MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 17

INTRODUCING
‘LOUD & CLEAR’ –
AN MSWA POETRY CLUB
JAMAICA GRANTIS, MSWA SPEECH PATHOLOGY MANAGER
The MSWA Speech Pathology team is excited to offer Members
the opportunity to participate in a new and innovative
communication group and, in so doing, be part of a research
study in partnership with Edith Cowan University.
Neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s
and Motor Neurone Disease can impact communication by
interfering with the body’s ability to send messages from the
brain to the muscles we use to talk, or by weakening those
same muscles.
Common communication difficulties may include:
• A soft, quiet voice that is difficult for other people to hear
• Slurred, or imprecise speech that is difficult for other people
to understand
• Slow speech, or rapid mumbling speech
• A strained, hoarse, excessively nasal, or breathy voice
• Difficulty controlling or varying pitch and volume
• Uneven, or abnormal, speech rhythm
The MSWA Speech Pathology team would like to explore if,
through the medium of poetry and storytelling, our Members
can learn and practice strategies to improve both the quality
of their voice and the clarity of their speech.
If you experience any of the above communication difficulties,
whether occasionally or consistently, and you have an interest
in reading, writing or discussing poetry and stories, then this
group may be of benefit to you.
The group will provide a safe and supportive environment
where Members can learn strategies to improve
communication, including:
• Posture and positioning
• Relaxation and breath support
• Rate and rhythm
• Articulation
• Voice projection
• Vocal hygiene
• Pitch and intonation
• Gesture and other nonverbal techniques
We also look forward to providing an opportunity to meet
local Perth poets and attend events hosted by the Perth
poetry community.
If you would like to register your interest, or find out more,
please contact Jamaica Grantis, Speech Pathology Manager,
at Jamaica.Grantis@mswa.org.au, or on 9365 4888.
CELEBRATING OUR CARERS
SARAH LORRIMAR,
MSWA COORDINATOR OF
HEALTH EDUCATION AND PEER SUPPORT
National Carers Week was held from 15 – 21 October, 2017
as a time to recognise the amazing work carers do.
To celebrate the occasion, MSWA with the assistance of Carers
WA and Lotterywest, held a long lunch at the Bentley Pines
Restaurant. This lunch was attended by Members of our Carer
Support Groups, as well as carers from the broader MSWA
community. This event provided a great opportunity for carers to
connect with others and enjoy some ‘me’ time for themselves.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious three course meal which was
delivered with silver service. To finish off the meal, carers
were treated to a little extra, with specialty gourmet coffees.
The entire experience received plenty of praise from those
who attended and over the course of the lunch, it was evident
that there was lively and relaxed conversation which was
wonderful to see.
Each attendee received a gift bag from Carers WA which also
included additions from MSWA, such as a hat, stress ball,
notepads, chocolates, tea and a voucher for reiki! All of this
could not have been possible without our wonderful carers
and MSWA staff. A very big thank you also goes to Lotterywest
and Carers WA for their help in making this event possible!
If you or someone you know is interested in the MSWA Carer
Support Groups, please contact Sarah Lorrimar, Coordinator
of Health Education and Peer Support on 9365 4858.
18 | MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017