MSWA Bulletin Summer 16

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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
Page 1 and 2: BULLETIN THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF M
Page 3 and 4: Inside | Summer 2016 Letter from th
Page 5 and 6: Then of course we have your regular
Page 7 and 8: A message from the General Manager
Page 9 and 10: For more information, Mr Wright con
Page 11 and 12: People who had used disease modifyi
Page 13 and 14: AN UPDATE ON THE MSWA FUNDED WA RES
Page 15 and 16: Discussing personal emotions can be
Page 17: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ROBYN LOXLEY,
Page 21 and 22: Anita Gamba has had a very interest
Page 23 and 24: HEALTH AWARENESS SUE SHAPLAND RN, B
Page 25 and 26: THAT’S LIFE WITH NARELLE NARELLE
Page 27 and 28: FUNDRAISING ROUNDUP BIG RETURNS FOR
Page 29 and 30: The Members, Staff and Volunteers C
Page 31 and 32: EMBRACE THE SHAKE ZURAINI HUSSAIN,
Page 33 and 34: NEWS FROM TREENDALE GARDENS PAULA K
Page 35 and 36: ROCKINGHAM TUESDAY OUTREACH GROUP &

MSWA Bulletin Summer 16

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