This story appeared in the November 2020 issue as "Bacteria and the Brain." Subscribe to Discover magazine for more stories like this.

In the future, collecting an exciting body of data and evidence which could have life-changing effects for brain disorder sufferers - A Biology Story and much more - A notable read.