MSSANT Network Magazine Winter 16

Inside | Winter 2016
Letter from the Editor
Libby Cassidy
The Multiple Sclerosis
Society of SA & NT (Inc.)
Telephone (08) 7002 6500
Fax (08) 7002 6599
MS Assist Freecall 1800 812 311
msassist@ms.asn.au
Client Services
Directory
GENERAL MANAGER – CLIENT SERVICES
Sue Shapland (08) 9365 4840
HEAD OFFICE – FROM 28 JUNE
341 North East Road
Hillcrest (08) 7002 6500
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS
BRIGHTON
7a Sturt Road (08) 8198 1400
CHRISTIES BEACH
Unit J/111 Beach Road (08) 8392 0100
ENFIELD
273 Main North Road (08) 8360 0800
MODBURY
31 Smart Road (08) 8203 6600
MORPHETT VALE
Shop 3/204
Main South Road (08) 8187 2100
SALISBURY
6-8 John Street (08) 8256 3700
TORRENSVILLE
130 Henley Beach Road (08) 8164 1550
WOODVILLE
51 Woodville Road (08) 8345 8700
Please direct all enquiries to
MS Assist on 1800 812 311
or email msassist@ms.asn.au
Contact Us
If you would like to comment
on anything you read in this
Network please email
feedback@ms.asn.au
or write to
MS SA & NT, PO Box 377,
Salisbury South DC SA 5106
The Network can also be viewed at
ms.asn.au
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 the
Society’s staff, advisors, Directors or officers.
Letter from the Editor 3
From the desk of the CEO 4
A message from the General Manager – Client Services 5
Round-up of research and other items of interest 6-9
NDIS Updates 10
Protect yourself against the flu 11
Swallowing: Everyone’s doing it. But no one is talking about it! 12
Calcium, Vitamin D and MS 13
Reducing the risk of falls 14
Workplace Solutions 15
MS is a family matter – an article on family resilience 16-17
Insuring your Mobility Scooter 18
Equipment Matters 19
Peer Support 20-21
Information Sessions 2016 22-23
That’s life with Narelle 24
The law of infinite potentiality 25
Naracoorte Auxiliary not slowing down 26
Outreach news 26
World MS Day 27
MS Game Changer Lottery 27
NURSING
Our nursing team is usually the first point of contact, after the neurologist, for anyone
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. We’re committed to providing holistic support so you have
a greater understanding of what to expect from your condition.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapists work with Clients referred through the Disability and Community
Services Program, providing assessments and recommendations for aids and equipment.
SOCIAL WELFARE
Our welfare officer is here to provide information about entitlements,
how to access community services, advocacy and other essential supports.
PEER SUPPORT
Peer support groups help people living with multiple sclerosis provide support for each
other and share their experiences. There are several groups meeting across the state.
They provide a safe place for the sharing of information and helping each other.
Welcome to our Winter 2016 edition of Network!
I am amazed at how quickly the time has passed since
I joined MSSANT as Brand & Communications Manager,
and your Network Editor, but this edition is my fourth and
sees me approaching my one-year anniversary in the
role. It is a privilege to get to know all of you and further
understand the world of multiple sclerosis, thank you for
having me on board.
It is a very exciting time to be part of MSSANT, and with
each edition of Network it is so pleasing to read about the
positive and important growth that the MS Society is taking.
The future of the Society is certainly very bright indeed.
This month, the Head Office team excitedly prepares for our
move to new premises. This move represents more than just
a new office. It will see our Client Services Team being able
to provide healthcare services for people with MS from a
new central location in Hillcrest. It will see the return of our
‘head office’ being Client facing and having that important
day to day interaction with all of you. There are plans in
place to provide physiotherapy, group programs, host
education sessions and offer a ‘drop in’ space for Clients
who just need to pay us a visit from time to time. Whilst this
is clearly of great value for our Clients, it is very important
for us, and the staff are very excited with these plans.
Tune in to our next edition to see how the move went and
get more details on the roll out of these services.
Meanwhile we have assembled a fantastic edition of
Network for your reading pleasure! There are some very
useful articles from Sandra Wallace, Occupational Therapist,
focussing on equipment, what to do to insure it and take
care of it.
11 May saw the first Swallowing Awareness Day in Australia,
shedding light on what is an often overlooked issue that
can be frightening, or even life threatening. Read Jamaica
Grantis’s summary of the day, and the issues surrounding
swallowing disorders, on page 12.
A special thanks this edition goes to Mary-Anne Edge, who
has yet again put together a fantastic range of Information
Sessions for you over the next quarter. A lot of time and
effort goes into planning these sessions, and we get a
lot of feedback about how much our Clients value them –
so thank you Mary-Anne! They are part of our endeavours
to provide a support network to you along with our Peer
Support Groups.
If you have any ideas for sessions or need more
information, call MS Assist on 1800 812 311 or
email us at feedback@ms.asn.au
As always, I invite you to send your feedback
or your story ideas to feedback@ms.asn.au; I would
love to hear from you. Stay safe and warm this
Winter and I look forward to bringing you our next
edition of Network.
Do you want to receive the Network
online? Want monthly information
updates?
Register your email address today to start receiving our
monthly e-newsletter and the Network magazine online.
Just email feedback@ms.asn.au or call 08 7002 6500 and let
us know your current email address.
2 Winter 2016 The MS Society of South Australia & Northern Territory The MS Society of South Australia & Northern Territory Winter 2016 3