MSWA’S MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MS NURSING Our MS nurses are usually the first point of contact after the neurologist’s diagnosis of MS. We’re committed to providing holistic supports; providing a greater understanding of what to expect. Lou Hatter, Manager: 9365 4888 or Community Nurse: 9365 4888 WILSON CENTRE 29 Parkhill Way (08) 9365 4888 Fax (08) 9451 4453 Freecall 1800 287 367 See Health Team Dept contacts on this page MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTORY GENERAL MANAGER – MEMBER SERVICES Sue Shapland: 9365 4840 INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS Manager Community Care Programs 9365 4851 NDIS TEAM 9365 4824 OUTREACH GROUPS Wilson Outreach (Mon-Thurs): 9365 4830 Beechboro Lodge (Mon, Fri): 9377 7800 Southside Outreach (Fri): 9592 9202 Albany Outreach (Fri): 9841 6657 BUNBURY (WED) HUB 1 Mason Street, Davenport 6454 2800 BUSSELTON OFFICE 1/21 Cammilleri Street 9754 2320 MARGARET DOODY RESPITE HOUSE Manager, Chris Rush: 9385 9574 FERN RIVER ACCOMMODATION Manager, Danuta Figurska: 9356 2747 HAMILTON HILL ACCOMMODATION Manager, Jayne O’Sullivan: 9331 5780 TREENDALE GARDENS RESPITE & ACCOMMODATION 50 The Boulevard, Australind Manager, Linda Kidd: 9725 9209 CONTACT US If you would like to comment on anything you read in this Bulletin please email bulletin@mswa.org.au or write to MSWA, Locked Bag 2, Bentley DC WA 6983 The Bulletin can also be viewed at mswa.org.au/bulletin EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Greg Brotherson (Editor), Marcus Stafford (CEO), Paul Cavanagh, Sue Shapland, Ros Harman, Libby Cassidy, Caitlin Skinner, Sandra Wallace, Narelle Taylor, Leonie Wellington, Sarah Lorrimar, and Dawn Burke. The Editor welcomes unsolicited submissions. All articles are subject to a reviewing process. The views expressed are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of MSWA’s staff, advisors, Directors or officers. PHYSIOTHERAPY Our team aims to provide treatment interventions to develop and maintain mobility and function. Our Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function, and work in partnership with you to attain the highest possible level of independence. Dave Hathorn, Manager: 9365 4837 or Physiotherapy Department: 9365 4834 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Occupational Therapists enable Members, and Clients, to continue their work and other interests for as long as possible through advice, aids and equipment. Rosemarie Dravnieks, Manager: 9365 4804 or OT Department: 9365 4888 SPEECH PATHOLOGY Our Speech Pathologists provide support by assessing, diagnosing and creating individualised treatment programs for Members who experience swallowing and/or communication difficulties. We equip Members with information and strategies to promote better communication and safe swallowing. Jamaica Grantis, Manager: 6454 3140 COUNSELLING, PEER SUPPORT & HEALTH EDUCATION Talking with a Counsellor creates a safe, respectful and confidential environment for you and those close to you to explore options, create change or gain understanding about your life. Attending counselling with our tertiary qualified practitioners enables opportunity for personal growth and exploration in a non-judgemental environment. We have a Peer Support & Health Education Coordinator who organises peer connection & events and supports health and wellness education services. She can be contacted on 9365 4858. To make an appointment please call: Lisa Papas, Manager: 9365 4836 or Main Counselling line: 9365 4811 SOCIAL WELFARE Social Welfare Officers assist people living with MS and their families to access services and supports to remain living independently at home. They specialise in case management, advocacy and sourcing funding options. They provide information on benefits and entitlements through Centrelink and other government departments. Monitor NDIS/WANDIS Services. Irene Gallagher, Manager, Social Work: 9365 4835 INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS We provide long-term and time limited in-home supports including assistance with personal care for people with MS, to help them remain in their homes. Care and supports are provided through a combination of funding from the Disability Services, Department of Communities and our own fundraising efforts. We manage both DSC and NDIS individually funded care packages. Contact Aileen Ward, Manager on 9365 4851 for more information. THE NDIS TEAM We can help answer all NDIS questions. Our experienced team can help determine whether you may be eligible for NDIS support and assist you with your application. This includes developing an individual plan that best suits your needs. We support people with all neurological conditions including MS, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Acquired Brain Injury and Motor Neurone Disease, to name a few. Contact Mark Douglas, NDIS Operations Manager: 9365 4824 CAMPS & RECREATION MSWA provides separate recreation camps for Members, carers, and families, primarily funded by Lotterywest, and for a nominal cost to participants. These camps provide a break from daily routines, and strengthen friendships and support networks. Coordinator for Camps & Recreation: 9365 4843 2 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DR GREG BROTHERSON Welcome everyone, to the Summer Edition of your Bulletin. The great news is how delightfully well MSWA is travelling, which was announced at the Annual General Meeting in October. MSWA has once again set another all-round record for providing services to the Membership and the neurological community, another record contribution to research and the achievement of another remarkable financial performance. The building of the supported accommodation and service complex at Butler will commence shortly. Wilson and Beechboro will be renovated and new premises leased in Joondalup. You will find a precis of the Annual Report included, and Sue Shapland puts a human face to what a hectic year it has been. MSWA is performing extraordinarily well, which is a great comfort to vulnerable Members now that Aged Care packages are Commonwealth policy. This is of particular concern especially for those people who are over 65 years of age and do not qualify for the generous provisions of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), simply because they are too old. How is that for being ignored? There is no magic wand to wave and no cure for multiple sclerosis to support such prejudice. Nothing has changed except people now find themselves on the wrong side of the Government’s arbitrary cut-off point. But times have changed and there are health and safety matters to consider which will double the cost for classified level four people. But the rub is that they weren’t even consulted about it! INSIDE | SUMMER 2017 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 3-4 MEMBER SERVICES XMAS CLOSURES AND REDUCED COVER 4 FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO 5 A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER – MEMBER SERVICES 6 GROWING OUR LOCATIONS, AN UPDATE 7 PROFESSOR BILL CARROLL APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF NEUROLOGY 7 ROUND-UP OF RESEARCH AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST 8-9 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017 10-11 JEWEL OF THE SOUTH WEST 12 MS NURSES AUSTRALASIA (MSNA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE 13 BUILDING DREAMS 14 CHRISTMAS CHEER 15 THE BENEFITS OF SOUND 16 THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX – BOXING FOR PEOPLE WITH MS 17 Thankfully, MSWA is able to help, but this doesn’t mean the government policy is well thought out. It does not pass the fairness test. For those Members who qualify for the NDIS, they will have access to the best facilities and service provision on offer and spread throughout this great, generous State of Western Australia. Certainly, in my 34 years as a Board Member and 31 as Bulletin editor, MSWA has never before arrived at such a high point in its development, where Members and Clients with associated neurological conditions can now feel secure living at home in the community. Members have never before had access to such a range of quality services as those currently on offer by MSWA, and the NDIS team give a sample of one day in the life of one of the team, in their informative contribution. There is one group in the neurological community, who for a multitude of reasons, including love, always seem to be exploited. They are the live-at-home carers who, more than ever in this changing world, need a break and some respite from the relentless nature of the caring role they have undertaken. I remember well the first Medical Director of MSWA, Dr Ted Stewart-Wynn, telling me in 1984: “you would be stuffed without your wife to look after you!” Of course, he was correct and since then MSWA has gone out of its way to look after the carers of people with multiple sclerosis. The original City Beach Respite home (an Empire Games Athlete- Village home), followed not long after in 1989. continued over INTRODUCING ‘LOUD & CLEAR’ – AN MSWA POETRY CLUB 18 CELEBRATING OUR CARERS 18 SURVIVING THE HEAT WITH MS 19 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN MSWA NDIS TEAM MEMBER 20-21 TRAVELLING WITH DYSPHAGIA 21 CAMPS AND RETREATS 22-23 A DAY TRIP TO NORTHAM 23 MUSING ON MOUSING 24 POWER. THE COMMODITY OF KINGS 25 THAT’S LIFE WITH NARELLE 26 MSWA STAFF IN FOCUS 27 VOLUNTEERING 28 FUNDRAISING NEWS 29 BUSSELTON TUESDAY ART GROUP 29 ALBANY OUTREACH GROUP NEWS 30 BEECHBORO LODGE OUTREACH NEWS 30 WILSON OUTREACH NEWS 31 MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017 | 3