MSWA2016302 Network Magazine Spring 16 v4

Workplace Solutions
Hannah’s story
Dietary information
Workplace Support Consultant,
Michele.
Hannah’s story is an excellent example of why we
provide support within the Workplace Solutions team and
demonstrates the various types of support that are provided
to help someone return to work and maintain employment.
Her story is a true testament to the quality service Michele
provides on a daily basis.
“My life was turned upside down last September when I
was diagnosed with MS. I went from being a completely
independent, strong, full-time working mother of two
toddlers, to someone who needed help on a daily basis.
I had woken up one morning with pins and needles
throughout the left side of my body. My left hand struggled
to function the way it once did and my walking had
deteriorated to a slow crawl.
After hopping through a selection of medications,
it was time for me to return to work after what felt like
a lifetime away.
The thought of returning to work was daunting, but I was
lucky enough to have the guidance of Multiple Solutions.
Michele, my Workplace Support Consultant, attended
meetings with my doctor and my workplace. Michele
helped explain to my workplace what MS is, and what help
I required in order to get back to my full capacity. Having
a professional third party there made this a very smooth
process, as Michele also organised all my return to work
plans. I was also fortunate to receive a new chair and
keyboard to assist in my pain and fatigue management.
Suddenly the prospect of returning to work was made
a lot easier, and slowly I am getting back to my old
independent self.
Now I keep in regular contact with Michele, which is
reassuring to knowing there is help there if I need it.
Michele has removed the stress from an overwhelming
situation, and I am forever grateful for all she has done for
me. I really hope anyone who needs help getting back to
work reaches out to Multiple Solutions, you won’t regret it!”
Hannah
Share your MS experience in an eBook
The MSSANT Client Services staff are regularly asked
questions about diet and what types of food should be eaten
when a person has MS. Staff can guide you to booklets and
websites but here are some responses from ‘the experts’.
MS Research Australia, July 2016
“There is certainly much to be said for a healthy diet
containing high levels of fresh foods, avoiding too much
processed food and ensuring that we get a wide range of
essential nutrients.
However there have been no clinical studies done to confirm
that adhering to any particular diet can cure or halt the
progression of MS in a majority of people with MS. There
is a great deal of interest in the role that diet may play in
the development and also the management of MS, however
direct scientific evidence for particular nutrients and for
specific diet regimes is lacking.
MS Research Australia proactively funds a great deal of
innovative research into diet and we work closely with the
researchers and neurologists with expertise in all areas of
MS research to ensure that the many promising avenues for
improving the lives of people with MS are explored.”
More information is available from MS Research
Australia. Visit their website at msra.org.au
We then spoke to Menu Concepts. Their dietitian Lauren
Stribley has spoken at some of our MS information
sessions and to peer support groups. Menu Concepts
understand the needs of people with MS and their key
recommendations are:
• Follow a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Meet vitamin and mineral requirements
• Include healthy fats in your diet
• Consider how and when you eat
Where to go for personalised information?
Chronic Disease Management Plans are available for people
with MS and can cover five visits per year to a dietitian.
These plans include Medicare bulk billed visits to allied
health professionals arranged by your GP. Those with private
health insurance may prefer a self-referral with a 50 to 80%
refund from a health fund.
Menu Concepts have centres throughout Adelaide.
Visit their website for more information
menuconcepts.com.au
A group of Clients would like to publish a personal story
eBook to help others diagnosed with MS feel that they
are not alone. The group is in search of personal stories
and testimonies from people living with MS. They could
possibly share their experiences and how they manage
their symptoms on a day to day basis.
The eBook would read rather like a social media forum,
where someone who is experiencing a symptom puts up
a post and others respond. There will be various topical
chapters the reader could refer to and hopefully find
something they can relate to that will help them deal with
their own situation. As well as symptoms, other topics
could include telling family, friends and work colleagues;
working with MS; rural living and the challenges faced;
and relationships. A chapter written by family and friends
of people with MS could also be included. Each chapter
will include comment from an MSSANT staff member to
provide a balance of information.
The privacy and
confidentiality of
contributors is ensured.
All funds raised from the
sale of the eBook will go
to the MS Society of
SA & NT to support
Client services.
For the book to be
written, we need
to hear your story.
Please consider what
you would like to share and what you would like
to read. If you wish to register your interest,
please contact MS Assist on 1800 812 311 or email
msassist@ms.asn.au and more information
will be sent to you.
Are you a woman living with
multiple sclerosis?
I am interested in finding out about your relaonships with
health professionals.
I am undertaking a research study which aims to explore the
paent-health professional relaonship from the
perspecve of women with mulple sclerosis.
I would like to speak with women over 18 years of age, who live in
metropolitan Adelaide and who have been diagnosed with
mulple sclerosis for longer than 12 months.
Parcipaon in this study would involve a one hour interview, at a
me and locaon of your choosing.
Interested in parcipang?
16 Spring 2016 The MS Society of South Australia & Northern Territory Want more informaon? The MS Society of South Australia & Northern Territory Spring 2016 17
Please contact Tracey Obst Tel: 0402 072 254