MSWA Bulletin Magazine Spring

Letter from the Editor
DR GREG BROTHERSON
Welcome everyone to the spring edition of your Bulletin.
We have more to celebrate this month than just the turning
of the season as the decay of winter gives way to a time of
renewal in spring. In the spirit of regeneration, we also have
the celebration of Marcus withdrawing his resignation. This
news became public when announced at the MSWA Dinner
Auction on 24 August, and was met with a resounding ovation
by everyone, punctuated with squeals of delight. On behalf of
all people with multiple sclerosis, thank you Marcus.
General Manager Member Services Sue Shapland succinctly
sums up this moment in her article when saying that it “was
really welcomed by Members and staff alike. With so many
exciting plans for the next three or more years his leadership
will be a real asset, as it has been for the past fifteen years.”
Let me add that as a person who confessed in the previous
edition of the Bulletin as being absolutely ‘drained’ by the
news of his resignation, like many others who felt the same,
we are now rejuvenated and more than delighted that Marcus
has decided to remain as CEO.
We also bring you the sad news from inside MSWA, of a great
loss with the passing of Betty Cuthbert. I have lost count of
how many times I have been asked how it is possible that
the fastest woman in the world over all sprint distances was
struck down with multiple sclerosis. The short answer was,
and still is, nobody knows. It is also a question couched in
scientific terms being asked by researchers funded by MS
Research Australia, to which MSWA is a major contributor of
research funding – $2.6 million this year.
Is it a problem in the myelin producing cells themselves that
causes them to begin dying? This could then trigger the
immune and support cells in the brain to respond to clean
up the damage and that in turn triggers a bigger immune
response. Or is it a flaw in the immune system (which some
of the genetic studies suggest) that allows the immune
cells to become ‘trigger happy’ and set off an inflammatory
response in the brain with minimal or no provocation? The
mystery continues. But what is certain is that the work done
by Dr Parratt and Professor Prineas helps us to rule out some
possibilities and allows us to keep moving down other lines
of investigation to bring us closer to solving the mystery (MS
Wire, August 2017).
The mystery therefore remains, and it is this tormenting illness
that adds to the mystique which surrounds Betty Cuthbert and
moves so many people to sing her praise. Bruce McAvney said
in The West, “Betty is still the only Australian non-swimmer
to win three gold medals at one Olympic Games and that’s
an incredible feat.” A much-admired champion confined to a
wheelchair, robbed of her speech and vision, Sue Shapland
says ‘Goodbye’ to Betty on behalf of the Members and staff
of MSWA. Vale Betty Cuthbert.
All of this is true, but to my mind what also sets Betty apart
from other Olympic champions is her battle with an evil
disease, and in that regard Betty is no different to the rest
of us who have been diagnosed with this illness. We must
therefore never forget that incredible feats of endurance are
also a daily occurrence performed with dignity by every person
with multiple sclerosis, which includes every carer who rides
the emotional rollercoaster alongside his or her loved one, a
mystery journey caused by this nasty piece of work.
Elsewhere in this edition, you will find the latest roundup
of Research articles including the long-awaited release
of OCREVUS (ocrelizumab), the latest medication added
to the PBS listing. A lot of hope is pinned to this diseasemodifying
drug which promises some relief for people with
the progressive type of the disease. That prospect we shall
just have to wait and see.
Nigel Carey updates you on the NDIS; Maurice Blackburn,
lawyers, discusses superannuation and employment. Rob Orr,
Counsellor, tells us what the difference is between counselling
and having coffee with a friend.
We have the effervescent Dawn Burke contribution on
volunteering, and our regular input from Ros Harman
and Narelle Taylor. Finally, we have news from Treendale
Gardens which celebrated its fifth birthday, and Albany
brings us their latest Outreach news.
MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2017 | 5