From Resistance to Embracing Western Medicine

by Angela Perin, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Up until a few years ago, I had been a strong supporter of alternative medicine and its various modalities, including ‘new age’ or ‘spiritual’ therapies and techniques. In fact, I considered alternative medicine to be the answer, or to hold the primary solutions and methods to healing illness and disease. When an illness or condition presented with myself or within my family, this is what I turned to, and actively pursued.

Although I grew up with some understanding and use of Western Medicine (to the extent that I did have occasional visits to the local community nurse and saw a doctor on a handful of occasions during my childhood), it was not a big part of my awareness or experience. In my late teens through to my early 20’s, and as a general outcome of my immediate family taking more of an interest in health, I began to become more interested in alternative medicine and therapies (which included general lifestyle changes such as the incorporation of organic food, supplements, regular exercise etc.). Continue reading “From Resistance to Embracing Western Medicine” →

Road Rage

by Anne Malatt, Australia

I used to suffer with road rage. My veneer of ‘niceness’ would crack when I was driving and all my pent-up frustration and rage would come pouring out. There were no words for how I felt and I used to invent expletives. I was still like this when my children were little: they would squeal with delight when they heard a new word like ‘dick-brain’ and repeat it over and over.

My pet hates were people who would pull into the passing lane and drive slowly, so that no-one could pass anyone; people who drove slowly, for any reason; and tailgaters. I love driving, but I liked to drive fast: I was usually running late, and I did not like anyone getting in my way. Continue reading “Road Rage” →

Universal Medicine & the Media: Why the Elephant is more Interesting than the Fly

There’s an old tale I’ve heard and it goes something like this:

‘Once there were four blind travellers who came across this ‘Big Thing’ in the jungle. One bent down, felt around, and said, ‘No sweat! It’s only some tree stumps’. Another felt the middle and said, ’It’s a wall – we can’t get around’. Another felt a swish against his face and said, ‘Hey! It’s a flying insect!’. The fourth reached up, got a fright, and yelled, ‘Run for your life – a snake!’ Continue reading “Universal Medicine & the Media: Why the Elephant is more Interesting than the Fly” →

Universal Medicine: There are no Damsels in Distress here…

It has become tradition that Universal Medicine celebrates the conclusion of each year with the ‘usual presentations’ followed by entertainment from the student body. Each year more talent comes forward to strut their stuff – in a very wholesome, entertaining and, this year, extremely funny way.

There is a World of Choice out there, but you have to Know there is a Choice!

by AG, BA LLB (Hons), LLM (Hons), Grad Dip Psych, Byron Shire

Something that I discovered long before I had any contact with Universal Medicine is that I and my fellow human beings have a very odd relationship with drugs and alcohol.

As a University student I ‘investigated’ lots of mind altering substances – and marijuana was my first choice as a drug of addiction. I would party and smoke as much of the year as I could get away with, and then settle down to do my end of year exams. I did quite well: I was born with a prodigious mind. As soon as exams were over I would be back to my habit. Along with that came a nicotine addiction – it followed on from the drugs. I drank a lot too, but preferred marijuana. Continue reading “There is a World of Choice out there, but you have to Know there is a Choice!” →