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MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 17

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THAT’S LIFE WITH

THAT’S LIFE WITH NARELLE NARELLE TAYLOR Weekends are when we can do what weekdays don’t allow time for. On Saturday evening, a telephone call from my daughter suggesting a rendezvous in the nearby park was enthusiastically agreed to. As we met and headed to the bench, where we could sit and eat our empanadas, the heavens opened. A horribly loud clap of thunder sent children running and screaming. Behind them ran their mothers, trying to catch them and calm them. The park emptied. The bench was under a very leafy tree. We weren’t going to be put off the enjoyment of eating our empanadas because of a mere shower of rain. Some people enjoy time in the rain. Others just get wet. On the Sunday afternoon, my friend Christine, and my daughter Paige, sat with me in the courtyard at my place. This time there was no rain. The conversation was scintillating. The vegetable curry puffs were delicious. The champagne was all we’d hoped it would be. It was decidedly a very pretty scene. The lovely flowers, the greenery, the excellent vegetable curry puffs and the tall fluted glasses. The setting was so picturesque. The unlovely sound of a motor vehicle revving and speeding in the street beside our garden certainly caught our attention. The car sped downhill past us, then back uphill to alongside us. My daughter ran to the fence and as she approached it she could see a police car. She called out to Chris and me, still at the table, what she could see. At that very moment, a young man, shirtless, bare-chested, sprang over the fence, through the greenery, up a tree and onto the roof. I stopped eating and watched the ‘Peter Pan’ character treading so deftly on the roofing tiles. A policeman scaled the fence, Chris and I pointed. “He went that way.” said Paige, and he raced away after him. Chris and I watched and agreed that indeed, it was exciting. We had another curry puff. Eventually Paige returned. The police had the ‘Peter Pan’ character in custody. Paige said the police told her that there was a stolen car involved. She said the roof-chase could well have been a wasted effort. When the policeman had caught up with the young bloke and grabbed hold of him, she said she heard him say “Let go of me. I never done nothing wrong.” He was innocent. Narelle enjoying her empanadas. The weekend had provided me with aspects of life that occur infrequently in the aged care facility where I live. An attractive embellishment of this place though, is the recent addition of boxing equipment to the physiotherapy department’s gear. I have been using boxing paraphernalia at the Physiotherapy Department at Wilson and I really enjoy it. The physiotherapist wears large flat pads on his/her hands and stands in front of me so that I can aim my punch at the pads (I’m wearing boxing gloves). Sometimes I swing across my body. Sometimes an uppercut. Sometimes it is a downward strike. I’m always impressed at how very quickly my heart rate picks up. Sometimes, even though it’s a tad unladylike, I have sweated. I am seated with my feet flat on the floor, to take my weight when I lean forward, or as my torso turns with each swing, waking muscle groups that haven’t been used very much, if at all, in my 25 years of living with MS. To return my elbow to its pre-strike position restores my torso to its upright, balanced position and then I don’t feel as if I’ll fall. That’s a feeling that usually accompanies manoeuvres that liberate me from the ‘bound up’ feeling that I think is the result of not moving much. The boxing gives me great movement and I even feel secure. I think boxing is great fun and I recommend you try it. It really is liberating, and I’m so pleased to be given such a great work out. 26 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017

MSWA STAFF IN FOCUS CAITLIN SKINNER, MSWA BRAND AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE MSWA is the leading provider of neurological services in Western Australia and with that comes a responsibility to deliver quality compliance and safety. I sat down with Liz Stewart, who’s been working with MSWA for eight years and in August started in a newly created role as Quality Compliance and Safety Manager, based at Wilson. Liz, tell me about your role? “Quality Compliance and Safety is an integral part of any organisation that provides services to the community, and it ensures we deliver them in the right way. Compliance controls how we deliver services that align with relevant legislation and the National Disability Standards and very importantly, we ensure staff are also looked after. Part of my role is seeking out and receiving feedback – both compliments and complaints from our Members and Clients, it is vital to gauge ongoing satisfaction. We’ve always strived to deliver a high standard and quality service and to me, it’s about continuing to improve constantly.” What made you choose to work at MSWA? “I was working for an agency that assisted local communities in health services and some of my MSWA Clients were dealing with complex issues. From there I was invited on an induction day at MSWA which I at first said no to, but ultimately, I couldn’t resist and here we are.” What does being a part of the team at MSWA mean to you? “To this day, I’m inspired by the people around me and I really love the way we regard our Members and Clients. It’s a caring environment and they’re always first to be considered. It’s refreshing to be a part of such a hardworking and friendly team.” Do you have a personal connection to MSWA? “No personal connection, however you couldn’t do this job without a big heart, so I feel connected by my dedication to this team.” Why was this a newly created role, and are you facing any challenges? “I was always passionate about wanting to provide the very best for our Members and Clients, and while we were continually growing our services, we noticed a gap in this area which deserved a dedicated focus. So far people are responding positively to this role and I feel lucky that I get to work closely with some amazing people. Staff also need support, and we don’t want them to be hurt on the job. To combat this, I’ve been on the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the last five years and the Committee provides guidance on creating a safe environment. Challenges that are more personal for me are learning how to be in an office job again! Coming from my role as Manager at MSWA Fern River, I was always on my feet and very active. It’s a new pace for me, but I like it. MSWA provides great support for your professional career, I’m currently studying a Dual Diploma in Managing and Auditing which will assist me with the auditing processes in my role.” Describe your role in three words? “Quality, professional, heart.” And finally Liz, can you tell me what your goal is in this new role? “I would like to ensure that all the Member and Services staff provide high-quality service. I love working for MSWA, I wouldn’t go anywhere else, it’s been a fantastic journey!” Thank you, Liz. MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017 | 27

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