MSWA Bulletin Magazine Autumn 16

Letters to the Editor
We cannot get over how much the MS Society of WA has
helped us, especially over the past two years when Tim has
needed more assistance and equipment than in the previous
25 years of living with MS.
The staff in the many departments we have utilised are all
wonderful as they guide us through the journey of MS. The
friendliness and professionalism of each staff member is of
the highest order. To mention a few:
Associate care provides seamless home help every week.
The office staff are great and the care workers well trained
and very positive individuals.
Marilyn Sylvester and her physio team help keep up Tim’s
physical strength and abilities allowing him to be able to
function with some independence and dignity at home.
The OT Department with Sandra Wallace and Brea Carlton
have provided us much assistance with wheelchair funding,
posture management, hoist training and extra things needed
to manage at home.
Michaela Kilroy in counselling helped us both cope better with
the difficulties of multiple sclerosis.
Irene Willis and Sumit Sandhu provide carer related activities
and regular monitoring of the support carers need.
The nursing staff including Lyn Reeves and Jill Crombie have
responded to our concerns with phone calls, emails, chats at
the Wilson Centre, home and in hospital.
The respite provided by the Society has been so important
for us. Treendale Gardens staff have been so welcoming
which allows me respite and also a chance to visit my family
overseas. We also love the opportunity for holidays together
using the family unit there.
As you can see, we have a long, long list and unfortunately
cannot name more of your able staff on this occasion. We can
end with a big shout out to staff who provide such awesome
fundraising and fund managing that directly impacts Members
in a positive way.
I want to thank you and all staff again for the amazing work
the Society does to enable us to feel much more empowered
and centred as Tim and I continue experiencing life with
multiple sclerosis.
Tim and Diane Johnson
I have just turned 60 and maybe it’s time for a midlife crisis.
In fashion, orange is the new black and maybe 60 is now
the new midlife, it certainly feels like it for me as I have
recently been testing the boundaries of my relatively tame
and pedestrian life with many new adventures.
After five long years
I have finally finished
my Bachelor of Arts in
Theology and I feel like
a bottle of champagne
bubbling up after the
cork is released. So,
here I am, free from
the millstone of study,
at the new midlife of
60 looking around for
things to do.
I had a very conventional birthday barbecue at home which
was catching up with a snapshot of my life. Lots of family,
even a few from my ex-husband’s family, people from my
pre-MS career, post-MS people from my church and people
who I have met on my life’s journey. It was humbling that so
many people took the time to celebrate my birthday with me.
Thank you
My family and I marked the occasion by doing a freefall
tandem parachute jump from 14,000 feet. We landed on
the soft sand of the beach at Jurien Bay and started a new
tradition of an annual weekend away together as a family, a
great way to retain connection. Two ticks for the bucket list.
My MS still improves and I picked up a half completed cross
stitch which I started before my diagnosis. I’m taking on this
new challenge in my midlife. The stitches are not quite as
precise as previously and I am making many mistakes but
I’m happy and hopeful that the completed work will look okay.
I have enrolled in an intensive course at Royal Perth Hospital
as a Chaplain Intern and am contemplating a clinical trial for
a non-MS related condition which includes stem cells and
ceramic printing; it sounds intriguing. I have just bought a new
car, very sporty looking, hmm…how midlife crisis.
I have also just joined the State Emergency Service (SES) as
a volunteer radio operator. This is a real job, doing real things
and making a real difference in people’s lives. I feel complete
doing this work.
Midlife must agree with me as I was approached by someone
who asked me to take part in a small film, he liked my energy.
Wow, midlife crisis, bring it on, life just keeps getting better
and better.
Julie Nelson-White
I am a Member and attend the Beechboro Outreach Group.
I was first diagnosed in Perth over 18 years ago. My symptoms
seem to have stabilised years ago and I am still walking about;
only slowly are things deteriorating. I’m one of the lucky ones.
I’m writing to offer my congratulations to our CEO Marcus
Stafford on his well-deserved award of 2015 National
Not-for-Profit Manager of the Year, given by the Australian
Institute of Management.
We all love it when Marcus visits us at Beechboro, spreading
good cheer and keeping us informed and up to date on all
matters regarding the Society and current research. It would
be pleasant to meet some of the other hardworking and
dedicated people mentioned in our Bulletin, perhaps at least
once a year.
I would also like to express our appreciation to Dr Greg
Brotherson and congratulate him for an ever increasing
standard of excellence in the presentation of the Bulletin.
As a Member for many years, I have seen Dr Brotherson’s
editorship of the Bulletin develop the journal into one of the
highest quality magazines of its kind in Western Australia.
Finally, I wish to thank Ms Sue Shapland for her most
informative article in the Bulletin (Summer 2015). It has taken
years for me, and I think my doctors, to recognise that my
form of multiple sclerosis has been the progressive kind, with
relapses gradually decreasing, but secondary symptoms of
neurological disability gradually increasing.
I feel I have been let off lightly so far, compared with many of
my fellow sufferers, who I commend here at Beechboro, for
their courage, cheerfulness and ever-present good manners.
The weekly trips to Beechboro and the excellent care given by
staff, gym and physio specialists, makes us feel we are part
of a warm, generous family and for this I’m sure all of us offer
heartfelt thanks to the MS Society of WA.
Valerie Melrose
Giving a donation or leaving a gift in your Will to MSWA, can open
up many exciting opportunities for you to make a big difference to
the lives of people with MS. Your gift, combined with those from
other MSWA supporters, will make a powerful impact and help us
to continue our very important work.
The Society would like to acknowledge the following people for
their generous gifts:
Mr & Mrs D’Angelo
Ms. Ettles
For more information on making a donation to the MS Society or
leaving a gift in your Will, please call Michael van Oudtshoorn on
(08) 6454 3168 or email Michael.VanOudtshoorn@mswa.org.au
Michael van Oudtshoorn
Planned Giving Manager
6 Autumn 2016 The MS Society of Western Australia The MS Society of Western Australia Autumn 2016 7