Love finding out about breakthroughs in medicine?
It can be exciting to see stories of real people getting the care they deserve and finding hope again.
Whether you have a friend or loved one who struggles due to illness, or you enjoy hearing about innovations in medicine, a lot of work has taken place before it makes the news.
This month, we’re celebrating International Day of Girls and Women in Science.
We spoke to Felix Sugiarto and Damon Ezekiel about women who inspire them.
Felix:
Anne Sullivan inspires me:
I admire Anne Sullivan, an American teacher for Helen Keller. Anne was widely recognized for her achievement in educating to a high level a person without sight, hearing, or normal speech.
She patiently taught Helen Keller a manual alphabet and painstakingly spelled out the lectures to Hellen Keller for hours.
A local Woman in Science:
In late 2021, I met a person at Vision Australia who has a vision disability.
Despite her condition, and with the help of Vision Australia, she was able to obtain a university degree. She now works part-time as an assessor at the university.
Her passion to succeed and the number of people and guide dogs who have helped in her journey were amazing.
Damon shares how Prof Stephanie Watson inspires him:
Professor Stephanie Watson (Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney)
Prof Watson is an amazing lady who is very successful in a male-dominated environment.
She has risen to the top of the ophthalmology field, and in 2021, was awarded a place in the Global Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology.
She is not just an amazing surgeon but also an incredible researcher.
I think the adversity she would have been up against as a female in a male dominated profession would have been enough for some people to give up, however she was determined to excel.
We celebrate these women for their contribution to the lives of many people.
Who inspires you?