Interviewed by Neil

First off, Veronica, would you tell us what your qualifications are, and the fields of interest?

A: My qualifications include Clinical Nutrition, Environmental Medicine, Holistic Science and Psychology (M.Sc. Ph.D)

How or what interested you in Chronic Fatigue and Chemical Sensitivity?

A. I suffered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am sensitive to a lot of chemicals due to poisoning from spray drift from adjoining farms in Victoria. I could often smell the chemicals for hours, even in my house and the symptoms got progressively worse with aches and pains, nausea, severe headaches, blurred vision and concentration problems.

How long have you been practicing?

A: 25 years

What are the most common complaints you have treated?

A: Chronic Fatigue, chemical sensitivity and related problems, digestive disorders, stress, weight loss, hormone problems (often due to chemical exposure), poor concentration, emotional issues.

What is/are the causes of these complaints?

A: Wrong diet, combined with environmental and life style factors, inability of the body to detoxify and/or absorb nutrients properly. A major cause is also nutrient deficiency due to the quality (or lack of quality) of food people eat. This is a big problem with children and the elderly.

What diagnostic tools to you use?

A: My clinic brings space-age technology into natural medicine. I use advanced diagnostic methods, combined with medical tests to assess the problem areas. This enables me to test for total cellular toxicity, heavy metals, mineral imbalances and deficiencies, cellular efficiency, etc.

How do you help people heal themselves?

A: I am essentially a health educator. It is important that patients understand why certain things have to change or be done in a specific way. I keep things as simple as possible and encourage people to read health books and search the internet for information on their condition. I teach them to take responsibility for their health outcome.

How important do you think organic food is for good health?

A: Absolutely important! Nothing can compensate for fresh, chemical-free fruit, veggies, meat, chicken, eggs, etc. These should form the basis of every nutrition plan. It is encouraging to see that people increasingly seek out places where they can buy such foods. We produce our own organic food at our Yungaburra farm, including rearing of chickens and ducks.

Where and times is your Cairns practice operating?

A: My Cairns office at the Esplanade is open Thursdays and Fridays by appointment.

Where and times is your Tableland practice operating?

A: Monday to Wednesday by appointment near Yungaburra.