MSWA Bulletin Summer 16

BULLETIN
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF MSWA mswa.org.au
SUMMER 2016
ANITA’S STORY
LIVING WELL WITH A NEW DIAGNOSIS OF MS
HEALTH AWARENESS
EMPLOYMENT FORUM

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 4809 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
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 Hathron, Manager: 9365 4837 or Physiotherapy Department: 9365 4834
MEMBER SERVICES
DIRECTORY
GENERAL MANAGER – MEMBER SERVICES
Sue Shapland: 9365 4840
INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS
Manager Community Care Programs,
Gail Palmer: 9365 4851
NDIS TEAM 1800 287 367
OUTREACH GROUPS
Wilson Outreach (Mon-Thurs): 9365 4830
Beechboro Lodge (Mon, Fri): 9377 7800
Southside Outreach (Fri): 9592 9202
Bunbury Outreach (Wed): 9791 2472
Albany Outreach (Fri): 9841 6657
BUNBURY OFFICE
9 Ramsay Street 9791 2472
BUSSELTON OFFICE
1/21 Cammilleri Street 9754 2320
MARGARET DOODY RESPITE HOUSE
Manager, Chris Rush: 9385 9574
FERN RIVER ACCOMMODATION
Manager, Liz Stewart: 9356 2747
HAMILTON HILL ACCOMMODATION
Manager, Jayne O’Sullivan: 9331 5780
TREENDALE GARDENS RESPITE &
ACCOMMODATION
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),
David Bugden, Sue Shapland, Ros Harman,
Libby Cassidy, Sandra Wallace, Narelle Taylor,
Leonie Wellington, Bhavna Jagtiani, 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 the
Society’s staff, advisors, Directors or officers.
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.
Sandra Wallace, Manager: 9365 4804 or OT Department: 9365 4888
SPEECH PATHOLOGY Our Speech Pathologists provide a targeted service addressing
swallowing difficulties of our Members and clients. Education is given to understand the
associated risks, and strategies for safe swallowing are recommended. Information may be
given for language and articulation difficulties.
Jamaica Grantis, Speech Pathologist: 6454 3140
COUNSELLING 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 nonjudgemental
environment. 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.
Irene Gallagher, Senior Social Welfare Officer: 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 Commission (DSC) and our own fundraising efforts. We manage both DSC and
NDIS individually funded care packages.
Contact us on 9365 4851 for more information.
THE NDIS TEAM We provide a convenient and fast one stop shop to enable you to
easily transition to the NDIS as it becomes available in your area. We help you determine
whether you are eligible for assistance under the NDIS; we guide you through the application
process and then we help you develop a comprehensive NDIS plan to maximize your
entitlements.
We support people with all neurological conditions.
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 2016

Inside | Summer 2016
Letter from the Editor 4-5
Christmas Closure and Contact Details 5
From the desk of the CEO 6
A message from the General Manager – Member Services 7
Annual General Meeting 2016 8-9
Round-up of research and other items of interest 10-11
The NDIS goes from strength to strength! 12
An update on the MSWA Funded WA Research Projects 13
Living well with a new diagnosis of MS 14-15
It’s time to reform your ideas about Pilates 16
Assistive Technology 17
Calendar of events 18
Are you someone who cares? 19
Anita’s story 20-21
Employment Forum presented by Maurice Blackburn 22
Equipment maintenance 22
Health Awareness 23
Centrelink Update on the Disability Support Pension 23
Reunion, by Ros Harman 24
That’s life with Narelle 25
Attitudinal healing: Some New-Year resolutions 26
Silence 26
Fundraising Round Up 27
> Mega Home Lottery – Big returns for Mr Biggins!
> MSWA Ocean Ride 2016
Volunteering Update 28-29
Robert Cridge –
Albany Sportsman of the Year & Paralympian Contender 30
Update on our proposed North Metro Services Hub
& High Support Accommodation 30
Embrace the Shake 31
South West regional round up 32-33
Wilson Outreach news 34
Margaret Doody Respite House (MDH) News 34
Southside News November 2016 34
Rockingham Tuesday Outreach Group & Southside News 35
Beechboro Outreach News 35
Rome
wasn’t seen
in a day
Fold, Pack, Travel
1300 622 633
www.scootersAus.com.au
WH20241/MSWA
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 3

Letter from the Editor
DR GREG BROTHERSON
In an unprecedented global effort to end progressive MS,
the International Progressive MS Alliance has awarded
three Collaborative Network Award grants for a total
investment of $18.92 million toward accelerating the pace
of progressive MS research. More than 2.3 million people
worldwide live with MS and more than one million of those
living with the disease have progressive multiple sclerosis.
(MSRA Wire, 22/09/16).
On behalf of the Bulletin Team first let me begin by wishing
everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The
weather can be a little tricky but the climate is beautiful and
if spring hasn’t lightened your mood the brilliant summer light
we now enjoy should put an end to those wintery blues that
experts tell us are related to changes in seasons.
It is not by accident or seasonal change, however, that this
summer edition of your Bulletin is packed full of extraordinary
good news, information and articles for you to enjoy. MSWA’s
outstanding results over the past year have been achieved
through design and very hard work by the management and
fundraising team in what has now turned into an extremely
competitive marketplace.
Nevertheless, your Society, MSWA, has once again recorded
its best ever year, and now we have great pleasure in
telling you all about it. This record breaking achievement
is summarised in more detail in the article dealing with the
Annual General Meeting (AGM).
MSWA has produced a record surplus and invested heavily in
increasing services to the Membership, and over $2.2 million
dollars of it has been invested in research, $500,000 of which
will go directly to the International Progressive MS Alliance.
Professor Anders Svenningsson, Head of the Neuroimmunology
Unit at Umeå University in Sweden, in a talk about shifting the
focus of research from relapsing-remitting MS to progressive
MS, has this to say about the future.
“The way we treat MS today, the way we control relapsingremitting
MS patients, we have almost completely solved the
problem. So we have a group of patients where we can do
almost nothing, if we treat them right and keep them healthy.
It is the ones who have progressive MS we have nothing to do,
besides it is natural to switch the focus to this group because
that’s where we are needed.
I think the Alliance helps us to see really where we should
place the effort research-wise and that’s very important,
and it is helpful to see that this is different from the early
stages of MS where the mechanisms there are really
different … I would encourage a very patient-focused,
patient-centred type of research … this is the biggest quest
we have today … I hope they [people with the progressive
types of the disease] will be patient and have faith that
we really will not give up in trying to solve this question.”
(MSRA Wire, October 2016).
Elsewhere in your Bulletin you will find our CEO, Marcus
Stafford’s announcement of the NDIS platform in WA; what
it means for Members; for MSWA as an organisation; and
the progress made in widening our doors to support all
neurological conditions.
As the end of the year is upon us, Sue Shapland, General
Manager Member Services, takes the opportunity to reflect
on what MSWA has achieved in providing services to
Members, the highlights and the challenges, and the changes
in our lives. Sue also brings you her Research Roundup, and a
detailed notice of MSWA’s Christmas closure.
You will also find a report on our recent Annual General
Meeting where once again MSWA continues to post records on
top of previous record results. People with multiple sclerosis
in the West are indeed fortunate to have such a strong and
financially healthy organisation to support us, and especially
in comparison to what’s on offer elsewhere.
We also offer you plenty of other articles to fill in your leisure
time over the holidays. Ben Mathews, MSWA physiotherapist,
provides us with a new slant on Pilates. Occupational Therapist
Robyn Loxley talks about assistive technology to secure your
home. Counsellor Karen Brown asks the question, “Are you
someone who cares?” for a person with multiple sclerosis.
Sarah Lorrimar, Co-ordinator of Health Education and Peer
Support, takes up the necessary adjustment of living with your
diagnosis. Nigel Carey, Manager NDIS Business Development
Unit at MSWA, informs you about the help available as the
NDIS opens more trial sites.
4 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

Then of course we have your regular insightful article by Ros
Harman, who talks about old friends and reunions. Someone
who always makes the best of her circumstance is Narelle
Taylor, who talks about remaking her life in a nursing home.
Dr Ong has some New Year resolutions to add to your list. And
of course, we have our news from the South West and Albany,
plus all the metropolitan Outreach News.
Finally, from all of us here at the Bulletin we would
like to thank you, our readers, for the support and
encouragement you have given us throughout the year.
Have a very Merry Christmas, keep cool, and we will be
back with you early in the New Year.
HISTORY PROJECT
The History Project has been brewing for some time (since
1987 actually, when the Society moved from Clontarf to our
new Centre here at Wilson), but now we are getting really
serious about it all. We have assembled a small team of
writers and set the rather ambitious target of completing the
project by the end of next year.
Now we are asking for your assistance. If you have any
photos you think might be useful you can mail them to
us at MSWA Locked Bag 2 Bentley DC WA 6983. Should
you like to write to us about your recollections our email
address is: bulletin@mswa.org.au
CHRISTMAS
CLOSURE AND
CONTACT DETAILS
Wilson and most MSWA centres are closed between 19/12/2016 and re-open on varied dates from 9/1/2017.
If you need to contact the Member Services team during the Christmas closure please either use the
‘Contact us’ email on our website, enquiries@mswa.org.au, or telephone the on-call numbers listed below.
MSWA CHRISTMAS CLOSURE CONTACT DETAILS
• Non-urgent Nursing enquiries (19/12/16 - 13/1/17): 0458 362 188
• Counselling (10am-2pm) (21/12/16 - 4/1/17): 0458 999 422
• Individual Options 0417 982 814
If you require urgent health advice or attention you can:
• Telephone Health Direct 1800 022 222 (24-hour service)
• Telephone a Locum service eg Doctor Doctor on 13 26 60
• Present to an emergency department
• Telephone Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Line – Telephone crisis support,
suicide intervention and prevention, mental health support service – 13 11 14
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 5

From the desk of the CEO
MARCUS STAFFORD
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
The words of Dan Millman, but I wish I’d thought of them.
The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
(NDIS) has seen a new and improved disability sector in
Australia. It has placed the power where it belongs, in the
hands of the consumer. It has changed how people living with
a disability receive services and support and additionally,
has fired MSWA’s ambitions to ensure continued support for
people living with MS who are not eligible for NDIS funding.
The Scheme has been in a trial phase in WA since 2014 and
will see a full state roll out from July 2017. Throughout this trial
phase, there have been two models in governance – State and
Federal. I have long stated that a State managed and operated
model under an overarching national framework was the best
way forward for people living with disabilities in our State.
This will result in strong governance, consistency and quality
standards under Federal auspices with a relationship model
implemented by WA leaders and managers who are close to
the customer and understand our environment.
I am pleased to report that earlier this month, after protracted
and sometimes difficult negotiations, the Federal and State
Governments came to an agreement on the NDIS and its
governance model. Under the agreement, reached by Federal
Minister for Social Services Christian Porter and WA’s Disability
Services Minister Donna Faragher, the WA NDIS will operate as
part of a collaborative partnership that plays to mutual strengths.
This decision needed compromise and this decision needed
courage. Both Ministers are to be congratulated. This decision
is both the right and the smart one.
The original brainchild of the Labor Government with
subsequent implementation by the Coalition, this agreement
transcends politics. As an organisation, we have been
preparing for this transition for some time. In fact, the very
first hint at this strategy came in a paper submitted to the
Society’s Board in 2003. Even then, we recognised that
change was necessary if we were to advance and succeed.
Our new brand – MSWA – reflects the realities of this new
world. It builds on our rich history and reputation while
incorporating our service provision to people with other
neurological conditions. This service provision is something
we have been delivering for years, but takes on an even
greater importance in the face of the NDIS. You have probably
seen our new contemporary logo as well as our new website,
publications and signage that reflect this change. However,
beneath this new veneer, our organisation’s heart beats with
the same passionate beat. Our dedication is unswerving and
we are here to continue to provide services and support to our
2,200 Members living with multiple sclerosis across the State.
This year alone, we committed a record-breaking $2.2 million
to MS research and are developing new facilities across WA
to better support our Members. Our new Bunbury Community
and Health Services Centre recently opened its doors to
Members. Once the NDIS rolls through the Bunbury area it will
be there to assist people with other neurological conditions
too. Both people with MS and other neurological conditions
will be served for many decades.
Meanwhile, in Perth’s northern suburbs, we are developing a
new Member and Client Services facility in the community of
Butler. We have submitted plans to the council and expect to
hear a decision any time now! The proposed centre will be an
MSWA Services Hub which will provide a base for our nursing
and allied health team to see people onsite and conduct
home visits locally. Plus, the adjoining development will also
include a high support accommodation facility, equipped with
fully self-contained units, for people living with MS and other
neurological conditions, much like our existing facilities in
Hamilton Hill and Treendale. The facility will provide onsite
24-hour, 7-day a week care for younger people to ensure they
live in age appropriate accommodation.
There are exciting times ahead and there is much to look
forward to in 2017. As we welcome the next chapter in Western
Australia’s growth, we bid farewell to our management of the
MS Society of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Having managed the Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT
for two and a half years after they had found themselves
in serious difficulty, we have handed back the reins to SA
management where it rightfully belongs. Through what
has been a true team effort, we have recorded a positive
performance across all areas of their business and the
Society now sees itself set on solid ground with a positive
future ahead. Some of those strong foundations include a
30% growth in healthcare services, a funding contribution
to research, the posting of the highest gross revenue and
net profit in the Society’s history and the return to a positive
balance sheet. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to
have played a part in leading a dedicated workforce of over
100 staff to lay the foundations of success. Now, it is with
sincerity and unswerving confidence that I wish them well
and look forward to watching the continued development of
the Society as it supports people living with MS in SA & NT.
It has truly been a year of record-breaking milestones at
MSWA and I look forward to sharing updates with you in the
next edition of Bulletin.
Until then, I wish you and your families a very happy
Christmas and a safe New Year!
6 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

A message from the General Manager –
Member Services
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN
“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
Ovid
As the year comes to a close we once again say: where did
the time go! It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the
months zoom past and it’s time to get out the Christmas
decorations; which I love, I must admit!
I also enjoy the opportunity to catch up with the family and
have some time off to rest up before 2017 hits us. Having
worked for many years nursing in the hospital I still appreciate
the opportunity to actually take Christmas off!
I am also aware that for many, the festive season can be a
time of sadness or loneliness, for a variety of reasons, so our
thoughts are with those less fortunate than ourselves.
The end of each year brings an opportunity to reflect on what
we have each achieved, what the highlights, challenges and
the changes in our lives are.
Here at MSWA we have had another huge year. It has been
varied and exciting and I am very proud of what we have
achieved both as an organisation and of my Member Services
team, which continues to grow! I am so proud to work
with such great people who are committed and dedicated to
their work.
Working with MSSANT to help get them back on track has
been a very rewarding experience and we wish them well as
they take charge of their organisation again. The staff were
great to work with and I will miss catching up with them each
month. I couldn’t help but notice the wide contrast between
the services and supports we offer here in WA and what they
have available for people living with MS elsewhere. The NDIS
will make a huge difference when it eventually rolls out in
those locations.
Our Bunbury Community and Health Services Centre will
be finished by the time you receive this Bulletin. This is an
amazing building which we can be proud of, and that will
provide greater opportunities for expansion of services in the
region. The South West team continues to expand to meet
the demands of the WA NDIS trial site and grow our MS
supports locally.
We have seen many changes this year. Marilyn Sylvester,
our Physiotherapy Manager, retired after many years with
us and we have now welcomed Dave Hathorn into that role.
He has some exciting ideas for his team and our services
going forward which is great for MSWA and our Members.
Nigel Carey and Mark Douglas have revved up our NDIS
Unit as the trial sites evolve and their team is dedicated to
increasing awareness of the NDIS and supporting Members
to access the Scheme as it comes to your area. Of course, we
are still awaiting the final decision on the exact model and roll
out timelines but we will keep you posted.
We have expanded our Peer Support Groups and will continue
to do so, and we have also added in some new services like
massage in Denmark, Margaret River and Northam.
Our Individual Options staff, providing supports and services in
people’s homes, continue to do an amazing job, as do the staff
at the high support accommodation and respite programs.
We are experiencing ongoing change, particularly with the
NDIS. The most significant change this year was of course
our re-branding and new logo! Our new name, MSWA, and
our modern and refreshing logo heralds an exciting new era
whilst still paying homage to our roots. We also upgraded the
website so take a look if you haven’t already!
What hasn’t changed is our passion for providing quality
services and supporting people living with MS from the time
of their diagnosis.
As we expand our business opportunities under the NDIS,
providing services for people living with MS and other
neurological conditions, we will of course continue to support
our Members throughout their journey.
2017 will be another exciting year for MSWA and our
Members. The north metro services hub and high support
accommodation project will begin and we are awaiting the
release of more MS treatments including one we believe, with
some benefit for progressive MS.
I wish you and yours a safe and happy festive season
and I hope 2017 will be a great year for you. Personally,
I am also looking forward to the birth of our second
grandchild and hoping the crazy new puppy we have
starts to settle down!
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 7

ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING 2016
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MS SOCIETY
OF WA (MSWA), WILSON CENTRE, THURSDAY 20
OCTOBER 2016. A RECORD RESULT; A RECORD INCREASE
IN SERVICES TO MEMBERS; A RECORD INVESTMENT
OF OVER $2 MILLION DOLLARS IN RESEARCH.
MSWA REMAINS THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTOR TO
RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA
Dr Greg Brotherson
“Our history is rich and proud so we want to retain
that essence; yet we must also present as an expansive
twenty-first century organisation with a fresh focus.”
Marcus Stafford, CEO
MSWA’s President, Mr George Pampacos, welcomed
everyone, called for apologies, the confirmation of the 2015
AGM minutes, and asked if there was any business arising
from these minutes (items 1 to 3 on the agenda).
There being none Mr Pampacos said he is very proud to say
it has been another successful year for the Multiple Sclerosis
Society of WA (MSWA). In his published report Mr Pampacos
said even with a tough economic WA and national climate,
the trial introduction of a national disability scheme and new
competitors into the home lottery market, we still broke all
our previous records, and did so with passion, dedication and
professionalism.
Mr Pampacos gave a detailed report on MSWA’s continued
position as the largest contributor to research in Australia
into finding a cause and cure for multiple sclerosis, with an
investment of over $2 million dollars.
Of that amount, $459,000 will go directly towards funding
WA social and applied research projects that we identified
through a funding round started in 2015, that will now fund
these projects for a second year. $500,000 will be provided
directly to an international research project into Progressive
MS, and the balance of our funds will go to various approved
MS research projects. For the first time, we have allocated
over $200,000 to research into other neurological conditions.
This year also saw another record within Member Services
with a 12% growth and provision of more than 460k
service hours to people with multiple sclerosis. In addition,
our provision of services to people with other neurological
conditions increased by 5% to more than 165k hours.
Mr Pampacos provided a wrap up of our final year in a
management role of the MS Society in South Australia and
Northern Territory (MSSANT), achieving an outstanding
result there in the past year, with a profit of $750,000. This
is a record net profit in the history of the organisation and a
record cash flow too, with us being able to return a positive
net position on their balance sheet. For the first time in many
years MSSANT have contributed to MS Australia and to MS
Research Australia.
We did all this whilst also receiving the highest staff and
client satisfaction rating in the Society’s history via our South
Australian Survey. In just under two years we have turned
MSSANT into a profitable organisation and strong platform
for it to launch into the NDIS when they go back under their
own management in a few months.
This was achieved by our amazing 600-plus employees and
volunteers, who, led by our CEO, senior management and
volunteer Board make MSWA one of the leading not-for-profit
organisations in the country.
Every MSWA staff member plays their part with passion and
commitment to help MSWA achieve our goals, while providing
the best care and support possible for our Members. No
matter how proud we are of 2016, now isn’t the time to rest
as we are excited for what 2017 offers.
The President provided an insight to our plans for expansion in
2017, the opening of our Member Services and Administration
hub in Bunbury towards the end of 2016. Building commences
for our Member services and supported accommodation
facility in the northern suburbs and we are making plans for
our land in Shenton Park.
Mr Pampacos then called on the Treasurer, Mr Peter Wright,
to present the financial report (item 5). Mr Wright said he
was pleased to announce that off the back of very successful
Mega Home Lottery and Luxury Lottery campaigns we are
pleased to announce that MSWA’s surplus for the year was
$4,328,843, reflecting another record year. This surplus is
particularly pleasing as it will support and enable the plans
for 2017 outlined above by the President.
8 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

For more information, Mr Wright concluded by encouraging
the Membership to read the annual audited Financial
Statements, particularly the Statements of Comprehensive
Income. These provide a detailed breakdown of income, costs
and net contribution by function. Full details are also available
in the 2015-2016 Annual Report.
Mr Marcus Stafford then presented his Chief Executive
Officer’s report by PowerPoint presentation (item 6). In
his published report Mr Stafford said that as the disability
world undertakes significant change, MSWA has been
working diligently to ensure that we are ready. We continue
to set strong goals and break records, as we build our
organisation for the future. At the heart of all of this is the
person we are here to serve; the person living with MS. Our
resolve to be there for them on every step of their journey
remains unchanged.
Mr Stafford then went on to report on our record-breaking
contribution of $2.2 million to MS research, as also covered
by the President, above.
He outlined our preparedness for the full roll out of the
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which has
been in a three-site trial phase since 2014. In October 2016,
three further trial sites were rolled out to cover Armadale,
Murray and Serpentine Jarrahdale; Bayswater, Bassendean,
Chittering, Toodyay and York; and Northam.
The reality is the Scheme will not deliver as much as we’d like
for everyone; most notably for the newly diagnosed and low
support Members, indeed, for our Members over 65, it won’t
deliver at all.
Mr Stafford explained: “That’s where our service provision to
people with other neurological conditions comes in”.
The great thing about the NDIS marketplace is that it rewards
organisations that perform well and allows them to extend
their service provision to the people with disabilities who they
are here to serve.
Our historical results have allowed us to do great things and
our continued growth will support our dreams and ambitions.
We are proud of our history and we know what MSWA stands
for and believes in, but we need to get the word out there.
As a ‘one-stop shop’ that will provide the best service to people
with MS and all neurological conditions, we are moving ahead
very well with our growth plans. We currently have fifteen
locations in the State. As outlined in the President’s Report,
our growing footprint will help to achieve our goal of providing
both convenience and quality for Western Australians living
with multiple sclerosis and all neurological conditions.
Mr Stafford closed by extending his thanks and
congratulations to MSWA’s 600-plus staff and sincere thanks
to our many stakeholders who have combined to make it all
happen including our Board members, management, staff,
volunteers, government partners, suppliers, business and
retail customers.
“Exciting and changing times await us. The strong foundations
that we have built over the last decade position us perfectly
to continue to provide more and more services to people
with multiple sclerosis and all neurological conditions.”
Marcus Stafford, CEO
Item 7: Business on Notice.
There was no business on notice.
Item 8: Confirmation of the election of persons to the
Board of Directors.
In accordance with the Constitution, MSWA had called for
nominations for the election of Directors from Financial
Members and Associates. Nominations were received from
Glennys Marsdon, and as no other nominations were received
Glennys was declared duly elected.
Item 9: Appointment of Auditor for the coming year.
It was proposed, moved, seconded and passed that RSM be
appointed Auditor for the financial year ending 2017.
Item 10: Questions from Members.
As there were no questions Mr Pampacos thanked everyone
for their attendance, invited everyone to join the directors and
managers for morning tea, and closed the AGM.
Copies of the Annual Report and audited Financial
Statements, and particularly the Statement of
Comprehensive Income, are available on request
phone 9365 4888.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 9

ROUND-UP OF
RESEARCH AND OTHER
ITEMS OF INTEREST
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN
Study demonstrates that people living with MS have a
unique bacterial signature in their gut.
Reported by MS Canada 12 September 2016
A person’s gut is home to trillions of bacteria known as the
gut microbiome. These tiny microbes are essential partners
in good health: they assist in the digestion of certain foods,
produce a variety of nutrients, interact with and help train
one’s immune system, and aggressively defend the gut from
invading pathogens.
Disruption to the gut’s natural bacterial balance is linked to a
number of different disorders, including MS. There is emerging
evidence showing that gut bacteria interact with the immune
system daily. Some gut bacteria can release chemicals that
activate immune cells known to play a damaging role in
MS, while others produce chemicals that suppress MS-like
symptoms in mice. It is easy to see why insights into this
possible MS link could prove vital.
A study published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’ by Dr
Ashutosh Mangalam and his team from the Mayo Clinic and
the University of Iowa set out to explore the differences in the
gut microbiome between individuals living with MS and the
rest of the population; examining stool samples.
Participants with relapsing-remitting MS had a distinct
bacterial profile relative to non-MS participants – some types
of bacteria were found in much greater numbers in the MS
group, while other bacteria were more numerous in non-MS
participants.
Within the MS group, the profile differed depending on how
active a participant’s disease was at the time of sample
collection. Participants with an active form of the disorder had
much less diversity in their gut bacteria relative to participants
with less active disease.
The researchers concluded that this imbalance may be one of
the missing environmental factors that affects the development
and course of MS in those with a genetic predisposition. They
acknowledged more work is needed to expand this study to
a larger group over longer periods of time, and to determine
whether a difference in the gut microbiome is a contributor,
or consequence, of the disease.
Are headaches more common during a relapse?
A study by Togha M, Abbasi Khoshsirat N, Moghadasi AN, et al.
Previous studies showed that headaches and migraines
are more common in people with MS than in the general
population.
This study included 57 people with RRMS and 57 people
without a neurological condition. It found that nearly half
(45.6%) of the people with MS having a relapse also
experienced a headache, compared to over a third (38.6%)
of people when they were in remission, whilst just under
a third (27.7%) of people without a neurological condition
experienced a headache.
People diagnosed with MS in the last three years were more
likely to experience headache during a relapse than those
diagnosed for longer.
MSRA Updates:
Healthier lifestyle linked to lower
disability levels in MS
There is great interest in the MS
community as to whether taking
control of lifestyle factors can
change disease outcomes. There
is growing evidence that factors such as smoking, physical
activity, and the presence of other health conditions can
affect disease course. This area of research is a difficult one
with so many variable factors to be considered.
A recent study was published in the journal Plos One by
Professor George Jelinek, and his research group at the
University of Melbourne has added to the growing evidence
for an association of lifestyle factors with disability levels.
2,469 people with MS from 57 countries answered a survey
which asked questions about their MS diagnosis, age, gender,
educational status, disability level and other factors such as
smoking, alcohol use and medication. The survey included
validated measurement questionnaires to assess diet and
exercise levels.
The population analysed in the study were recruited through
the Overcoming MS Program. They were shown to have an
unusually healthy lifestyle with higher than average scores
for diet, low levels of smoking and a high proportion were
moderately or highly physically active. Around 30% practiced
meditation and the majority were using vitamin D and omega
3 fatty acids supplements. Only 10% of the group had major
disability due to their MS.
Being a current or former smoker was associated with higher
levels of disability, consistent with other studies. One study
recently showed that quitting smoking after being diagnosed
with RRMS was associated with a significant delay in the time
to reach a diagnosis of secondary progressive MS.
10 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

People who had used disease modifying drugs in the preceding
12 months or more were significantly more likely to be in the
low level of disease category than the major disability category.
Of the modifiable risk factors, better diet, not smoking, higher
levels of exercise, omega 3 supplementation and disease
modifying drug use were associated with lower levels of disability.
MSRA added that a number of studies they have supported,
including the AusImmune study and the Australian MS
Longitudinal Study, are also studying the role that lifestyle
factors may play in MS.
Can genes predict the clinical course of MS?
We know that MS results from a combination of genetic and
environmental factors. Extensive research in Australia and
internationally, has helped identify over 110 genes contributing
to the risk of developing MS.
MS is a varied disease affecting people differently, with a
diverse range of symptoms and different rates of accumulating
disability, but we don’t know why.
Scientists have attempted to determine whether genes also
play a role in the way a person’s MS develops over time. The
ability to predict the future severity of the disease in a person
is vital to improve counselling and decision making about
appropriate treatments.
The Ausimmune/Auslong cohort comprised a group of
patients who had experienced a first demyelinating event that
have been followed over many years. This group had a high
chance of developing MS and this study, funded by MSRA,
aimed to determine whether genetic makeup played a role
in conversion to MS and the symptoms and disability they
experienced over five years.
A new study from Australian researchers, led by Professor Bruce
Taylor at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research Tasmania,
has looked at the role of genetics on the clinical course of MS.
The study examined 127 people from the original cohort and
concentrated on 116 genetic changes already shown to increase
the risk of MS. They found there was a group of seven genetic
changes which increased likelihood of converting to a full
diagnosis of MS, usually based on the development of a new
relapse or new lesion on MRI and their subsequent relapse risk.
A different group of seven genetic changes predicted whether
disability would significantly worsen over time. People who had
a greater number of the seven genetic variations were more
likely to have higher levels of disability. For example, people
with six of the seven genetic changes were much more likely to
have disability progression than those who only had two.
These results suggest two genetic pathways at work in
MS, one driving the inflammatory manifestations (relapses)
and another relating to neurodegeneration and disability
progression in people with MS. This suggests the underlying
processes are likely to be different and implies different
treatment approaches may be warranted.
Together the papers suggest that genetics play a role in
disability progression in the mid-term but over the longer
term of the disease, the role of genetics in disability outcomes
seems to become less important.
The Australian study calculated that genes contribute only
a third of the overall risk of increasing disability; implying
other factors, such as environment and lifestyle, as well as
treatment decisions, are playing a significant role in a person’s
MS experience. For example, that whether or not a person
continues to smoke after being diagnosed, can influence level
of disability over time.
From the National MS Society:
Researchers Perform Large Genome-wide Analysis of
Multiple Sclerosis
In a large-scale, genome-wide analysis of more than 110,000
samples, a worldwide consortium of scientists identified 200
genetic loci associated with MS.
Formed in 2003, the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics
Consortium brings together researchers from 30 institutions
in 18 countries that study the genetics of MS. They combined
data from multiple genome-wide association studies, and
assembled data from 47,351 people diagnosed with MS and
68,284 without the condition.
Comparing the genomes of people with and without MS, they
identified 200 variants significantly more common in those
with MS. Most of these variants implicate genes associated
with immune cells and immune system function, including a
few potentially specific to brain-related functions.
Interestingly, many of the genes identified are known to be
involved in other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid
arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
Using the same collaborative approach, the IMSGC now hopes
to turn its attention to the genetic underpinnings of progressive
multiple sclerosis, the most aggressive form of MS.
MSIF Updates:
Researchers believe that one day Stem Cell Therapy may
be used in treating MS
Most cells in the body can only carry out very specific roles
and are called specialised cells.
Stem cells are different as they have two unique features; the
ability to make many copies of themselves (self-renewal), and
to produce specialised cells (differentiation).
Stem cell therapy is any treatment that uses or targets stem
cells. This is usually to help replace or repair damaged cells
or tissues, but can also be used to prevent damage from
happening in the first place.
Researchers believe that stem cells may, one day, be used
to treat MS, but research into stem cells is still at the very
early stages and there are currently no approved stem cell
therapies for MS. International consensus.
Read more at:
mswa.org.au/researchupdate
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 11

THE NDIS GOES FROM
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!
NIGEL CAREY, MANAGER MSWA NDIS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT
The past couple of months have been extremely exciting and
memorable ones.
1 October saw the launch of the new WA NDIS Trial Sites in
Armadale, Serpentine Jarrahdale and Murray!
This has provided a great opportunity for our NDIS team to
visit the area and connect with MSWA Members living there.
We have especially enjoyed meeting a wide range of Clients
at our various local expos, farmer’s markets, fairs and
information sessions.
The Team were also able to help many people successfully
begin the application process for the WA NDIS.
Overall this initiative is part of a longer-term strategy to embed
MSWA as part of the local community. This is particularly
important as we are then better equipped to understand the
key issues facing our Clients and the services and supports
required, especially in the more rural NDIS areas.
With this latest launch, we currently have four trial sites in the
following areas:
• Lower South West (Busselton and surrounds) (WA NDIS)
• Cockburn and Kwinana (WA NDIS)
• Perth Hills (NDIS)
• Armadale, Serpentine Jarrahdale and Murray (WA NDIS)
Please note that these four sites will be joined by a new
additional NDIS Trial Site in January 2017.
This new trial site will cover:
• Bayswater
• Bassendean
• Chittering
• Toodyay
• York
• Northam
Please contact the MSWA NDIS Team now if you want to
confirm whether your address is in these areas and how
the Scheme may benefit you.
Overall, MSWA continues to expand the number of new Clients
we have enrolled in the NDIS, most whom have chosen us as
their provider. The number of new Clients has grown by some
30% since April 2016.
Most of these cases are Members who have MS, but we are
also working with an increased number of Clients with other
neurological conditions.
Much of this success is down to the very smooth and easy
customer journey that our NDIS Team offers our MSWA
Members and Clients.
The NDIS Team is always available to take you through the
entire application process and then help you develop plans
which maximise the supports and services you can receive.
Please contact any of the following MSWA NDIS Team
Members to see how we can assist you:
Mark Douglas: Operations Manager
Email:
mark.douglas@mswa.org.au
Phone: 9365 4824
Christine Richards: Client Relationship Coordinator
Email:
christine.richards@mswa.org.au
Phone: 9365 4867
Pranjal Pawar: Client Relationship Coordinator
Email:
pranjal.pawar@mswa.org.au
Phone: 9365 4810
The NDIS Team looks forward to a great 2017 and the
further opportunities it will present for all our Members!
12 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

AN UPDATE ON THE MSWA FUNDED
WA RESEARCH PROJECTS
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN
In 2015 MSWA allocated approximately $500,000 of our
$2 million+ research funding commitment, specifically for
WA projects. We committed to support three Postdoctoral
research fellowships and two Social and Applied projects in
WA for a two-year period.
Here we provide an update from two of the researchers.
Dr Anderson Jones (PhD) MSWA Postdoctoral Research
Fellow Telethon Research Institute
Expanding on the PhoCIS (using UV light to increase vitamin
D to try and prevent conversion to MS) project looking at the
mechanisms by which UV affects the immune system and
contributes towards finding a way to stop progression of MS.
Blood samples have been collected from 18 more patients
with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) as well as 14 patients
with other acute/active demyelinating conditions and healthy
controls. Having immune cell samples from these three
different populations helps identify what changes are specific
to CIS/MS. In addition to immune cells, we have recently also
analysed patient serum samples for Epstein-Barr virus and
vitamin D – two strong risk factors for MS.
Anderson has run approximately two thirds of the samples,
with strong hints of significant and new findings. Once the
remaining samples are analysed the results will be written up
in a paper and submitted for publication.
Anderson has also presented at the annual MSWA Members
MS Awareness Week Forum in June and at an International
Conference.
Dr Lucinda Black (PhD) MSWA Postdoctoral Research
Fellow; School of Public Health, Curtin University
Investigating dietary factors and the risk of multiple sclerosis.
Exploring patterns of food intake, intake of specific foods and
nutrients and whether they contribute to the risk of MS.
Lucinda travelled to the US and undertook training in analysis
of data from the MS Sunshine Study and began conducting
statistical analysis of the dietary intake data.
Lucinda is working with students to analyse data from the
Ausimmune Study and the MS Sunshine Study in relation to
the following topics: dietary patterns and risk of MS, meat
consumption and risk of MS, antioxidant intake and risk of
MS, common dietary changes made by people with MS.
Lucinda has also received detailed and tailored advice
from international experts in how to address her research
questions using the most up-to-date statistical methods.
The skills she developed will be invaluable for high-quality
analysis of dietary data from the Ausimmune Study and the
MS Sunshine Study.
Lucinda presented at the annual MSWA Members MS
Awareness Week Forum and has attended national and
international conferences.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 13

LIVING WELL WITH A
NEW DIAGNOSIS OF MS
SARAH LORRIMAR, MSWA HEALTH EDUCATION
AND PEER SUPPORT COORDINATOR
Being diagnosed with MS can be both an emotional and
overwhelming experience given the initial shock followed by
the amount of information to digest, decision making and
questions to be answered. Many people feel shocked, scared,
angry and in denial, whilst others feel relieved they can now
identify the cause of their symptoms. Just like the impact of
MS is different for everyone, so is the way that MS is dealt
with. It will take time to figure out your best coping strategies.
It’s important to remember that although it is likely you will
have to make some adjustments to your life, having MS does
not mean you need to completely change the life you had
planned before diagnosis. The advent of increasingly effective
treatments has changed things dramatically and are keeping
people well. MS can be effectively managed and though there
is currently no cure for MS, many people continue to work,
be involved in the community and socialise as usual. You are
not alone; you can be supported in making positive choices to
help you adjust to the life changes brought on by MS.
Stay positive
MS is unpredictable and its effects will be different for
each person. The unpredictability of MS can be very
challenging but it is important to maintain a positive outlook
because people who live with MS can live as fulfilling a life as
someone without.
We may not be able to control what happens to us, but we can
control our reactions to change. Rather than thinking of what
may happen in the future, try to focus on what is happening
in the now. MS may create changes to the way you usually
do things but there are strategies to overcome this and still
do the things you want to do. The key is to be flexible and
creative with problem solving as this will give you the best
opportunity to adapt to changes. Viewing change in this way
is not always easy and it can create feelings of doubt and
negativity. It is important to seek support when you need it
and let yourself be vulnerable.
As mentioned earlier, receiving the diagnosis can be
associated with feelings of sadness, shock and grief or no
emotion at all. It is important to know that there is no right or
wrong way to feel. Your response to your diagnosis is entirely
up to you, so make sure you allow yourself to feel whatever
you need to in your own time.
Keep informed about MS
Knowledge is power. Seek out reliable information so you
know as much as possible about MS. This can positively
change the way you perceive the condition as well as increase
your confidence about adapting to the changes that MS may
bring. Learning more about MS and the ways to manage it
will make it easier for you to plan and prepare for the future.
There is information overload on the internet and much of
it is inaccurate so it is important that you use only reliable
sources. MSWA, MS Australia, The National MS Society
and MS Trust UK are some of the places to find information
which is useful and dependable. Remember much of what
you read may never be relevant for you; everyone’s
experience is different.
Work with your health professionals
It is useful to work with a team of health professionals
to maintain your health and wellbeing and ensure your
symptoms are well managed. These professionals could
include a neurologist and GP as well as specialist MSWA staff
such as the MS Nurses, Physiotherapists, Counsellors and
Occupational Therapists. The level of interaction you have
with your health professionals will depend on how active
your MS is. However, it can be helpful to have a baseline
assessment conducted and advice given. This can be carried
out by an MS Nurse and will allow you to track and make
comparisons to changes in your health over time. The MS
Nurses can provide information on the available treatments,
answer your questions, provide information on symptom and
relapse management, or just be there for support!
Develop a support system
As well as having the support of health professionals, the
support of your friends and family can be extremely helpful
in managing MS. Although it might seem daunting and easier
to keep quiet, talking to those close to you will allow you to
share each other’s concerns, provide support and let you deal
with problems together. Having meaningful connections with
others is a key factor to a positive and healthy lifestyle.
14 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

Discussing personal emotions can be hard and there is no
need to rush into these conversations. When you are ready
to have them, opening up to those around you can improve
the understanding of MS and the feelings which can be
experienced when coming to terms with diagnosis. Support
and understanding can also come from the MS community;
joining a peer support group can be a great opportunity to
share your experiences, learn new information and create
friendships.
Maintain your health and wellbeing
The advice given to people living with MS in regard to their
health and wellbeing is the same for the wider population.
This includes undertaking strategies to keep your health at
an optimum level such as regular exercise, a healthy diet,
consuming alcohol in moderation, not smoking, managing
stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Staying
healthy will make it easier to deal with symptoms and relapses
you may experience.
Some people find developing a plan and setting achievable
goals not only provides them with a sense of achievement but
also benefits their health. Maintaining goals will help you feel
more in control, so it is worthwhile rethinking and developing
new goals over time to adjust to any changes MS may create.
These plans could include exercising for fitness, meditation
and massage for relaxation, and treatment for symptom
management to achieve a goal of improved wellbeing.
One of the more important things is to remember to have fun!
Living well with MS includes doing the usual things which
make you happy, whether that’s seeing friends, travelling or
doing hobbies. It is important to take time out for yourself and
do activities which you enjoy.
It is your decision which strategies you undertake to manage
life with MS but remember that there is support from health
professionals as well as friends and family to figure out what
works best for you.
References
http://www.nationalmssociety.org
https://www.mstrust.org.uk/
https://someonelikeme.ca/
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 15

IT’S TIME TO REFORM
YOUR IDEAS ABOUT PILATES
BEN MATHEWS, MSWA PHYSIOTHERAPIST
The MSWA Physiotherapy Department is proud to announce
that we have three new Pilates Reformers at our centres in
Beechboro, Wilson and Rockingham. These were purchased
with generous donations from the Papalia and Ruggiero
families, the Rotary Club of Karrinyup, and Rockingham
Pharmacy 777.
The Reformer is a very versatile machine which, like Pilates
exercises in general, can be modified to suit people of varying
levels of ability. It is unlike the machines found in a gym,
which can only be used to perform a single exercise, such as
a lateral pull down; you can perform strength, stretching, and
balance exercises on the Reformer. You can adjust it to work
on the arms, legs, core, ankles, hips, knees, and to refine
your famous dance moves before your next party!
The Pilates Reformer was invented in the early 20th century
by Joseph Pilates (1883-1967). Pilates developed the system
of exercises whilst working as a medic during World War One,
and the exercises have since taken the world by storm in a
whirlwind of multi-coloured yoga pants and ankle socks.
Initially, Pilates was working in hospitals with injured
soldiers. He noticed that his patients suffered from physical
deconditioning because of being confined to beds for long
periods of time, resulting in various problems not related
to their initial injuries. To combat this, he created several
exercises for his patients to perform whilst lying or sitting on
the edge of a bed. Very like the exercises we physiotherapists
use today to treat people with neurological conditions.
He later went on to develop the ‘Pilates Method’ for athletes,
dancers, and gymnasts, to prevent injuries in their various
sports, and Pilates is now widely used across all forms of
professional sport. For example, a local team that regularly
performs Pilates is Perth Wildcats.
How does Pilates differ from other exercise classes and
gym programs?
The difference between Pilates and other strengthening
programs is that it focuses on stretching and strengthening all
the muscles of the body whilst maintaining optimal posture.
Working on posture is a very significant part of maintaining
function with neurological conditions like MS, and this makes
Pilates highly suitable for our Members. Many of the exercises
that our physiotherapists use to treat our Members have their
foundations in Pilates. These exercises are very useful for
increasing proprioception, or awareness of limbs and body
position, during functional activities such as sitting, kneeling
and walking.
By performing regular exercises that stretch and strengthen
muscles and joints simultaneously, we can delay and reduce
the effects of gravity and muscular weakness that result in
stooped postures that can then increase a person’s risk of
falls, back pain, and poor range of motion.
The benefits from Pilates may include:
• Reduced levels of pain
• Increased range of motion of joints, and increased flexibility
• Increased strength and endurance
• Improvements in mood, cognition, sleep patterns and balance
If you would like to see what all the fuss is about, we will be
having a Pilates evening in the Physiotherapy Department
at Wilson in February 2017. Please email your expression
of interest to ben.mathews@mswa.org.au by 25 January,
and we will update you with further information.
We look forward to seeing you there!
16 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
ROBYN LOXLEY, MSWA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Have you ever been extremely frustrated when you are resting
in bed, in a chair, indisposed, or just slow at moving, and you
hear a knock on the door, you must get up, and get yourself to
the door! Fatigue is now setting in as you are using valuable
energy that could be saved for more important tasks and you
get to the door and the person has gone! What a waste of
time and energy.
We have recently helped solve this dilemma for some Members
by using the combination of the RING video intercom,
smartphone or tablet and the Nexion remote door strike.
How this works is the RING is positioned at the door and
works off your Wi-Fi network. When someone presses it, the
ring comes through to your smart device, via a downloaded
‘App’, as a video showing who is at the door. There is an
‘accept’ or ‘decline’ button on the device. If you accept, then
you can talk to them and decide whether you want to let them
in via the remote door strike which unlocks the door, or if it is
someone delivering something, tell them where to leave it or
just tell them you are not interested. If you press decline, they
will think no-one is home. Even when away from your home,
you can monitor who comes to the door via your smart device.
The benefits of this include:
• You don’t have to waste energy getting to the door to find it
is someone you don’t want to see
• If it is someone you want to see you can let them in without
having to move
• Safety is an important factor as many of our Members can
be vulnerable when home alone so this can help you feel
safer as you will always know who is at the door
• A decreased risk of falls as you don’t have get up and try
and rush to the door before the person leaves
• You have complete control over who comes into your home
Several of our Members have said they tend to leave their
door unlocked so they don’t have to get up to unlock it to let
people in. This is obviously very unsafe. With this system,
they can always keep their door locked.
Things to consider with this system:
• A good Wi-Fi network is required
• The smart device can be either IPhone or Android as there
is an App for both
• The remotes for the door strike are quite small, but can
be switch-adapted if required, allowing someone with
decreased hand function to operate it
• The door strike works at between 3-5 metres from the door,
however if a longer range is required a hardwired system
can be installed
If you are interested in considering this or any other
assistive technology options such as computer access,
environmental controls or communication aids such as
phone access, please contact our Occupational Therapy
department on 9365 4888.
Funding may be available to cover the cost of the
equipment, subject to your eligibility.
Do you want to receive the Bulletin online?
Want monthly information updates?
Register your email address today to start receiving our
monthly Vitality e-newsletter and the Bulletin magazine online.
Just email bhavna.jagtiani@mswa.org.au or call 6454 3114
and let us know your current email address.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 17

Help us make a difference
in 2017!
MSWA holds a number of events throughout the year. All funds raised enable MSWA to provide support and services
to people living with MS and other neurological conditions in Western Australia. Help us make a difference by joining
us at one of our many events - you can volunteer or take part!
18 March 18 June 7 April
Night Ride
PERTH INTEGRATED HEALTH
CYCLE GROUP
BRIDGES
NIGHT RIDE
for
Friday 8 April 2016
6 May
MS BRIDGES NIGHT RIDE_16_DL_v2.indd 1
31 May 24 August
5/01/16 4:04 PM
World MS Day
Dinner Auction
Date
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Saturday, 7 April 2017
Saturday, 6 May 2017
Thursday, 24 August 2017
Event
Albany Swim This is an amateur swimming event where teams compete to swim the
longest distance in a set ten hour period.
Step Up A unique vertical challenge to the top of Central Park.
Do you have what it takes to run 1,103 steps to the top?
The Night Ride will take you on a magical, moonlight ride through the streets of Perth.
The Rotary Team Challenge offers you the opportunity to participate in an exciting
team event that takes you through the picturesque Western Australia countryside along a
heritage trail that follows the path of the Eastern Railway that formerly linked Fremantle
to York in the late 1880s.
Dinner Auction It’s time to get dressed up and bid on some fabulous auction items at
our annual Dinner Auction. From sports memorabilia to travel packages, there will be
something for everyone.
(08) 6454 3131 events@mswa.org.au mswa.org.au
18 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

ARE YOU SOMEONE
WHO CARES?
KAREN BROWN, MSWA COUNSELLOR
The question of when someone becomes a ‘carer’ is often
difficult to define for many individuals and in fact the
community. In my role as a group facilitator I often take the
question ‘Who is a Carer?’ to my Carer Support Groups.
The definitions that arise are as uniquely diverse as the
attendees themselves. However, at one session, one of
the group members simply stated “Someone Who Cares”.
This uncomplicated description gives the often emotionally
confronting label of ‘carer’ a whole new meaning.
Someone may become a carer practically overnight after
a diagnosis of MS or it might happen gradually as the
condition progresses and they are required to provide more
care and support.
The course of multiple sclerosis is unpredictable resulting
in many people being minimally affected, whilst others may
experience more frequent relapses leading to varying levels
of disability. This can lead to MS families, and at times their
friends, finding that their role and relationships may change.
They may begin by offering emotional support, advocacy, and
general assistance to enable a person to live independently.
Over a period of time, family and friends may be called on
to provide additional aid in the form of physical support and
personal and/or health care assistance.
Carers, and the people they care for, are as diverse as the
rest of the community and can be called upon at various
ages or stages of life. They can range in age from children
through to seniors and come from a diverse range of cultural,
linguistic and religious backgrounds. Other factors such as
gender, sexual identity and socio-economic circumstances all
contribute to the uniqueness of each situation.
Carers can provide care on a part-time or full-time basis, for
a short term or throughout the life of the person they care for
and may be a spouse, friend, child, parent or sibling. All these
circumstances, and the severity of MS symptoms, influence
whether they identify themselves as carers and access
support services for themselves. MSWA provides a range of
supports in the home, residential respite options, counselling,
a monthly carer support group, carers camps, and access to
several of our services; helping to reduce the ongoing strain
experienced by long term carers.
The Western Australian Carers Recognition Act 2004 defines
a carer as a person who provides ongoing care, support and
assistance to a person with a disability, a chronic illness
(which includes mental illness) or who is frail. They do this
without receiving a salary or wage for the care they provide.
Caring is one of the most significant forms of unpaid work in
the community and is integral to WA’s aged, disability, health,
mental health, and palliative care systems. Family members
and friends provide the bulk of this care, which for a carer
can be well over the demands of a full-time job. WA was the
first Australian jurisdiction to extend legal recognition
to carers with the enactment of the Carers Recognition
Act in 2004. You can view the Carers Recognition Act,
Carers Charter and other relevant documents online at
https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au.
At MSWA we recognise that many people do not formally
identify themselves as carers, despite the extensive support
and assistance they provide to a family member or friend.
However, the role of caring for a person with MS is complex
with a multitude of personal, cultural and practical influences.
Furthermore, the experience of an MS diagnosis and its
often unpredictable impact can add an additional dimension.
Therefore, whether you consider yourself a carer or do not
want to be labelled as such, possibly Someone Who Cares
may be a term that you can relate to.
If you are a carer and would like to learn more
about MSWA supports and how we can help please
telephone 9365 4888 and ask to speak with a Counsellor
or Welfare Officer.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 19

Anita’s story
20 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

Anita Gamba has had a very interesting life so far.
She has worked as both an accountant and quantum
physics teacher, she loves to paint and write and she
has raised her family in both Australia and the US.
In 1989, Anita was diagnosed with MS.
There was little support in Australia at that time so in order to learn more, she
gave up her job and moved her family to the US.
“America in 1990 was still pretty unknown territory for Australia, and I’ve got to
tell you it was the biggest culture shock I’ve ever had,” she said.
The new-age community in the US taught her about holistic food, mindfulness
and meditation, which she now teaches weekly in Perth.
Within five years, she found many of her symptoms – including loss of vision,
difficulty speaking and impaired cognitive abilities – had dramatically improved
and she was once again able to do daily tasks.
But after the effects of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, Anita eventually had to
return to Perth.
“I landed on my mum’s back door and said ‘here I am’,” she said.
“I spent most of the first year in a foetal position on mum’s spare bed crying, but
then I found MSWA, and what a great organisation that is.
“MSWA allows me to be independent and in control, so I can give back to the
community. Now I teach other people meditation, and I’m just delighted to be
able to pass that on.
“The people at MSWA are experts at what they do. I can’t say enough about
Rina, in the physio department, she’s just gone above and beyond to get me the
services I need.
“I overlay their advice and their expertise on top of positive thinking and
meditation, because that’s who I am.”
Through the NDIS, Anita has also been able to access support workers to
maintain her independence, get some home modifications and a manual
wheelchair.
“Being able to choose my own carers, choose the functions, organisations and
activities I want to be involved in is just priceless.
“MSWA and the NDIS have given me the freedom and the independence to be
able to explore and do the things really important to me.
“They enrich my life and allow me to maintain my sense of dignity,” she said.
Anita features in our current brand campaign. To see the
advertisement that features Anita, visit our Facebook page
at facebook.com/mswa.org.au
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 21

EMPLOYMENT FORUM
PRESENTED BY MAURICE BLACKBURN
SARAH LORRIMAR, MSWA HEALTH EDUCATION
AND PEER SUPPORT COORDINATOR
On 1 November MSWA held an Employment Forum at
North Beach Community Centre. This forum, presented by
Joshua Boyes, Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, was open to
all Members and their support persons. There was a great
response from Members with registrations reaching capacity
in just a few days!
The forum, which was targeted towards those who are
currently working or who have stopped working due to their
MS, aimed to provide Members with a greater understanding
of their legal rights in relation to employment, superannuation
and disability.
Joshua shared with us his knowledge and expertise
discussing issues such as disclosure in the workplace,
stopping and starting work, as well as travel insurance and
disability claims. He also covered the topic of superannuation
benefits, specifically the claiming of a disability lump sum or
pension under a superannuation fund.
Some key points that Joshua left the group with:
• Be aware of superannuation entitlements
• Keep statements and check your insurance
• Planning for the future will give you optimum financial security
• Get advice before ceasing work or changing employers.
Make sure you don’t lose your cover!
It is important to keep informed of your rights as well as the
services available to you. For further legal information, please
contact Maurice Blackburn on 1800 196 050 who offer some
free advice for our Members. Or if you would like information
on the OT services at MSWA, please telephone 9365 4888.
To anyone who may be interested, there will be another
Employment Forum planned for early next year. If you would
like to attend, please contact Sarah Lorrimar on 9365 4858
or Sarah.Lorrimar@mswa.org.au
Employment FAQs
Q: Do I have to disclose my MS to my employer?
A: You do not have to disclose your diagnosis to your employer
unless your symptoms have the potential to create an unsafe
workplace for you or your colleagues.
Q: Can I be fired for having MS?
A: Generally, no. Disability discrimination law prevents employers
from dismissing, passing over, demoting, reducing pay or any
other less favorable treatment because of a disability. The one
major exception to this rule is if you can no longer perform the
inherent requirements of your role.
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
KAREN LITTLE, MSWA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
For those using aids or equipment, you will be familiar with the
benefits they bring you such as greater independence, energy
conservation and improved safety. However, what you may not
know is exactly what to do if adjustment, maintenance and/or
repairs are required. Here are some tips and reminders:
• When you receive your equipment, ensure you make a note
of the supplier and who is responsible for repairs (it might be
yourself, the supplier or the hospital)
• Note when the equipment requires any regular maintenance
and servicing and keep a reminder in your calendar or diary
to prompt you
• If the equipment was funded through a specific grant you will be
responsible for the cost of all repairs and ongoing maintenance
• Monday - Friday there is an MSWA Occupational Therapist
(OT) in the Wilson office who can answer any queries
you may have regarding repairs and/or maintenance and
where to go for repairs, depending on how the equipment
was funded. The OT can also make minor adjustments
and modifications for those who can attend Wilson, or
recommend an alternative
• If the equipment was funded through the Community Aids
and Equipment Program (CAEP) at your local hospital,
contact will need to be made with the CAEP team to organise
repairs as required
• If you live in a WANDIS or NDIS area, your plan should
include equipment you currently use, and equipment repairs
and maintenance will be carried out through these schemes.
Please note only primary equipment will be funded for repairs
and maintenance.
If you have any questions, please contact the MSWA
Occupational Therapy department on 9365 4888.
22 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

HEALTH
AWARENESS
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN
Wound Awareness
Thanks to the December edition of The Australian Women’s
Weekly I came across this great resource! ‘Wound Aware’ see
the website at http://www.woundaware.com.au/.
Basically, there is some great information about the types of
wounds you should discuss with your health care professional
as they may need treatment and/or investigation.
Signs to look for are:
• Pain and heat; any wound that is red, swollen, hot to touch
and/or painful. These signs could indicate infection and you
should see your GP.
• Odour; wounds with a strange or unpleasant smell.
Once again this could indicate infection or need further
investigation.
• Excess fluid; any wound with a discharge of thick, yellowish fluid.
• Slow healing wounds; any wound taking longer than a month
to heal.
Any of these signs should be discussed with your GP; there are
several reasons why these signs can occur including infection,
the presence of a chronic condition such as poor circulation or
diabetes etc. Speak to your GP and they can review the wound
and recommend treatment.
Shingles
Shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for
chickenpox. An attack occurs because of a reactivation of the
virus, which remains in the nerve cells of the body after an
attack of chickenpox. Fortunately, it is rare to have more than
one attack of shingles.
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. People
who have never had chickenpox can catch the virus from
another person with shingles. A person who has never had
chickenpox, but comes into contact with a case of shingles,
would develop chickenpox (not shingles).
Shingles is a skin rash which is painful, has blisters, and usually
appears on one side of the face or body. The rash forms its
characteristic pattern because the virus works down the nerves
that branch out from the spinal cord; the chest and lumbar region
are most commonly affected. It usually lasts for 10 – 15 days.
Tender, painful skin, tiredness, headache and photophobia
(sensitivity to light) may occur two to three days before the
skin turns red and breaks out in tiny fluid-filled blisters.
The fluid in the blisters contains the virus. The virus can be
spread by direct contact with the lesions or by touching any
dressings, sheets or clothes soiled with discharge from the
spots. Is important not to get this fluid near your eyes.
Treatment with anti-viral drugs is most effective within three
days of the rash appearing. Your GP and pharmacist can help
with advising on managing the symptoms. You may require
some pain relief.
Some people experience neuralgia (nerve pain) following an
attack and your GP can prescribe medications to manage this.
Vaccines are available for people aged over 50 and it’s free on the
National Immunisation Program for people aged 70 – 79 years.
Read more at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
health/conditionsandtreatments/shingles
CENTRELINK UPDATE
ON THE DISABILITY
SUPPORT PENSION
BRIDGET MCCARNEY, MSWA WELFARE OFFICER
From 1 July 2016, in line with the National Disability Insurance
Scheme Saving Fund, there are now additional medical reviews
of Disability Support Pension (DSP) customers over 35 years of
age. These reviews will be aimed at those DSP customers who
are most at risk of not meeting the current eligibility criteria
and who may have the capacity to work, or be retrained for
work, for 15 hours or more per week within the next two years.
Customers selected for a DSP review will have a comprehensive
review of their medical qualification for DSP. DSP customers
whose DSP was granted on “manifest grounds under current
manifest rules” meaning people who qualified for a DSP after
being assessed as “clearly and obviously meeting all DSP
eligibility criteria”, and people working in Australian Disability
Enterprises or under Supported Worker Systems will be
excluded.
The reviews started on 1 July 2016 and will be in place for
three years.
If you have any concerns or need information regarding
the changes to the Disability Support Pension contact
the MSWA Social Welfare Department on 9365 4888.
For additional information regarding DSP reviews contact:
Department of Human Services Ph: 132 717
Welfare Rights & Advocacy Services Ph: 9328 1751
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 23

REUNION
ROS HARMAN
As reunions go, it was small. Just three of us, old friends from
school days. I met Julie when I started at a new school in
grade five. I was shy and frightened of the teacher who was
loud and sarcastic. I noticed Julie on about the third day of
class, when the teacher cruelly mimicked her nervous giggle.
I’d seen how her face turned red and tears came to her eyes
and I cried inside with her.
At recess, I went and stood next to her on the edge of the
playground, and we tentatively began to talk. Our friendship
lasted through high school and teachers college, and we
were bridesmaids at each other’s weddings. She married my
husband’s best friend. In time, marriage met its sad demise,
and my contact with Julie dwindled.
I met my other friend, Kate, on the first day of high school. She
and I both ended up in the Secretary’s office unable to find
our classroom. I quietly admired her fashionably long hemline
and granny sandals. It was 1975 and this was considered the
latest fashion, at least in Albany. In a fortuitous coincidence,
we were sent to the same class. Kate and I were bosom
buddies through high school, but we drifted apart afterwards.
Julie and Kate both came to my fiftieth birthday party a few
years ago and we renewed our friendship, but by then Julie
lived in the country and Kate and I were busy with our separate
lives so we were lazy about organising meetings. Finally, a
month ago I sent an email around and a date was found.
There is something wonderfully comfortable about renewing
old relationships, even if so much time has passed since
those intense adolescent friendships. Back then we were
closer than many marriages. We shared everything: our
dreams, our desires, and our disasters. We spent hours every
day together and told each other everything. We danced to
the same music, and wore the same clothes. I remember an
exciting trip to Perth with Kate at the age of fifteen, where
we bought matching long cheesecloth dresses and platform
soled shoes. (Remember, I told you, it was 1975.)
Our reunion was at Kate’s house, an oasis in the city, lush
with citrus trees and other food plants. We sat around the
pond that used to be a pool, and watched a lazy frog jump
onto a lily-pad as we caught up on our histories and heard
about the trials and triumphs of the last twenty years. We
wondered about the whereabouts of other schoolmates and
cringed about old crushes. Kate kindly didn’t mention the
several months when I had been desperately in love with her
older brother, but maybe it was only memorable in my mind.
We shared stories about our children, celebrating their
successes and commiserating over the challenges. I’m sure
we were all furtively comparing how we’d withstood the
ravages of time – I know I was. Middle age has granted us
the confidence we yearned for as teenagers and, along with
the help of a little hair dye, we all look fabulous in my opinion.
I’ve made many friends in the years since high school, and
lost a few too. Some were friends attached to a particular
situation, like the parents of my daughter’s friends when she
was in primary school. When she went to a different high
school than her young buddies, both of us found new friends.
Then there were the ones who moved away, and though we
tearfully promised to keep in touch, once the tears had dried
it didn’t seem so important any more.
There are also friends who have shared the harder times
in my life. The friend who I turned to when alone after my
marriage separated, only to support her through her own
difficult divorce a couple of years later. We go out for a movie
and a drink every now and then. And there are friends I have
met through my journey living with MS. We have a shared
history that is unique to us, and is continuing to evolve. These
friends have an important role in my life and I am grateful for
them.
But nothing will quite replace the friends who shared that
awkward adolescence with me. They saw me at my clumsiest
worst and my most glittering best. It’s amazing that after so
long apart it took only a few minutes to fall back into the same
patterns of conversation that we had as giggling teenagers, all
talking at the same time and finishing each other’s sentences.
As we planned our next reunion, I foresaw stretching out into
the future a long line of such gatherings. I imagined us sitting
around Kate’s pond, white haired and stooped with age,
cackling over our cups of tea and cringing over old crushes.
Maybe old age won’t be that bad after all.
24 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

THAT’S LIFE
WITH NARELLE
NARELLE TAYLOR
Living in my own home, with the care that MSWA provided,
was manageable. My children had married and moved out.
My husband had died, so there I was, alone, and trying to
keep the house maintained and looking ‘lived in’ as well as
keeping myself tidy and continuing to live my purposeful life.
MSWA sent someone each morning to help me prepare for my
action-packed day and then they sent someone to assist with
my evening rituals too. It was, I eventually admitted, more
practical for me to move into a care facility and I found that it
took a considerable amount of ‘self-talk’ to admit to myself,
that I needed to relinquish the house that I’d spent decades
telling myself that I simply had to have.
The house is rented out now and the real estate agency has
chosen a family to move in. I’m sure they’re comfortable.
I’ve moved into a ‘care facility’- an aged care facility - and
I am close to my children, the theatres, the wine bars, the
galleries, the coffee shops, plus I get my washing done, my
bed made and my meals cooked, and I am the youngest one
here, excluding staff.
I can have a normal amount of conversation and my life is very
comfortable now that I no longer worry about lawn growing,
lawn mowing, swimming pool chemicals, door-locking, and
goodness knows what else filled my head when I was home,
but so much of it, I’m sure, was problematic. Not these days.
I haven’t anything to worry about.
My sister Janine comes from Sydney each year and we enjoy
each other’s company for a week or so. We could enjoy each
other’s company for longer, I’m sure, but we don’t stretch it
out any longer and usually find that a week is plenty long
enough for us, as sisters, to manage, with all the tolerance
that is needed and all the caring that I’ve become accustomed
to being necessary and being provided by her (in her old age).
This year, I couldn’t accommodate her at my place so we
went to the MSWA respite unit at Australind (Bunbury) called
Treendale. It’s a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with
fully equipped kitchen, laundry, lounge room, dining room,
courtyard and a staff of cleaners, carers, nurses, cooks or
whatever else might be needed in an adjoining facility, which
is connected by a corridor and a buzzer.
Using the staff or communal dining facility was not compulsory
so respite inhabitants are able to keep to their own timetable if
they want, or are able to. Individuals are able, in another wing,
to have private bedrooms/bathrooms and can stop there and
be cared for, thus giving their regular carers a break.
Families would be very well accommodated with every
modern convenience at arm’s length in the unit. I thought it
was an excellent set up and was even more impressed when
the Manager gave Janine and me a tour of the entire facility
and we saw what is accessible to permanent residents. I had
inspected lots of places when I was moving out of my home
and Treendale was not lacking anything.
It was a proper holiday with sundowners (Gin o’clock), a pub
lunch during the AFL final and daily trips to the supermarket
on my new power chair to forage for the evening meal. We did
almost nothing but we were busy doing it. It was such fun.
We went to a winery one day for a degustation lunch. We
were served a multitude of epicurean delights and were
encouraged to sample different wines, which we did politely,
and were so pleased to be taken home by the Maxi Taxi which
had provided excellent service on our holiday.
If you go to Treendale, the Bunbury wheelchair taxi
service is very obliging. The taxi met the train at the
station and drove us to the door on our arrival, and met
the train to take us back to Perth. We had a great time
and I was once again thankful for MSWA’s existence.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 25

ATTITUDINAL HEALING:
SOME NEW-YEAR RESOLUTIONS
DR ANDREW E ONG
Improve your health by healing your attitude is a New Year
resolution you can add to your list of promises, by learning
how to meditate. Begin by fixing your thoughts on what is
true, good and right. Think about things which are pure and
lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Listen
to your inner self because the outer world of circumstances
shapes itself to the inner world of your thoughts. Meditation
can heal your body.
Sometimes it pays to take the long way instead of the quick
and easy. If you have limited movement but can transfer
safely, set your workstation up so that you must transfer
in and out of your chair each day. Talk this over with your
occupational therapist and settle on a routine which becomes
part of your exercise program. If it is possible to sit less, then
stretch more. If it is not possible, ask the physiotherapist for
a wheelchair-friendly exercise program.
Sometimes you just need to hear the right words said in a
different way to adjust your attitude. Set up a whiteboard
where you can write something meaningful to help you get
up and going in the right direction of a morning. Quotes you
have enjoyed don’t always have to be deep and inspirational,
just meaningful to you. If you get easily frustrated, you might
write “patience is a virtue”. Google it and you will find William
Langland told us that little gem way back in 1360. It has
withstood the test of time.
These quotes are still meaningful to us today because they
inherently make sense to us, but are so easily forgotten. Here
is another. “If you think you are beaten, then you already are.
If you think you dare not, then you will not. If you think you’ll
lose, then you’ve already lost. If you think you are outclassed,
then you are.” Google this and you will find that these are
the immortal words of the poet Walter Wintle, from his book
SILENCE
BERYL MARKHAM
There are all kinds of silences and each of them means a
different thing.
There is the silence that comes with morning in a forest, and
this is different from the silence of a sleeping city. There is
silence after a rainstorm, and before a rainstorm, and these
are not the same. There is the silence of emptiness, the
silence of fear, the silence of doubt.
Thinking, published in 1905 when Germany and Britain were
in the middle of a naval-building race. The quote has an
underlying cause, but also contains something of substance
for your whiteboard.
Success therefore begins as a state of mind, and you have to
be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. “Sooner
or later the person who wins is the one who thinks they can”,
and we can thank Walter Wintle once again for another little
gem. But you also have powers you never dreamt of and do
things you never thought you could, because there are no
limitations to what you can expect. It is all in your own mind.
Channelling Walter Wintle is another successful man of his
time, Henry Ford, who said “If you think you can do something,
you are right. If you think you cannot, you are also right.”
According to Ford, all limitations are ultimately self-imposed.
The consolation prize however, Leo Burnett tells us, is that
“When you reach for the stars you may not get one, but you
won’t come up with a handful of mud either.” Google is an
unlimited source of quotes and it can be not only uplifting, but
fun finding them.
Finally make the decision to frown less and smile more. As
part of your daily exercise routine take five big breaths and
smile. Then think of six good things in your life. Don’t be afraid
to give someone a compliment, or send a loving thought to
that special someone. Spread the beauty. Of all the things we
wear, a smile and good humour are the most precious.
Resolve to live in such a manner that when people speak ill
of you, no one will believe them (Plato). Remember, one of
the greatest discoveries of our generation is that we human
beings can alter our lives by altering our attitude of mind.
Some people make the world special just by being in it. With
the right attitude, you can be such a person.
There is a certain silence that can emanate from a lifeless
object as from a chair lately used, or from a piano with old
dust upon its keys, or from anything that has answered to the
need of a man or a woman, for pleasure or for work. This kind
of silence can speak. Its voice may be melancholy, but it is not
always so; for the chair may have been left by a laughing child
or the last notes of the piano may have been raucous and gay.
Whatever the mood or the circumstance, the essence of
its quality may linger in the silence that follows. It is a
soundless echo.
26 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

FUNDRAISING
ROUNDUP
BIG RETURNS
FOR MR BIGGINS!
A $100-dollar ticket in MSWA’s Mega Home Lottery has
turned Neville Biggins into a big winner! After having bought
tickets for the past six years, Neville won the coveted first
prize, a stunning $1.7 million, fully-furnished, luxury home in
Hillarys and $500,000 cash.
“I’m in a state of shock. I’d been out with my friends and we
were watching the prize draw on the TV and my name came
up and I just sat there and said, I don’t believe it, I’m sure
that’s me. Then my little God-daughter, she flew through the
door and did about six cartwheels and she said, it’s you, it’s
you,” said Neville.
“Even when I was driving down the road afterwards,
I remember my Dad used to say to me, don’t count on it lad,
don’t count on it. But it’s now been confirmed that this is what
has happened and my life has changed.”
As well as getting used to being the proud owner of a stunning
home, Neville has the wonderful dilemma of deciding what to
do with half a million dollars.
Together with the $2.2 million first prize, MSWA’s Mega
Home Lottery also gave away 8,350 prizes worth more than
$5.1 million, including luxury cars, overseas holidays, TV’s
and laptops.
CEO Marcus Stafford said, “The MSWA Mega Home Lottery
is a win-win situation. It’s great to see someone like Neville
have his life changed forever. And we invest the proceeds
from the Lottery in helping make the lives of people with MS
and other neurological conditions better.
“It’s the generosity of the people of Western Australia
that let us carry out the work we do. So I’d like to
personally thank everyone who bought a ticket. Whether
you won a prize or you didn’t, you are helping to make
a difference to the lives of people with MS and other
neurological conditions.”
MSWA OCEAN RIDE 2016
The seventh annual MSWA Ocean Ride took place on October 4
and close to 1,400 participants turned up ready to ride for
people living with MS and other neurological conditions.
Participants were in high spirits as they enjoyed a scenic
coast ride from Fremantle to Hillarys in either the 10km,
30km, 50km, 70km or 90km rides. The event was a huge
success, raising an impressive $250,000+ for MSWA, at the
time of going to print!
This year saw our highest fundraiser in Ocean Ride history
return to put pedal to the metal once again. 25-year-old
Michael Luca was diagnosed with MS in 2014 and first cycled
in MSWA Ocean Ride that year raising $30,000 on his own.
This year, Michael cycled in the 90km category and together
with his family members and teammates, ‘No MSing Around’
raised an amazing $13,165. Team BGC and Team Troppo
followed closely behind on $11,945 and $11,643 respectively.
Michael said: “Mum and Dad are pretty much cycling novices;
this was their first Ocean Ride. Mum fell down a few times
during training but they had fun and there was a little bit of
healthy competition between us, but it’s all in good fun.”
The festivities continued after the race with plenty of activities
and entertainment to keep the fun going. Riders enjoyed
much needed leg massages while kids enjoyed the games,
face painting and free fairy floss.
Thanks go to our Events Team, our many volunteers and
event sponsors for continuing to make the MSWA Ocean
Ride a success.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 27

VOLUNTEERING
UPDATE
DAWN BURKE, MSWA COORDINATOR OF VOLUNTEERS
Ho! Ho! Ho! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year! Wow! We are about to enter 2017 at full speed
ahead, watch out, here we come. It’s a brand new year,
which always holds new goals and opportunities for fresh
beginnings. I trust this edition of Bulletin finds you all safe and
well, while perhaps feeling a little bit heavier from all the good
tidings that Christmas brings with it.
It has been some months since I chatted with you last. There
is always something that has happened or is about to happen.
It amazes me how busy this role of Coordinator of Volunteers
can be; I love the diversity that my job offers. I must say thank
you to my Volunteers for making this a fantastic role. I enjoy
working alongside each and every one of you and I always
look forward to seeing you around the various locations and
events along the way.
Volunteering for me is all about the people, in some way,
shape or form, whether it is volunteering directly with them
or indirectly behind the scenes. Working in this industry is
definitely all about the people, and I love working with the
MSWA volunteers; you are my people! For this, and many
other reasons I thank you all for what you do for MSWA and
our Members and staff. You are all truly amazing and we don’t
take any of you for granted.
September saw another Members’ camp at Woodman’s Point.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend however the Members and
staff were fortunate enough to have two volunteers assisting
throughout the four days. I would like to thank Rosalind, who
is an old hand at these Members’ camps now, and a new
recruit to MSWA and camps, Jacqueline. Jacqueline also
travelled from Australind to join the Members in Coogee. I
believe they had a wonderful time and the Members truly
enjoyed their company and the assistance they provided. The
staff were also thankful, as it allowed them to concentrate on
the camp activities with the Members.
I was lucky enough to go on the Carers Retreat in October
to Busselton with Tess from the Occupational Therapy
Department. This was a lovely experience and very different
to a Members’ camp. It is important to acknowledge and
celebrate our carers and give them the rest they deserve
away from their caring role at home with their loved ones.
This provides them with the opportunity to recharge their
batteries to carry on their role.
October also brought a very busy and extremely tiring family
camp, especially for our staff. We didn’t have any volunteers
for this camp, however staff, together with OT students,
attended and worked well and truly above and beyond their
duties and regular working hours. For them to do this involves
volunteering, as they offer extra hours in a voluntary capacity.
For any camp to run smoothly and be successful, it requires
dedicated staff to block off a portion of their regular work
week and home life to help. I would like to thank all the MSWA
staff and students who give time outside of their normal
hours, as do the MSWA Management and Members as well.
The Melbourne Cup was here, right on the knock of 1 November.
This is a huge event for MSWA at Wilson and it takes a lot of
time to organise; from the luncheon to the raffles and many
sweeps around the building. The numbers keep increasing
for lunch each year which makes the volunteers’ day in the
kitchen just that little bit busier. Thank you Rath and Priya, it
was an amazingly busy day and you deserved to put your feet
up and have a rest. Our volunteer resident ‘bookie’ Sheila,
organised all the sweeps and kept all the punters at bay and
made a few of them very happy. It wouldn’t be Melbourne
Cup without the fashion and this year Rosalind, one of
our volunteers, won the Best Hat competition. I didn’t see the
hat myself, but if anyone knows Rosalind, I can guarantee it
was red.
I missed our Melbourne Cup Lunch, as I was invited to the
City of Melville Volunteer Resource Centre to celebrate
International Volunteer Managers Day. I’d like to thank the
City of Melville and their team, Renae and Sarah for putting on
such a wonderful and relaxing event. Rachel Green, Director
of The Emotional Intelligence Institute took the Volunteer
Managers through a morning of self-care with a focus on
mindfulness meditation. Can you believe I meditated in a
room full of people, with my eyes closed while walking? I was
amazed no one collided through this process.
The Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO)
approached me with some complimentary tickets to an
evening of ‘Stuart Skelton sings Wagner’ on 26 November.
WASO wanted to acknowledge our well deserving volunteers
and I’m happy to say nine of our volunteers took up this
generous offer of double passes. They thoroughly enjoyed the
opportunity.
28 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

The Members, Staff and Volunteers Christmas Party is well
and truly over and done with for another year. The colour
theme for this year was red and green with a touch of gold.
For those who know me, you know I dressed accordingly to
promote the colour theme. This time of the year gives me an
excuse to prance around, dance and wave my magical ribbon
as I go. I love these events and it is our way of celebrating
with the Members and thanking you all for the year that has
been and to recognise your time and effort.
International Volunteers Day is celebrated on 5 December
every year. Over the last few years I have taken a group
of volunteers to the Government House Garden Party and
this year was no exception. International Volunteers Day
recognises the significant value that volunteers contribute to
organisations all over the world. Many organisations wouldn’t
be able to function at the level they do without people such as
you. Thank you for your efforts and give yourself a pat on the
back for a job well done!
I always worry from article to article what I am going to write
about each time. As I look back and start writing my article
I am constantly surprised at how much has happened over
the months. As I said at the start, a new year means new
beginnings, and for some of my beautiful volunteers, they
will be leaving us to venture off on another journey. I wish
you well with your future endeavours. On the brighter side,
volunteers leaving create a new beginning for others wishing
to volunteer, so out of the loss comes another ray of sunshine.
But of course, there are many of you who will be gracing us
with your presence again which is wonderful to see.
It is fantastic to see the number of volunteers who have
been with MSWA for many years and the relationships
and friendships that have been forged throughout this
time. To all my volunteers, whether you have been with
us for a short journey or a long journey, I would like to
thank you for the road you have travelled with MSWA in
2016. I wish you a safe, happy and prosperous new year,
and I look forward to tackling 2017 together.
Take care and bye for now,
Dawn
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 29

ROBERT CRIDGE –
ALBANY SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
& PARALYMPIAN CONTENDER
Robert is Canadian by birth and was a chef when he was
diagnosed in 1995. He has been a Member, volunteer and
MSWA ambassador for many years, receiving the Commitment
Award in 2006. He was also President of the Great Southern
(Albany) Outreach Group for several years.
Of late Robert has been even busier completing a degree in
Social Work and trying out for the Paralympics as a sailor!
Robert developed a passion for sailing and he and his crew
began competing in earnest aiming for the Rio Paralympics.
The highlight of their campaign for Robert was being able to
return to his homeland, Halifax Canada, to compete. Whilst
the crew didn’t make it through to the finals they gave it
their all and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. This sport
is expensive and without significant sponsorship, which
Robert’s team didn’t have; opportunities are limited sadly.
Congratulations Robert, we look forward to hearing more!
Robert won the Albany Disability Sportsman of the Year in
2015. He also has a dream; to start the AUS Sailing High
Performance Academy to train people with physical disabilities
to sail at a professional level.
Anyone who has met Robert knows how positive he is and
what a great ambassador for MS and MSWA he is, even when
faced with challenges over the years.
I think if you like to sail, WA and especially Albany,
is a great place to seek out opportunities. I know our
Bunbury Group always look forward to their quarterly
Sail-Ability excursions!
UPDATE ON OUR PROPOSED NORTH METRO
SERVICES HUB & HIGH SUPPORT ACCOMMODATION
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN
As you can see by the artist impression, MSWA is advancing
another of our strategic footprint expansions. We have had
a north metro services hub and supported accommodation
facility planned for some time.
We are very excited to update you on progress thus far. We
have secured a large block in Butler and have had plans drawn
up and submitted to the Wanneroo Council for approval. Once
approval has been received we can set the timelines for this
very exciting project.
The two premises will be separate and we believe the designs
for both are of a high standard and will deliver us a quality
second to none outcome, benefitting our Members and other
Clients in this busy and expanding region.
The designs will provide user accessibility, the highest quality
and will be aesthetically considered to blend into the Butler
surrounds. It is a very exciting project!
We are very fortunate at MSWA to have such huge success
with our events and raffles and of course the Mega Home
Lottery. Raising significant funds, along with some donations
and grants, allows us the opportunity to realise our dreams
and build such wonderful premises.
Stay tuned for more updates in future Bulletins.
30 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

EMBRACE THE SHAKE
ZURAINI HUSSAIN, MSWA CARE SUPPORT WORKER IN CONJUNCTION
WITH MEMBERS TRUDY FAY AND ROS HARMAN
‘Embrace the Shake’ is an activity group established within
MSWA to provide opportunities for Members to participate in
art and craft activities with the help of a resource staff person.
The group is the brain child of Member Trudi Fay, who was
looking for a craft group she could participate in despite
having a tremor. We currently have three talented Members:
Trudi Fay, Ros Harman and Sharon Heeley. We meet at Wilson
Outreach every Monday between 10am and 12noon.
The group allows Members to explore their creativity and
attempt new skills, working with whatever physical abilities,
challenges or limitations they may have, in a relaxed and
accepting environment. Ideas for projects have come from
Pinterest, craft books and the experience and imagination of
Members of the group.
1
Excursion to the Art Gallery
to see a picture made from
coffee cups. This was
the inspiration for a later
project using bottle caps
to make coasters and
decorate a tray.
2 Using baker’s clay to make Christmas ornaments.
3
4
5
6
7
8
Marbling on china with nail polish.
Making pictures with food colouring – ink blots,
straw blowing, thumb prints, bubble pictures.
Collage with
torn tissue paper.
Making sun catchers with
beads, shells and sea
glass.
Excursion to Member
Ros Harman’s house to
plant cacti in pots.
Making fridge magnets
from toy animals.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Using the laminator to
make book marks with
autumn leaves.
Making mosaic decorations
with old CDs.
Decoupage wooden tray.
Mod Podge on canvas
(this activity put Sharon
in the zone).
Swedish paper heart
baskets (too hard! -
according to Ros).
Woven paper baskets with newspapers.
Bottle caps and resin
decorated coasters
(a bit of a disaster) and tray
(which was fabulous).
Thanks to Sharon who turned
her whole neighbourhood
into alcoholics.
The aim for this group is not to emphasise the end products, but to challenge how far each Member can go with their
abilities, whilst enjoying each other’s company within the group.
Please come and join us if you are interested in this group.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 31

SOUTH WEST
Regional Round Up
The latest
news from
the South
West
BUNBURY SERVICES HUB UPDATE
SUE SHAPLAND
As you may know MSWA has purchased land in Halifax on
the outskirts of Bunbury, and started building a purpose built
home for our Bunbury Outreach Group and our SW Health
team, their services and programs.
The project has long been awaited and very exciting for
Members and staff alike and we are very excited about the
impending move; as the Bulletin hits your letterbox we should
have received the keys and be settling in!
The photo shows the progress to date, late November, but the
next Bulletin will show you some great brag shots both inside
and out! Farnell Construction, a local company, and Alec
Whyte and Associates, our architects, have done a great job
under the watchful eye of Andrea Taylor, the project manager.
We are very fortunate at MSWA to have the financial capacity
to buy and build new premises. Our highly successful Mega
Home Lottery, various events and some donations have seen
us realise one of our key strategic footprint dreams! This
amazing centre presents many new possibilities for our local
Members, both now and into the future. The future expansion
of the NDIS into the area will also see these opportunities
extended to people with other neurological conditions.
SOUTHERN FORESTS MS SUPPORT GROUP
SARAH LORRIMAR, MSWA HEALTH EDUCATION AND PEER SUPPORT COORDINATOR
Early in October I travelled to Manjimup with Gerald O’Sullivan,
our Social Welfare Officer based in Bunbury. The purpose
of our trip was to meet with Members living in the area to
discuss and develop a new and ongoing peer support group
in the Southern Forests Region. This region encompasses
Manjimup, Pemberton and Walpole but the group also warmly
welcomes any Members in surrounding areas such as
Bridgetown, Balingup and Donnybrook.
This initial meeting was an informal opportunity for Members
to meet new people living with MS as well as reconnect
with ones they had met in the past. As the group introduced
themselves, they shared a bit about their own experience of
MS, which included the stories of a friend and carer who also
attended. The group then brainstormed ideas on what they
wanted the group to do and suggestions on the way the group
would run.
The ideas put forward by the group were to have a casual
setting where Members could get together for support and
information. This could be achieved by having occasional
guest speakers such as staff from the MSWA team; perhaps
a Nurse, Counsellor or NDIS team representative, to provide
information in between meetings
where the group met to have
a more laid back get together
amongst themselves.
Along with some group guidelines,
a group purpose was developed.
The group purpose decided by
the Southern Forests MS Support
Group reads, “Our support group
provides a friendly, caring and
relaxed space to meet, for people living with MS and their
support persons, in the Southern Forests Region. It provides
an opportunity to share experiences, information, support as
well as some ‘me’ time”.
It was great to see people come together and show
an interest in establishing an ongoing support group,
however the group is still in its early stages and we are
hoping to expand. If you are interested in joining, please
contact Sarah Lorrimar at Sarah.Lorrimar@mswa.org.au
or Gerald O’Sullivan at Gerald.OSullivan@mswa.org.au
32 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

NEWS FROM TREENDALE GARDENS
PAULA KENNEDY, COORDINATOR OF RESPITE
On Thursday, 3 November MSWA Treendale Gardens
Residential and Respite had a special visit by the Minister
for Planning, Disability Services, the Hon Donna Faragher;
Bunbury MLA, John Castrilli and MSWA CEO, Marcus Stafford
who dropped in to view the facility and chat to residents,
clients and staff.
They enjoyed spending time looking around both the
residential and respite buildings and our flourishing vegetable
garden and then shared a delicious afternoon tea prepared by
our wonderful cook, Belinda.
Treendale residential currently has ten residents who are
enjoying the support of our volunteers and the newly appointed
Recreation Officer, Angela who have been organising games,
quizzes and other activities as well as assisting in the
vegetable garden.
Respite has had a busy year, with our regulars and new
visitors enjoying their stay whilst catching up with old friends
and making new ones.
We still have places available most times in both respite
and in the Holiday Unit in Treendale so please feel free
to contact us on 9725 9209 for information and to make
a booking. We would love to see you, remember special
rates apply for Members!
Australind is a lovely place to visit and the nearby tourist
attractions and shopping centre provide added appeal.
Back row:
John Castrilli MLA,
Hon Donna Faragher MLC
(Minister for Disability),
Marcus Stafford
Front row: Kate Gild,
Lyn Stening, Jan Davies,
Di Kyrwood, Judy Whitfield,
Wayne Harris; residents of
MSWA Treendale Gardens.
HIGH TEA IN HARVEY
LEONIE WELLINGTON
The Bunbury Outreach Group received an invitation
from the owners of Chalbury Park B&B in Harvey,
(www.chalburypark.com.au), to have tea in their
beautiful gardens.
Karen and Jeff were the warmest of hosts ready to
greet us as we arrived in cars, buses and gophers.
The weather was perfect for sitting outdoors and
chatting over tea and Karen’s delicious home baked
treats. Brett provided some entertainment with his
ukulele and some upbeat tunes.
Many took the opportunity to explore the expansive
grounds. It was a lovely morning out and we cannot
thank Karen and Jeff enough for making us so welcome.
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 33

WILSON OUTREACH NEWS
NICOLA RYAN, MSWA SENIOR OUTREACH COORDINATOR
As part of our ‘World Trip’ for 2016, Wilson Outreach celebrated
DAWN the Olympic BURKE, Games VOLUNTEER in style as we COORDINATOR
were right there in Rio!!
Perfect timing for us as a group to be ’visiting’ this amazing
city at that special time. As well as decorating the Wilson
Atrium with as much colour and feathers as we could find,
we were very active participating in our very own Olympics.
Our Members got behind our Olympians and cheered them on
dressed in lots of green and gold as our photo so wonderfully
shows! The highlight of our month in Rio was the Carnivale on
the last week. This was exceptionally colourful and we enjoyed
beautiful food prepared by Giselle, with both Members and
staff joining in the fun and festivities.
Our last ‘trip’ away for this year was Hawaii; we will share the
highlights of that with you early in 2017.
With the warmer weather in the last few weeks the Outreach
group has been able to get out and about which is always a
great feeling, particularly this year after having such a long,
cold winter. Groups visited Kings Park in September when the
wildflowers were in full bloom as well as going back to Tomato
Lake, which has been a favourite place to visit for many years.
MARGARET DOODY RESPITE
HOUSE (MDH) NEWS
CHRIS RUSH
There’s always something going on here at MDH!
Recently Kate, a regular resident, thought we needed some
“Secret Women’s Business”. Instead of buying us thank you
chocolates, Kate chose the healthier face mask pamper
option! Whilst the male guests declined her kind offer (can’t
think why), the other residents and staff embraced the
opportunity! Take a look at the photo!
MDH has had a great year, we have had some refurbishment
and lots of our regulars staying with us as well as some
welcome new faces.
SOUTHSIDE NEWS NOVEMBER 2016
ANGIE WALLACE
Our big news at Southside was a win in the recent MSWA
Mega Home Lottery. We had 7 (tickets) syndicates and ‘D’
ticket (with 20 members) won a case of 12 bottles of Merlot
wine!! Next time…the house!
With the festive season just around the corner, many of our
Members and volunteers are busily making decorations for
the Christmas tables. Very creative!
Judy, Barry and Chad are all back with us after illness or
operations. Now we wish Helen a speedy recovery!
We are very lucky to have such beautiful picnic spots so close
to Wilson so popping out for morning tea is very easy. One
group had a lovely walk around Sanctuary Waters park which
was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and seeing the new
born ducklings enjoying the beautiful sunshine.
If you are reading this and would like to know more about
activities happening within our Outreach programme,
which believe me are very varied, please don’t hesitate
to call my direct line 9365 4830 or call reception on 9365
4888. We can discuss options of which day may suit
you better as we do have places available and with the
new year approaching you could be looking forward to
joining us in 2017!!! You just never know where we will
be ‘travelling’ to!
If you are considering an out
of home respite break for
your loved one – perhaps you are travelling on your own or just
need a short break from your caring role, then please consider
MDH. Located in City Beach we pride ourselves on a homely
environment. Our MSWA staff are trained and experienced in
supporting people with MS and other neurological conditions
from moderate to high care needs.
Please give me a call on 9385 9574 to discuss MDH and
arrange a visit and/or booking.
While on this topic, we know that Sue Shapland has had
a challenge with her hand. We hope it heals up soon, Sue!
(A thumbs up, as it were!)
Our Physio Sharon is back from three weeks of travel in Japan
with a couple of friends. By the sounds of it she thoroughly
enjoyed the experience. “Ohisashiburi, Sharon” … good to
see you again. How about a slide show soon?
Southside send our best wishes to all for a safe and
happy festive season; take care and see you next year!
34 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016

ROCKINGHAM TUESDAY OUTREACH GROUP
& SOUTHSIDE NEWS
NICOLA RYAN, MSWA SENIOR OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Our Tuesday Outreach group at Rockingham is well and truly
up and running as you can see from these photos taken at our
Melbourne Cup gathering. It was encouraging to have some
extra Members stay back after their physio, who hadn’t paid
us a visit up until then! The group has been building slowly
and the idea is to now get the word out there so we can build
it up even more, ready for the start of the New Year!
At this stage, we only offer a morning tea, with the potential
for a lunch being provided depending on demand and when
the numbers grow a little more.
Several Members have been encouraged by the games on
offer saying “it’s a long time since we’ve had someone to play
scrabble with” or “we’ve had someone spend some time with
us showing us how to play a new game”. Others have asked
for more craft activities which was great timing for the table
decorations for the Rockingham Christmas Party!
Please pass on the word to any Members you may know living
in the southern corridor who you think would benefit from
socialisation which, as we already know, plays a huge part in
one’s wellbeing.
Our long-standing Friday group known as ‘Southside’ can, on
any Friday, have as many as 20 Members plus volunteers and
staff, even after moving into bigger premises it can get quite
tight in the Centre. With the Tuesday group being new, it’s
smaller and that could make it easier for some. One Member
has already said that she feels like the new kid on the block
and is more than happy to be in a new group as it starts out!
BEECHBORO OUTREACH NEWS
GISELLE MARTIN, RESOURCE COORDINATOR
Hooray, winter is over! We have celebrated by filling our raised
garden beds with colourful flowers. These will brighten up our
outdoor area, which we are hoping to use more with the mild
weather (before it gets too hot again!).
During October, both of our groups, Eastside and Northside,
celebrated their anniversary. Eastside met at the Osborne
Park Hotel for a restaurant lunch, with a private room just
for us! Everyone enjoyed their meals and had a good time;
special thanks to Sue Shapland and Gail Palmer for joining
our celebration.
Northside met at The Springs Tavern, taking up most of
the dining area! Our beloved co-ordinator Zoe (currently on
maternity leave) popped in to ‘show off the baby’ and what
a gorgeous boy he is! Both events went smoothly and I’m
sure everyone appreciated having a lovely outing together as
a group.
The Outreach group runs similarly to other existing Outreach
groups in Wilson, Beechboro, Bunbury and Albany where
Members can access physiotherapy as well as massage
therapy. Members do not have to attend these services if
they do not wish to but the services are there if needed and
Members need to have an assessment before accessing
these services.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me
on 9365 4830 (Mon-Thurs) or 9592 9202 at Rockingham on
a Friday and ask for Nicola. I can also be reached via email
nicola.ryan@mswa.org.au. If you would prefer to come and
see me that’s fine also. Sometimes it’s just the extra little bits
of information that may be helpful for some Members.
Our Rockingham Centre also provides a base for several
of the MSWA health and Individual Options teams,
so they can see you by appointment onsite and closer
to home.
Halloween and Melbourne Cup
just about fell on top of each
other this year, so we debated
over what to do. In the end,
Melbourne Cup won out and we
all joined in our own ‘table top’
horse race with a fun little punt. The sweeps were successful
with a few lucky winners taking more than one place!
After the racing day, we set out to enjoy a virtual trip to
Hawaii! Painting, tongue twisters and word jumbles were just
a few of the things keeping spirits high as we dreamt of a
tropical paradise. The room always looks bright with everyone
wearing their leis and the support staff in their grass skirts
and coconut bras!
Our next big events were the Christmas parties which we
will share in the next edition. Have a safe and happy festive
season and we look forward to catching up in 2017!
MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2016 | 35

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