MSWA Bulletin Magazine Winter 2021
MSWA Volunteer Luncheon | Our new respiratory | Physiotherapy service | Our $10m contribution to research | Pain and pain management series
MSWA Volunteer Luncheon | Our new respiratory | Physiotherapy service | Our $10m contribution to research | Pain and pain management series
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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
<strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
mswa.org.au<br />
INSIDE<br />
/ <strong>MSWA</strong> Volunteer Luncheon<br />
/ Our new respiratory<br />
physiotherapy service<br />
/ Our $10m contribution<br />
to research<br />
Barbara Williams receiving her Certificate<br />
of Appreciation, in recognition of her<br />
invaluable volunteer contribution to <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
/ Pain and pain<br />
management series
NURSING<br />
WILSON CENTRE<br />
29 Parkhill Way 9365 4888<br />
Fax 9451 4453<br />
Freecall 1800 287 367<br />
See Health Team Dept contacts on this page<br />
SERVICES DIRECTORY<br />
GENERAL MANAGER –<br />
MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES<br />
Nicola Washington 9365 4840<br />
MANAGER ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES<br />
Carol Chong 9365 4873<br />
NDIS TEAM 9365 4824<br />
OUTREACH GROUPS<br />
Wilson Outreach 9365 4830<br />
Beechboro Lodge 9377 7800<br />
Southside Outreach 9592 9202<br />
Albany Outreach 6154 5149<br />
Bunbury 6454 2800<br />
GENERAL MANAGER -<br />
STRATEGIC SUPPORTS<br />
AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS<br />
Sue Shapland 6454 3174<br />
MARGARET DOODY RESPITE HOUSE<br />
Manager, Alimul Tasin 9385 9574<br />
FERN RIVER ACCOMMODATION<br />
Manager, Danuta Figurska 9356 2747<br />
HAMILTON HILL ACCOMMODATION<br />
Manager, Jo Nouwland 9331 5780<br />
TREENDALE GARDENS<br />
RESPITE & ACCOMMODATION<br />
Manager, Linda Kidd 9725 9209<br />
BUTLER SUPPORTED<br />
ACCOMMODATION FACILITY<br />
Manager, Chris Rush 6154 5120<br />
CONTACT US<br />
If you would like to comment on anything<br />
you read in this <strong>Bulletin</strong> please email<br />
bulletin@mswa.org.au or write to<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>, Locked Bag 2, Bentley DC WA 6983<br />
For general feedback or complaints please<br />
contact Michelle John 6454 3173 or<br />
feedback@mswa.org.au<br />
EDITORIAL WORKING GROUP<br />
Sue Shapland, Nicola Washington, Libby<br />
Cassidy, Jamey Claffey, Tracey Hockey and<br />
Nicolette Murphy.<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Geoff Hutchinson, Carol Chong,<br />
Misty Reinkowsky, Dajana Tesevic,<br />
Vanishree Chetti, Denise Vogels,<br />
James Beckett and Crystal Chan.<br />
The Editorial Working Group welcomes<br />
unsolicited submissions.<br />
All articles are subject to a reviewing<br />
process. The views expressed are those<br />
of the authors and do not necessarily<br />
reflect the view of <strong>MSWA</strong>’s staff, advisors,<br />
directors or officers.<br />
Our neurological liaison nurses are usually the first point of contact after the<br />
neurologist’s diagnosis.<br />
VANISHREE CHETTI, MANAGER: 9365 4818 OR COMMUNITY NURSE: 9365 4888<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPY<br />
Our team provides treatment interventions to develop and maintain mobility<br />
and function.<br />
JAMES BECKETT, MANAGER: 9365 4837 OR PHYSIO DEPARTMENT: 9365 4834<br />
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY<br />
Occupational Therapists enable Clients to continue their work and other interests<br />
for as long as possible through advice, aids and equipment.<br />
CRYSTAL CHAN, MANAGER: 9365 4804 OR OT DEPARTMENT: 9365 4888<br />
SPEECH PATHOLOGY<br />
Our Speech Pathologists assess, diagnose and create individualised treatment<br />
programs for Clients who experience swallowing and/or communication difficulties.<br />
PAMELA WINDRAM, MANAGER: 6454 3140<br />
DIETETICS<br />
Dietitians are university-qualified nutrition experts who promote general health<br />
and disease prevention/management through dietary changes.<br />
PAMELA WINDRAM, MANAGER: 6454 3140<br />
COUNSELLING, PEER SUPPORT & HEALTH EDUCATION<br />
Talking with a Counsellor creates a safe, respectful and confidential environment<br />
for you and those close to you to explore options, create change or gain<br />
understanding about your life.<br />
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL: LISA PAPAS, MANAGER: 9365 4836<br />
OR COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT: 9365 4811<br />
SOCIAL WELFARE<br />
Social Welfare Officers assist Clients and their families to access services<br />
and supports to remain living independently at home. They specialise in case<br />
management, advocacy and sourcing funding options.<br />
KATH KNIGHTS, MANAGER: 9365 4835<br />
COMMUNITY SUPPORT<br />
We provide long-term and time limited in-home supports including assistance<br />
with personal care for people with MS, to help them remain in their homes.<br />
Care and supports are provided through a combination of funding from the<br />
Department of Communities - Disability Services, and our own fundraising efforts.<br />
VICTORIA AMEY, MANAGER: 9365 4851<br />
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT<br />
Our experienced teams will provide you with personalised support right<br />
throughout your NDIS journey. From helping you to access the NDIS to working<br />
with you to get the most from your plan, our trained staff are here to help.<br />
GEOFF HUTCHINSON, MANAGER CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT: 9365 4879<br />
CAMPS & RECREATION<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> provides separate recreation camps for Clients, carers, and families,<br />
primarily funded by Lotterywest, and for a nominal cost to participants.<br />
These camps provide a break from daily routines, and strengthen friendships<br />
and support networks.<br />
MALA PADMANATHAN, COORDINATOR FOR CAMPS & RECREATION: 6454 3184<br />
AGED CARE<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> delivers all levels of Home Care Packages to eligible people with<br />
a neurological condition who are over 65. Services are delivered by staff<br />
specifically trained in home care for older Australians who are living with a<br />
neurological condition.<br />
JUDITH CLARK, AGED CARE COORDINATOR: 9365 4807<br />
2
WELCOME<br />
Welcome to the winter <strong>2021</strong> edition of <strong>Bulletin</strong>. We hope you enjoy the news, stories and<br />
service information we have brought to you this quarter.<br />
CONTENTS<br />
FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO. ...... 4<br />
GENERAL MANAGER STRATEGIC<br />
SUPPORTS AND RESIDENTIAL<br />
OPTIONS ........................... 5<br />
GENERAL MANAGER<br />
MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES ....... 6<br />
IMPACT OF AGED CARE<br />
ON THE COMMUNITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> COMMITMENT<br />
TO RESEARCH,<br />
<strong>2021</strong> ANNOUNCEMENT. ........... 8-9<br />
OUR RECORD CONTRIBUTION<br />
OF $10M. ........................ 10-11<br />
RESEARCH ROUND UP. .......... 12-14<br />
OUR NEW RESPIRATORY<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE ..........15<br />
IMAGINE . ..........................16<br />
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN FOCUS:<br />
OUR ROLE AT <strong>MSWA</strong> . ..............17<br />
OUR NEW REGIONAL<br />
OPERATIONS MANAGER . ...........17<br />
‘MS TO THE MINUTE’ WORKSHOP ...18<br />
TYPES OF PAIN .....................19<br />
INVISIBLE THING. .................. 20<br />
DID YOU KNOW THAT HOBBIES<br />
ARE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR<br />
MENTAL HEALTH? ..................21<br />
AN INCREDIBLE CAREER OF<br />
PASTORAL CARE & GENEROSITY<br />
OF SPIRIT . ..................... 22-23<br />
CLIENT SATISFACTION<br />
SURVEY . ....................... 24-25<br />
FIGHTMASTER COMING TO NEW<br />
ALBANY SERVICES CENTRE . ....... 26<br />
MASSAGE THERAPY AT <strong>MSWA</strong> . .... 27<br />
POSTURAL CARE NEWS. ........... 28<br />
SPECIALIST DISABILITY<br />
ACCOMMODATION (SDA)<br />
ASSESSMENTS. .................... 28<br />
<strong>2021</strong> <strong>MSWA</strong> STATIONARY CYCLE<br />
CHALLENGE. ...................... 29<br />
VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON <strong>2021</strong>. .. 30-31<br />
OUR NEW VOLUNTEER<br />
AND CAMPS COORDINATOR ........31<br />
MARGARET DOODY HOUSE<br />
RESPITE UPDATE .................. 32<br />
OUTREACH HAPPENINGS:<br />
WILSON . .......................... 33<br />
THE IMPORTANCE OF PETS ..... 34-35<br />
SUGGESTIONS, COMPLAINTS<br />
AND COMPLIMENTS . .............. 35<br />
3
FROM THE DESK<br />
OF THE CEO<br />
MARCUS STAFFORD<br />
CEO<br />
It seems like only yesterday that I<br />
fronted up for my first day at the MS<br />
Society, as it was called in those days.<br />
But recently in my desk at home, I<br />
found a copy of the very first <strong>Bulletin</strong><br />
that I had contributed to. There was<br />
a photo of this fresh-faced young<br />
man with a mighty crop of hair … and<br />
not a grey one to be seen! Perhaps it<br />
wasn’t yesterday, after all!<br />
As my last day at <strong>MSWA</strong> creeps<br />
ever closer, I find my mind turning<br />
more and more towards the future.<br />
Not mine, but that of our fine<br />
organisation.<br />
I wouldn’t be able to sleep in my<br />
bed at night, if I felt that I was<br />
leaving <strong>MSWA</strong> with any points of<br />
vulnerability or any suggestion that<br />
our future is not assured. <strong>MSWA</strong> has<br />
been ‘my baby’ for twenty years,<br />
after all, and the job of supporting<br />
people with neurological conditions<br />
in our state is just too important.<br />
We are so used to spin, froth and<br />
bubble in the broader world of<br />
communication, my objective<br />
in this article is to ‘give it to you<br />
straight’, so there can be no room<br />
for interpretation or uncertainty<br />
about <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
Let’s start with the financial<br />
numbers. Record revenue. Record<br />
net profit/surplus. Record net<br />
assets on balance sheet. (The leader<br />
in Australia).<br />
And now to our footprint. A record<br />
number of locations throughout WA<br />
serving people with neurological<br />
conditions. (The leader in Australia).<br />
As for Client services. Those real<br />
things like physio, nursing, OT,<br />
counselling, care support work.<br />
A record breadth and number of<br />
services, including hours delivered.<br />
(The leader in Australia).<br />
Then there’s research. A record<br />
contribution to research in the<br />
history of our nation. (The leader<br />
in Australia).<br />
If you are one of our 1,000 staff<br />
members, Board directors,<br />
volunteers, Clients or partners,<br />
please don’t feel embarrassed by<br />
the summary of our achievements.<br />
Feel proud of your part in the team<br />
effort and take a bow.<br />
However, as I always say – enjoy<br />
the moment, but don’t take too<br />
long! We need to make the future<br />
so bright that we will all need to<br />
wear sunglasses!<br />
My successor will undoubtedly put<br />
their own mark of leadership on our<br />
future. I have worked closely with<br />
our Board in recent months to build<br />
the framework for our next strategic<br />
plan, but I believe that our new CEO<br />
will bring different qualities that will<br />
take us from strength to strength.<br />
My professional advice to that<br />
person will be simple. Stay focused<br />
on the main game. There are really<br />
only three bits to this job. 1. Client<br />
services, 2. Accommodation and<br />
respite, and 3. Our role in research.<br />
A myriad of people will try to distract<br />
you with the ‘noise’ of running a<br />
company. But stay focused on the<br />
main three. Keep your eyes on the<br />
road ahead and all will be well.<br />
My personal advice will be to have<br />
fun. Sure, you’ll get spurious legal<br />
claims, journalists trying to catch<br />
you out and more commercial<br />
challenges than any man or woman<br />
really needs, but it’s the best job<br />
in the world and you get the<br />
privilege of working with truly<br />
inspirational people.<br />
As I pen this article for the last<br />
time, I am reminded of how<br />
Walter Cronkite signed off his<br />
final appearance.<br />
“That’s the way it is.”<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> is on the strongest of<br />
foundations and I assure you<br />
that the focus of our Board<br />
and management is on<br />
delivering our future success.<br />
So, as I say thank you and goodbye,<br />
I hope that Walter will forgive me if I<br />
adapt his signature phrase to:<br />
“That’s the way it will be.”<br />
4
STRATEGIC SUPPORTS<br />
AND RESIDENTIAL<br />
OPTIONS<br />
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, MSCN<br />
GENERAL MANAGER<br />
STRATEGIC SUPPORTS AND<br />
RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS<br />
“A problem is a chance for<br />
you to do your best.”<br />
Duke Ellington.<br />
How true this is, although at times<br />
the problems we face certainly test<br />
our resilience and resolve and often<br />
our patience too!<br />
As has been said numerous times,<br />
over the last couple of years we<br />
have faced many problems – floods,<br />
fires and of course COVID-19. All of<br />
these have really tried the resolve<br />
of most of us but have also shown<br />
how adaptable and creative people<br />
can be. Just look at the race to get<br />
the vital vaccines developed to<br />
combat the spread of COVID-19, the<br />
improved testing kits speeding up<br />
the process and turnaround time<br />
for results, and the research that is<br />
now being funded to improve our<br />
understanding of bushfires and<br />
how they can be better managed.<br />
Research builds our understanding<br />
and provides hope for a better<br />
future and better outcomes, and<br />
not just in the medical field. <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
continues to proudly support<br />
research into neurological conditions<br />
in WA, nationally and internationally<br />
through the International Progressive<br />
MS Alliance. We provide vital funding<br />
for several institutions and their teams<br />
in WA and one of the great things<br />
about that is that our Clients have the<br />
opportunity to actually participate<br />
in, contribute to, and benefit from<br />
their projects and outcomes. You<br />
can read about our very exciting<br />
research funding announcement in<br />
this <strong>Bulletin</strong>; another record amount<br />
we can all be truly proud of!<br />
Our high support accommodation<br />
projects are moving along nicely.<br />
Albany, which also includes an<br />
amazing Services Centre, whilst<br />
experiencing some slight delays<br />
due to supplies and the weather, is<br />
coming along nicely and expected<br />
to open in March 2022. I already<br />
have several potential residents on<br />
the waitlist which is exciting.<br />
The designs and planning for<br />
Montario Quarter, our most<br />
ambitious build with 20 units in<br />
Shenton Park, is also progressing<br />
well and will be very impressive – we<br />
can’t wait to show off the drawings<br />
when we are able.<br />
Across <strong>MSWA</strong> we are experiencing<br />
ongoing growth and change and<br />
many improvements as we focus<br />
on quality service delivery and of<br />
course compliance. Our annual<br />
Client Satisfaction Survey is also<br />
featured in this issue and has again<br />
provided us with valuable feedback<br />
and many very positive results.<br />
Thank you to everyone who took<br />
the time to participate.<br />
As we continue to be challenged<br />
by COVID-19 and face the cold and<br />
wet winter with our usual colds<br />
and flu risks I hope you are keeping<br />
well and following the advice of the<br />
Health Department (and your own<br />
GP and/or neurologist) regarding<br />
vaccinations for the flu and<br />
COVID-19. Advice can be conflicting<br />
and can change but seeking advice<br />
from the professionals who are<br />
up-to-date is essential.<br />
We hope you enjoy this edition<br />
of <strong>Bulletin</strong> and the information<br />
and articles are helpful and<br />
enjoyable. Take care.<br />
5
MEMBER &<br />
CLIENT SERVICES<br />
NICOLA WASHINGTON<br />
GENERAL MANAGER<br />
MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES<br />
Welcome to the winter<br />
edition of our Member &<br />
Client Services <strong>Bulletin</strong> –<br />
and what a cold start<br />
it has been.<br />
When I moved to Perth from the<br />
UK, I did not think that I would see<br />
the scraping of ice from cars in the<br />
morning again. Well, I was certainly<br />
wrong on that assumption,<br />
when we hit some of our lowest<br />
temperatures on record through<br />
June. Probably the first time I have<br />
seriously considered the need for a<br />
big winter coat and woolly hat!<br />
As we close out another financial<br />
year, and one that has been<br />
unpredictable and incredibly<br />
challenging for everyone, it<br />
is fantastic to report another<br />
successful year. The dedication of<br />
the team and the flexibility of our<br />
Clients has enabled us to record an<br />
increase in service hours delivered<br />
across our Client base.<br />
It is great to see more people living<br />
with a neurological condition<br />
gaining access to funding through<br />
the NDIS for essential services<br />
and support.<br />
Our Client Satisfaction Survey<br />
returned some great results. You<br />
can read these on page 24-25 but<br />
once again it was fantastic to record<br />
an overall satisfaction rate of 90%.<br />
As always, we will be working on<br />
more improvements over the next 12<br />
months and already have a number of<br />
projects started that will improve our<br />
delivery of service to you, our Clients,<br />
including new systems to improve<br />
our processes and engagement with<br />
both staff and Clients.<br />
This edition sees the start of a series<br />
of articles on pain management<br />
(p. 19). We know this to be a<br />
much-discussed topic amongst our<br />
Clients and hope to bring you some<br />
helpful information on the subject<br />
from a variety of our practitioners.<br />
Our annual Client forum is<br />
scheduled to be held in September,<br />
all being well. This is a great forum<br />
to attend where you can hear our<br />
experts talk about the latest in<br />
research and new technologies, and<br />
how we at <strong>MSWA</strong> contribute to the<br />
latest innovations. Keep an eye out<br />
for the details, we look forward to<br />
welcoming you to this forum.<br />
NDIS NEWS<br />
It has been eight years since the<br />
National Disability Scheme (NDIS)<br />
started back in July 2013 and is<br />
currently supporting more than<br />
450,000 Australians living with<br />
a disability, including 260,000<br />
Australians who never previously<br />
received support.<br />
The National Disability Agency<br />
(NDIA) released in July an<br />
interim update to the Financial<br />
Sustainability Report.<br />
Numbers reported on forwardlooking<br />
assumptions.<br />
/ NDIS expenditure could grow<br />
to $40.7 billion in 2024-25 which<br />
is $8.8 billion above the current<br />
Portfolio Budget Statement<br />
estimates.<br />
/ NDIS expenditure could be $22.6<br />
billion higher than the Portfolio<br />
Budget Statement estimates<br />
over the four years from <strong>2021</strong>-22<br />
to 2024-25.<br />
/ Participant numbers could<br />
reach 682,760 at 30 June 2025<br />
and 870,761 at 30 June 2030,<br />
compared to the Productivity<br />
Commission estimates of 582,860<br />
at 30 June 2030.<br />
The NDIA continues to review the<br />
scheme to improve participant<br />
experience and continued<br />
sustainability and growth of<br />
the scheme.<br />
If you have any questions<br />
regarding your NDIS plan,<br />
please do not hesitate to contact<br />
ndisenquiries@mswa.org.au<br />
Our team is always ready to help<br />
you navigate any problem or<br />
question you may have.<br />
6
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TEAM<br />
IMPACT OF AGED CARE<br />
ON THE COMMUNITY<br />
In the 20 years since we narrowly avoided the Y2K bug and said<br />
hello to a new millennium, the proportion of the population<br />
aged 65 years and above increased 4% to 16.3% nationally.<br />
This group is projected to increase<br />
rapidly over the next decade as<br />
further cohorts of baby boomers<br />
(those born between the years<br />
1946 and 1964) turn 65. This growth<br />
means that more and more people<br />
will be utilising aged care packages<br />
for their ongoing support. In fact,<br />
as of 30 June 2020, there were<br />
11,049 people accessing aged care<br />
services in the community while<br />
another 16,210 individuals are being<br />
supported within the residential<br />
care sector.<br />
With these significant numbers<br />
of participants, a greater focus is<br />
now being placed on the impact<br />
the aged care sector has on our<br />
community. In December 2020,<br />
a number of Western Australian<br />
aged care providers engaged<br />
research firm ACIL Allen to produce<br />
a detailed study quantifying the<br />
important economic and social<br />
impact of the aged care sector<br />
to Western Australia. The report<br />
released in May examined the aged<br />
care sector across three metrics<br />
including ‘economic contribution’,<br />
‘economic impact’ and ‘the social<br />
return of the aged care sector’.<br />
The result was startling, finding<br />
a large and growing sector that<br />
makes a massive contribution to<br />
the community.<br />
The report estimated that in 2019-<br />
20, the aged care sector directly<br />
contributed $2 billion to the WA<br />
economy, equal to one in every<br />
seven dollars of activity across<br />
the entire healthcare and social<br />
assistance sector. Additionally, one<br />
in every 25 FTE jobs across WA were<br />
directly or indirectly supported by<br />
the aged care sector. To put that into<br />
perspective, the FTE jobs created as<br />
a result of WA’s aged care sector<br />
in 2019-20 is equivalent to the total<br />
number of people employed by<br />
Rio Tinto, BHP, FMG and Woodside<br />
combined.<br />
Perhaps the biggest impact the<br />
aged care sector had was the<br />
social impact its funding can have<br />
on participants and their families.<br />
The report measured social impact<br />
based on healthcare cost savings,<br />
improved health outcomes, direct<br />
economic value, carer participation<br />
in the workforce and the relief of<br />
direct care requirements for family<br />
members. The largest benefit was<br />
from the productivity benefits<br />
provided by the aged care sector.<br />
In particular, the report estimated<br />
that the aged care sector assisted<br />
the WA community to the tune<br />
of $1.8 billion through the avoided<br />
loss of productive labour resources.<br />
The report points to a sector that is<br />
making a significant difference to<br />
the community.<br />
In late 2019, <strong>MSWA</strong> joined the sector<br />
by becoming a registered aged care<br />
provider. Our goal mirrors that of the<br />
providers surveyed within this report<br />
in helping to improve participants’<br />
health outcomes and supporting<br />
families to be active participants in<br />
the community. Entry into the aged<br />
care sector also allows us to provide<br />
ongoing support to those missed<br />
by the NDIS and other funding<br />
schemes due to their age. Over the<br />
coming months we will be working<br />
to grow our Home Care Package<br />
participant numbers and support<br />
our Clients to maintain their health<br />
and independence.<br />
Like the Western Australian<br />
economy, as <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
continues to grow, the aged<br />
care sector will bring a<br />
significant impact, allowing<br />
us to support more and<br />
more Clients.<br />
If you would like to read the full<br />
report it is available by typing<br />
‘Economic and Social Impact of the<br />
Aged Care Sector in WA’ into your<br />
search engine.<br />
GEOFF HUTCHINSON<br />
MANAGER CUSTOMER<br />
ENGAGEMENT<br />
7
RESEARCH<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH,<br />
<strong>2021</strong> ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
Last month, <strong>MSWA</strong> was proud to announce that in this <strong>2021</strong>/22 financial year, we are<br />
committing a record-breaking amount of $10 million to neurological research.<br />
This new $10 million contribution<br />
is being used by recipients to<br />
advance studies to clinical trials for<br />
new treatments and medications,<br />
develop and trial new apps and<br />
educational tools, and provide<br />
novel insights that add to<br />
the knowledge of the wider<br />
neurological research community.<br />
Marcus Stafford, our CEO, said of<br />
the announcement, “As we prepare<br />
to celebrate our champions in<br />
the forthcoming Olympic Games,<br />
supporters of <strong>MSWA</strong> should feel<br />
proud to take their place on the<br />
podium. <strong>MSWA</strong>’s $10 million<br />
contribution to research is a gold<br />
medal winning achievement for<br />
people with neurological conditions.<br />
In fact, I am delighted to say that<br />
this record-breaking contribution<br />
to research makes <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
the largest non-government<br />
funder of neurological research<br />
in Australia.”<br />
While we contribute funding for<br />
projects and studies across Australia<br />
and the world, we are particularly<br />
proud of the ongoing support of<br />
neurological research taking place<br />
in Western Australia. By supporting<br />
local institutions and experts, we<br />
are making research developments<br />
accessible to our community, and<br />
providing opportunities for Western<br />
Australia to become a hub for high<br />
quality research.<br />
8
We are pleased to once again<br />
be partnering with MS Australia,<br />
the International Progressive<br />
MS Alliance, the Perron Institute,<br />
Curtin University, Edith Cowan<br />
University, and Telethon Kids<br />
Institute in projects they<br />
are leading across various<br />
neurological research areas.<br />
Associate Professor Desmond<br />
Graham, President of MS Australia,<br />
said, “This funding commitment<br />
from <strong>MSWA</strong> is significant, and<br />
on behalf of MS Australia, the<br />
MS community and myself as a<br />
person living with MS, I would like<br />
to thank the <strong>MSWA</strong> Board and CEO<br />
Marcus Stafford.<br />
“This funding boost will assist<br />
to supercharge MS research in<br />
Australia, some great examples of<br />
which occur in WA. It will accelerate<br />
the world leading work of our MS<br />
researchers, enabling them to<br />
identify new treatments for people<br />
living with MS, in particular those<br />
with the progressive forms of the<br />
disease, as well as investigate ways<br />
to enhance the brain’s defences<br />
against MS and repair myelin.”<br />
The Perron Institute’s CEO Steve<br />
Arnott said, "<strong>MSWA</strong>’s funding<br />
means our researchers can continue<br />
striving to find novel treatments<br />
for people living with a range of<br />
neurological conditions.<br />
"Their support is also helping<br />
the Perron Institute to expand<br />
its work with both new and<br />
existing programs and increase<br />
its achievements within various<br />
research streams."<br />
Our commitment to research helps<br />
us get one step closer to having<br />
a better understanding of the<br />
causes of neurological conditions,<br />
finding new treatments, realising<br />
potential cures, and providing<br />
hope for people living with<br />
neurological conditions.<br />
As always, our contribution is<br />
only made possible through<br />
the incredible support of our<br />
fundraising community. Together,<br />
we are ready to make an impact.<br />
More about the projects we are<br />
funding is detailed over page.<br />
Two <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients (your representatives on this year’s Editorial<br />
Working Group) attended the media conference at which the<br />
funding announcement was made.<br />
Nicolette Murphy, who lives with MS, said, “The $10 million<br />
announcement gives me hope that we will have a cure in<br />
my lifetime.”<br />
Tracey Hockey, who had a stroke in 2016, said, “I can only comment<br />
about how the research helps me personally, now and in the<br />
future. <strong>MSWA</strong> are not only contributing to what neuro needs are<br />
Nicolette Murphy and<br />
Tracey Hockey<br />
right now, they support research that helps in evolving better<br />
ways forward. As an <strong>MSWA</strong> Client it excites me to know that the<br />
care and information I'm receiving from them is new and cutting<br />
edge. <strong>MSWA</strong>'s funding makes sure that we with neuro conditions<br />
have the most up-to-date information, care and technology<br />
available. New ways of living, knowing, thinking and being.”<br />
9
RESEARCH<br />
OUR RECORD CONTRIBUTION OF $10M<br />
KEY PROJECTS SUMMARY<br />
As part of this year’s record-breaking $10 million contribution, we are continuing to support<br />
projects we already fund, but we have new studies and trials that have exciting implications<br />
for neurological research.<br />
CURTIN UNIVERSITY<br />
Our partnership with Curtin<br />
University is growing. Associate<br />
Professor Lucinda Black is leading<br />
a team investigating diet and<br />
MS alongside goals including<br />
the development of education<br />
resources and rigorous protocols<br />
for diet-related clinical trials. Diet<br />
is also being considered by Clinical<br />
Professor John Mamo at CHIRI,<br />
an Institute within Curtin, who<br />
is heading a clinical intervention<br />
for MS utilising a high-fat diet<br />
to achieve remyelination in a<br />
unique trial.<br />
Additionally, Professor Mamo<br />
and his team are looking at the<br />
effect to ageing and developing<br />
neurodegenerative diseases, linking<br />
lifestyle factors of Parkinson’s, Motor<br />
Neurone disease, Huntington’s<br />
disease and MS. This is linked to<br />
a novel trial that has promise for<br />
new treatments for Alzheimer’s<br />
by repurposing a drug used<br />
previously for cardiovascular<br />
disease and stroke.<br />
Associate Professor Anne Whitworth<br />
is leading an exciting new project to<br />
support long-term rehabilitation of<br />
communication skills after stroke.<br />
Her team will be developing an<br />
interactive app to complement<br />
speech therapy interventions. The<br />
aim of the project is to improve<br />
functional language and cognitive<br />
skills by designing an approach<br />
that can be done freely at home to<br />
complement structured sessions.<br />
Additionally, there will have an<br />
evaluation trial to demonstrate<br />
the benefits, where findings<br />
could also hold value for other<br />
neurological conditions.<br />
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY<br />
The research portfolio we support<br />
at ECU is expanding. Translating<br />
research into practice, the<br />
multidisciplinary team in the<br />
Systematic Profiling in Neurological<br />
Conditions trial, led by Professor<br />
Moira Sim, are identifying<br />
markers in individuals that will<br />
assist with developing, delivering<br />
and evaluating more targeted<br />
therapeutic interventions for stroke,<br />
Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and MS.<br />
Specific interventions include light<br />
therapy glasses promoting more<br />
effective sleep and reducing fatigue<br />
and the MindPod exoskeleton for<br />
upper limb rehabilitation.<br />
Associate Professor Lucinda Black & Professor John Mamo (Curtin University).<br />
WE ARE 10 MILLION STEPS CLOSER TO FINDING THE CAUSES, BETTER<br />
TREATMENTS, AND EVEN A CURE FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.<br />
WE HAVE 10 MILLION REASONS TO GIVE PEOPLE HOPE.<br />
BECAUSE THIS YEAR, <strong>MSWA</strong> IS INVESTING A RECORD-BREAKING<br />
$10 MILLION INTO NEUROLOGICAL RESEARCH.<br />
10
Associate Professor Jenny Rodger<br />
(middle) (The Perron Institute).<br />
TELETHON KIDS<br />
Professor Moira Sim and Keith Rappa (Edith Cowan University).<br />
THE PERRON INSTITUTE<br />
Clinical Professor Allan Kermode<br />
is leading a team to examine<br />
biomarkers, neurofilaments, disease<br />
trajectory, and evaluating brain<br />
lesions in the MS Demyelinating<br />
Diseases group. Professor Kermode<br />
is also a key MS researcher and<br />
contributing data to a national and<br />
international data research registry<br />
for MS.<br />
Associate Professor Jenny Rodger<br />
is continuing her research into<br />
neuroplasticity as it heads into<br />
human clinical trials using<br />
transcranial magnets in stroke,<br />
MS and more. Stroke is also the<br />
focus for Adjunct Professor Bruno<br />
Meloni and Clinical Professor Neville<br />
Knuckey who are developing a<br />
neuroprotective agent.<br />
Research into MND, Parkinson’s<br />
and other conditions continues for<br />
Professor Sulev Koks. Trajectories<br />
of Outcome in Neurological<br />
Conditions (TONiC) continues to<br />
gain traction with the possibility<br />
of opening research to Parkinson’s<br />
Disease and MS. Professor Koks is<br />
teaming with Professor Anthony<br />
Akkari to investigate the possibilities<br />
of genomic medicine.<br />
The two are seeking to identify<br />
genes that have predisposition<br />
for developing neuro conditions<br />
like MND, and attempting to<br />
find therapies to block the gene,<br />
reduce risk and improve outcomes.<br />
Parkinson’s and gut bacteria (the<br />
microbiome) are partnered again<br />
through Dr Luke Whiley’s study to<br />
correlate changes in cognitive and<br />
motor-related inflammation.<br />
Finally, Dr Jonaton Leffler based<br />
at the Telethon Kids Institute, and<br />
under the purview of Professor Prue<br />
Hart, is further analysing samples<br />
from the PhoCIS biobank to identify<br />
MS pathogenesis by examining<br />
antigens through innovative<br />
methods. Specifically, he will be<br />
examining female predispositions<br />
through cell dysfunctions, and<br />
pathogenic and autoimmune<br />
mechanisms.<br />
MS RESEARCH AUSTRALIA AND<br />
THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRESSIVE<br />
MS ALLIANCE<br />
Once again MSRA is receiving<br />
allocations for MS research in<br />
Australia with $1million to be<br />
allocated to the International<br />
Progressive MS Alliance. More<br />
details about these will be<br />
announced in due course.<br />
READ MORE<br />
For more information about<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s commitment to research<br />
and the research projects we are<br />
currently funding, visit our website:<br />
mswa.org.au/news-research/<br />
commitment-to-research<br />
11
RESEARCH<br />
RESEARCH<br />
ROUND UP<br />
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, MSCN<br />
GENERAL MANAGER STRATEGIC SUPPORTS<br />
AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS<br />
FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS<br />
NEWS TODAY<br />
Read more at:<br />
multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com<br />
Sleep deprivation may worsen<br />
memory in early MS; James<br />
Sumowski et al; May 05, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
A new study suggests that sleep<br />
deprivation may worsen memory<br />
in people with clinically isolated<br />
syndrome (CIS) or relapsingremitting<br />
multiple sclerosis (RRMS).<br />
The study ‘Sleep disturbance<br />
and memory dysfunction in early<br />
multiple sclerosis’ was published in<br />
Annals of Clinical and Translational<br />
Neurology.<br />
185 adults diagnosed with CIS or<br />
RRMS in the previous five years<br />
were included and underwent a<br />
number of assessments, including a<br />
patient-reported sleep disturbance<br />
questionnaire, and measures of<br />
memory and cognitive speed.<br />
The memory and cognition<br />
tasks were also completed by 50<br />
healthy controls with matched<br />
characteristics to the MS patients in<br />
the study.<br />
Overall, 40.2% of PwMSs reported<br />
sleep disturbances. However, those<br />
with trouble sleeping reported<br />
worse mood and increased fatigue<br />
and had a higher number of brain<br />
lesions than those without sleep<br />
disturbances. Relative to healthy<br />
controls, memory was worse among<br />
patients with sleep disturbance, but<br />
not among patients without sleep<br />
disturbance.<br />
Based on studies, an explanation<br />
for the link between sleep and<br />
memory could be that inadequate<br />
rest impairs the hippocampus’<br />
ability to process new information,<br />
leading to worse memory. The team<br />
concluded that their observations<br />
“connect patient-reported sleep<br />
disturbance specifically to poor<br />
memory in early MS.”<br />
Destroying myelin-damaging<br />
immune cells may be new therapy<br />
Recent research findings in<br />
Japan, using the mouse model,<br />
may potentially lead to a new<br />
therapy for MS. Vesicles containing<br />
the chemotherapeutic agent<br />
doxorubicin were used to destroy<br />
the aberrant, myelin-damaging<br />
immune cells that contribute to MS<br />
suppressing progression.<br />
The team tested this strategy<br />
in mice with experimental<br />
autoimmune encephalomyelitis<br />
(EAE). They discovered that their<br />
therapy, designated MOG-LipDOX,<br />
suppressed EAE symptoms through<br />
targeting T-cells, a class of immune<br />
cells primed to attack ‘foreign’<br />
molecules that invade the body,<br />
such as viruses and bacteria.<br />
Specifically, the treatment successfully<br />
suppressed symptoms for more than<br />
100 days and completely cured two<br />
mice — and without weight changes<br />
or signs of liver damage.<br />
The researchers found no evidence<br />
of immune cells infiltrating the<br />
central nervous system, ie, the brain<br />
and spinal cord, which is where<br />
the loss of myelin takes place. “The<br />
present study suggests that the<br />
use of these autoantigen-modified<br />
liposomes promises to be a suitable<br />
therapeutic approach for the cure<br />
of MS,” they concluded.<br />
12
HERE WE PROVIDE SOME SUMMARIES OF RESEARCH SOURCED FROM WEBSITES IN AUSTRALIA AND<br />
AROUND THE WORLD; WE HOPE IT’S OF INTEREST TO YOU.<br />
READ MORE AT <strong>MSWA</strong>.ORG.AU/RESEARCHUPDATE<br />
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL<br />
PROGRESSIVE MS ALLIANCE<br />
Read more at:<br />
progressivemsalliance.org<br />
FDA backs further development of<br />
blood biomarker, neurofilament<br />
light, for clinical trials in MS<br />
A major milestone in the goal of<br />
increasing the number and speed<br />
of clinical trials in progressive<br />
MS was recently achieved when<br />
The International Progressive MS<br />
Alliance recently received a letter<br />
of support from the U.S. Food and<br />
Drug Administration (FDA). The<br />
letter encourages the exploration<br />
and development of further studies<br />
around a molecule in blood serum or<br />
plasma — neurofilament light chain<br />
(NfL) — as a potential rapid indicator<br />
of the value of an experimental<br />
therapy in early trials involving<br />
people with progressive MS.<br />
NfL is a fragment in the debris<br />
that enters the spinal fluid and<br />
blood when nerve wires (axons)<br />
are damaged. Studies of NfL have<br />
been underway to define how this<br />
biomarker may be used to help<br />
detect and predict disease activity<br />
and response to treatments, not only<br />
in MS but in other disorders. NfL may<br />
reflect ongoing disease pathology<br />
and may be more responsive to<br />
the effects of treatments than<br />
traditional imaging (MRI) outcomes<br />
in early phase trials.<br />
Dr. Robert J. Fox, Vice Chair of<br />
the Alliance’s Scientific Steering<br />
Committee said, “Having a simple<br />
blood test to quickly track the<br />
potential benefits of experimental<br />
therapies would be an enormous<br />
step forward for people with<br />
progressive MS, for whom there are<br />
too few therapies.”<br />
FROM MENZIES HEALTH INSTITUTE<br />
QUEENSLAND<br />
Read more at: griffith.edu.au<br />
Etanercept (Enbrel) trial in stroke<br />
Stroke is Australia's second largest<br />
cause of death, with one person<br />
suffering from the disease every<br />
10 minutes. An experimental<br />
treatment in the US is giving some<br />
stroke patients immediate relief<br />
and Griffith University (Queensland)<br />
has a clinical trial to examine<br />
its potential.<br />
The US FDA has approved<br />
Etanercept (Enbrel) for many years<br />
as a therapy to treat inflammatory<br />
diseases such as rheumatoid<br />
arthritis. Recently, doctors have<br />
begun using it to treat strokes.<br />
Studies in the US demonstrated peri<br />
spinal Enbrel improved mobility and<br />
pain in chronic stroke participants,<br />
concluding: Enbrel can provide<br />
significant and ongoing benefits for<br />
the chronic post-stroke management<br />
of pain and greater shoulder flexion<br />
by the paretic arm. Effects are rapid<br />
and highly significant, supporting<br />
direct action on brain function.<br />
A second Griffith University Stroke<br />
Trial is now successfully underway<br />
enrolling 80 participants. They have<br />
seen some spectacular responses in<br />
several of our participants.<br />
The focus of the trial is those who<br />
have had a stroke but experienced<br />
major fatigue since and also have<br />
some functioning and capacity to<br />
raise their stroke affected arm.<br />
FROM PRILENIA THERAPEUTICS<br />
Read more at: prilenia.com<br />
Phase 3 Huntington’s disease<br />
clinical trial news<br />
Pridopidine is being assessed in<br />
ongoing phase 3 global clinical trial<br />
PROOF-HD (PRidopidine Outcome<br />
On Function in Huntington’s<br />
Disease). The PROOF-HD phase<br />
3 study is being conducted<br />
in approximately 60 sites in<br />
collaboration with the Huntington<br />
Study Group (HSG) in North America<br />
and Europe, enrolling people with<br />
early Huntington’s.<br />
If successful in the trial this may<br />
lead to its approval as a treatment<br />
for Huntington’s disease.<br />
In prior clinical trials in HD patients,<br />
pridopidine demonstrated a<br />
beneficial effect in maintaining<br />
functional capacity after one year.<br />
HD patients and families highlight<br />
decreased functional capacity as a<br />
major burden on daily life. The Total<br />
Functional Capacity (TFC) scale is<br />
widely used by clinicians to assess<br />
disease stage and progression. This<br />
captures changes in HD patients'<br />
capacity to continue working,<br />
perform household activities,<br />
eat, dress, walk, and complete<br />
simple tasks.<br />
Pridopidine is the first drug to<br />
show maintenance of TFC at one<br />
year. This effect may also be seen<br />
and maintained for five years, as<br />
demonstrated in an open-label trial.<br />
The purpose of the study is to<br />
evaluate the effect of pridopidine<br />
on functional capacity, as well as<br />
on motor and behavioural features<br />
over 65 weeks.<br />
13
RESEARCH<br />
FROM JAMA NEUROLOGY<br />
Read more at: jamanetwork.com<br />
Association of sex and age with<br />
mild traumatic brain injury-related<br />
symptoms: a TRACK-TBI study;<br />
Harvey S Levin et al.<br />
This study sought to determine if<br />
post-acute mild traumatic brain<br />
injury (mTBI) symptoms differ<br />
between men and women.<br />
2000 patients with mTBI were<br />
assessed 12 months post injury for<br />
the severity of cognitive and somatic<br />
symptoms and it was found to be<br />
significantly worse in women than<br />
in men. The association between<br />
mTBI and somatic symptoms was<br />
greater in women aged 35 to 49<br />
years than those aged 17 to 34 years<br />
or older than 50 years.<br />
Using a variety of testing tools,<br />
they evaluated mTBI patients<br />
and compared them with a post<br />
orthopaedic trauma cohort.<br />
Their results led them to<br />
conclude that women were more<br />
vulnerable than men to persistent<br />
mTBI-related cognitive and<br />
somatic symptoms. Postconcussion<br />
symptoms were also<br />
worse in women aged 35 to 49 years<br />
than in younger and older women,<br />
but further investigation is needed<br />
to corroborate these findings and to<br />
identify the mechanisms involved.<br />
Results suggest that individualised<br />
clinical management of mTBI<br />
should consider sex and age,<br />
as some women are especially<br />
predisposed to chronic<br />
post-concussion symptoms even<br />
12 months after injury.<br />
FROM MND SCOTLAND<br />
Read more at: mndscotland.org.uk<br />
Motor neurone disease: Edinburgh<br />
scientists reveal breakthrough<br />
Scientists in Scotland are a step<br />
closer to being able to reverse<br />
the damage caused by motor<br />
neurone disease (MND) following<br />
a breakthrough by researchers in<br />
Edinburgh.<br />
The team proved for the first time<br />
that axons – the long nerve fibres<br />
which connect and send electrical<br />
impulses from the nerve cells to<br />
the muscles – are shorter in cells<br />
affected by MND than in healthy<br />
cells. They also discovered that the<br />
movement of the mitochondria, the<br />
tiny energy cells which move up<br />
and down the axons, is impaired.<br />
Researchers have also found that<br />
the nerve cell damage – or motor<br />
neurons – caused by MND can be<br />
repaired by boosting the energy<br />
levels in these mitochondria.<br />
Once this was done in laboratory<br />
experiments, the axon reverted<br />
back to normal length.<br />
The effect was achieved in the lab<br />
using motor neurons grown from<br />
stem cells collected from people<br />
with a genetic mutation known<br />
to cause MND. These lab-grown<br />
motor neurons were then exposed<br />
to a virus which supercharged a<br />
key molecule vital to the healthy<br />
functioning of mitochondria.<br />
The team, based at the Euan<br />
MacDonald Centre for MND<br />
Research at Edinburgh University,<br />
believe they may be able to produce<br />
the same result in patients – not<br />
with a virus, but by re-purposing an<br />
existing drug instead.<br />
Dr Arpan Mehta, a lead scientist on<br />
the project, said: “Our data provides<br />
hope that by restoring the cell’s<br />
energy source we can protect the<br />
axons and their connection to<br />
muscle from degeneration. Work<br />
is already underway to identify<br />
existing licensed drugs that can<br />
boost the mitochondria and<br />
repair the motor neurons. This will<br />
then pave the way to test them in<br />
clinical trials.”<br />
FROM PARKINSON’S WA<br />
Read more at: parkinsonswa.org.au<br />
Study: heat sensitivity in people<br />
with Parkinson’s disease<br />
A heat sensitivity study, which is<br />
being conducted by researchers<br />
at the Queensland University of<br />
Technology, has two aims:<br />
1. To increase knowledge and<br />
understanding of how people<br />
with Parkinson’s disease<br />
experience the heat.<br />
2. To develop a scale for the<br />
assessment of heat sensitivity in<br />
people with Parkinson’s disease.<br />
These findings will help to shed light<br />
on the experience of heat sensitivity<br />
in people with Parkinson’s disease<br />
and provide a tool for clinicians and<br />
researchers to assess heat sensitivity<br />
in people with Parkinson’s disease.<br />
The study is seeking interested<br />
participants, so if you have been<br />
diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you are<br />
invited to participate in this research<br />
project; just use the link below:<br />
survey.qut.edu.au/f/193936/87f4/<br />
14
PHYSIOTHERAPY<br />
OUR NEW RESPIRATORY<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s new respiratory physiotherapy service is designed to assist Clients experiencing<br />
respiratory symptoms associated with their neurological condition. Respiratory physiotherapy<br />
incorporates both physiotherapy treatment techniques and prescription of specialised<br />
equipment to help improve respiratory efficiency. Services include education on airway clearance<br />
techniques, organising respiratory equipment, carer training, and liaising with your medical<br />
team to create respiratory action plans.<br />
The respiratory physiotherapy<br />
services may be beneficial for<br />
Clients who:<br />
/ are unable to clear secretions<br />
effectively,<br />
/ have an ineffective cough due to<br />
respiratory muscle weakness,<br />
/ may have frequent chest<br />
infections and/or frequent<br />
hospital admissions related to<br />
chest infections.<br />
Early referral to one of our respiratory<br />
physiotherapists is indicated<br />
for Clients with progressive<br />
neurodegenerative diseases eg<br />
MND, SMA, muscular dystrophy.<br />
Following a thorough assessment,<br />
the physiotherapist will discuss<br />
treatment techniques and specialised<br />
equipment (eg CoughAssist Machine)<br />
that can assist in improving respiratory<br />
efficiency. From these assessments<br />
each Client will be provided with an<br />
individualised treatment plan.<br />
The NDIS provides reasonable<br />
and necessary respiratory<br />
supports, including specialised<br />
equipment.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Physiotherapist Maeve O’Shaughnessy demonstrating some of the<br />
new specialised respiratory equipment.<br />
As this process can take some time,<br />
please consider early referral and<br />
assessment so that applications<br />
can be made in anticipation of<br />
future needs.<br />
If you would like to book a<br />
respiratory physiotherapy review,<br />
please speak to one of our<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Nurses, Physiotherapists<br />
or Client Liaison Coordinators for<br />
a referral.<br />
Please note: <strong>MSWA</strong> does not<br />
provide emergency services.<br />
If any Client is acutely unwell<br />
they should contact their<br />
GP, relevant specialist or<br />
emergency department.<br />
15
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
IMAGINE<br />
Sometimes I like to imagine a world that was designed for<br />
people with disability. Can you imagine that?<br />
Imagine if every public toilet had<br />
grab rails and room for wheelchairs.<br />
Imagine if every private house was<br />
accessible for everyone. Imagine<br />
if there were things to touch<br />
which helped guide those with<br />
visual impairments. And voice<br />
activated instructions. Imagine<br />
if there were written guides for<br />
those with hearing impairments.<br />
Imagine if there was a raft of helpful<br />
people everywhere for those with<br />
cognitive issues.<br />
You’re dreaming, I hear you say. That<br />
will never happen. And I know you<br />
are right. There are too many people<br />
who think that those with disability<br />
are a negligible minority who do not<br />
need that much help. It’s not too<br />
many years ago that people with<br />
disability were expected to stay at<br />
home. Out of sight, out of mind.<br />
When I was growing up on a farm<br />
in the southwest of WA, we knew a<br />
family whose son was born around<br />
the time I was. Unfortunately, he was<br />
born with disability, both cognitive<br />
and physical. I was horrified one<br />
day when we visited, and the son<br />
was tied up to the kitchen table<br />
and sitting underneath it. This<br />
was explained as a way of keeping<br />
him safe while the parents were<br />
out working on their farm. In<br />
subsequent years he attended what<br />
in those days was called a ‘special<br />
school’. I hope he achieved some<br />
happiness in his life.<br />
Nevertheless, I like to imagine a<br />
different world. In a world that was<br />
designed with more thought for<br />
people with disability, there would<br />
be no barriers to stop anyone<br />
from doing whatever they wanted<br />
or needed in order to live a<br />
fulfilling life.<br />
Over the years since I first started<br />
struggling to walk because of my MS,<br />
I have done my best to encourage<br />
others to make changes wherever<br />
they could to make life easier for<br />
people like us. I have written and<br />
published reviews of restaurants<br />
that explain their accessibility or<br />
lack thereof. And spoken up when<br />
I’ve been in venues with problems.<br />
I have told my personal stories<br />
many times both in writing and in<br />
oral form when given the chance. I<br />
have joined organisations that work<br />
towards improving the situation for<br />
people with disability.<br />
I remember going to a restaurant<br />
many years ago which did have a<br />
wheelchair accessible bathroom.<br />
However, when I tried to go in, I<br />
discovered it was being used to<br />
store excess chairs. There was barely<br />
room for an able-bodied person to<br />
move in there, let alone someone in<br />
a wheelchair. What the h…?<br />
When I went to the management<br />
and pointed this out, they were<br />
apologetic and removed the chairs.<br />
I can only hope they never put them<br />
back again.<br />
Of course, things are better these<br />
days than they were even a mere<br />
twenty years ago. Efforts have been<br />
made. Most public buildings have<br />
access for people with disability.<br />
Even buses are able to be lowered<br />
to kerb level with a drop down ramp,<br />
meaning I, and others, can access<br />
them. There are tactile ridges in<br />
pavements near bus stops so that<br />
people with visual impairments can<br />
tell where the bus stop is. Mind you,<br />
for someone in a wheelchair those<br />
ridges are quite annoying, but I’m<br />
glad they are there nevertheless.<br />
Well, I will go on imagining and<br />
dreaming, and doing my little bit<br />
to improve the world for people<br />
with disability.<br />
ROS HARMAN<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
If you would like to know more about disability rights<br />
and advocacy, People with Disabilities WA (PWdWA)<br />
has some great projects, campaigns and resources.<br />
Visit: pwdwa.org<br />
16
COMMUNTY SUPPORT<br />
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN FOCUS:<br />
OUR ROLE AT <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
In this winter’s edition of <strong>Bulletin</strong>, we are shining a light on one of the most critical and diverse<br />
teams at <strong>MSWA</strong> – the Community Support team. Our team supports people living with a<br />
neurological condition by coordinating in-home care services that range from personal care to<br />
meal preparation and domestic assistance to social support.<br />
In-home care is an integral part<br />
of the support provided to <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Clients by ensuring they can live<br />
well and at home while managing<br />
their neurological condition.<br />
The benefits of in-home care to<br />
people living with a disability<br />
cannot be downplayed, cultivating<br />
a strong sense of independence<br />
for our Clients while also assisting<br />
their families.<br />
Community Support currently<br />
manages over 400 support workers<br />
across metropolitan Perth and the<br />
South West. We provide an average<br />
of 29,907 hours of services per<br />
month to more than 650 Clients<br />
living with a neurological condition<br />
– numbers that are both challenging<br />
to manage from a logistical<br />
perspective, but also highlight<br />
the scale of the work we do in the<br />
community and the breadth of<br />
services provided on a daily basis.<br />
Like so many other care-related<br />
services, since the roll out of the<br />
National Disability Insurance<br />
Scheme (NDIS), we are experiencing<br />
an ongoing need for support<br />
workers. We value skilled, patient,<br />
confident, approachable and, of<br />
course, compassionate qualities<br />
in our team of support workers<br />
to ensure Client-centred care<br />
is provided.<br />
Just like our Clients’ needs are<br />
diverse and individualised, we<br />
aim to provide our team with the<br />
support they need, acknowledging<br />
that the role of the support worker<br />
is a rewarding, but sometimes<br />
challenging one.<br />
Now more than ever with<br />
the advent of the pandemic,<br />
we know that we are all in<br />
this together!<br />
For the rest of <strong>2021</strong>, the Community<br />
Support team continues to be<br />
driven by our goal of improving our<br />
Clients’ lives and providing quality<br />
support services. In the next edition<br />
of <strong>Bulletin</strong>, we hope to feature some<br />
of our valued support workers, so<br />
you can get to know them better.<br />
DENISE VOGELS<br />
COMMUNITY TEAM LEADER<br />
OUR NEW REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER<br />
As <strong>MSWA</strong> continues to extend its services throughout the South<br />
West and Great Southern regions, we have appointed Jane Booth<br />
as Regional Operations Manager. This newly created role will offer<br />
leadership and support to our teams throughout the regions.<br />
Jane brings a range of managerial experience in both the community<br />
service and training sectors. A long-term resident of the South West,<br />
Jane has also served the local community for several years as a St<br />
John’s volunteer ambulance officer.<br />
Keen to promote a positive workplace culture with a focus on safety<br />
and wellness, Jane looks forward to working with the team at <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
17
ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES<br />
‘MS TO THE MINUTE’ WORKSHOP<br />
In April, our clinicians had the opportunity to attend the ‘MS to the Minute’ workshop, during<br />
which latest updates on MS treatment and its management were shared. Together with other<br />
experts in the MS clinical space, Perth’s key MS consultants were present to provide insight into<br />
MS clinics and treatments – both current and new.<br />
Consultant Neurologists Prof<br />
Bill Carroll, Dr Jason Burton and<br />
Dr Kevin O’Connor presented<br />
information on current treatment<br />
options and case studies of current<br />
and new MS medications. COVID-19<br />
and what it means for people with<br />
MS was also discussed, along with<br />
some updates on vaccines. Prof<br />
Carroll provided us with some<br />
insights into the most recent MS<br />
research and a global update<br />
on the pandemic. Dr O’Connor,<br />
who is one of Australia’s leading<br />
neuroimmunologists, provided our<br />
clinicians with an overview of the<br />
various vaccines currently being<br />
rolled out worldwide and the impact<br />
on the various Disease Modifying<br />
Therapies. Dr Burton used real world<br />
data on specific Disease Modifying<br />
Therapies and their interactions<br />
with vaccines.<br />
Sue Shapland, our General Manager<br />
Strategic Supports & Residential<br />
Options, shared her knowledge on<br />
MS in the community and within<br />
residential facilities and how the<br />
introduction of the NDIS has<br />
created opportunities for <strong>MSWA</strong> to<br />
expand our services.<br />
Also present to share their<br />
knowledge on continence and pain<br />
management were KJ Lazarus (MS<br />
Immunotherapy and Continence<br />
Support Nurse) and Tim O’Maley<br />
(MS Nurse Practitioner). To apply<br />
practical learning, Lisa Papas<br />
(Manager Counselling, <strong>MSWA</strong>)<br />
and Petrina Keating (Neurological<br />
Nurse, <strong>MSWA</strong>) conducted case<br />
studies with all involved.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> has always believed in<br />
professional development for<br />
its staff members.<br />
This workshop has been an<br />
initiative to upskill our clinicians<br />
and provide updates on the latest<br />
initiatives around MS treatment<br />
and medication. As new therapies<br />
are constantly being trialled it is<br />
important that we keep abreast<br />
of latest developments so that we<br />
can better support our Clients in a<br />
constantly changing environment.<br />
To access the <strong>MSWA</strong> Nurse Support<br />
Line, call 9365 4888 or email<br />
nursesupportline@mswa.org.au<br />
CAROL CHONG<br />
MANAGER<br />
ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES<br />
PAIN & PAIN MANAGEMENT SERIES<br />
Over the next few editions of <strong>Bulletin</strong>, we bring you a series of articles on pain and pain management.<br />
Opposite, Neurological Liaison Nurse Bronwyn Innes, who has a specialty background in pain<br />
management, explains the different types of pain, how to recognise it in others, and the first steps<br />
to take in seeking help.<br />
Future editions will explore specific strategies for managing your pain.<br />
18
NURSING<br />
TYPES<br />
OF PAIN<br />
Pain can be described as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with<br />
actual or potential tissue damage.<br />
Pain results from complex brain<br />
processes which are influenced by<br />
overlapping physical, psychological<br />
and environmental factors.<br />
All pain is an individual human<br />
experience which is totally<br />
subjective and can only be<br />
truly appreciated by the person<br />
experiencing the pain.<br />
A person’s attitudes, beliefs and<br />
personality can strongly affect their<br />
pain experience.<br />
Pain can be divided into two main<br />
categories: Acute and Chronic (or<br />
Persistent)<br />
Acute Pain is pain that lasts for a<br />
short time and occurs after surgery,<br />
trauma or other conditions. It acts<br />
as a warning signal that tells us<br />
something is wrong with our body<br />
and to seek help.<br />
Chronic (or Persistent) Pain is pain<br />
that lasts beyond the time expected<br />
for healing following surgery,<br />
trauma or other conditions. It is<br />
often associated with an increased<br />
pain experience, not just in the area<br />
of injury but also in the surrounding<br />
tissues and nerves.<br />
There are two types of pain that<br />
may become chronic:<br />
Nociceptive Pain is pain caused by<br />
tissue damage such as a broken<br />
bone, a sprained ankle or pulled<br />
muscle. Musculoskeletal pain such<br />
as back pain caused by sitting for<br />
long periods, muscle stiffness,<br />
weakness and walking difficulties<br />
and muscle or joint pain due to<br />
spasms or muscle stiffness are<br />
also examples of nociceptive pain.<br />
In these cases the pain normally<br />
settles as the tissue heals, but it can<br />
persist and become chronic.<br />
Neuropathic Pain results from<br />
damage to nerves. It occurs due to<br />
changes in nerves of the Central<br />
Nervous System (the spinal cord<br />
and brain) after an injury to a nerve.<br />
Examples of neuropathic pain<br />
include shingles, phantom limb pain,<br />
complex regional pain syndrome,<br />
trigeminal neuralgia, post-incisional<br />
pain caused by surgery.<br />
REPORTING PAIN<br />
If you have pain concerns discuss<br />
these with your family, carer,<br />
neurological nurse or GP. It is<br />
important to investigate your pain<br />
and why it occurs in order to develop<br />
strategies for any daily, sudden,<br />
severe or new pain, changes in your<br />
pain or unusual sensations.<br />
When reporting your pain, or that<br />
of a family member, to your GP it is<br />
helpful to describe where it is, how<br />
it feels, when it is felt and how it<br />
affects you or your family member.<br />
For carers and family members<br />
of non-verbal adults or children,<br />
indicators of pain may include: facial<br />
grimacing or frowning, guarding<br />
part of the body or withdrawing<br />
from touch, moaning, groaning or<br />
crying, restlessness and agitation.<br />
After assessment by a medical<br />
professional such as the GP or a<br />
pain consultant, an appropriate<br />
treatment plan can be made<br />
to reduce the experience of<br />
pain and improve quality of life.<br />
Pain assessment and effective<br />
management strategies are of<br />
high importance as these are of<br />
benefit in improving resilience and<br />
enabling continuance of activities<br />
even when pain is a challenge.<br />
BRONWYN INNES<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> NEUROLOGICAL<br />
LIAISON NURSE<br />
19
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
INVISIBLE<br />
THING<br />
BY PETER JONES<br />
I don’t look sick<br />
You don’t look stupid<br />
But looks can be deceiving<br />
It’s not a psychological thing<br />
This thing is very real<br />
Out of sight, out of mind<br />
not visible<br />
The whole thing is quite surreal.<br />
Some days are diamonds<br />
Some days are stones<br />
Fatigue at times<br />
won’t leave me alone<br />
I’m not drunk<br />
I may stagger a little<br />
Labelling me alcoholic<br />
Only manages to belittle.<br />
Summer heat - debilitating<br />
Limitations imposed - irritating<br />
Independence - diminishing<br />
Relying on others - frustrating<br />
Prognosis - mystifying<br />
General attitude - misunderstanding<br />
Life has shifted dramatically since diagnosis<br />
This invisible thing, Multiple Sclerosis.<br />
“I was informally diagnosed<br />
with multiple sclerosis 67<br />
years ago at the age of<br />
nine. This diagnosis was<br />
not formalised until 1989,<br />
following the introduction<br />
of MRI as a diagnostic tool.<br />
My current age, together<br />
with the accumulative<br />
weaknesses from three MS<br />
events over the years, have<br />
me needing to use a stick to<br />
get around. I attend physio<br />
at Beechboro once a week<br />
and have benefited greatly<br />
from being involved in the<br />
support group. I am grateful<br />
for the life I have and to<br />
members of the support<br />
group for sharing their<br />
life experiences.<br />
“Writing poetry provides<br />
me with an ability to<br />
express thoughts and<br />
feelings about my life and<br />
the world around me.<br />
“This poem is intended<br />
to express some of the<br />
frustrations associated<br />
with MS.”<br />
PETER JONES<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
20
COUNSELLING<br />
DID YOU KNOW THAT HOBBIES<br />
ARE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR<br />
MENTAL HEALTH?<br />
<strong>Winter</strong> is here and it is the perfect time to pursue your favourite hobbies.<br />
Having a hobby is not just about<br />
passing the days or enjoying quality<br />
‘me time’ but is crucial for our<br />
wellbeing and mental health. A<br />
hobby is a wonderful way to spend<br />
your spare time and unwind from<br />
our daily routines.<br />
Research has shown that people<br />
with hobbies rarely suffer from<br />
stress, depression, or low mood.<br />
Hobbies are vital for mental health,<br />
can make us feel happier and<br />
more relaxed. Hobbies promote<br />
mindfulness and staying present,<br />
become more patient, and help us<br />
to sleep better.<br />
My Clients have a vast variety<br />
of hobbies; these include<br />
knitting, patchwork, collecting<br />
antique postcards, scrapbooking,<br />
gardening, and painting to mention<br />
a few.<br />
Here are some other ideas:<br />
Music is a wonderful hobby.<br />
Listening to your favourite music<br />
or learning to play an instrument<br />
helps to relieve stress and channel<br />
uncomfortable emotions. Playing<br />
or singing with a group is a great<br />
way to communicate with others.<br />
Gardening is one of the best<br />
hobbies to get you in touch with<br />
nature. You could plant some of<br />
your favourite flowers, start an<br />
herb or vegetable patch, or simply<br />
pot up new indoor plants. Physical<br />
gardening, if you are able, provides<br />
endurance, flexibility, and strength.<br />
Yoga is good for our mental and<br />
physical health. Yoga can calm<br />
our nervous system, help with<br />
depression, and reduce muscle<br />
tension. You do not have to leave<br />
home to attend a class – you can<br />
install a yoga app on your phone<br />
and practice at home. Chair yoga is<br />
another option. A few minutes a day<br />
can produce positive effects.<br />
Writing is one of the simplest<br />
hobbies and all you need is a<br />
pen and paper. You can write<br />
how you feel every day, write<br />
short stories, poetry<br />
and maybe even a book.<br />
Whether your hobby is creative,<br />
academic or something personal,<br />
it should be meaningful and<br />
enjoyable. The main goal of a hobby<br />
is that it gives you the opportunity<br />
to express yourself and relax at the<br />
same time. Always be on the lookout<br />
for new interests and hobbies.<br />
The more your mind works the<br />
more healthy it will stay.<br />
JEAN HUDSON<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> SENIOR COUNSELLOR<br />
21
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
AN INCREDIBLE<br />
CAREER OF<br />
PASTORAL CARE<br />
& GENEROSITY<br />
OF SPIRIT<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Client & Volunteer,<br />
Margaret Wells.<br />
As she approaches both her 80th birthday and her ten years of voluntary service for <strong>MSWA</strong>,<br />
Margaret Wells reflects on the two things that have kept her positive over the years: keeping<br />
busy (with hobbies and volunteering) and caring for others.<br />
From 1970, Margaret worked for<br />
three decades as a boarding school<br />
housemistress, seeing to the<br />
practical and emotional wellbeing<br />
of innumerable teenagers.<br />
She started in Geraldton, spending<br />
19 years in a boys’ boarding house,<br />
the John Frewer Hostel. She<br />
later moved to Perth and spent<br />
three years at Iona Presentation<br />
College, and finally, 12 years at<br />
Penrhos College.<br />
Throughout these 21 years in Perth,<br />
Margaret was also a voluntary tour<br />
guide for Burswood Park Heritage<br />
Trail, regaling visitors with stories<br />
of the dozen bronze sculptures<br />
and other public works and<br />
landmarks that are peppered along<br />
the riverfront.<br />
22
MS DIAGNOSIS<br />
It was in 2000, when Margaret was<br />
aged 59, that she was diagnosed<br />
with multiple sclerosis.<br />
“I’d been experiencing symptoms<br />
many, many years before diagnosis,”<br />
recalls Margaret. “They were<br />
arthritis-like symptoms. But I knew<br />
myself it was more than that.<br />
“When I was diagnosed with MS, I<br />
knew absolutely nothing about it. I<br />
didn’t know anyone with MS back<br />
then. It was a bit of a shock, but<br />
at the same time a relief to know<br />
something was wrong – to have it<br />
confirmed.<br />
“My GP sent me to the MS Society<br />
(now <strong>MSWA</strong>). I had a chat to the<br />
nurse and went to a few events for<br />
those who are newly diagnosed.”<br />
Margaret was still working at the<br />
time, so started going along to a<br />
‘workers after dark’ support group<br />
at the <strong>MSWA</strong> Wilson Services Centre<br />
once a month. “We’d chat about<br />
MS and we’d each take something<br />
for dinner.”<br />
A NOT-SO-QUIET RETIREMENT<br />
Margaret retired from her boarding<br />
school career a couple of years after<br />
diagnosis. “I was starting to feel<br />
fatigued, going up and down those<br />
stairs. You know when enough’s<br />
enough. If you’re smart you retire<br />
on a high.”<br />
A story Margaret often tells people<br />
involves her life-long desire to<br />
visit New Zealand. “The day I was<br />
diagnosed, I came out of the<br />
neurologist’s office and thought ‘I<br />
might not be able to walk someday’.<br />
I went straight to the travel agent<br />
and booked a trip to New Zealand!<br />
“I’ve always kept that determination<br />
– that this isn’t going to beat me.”<br />
Margaret’s travels continued into<br />
her sixties and seventies, enjoying<br />
bus tours in the UK, Europe<br />
and Canada.<br />
“I’ve been one of the lucky ones,”<br />
she reflects. “My condition didn’t<br />
deteriorate over the years. I chose<br />
not to start medication. I thought,<br />
‘I’ve managed with this for so many<br />
years, I think I can keep going’.”<br />
Margaret does struggle with fatigue<br />
and pins and needles, but says it’s<br />
manageable.<br />
“I looked after all the kids in boarding<br />
houses with these symptoms and I<br />
coped. I’m still going, still able to do<br />
things.”<br />
She enjoys spending time with her<br />
family (she has five grandchildren<br />
and five great-grandchildren,<br />
whom she adores).<br />
“My twin granddaughters turned<br />
21 this year. Their brother, the<br />
youngest, turned 15 yesterday. We<br />
celebrated over breakfast; my son<br />
cooks a mean breakfast!”<br />
Another activity Margaret enjoys<br />
is her RSLWA Poppy Ladies craft<br />
group. She recalls 2018 when the<br />
group knitted 62,000 handcrafted<br />
red poppies that were placed on the<br />
lawns at Kings Park for the 100th<br />
anniversary of Armistice Day.<br />
“I also go to a walking club, we walk<br />
through Carousel Shopping Centre<br />
at 8.30am once a week. I do Prime<br />
Movers and gardening too.<br />
“I’m 80 next month, so I should<br />
probably wind down a little bit!”<br />
Margaret’s neurological condition<br />
remains stable and she values the<br />
difference <strong>MSWA</strong>’s physiotherapy<br />
team have made.<br />
“We’ve a great group at<br />
hydrotherapy on a Monday. We stay<br />
for lunch and a cup of tea. We’re all<br />
tired from the session and we chat<br />
about how we’re feeling, which can<br />
be just as helpful as the physical<br />
therapy. It’s good to be in touch<br />
with people who know how you<br />
feel, what you’re going through.”<br />
VOLUNTEERING FOR <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
In 2011, Margaret began volunteering<br />
for <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
“I had to give up golf, and I was<br />
looking for something else to do. An<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> occupational therapist came<br />
out to advise me about handrails<br />
in my new bathroom and she<br />
mentioned volunteering at <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
“I thought ‘I don’t know when I’ll<br />
need a bit more help along the<br />
way’. It’s been my way of paying it<br />
forward.”<br />
Margaret began in the mail room,<br />
putting leaflets into envelopes, and<br />
soon moved to assisting with the<br />
weekly Outreach group.<br />
“It’ll be 10 years next week. Making<br />
morning teas and cuppas for 10<br />
years!”<br />
AN ALTRUISTIC ATTITUDE<br />
Margaret explains how helping<br />
others is what has got her through<br />
the difficult times.<br />
“My saving grace was my twin<br />
granddaughters, Tayla and Paige.<br />
They were born in May and I was<br />
diagnosed in July. My son and his<br />
wife were battling with two babies,<br />
so I decided to be there for them as<br />
much as possible and threw myself<br />
into helping them.<br />
“The diagnosis didn’t bother me<br />
so much because I kept telling<br />
myself ‘these little ones need me<br />
now’. That’s how I got through the<br />
first year.”<br />
She explains that she doesn’t get<br />
low, just very tired.<br />
“I’ve got to say to myself ‘stop’ and<br />
have a few days off. I know when<br />
to stop. I think that’s important.<br />
Keep people around you and keep<br />
busy if you can. I’m ever so grateful<br />
my condition has remained stable.<br />
I hold onto that.”<br />
23
BRAND, MARKETING & SALES<br />
2020 <strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT SATISFACTION<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> invited Clients who received at least one service from us to provide feedback. We asked them about<br />
their satisfaction with services, likelihood to recommend, and overall experiences with <strong>MSWA</strong> in a year that was<br />
impacted by a global pandemic. We are thankful for those who took part as the results help us understand the<br />
needs of our Clients better and improve our performance.<br />
OVERALL SATISFACTION<br />
Dissatisfied<br />
7%<br />
Very Dissatisfied<br />
3%<br />
Accommodation<br />
100%<br />
Respite<br />
94%<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong><br />
2019 92%<br />
2019 88%<br />
Satisfied<br />
36%<br />
Very<br />
Satisfied<br />
54%<br />
90%<br />
Client<br />
Relationship<br />
Coordinator<br />
Client<br />
Liaison<br />
Coordinator<br />
2019 92%<br />
91%<br />
94%<br />
New in 2020<br />
New in 2020<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> EXCCEDS EXPECTATIONS<br />
31%<br />
40%<br />
2019<br />
CLIENTS OF <strong>MSWA</strong> FEEL<br />
No<br />
Sometimes<br />
Yes<br />
NET<br />
Agree<br />
Respected 97%<br />
Valued 92%<br />
Listened to 94%<br />
LIKELIHOOD TO RECOMMEND <strong>MSWA</strong> (NET PROMOTER SCORE)<br />
20 0 20<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients<br />
Promoters are loyal and likely to repurchase; Passives are susceptible to competitors;<br />
Detractors require proactive outreach to mitigate brand damage.<br />
40 60 80 100<br />
Clients were asked how likely they would be to recommend <strong>MSWA</strong> to others on a scale of 0 to 10<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> NPS<br />
+43<br />
+45<br />
2019<br />
80 % of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
15<br />
17<br />
Detractors<br />
(0-6)<br />
25<br />
23<br />
Passives<br />
(7-8)<br />
2019<br />
60<br />
60<br />
Promoters<br />
(9-10)<br />
Reasons for recommending <strong>MSWA</strong>:<br />
• Caring and helpful staff<br />
• Great service<br />
• Professionalism<br />
Reasons for not recommending <strong>MSWA</strong>:<br />
• Quality of services not<br />
meeting expectations<br />
• Lack of communication<br />
and engagement<br />
Net Promoter Score = % Promoters – % Detractors<br />
24
SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF SERVICE<br />
BY SERVICE<br />
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied<br />
Satisfied Very Satisfied<br />
NET<br />
Satisfied<br />
Physiotherapy 97%<br />
Counselling 98%<br />
Community Support 91%<br />
Occupational Therapy 93%<br />
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19<br />
Strongly Disagree (1) + 2 3 + 4 5 + 6<br />
7 + 8 9 + Strongly Agree (10)<br />
I was happy<br />
with <strong>MSWA</strong>’s<br />
methods of<br />
communication<br />
Mean /10<br />
7.8<br />
Nursing 91%<br />
Speech Pathology 94%<br />
Dietetics 98%<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> was<br />
handling<br />
Clients’<br />
needs well<br />
7.7<br />
Social Welfare 93%<br />
40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients using a service<br />
40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients<br />
Mean /10<br />
SATISFACTION WITH SKILLS OF STAFF<br />
BY SERVICE<br />
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied<br />
Satisfied Very Satisfied<br />
NET<br />
Satisfied<br />
Physiotherapy 97%<br />
Counselling 98%<br />
I felt supported<br />
as an <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Client during<br />
this time<br />
The frequency of<br />
communication<br />
from <strong>MSWA</strong> was<br />
adequate<br />
7.7<br />
7.6<br />
Nursing 94%<br />
Occupational Therapy 97%<br />
Speech Pathology 96%<br />
Dietetics 98%<br />
Social Welfare 89%<br />
SATISFACTION WITH AVAILABILITY<br />
BY SERVICE<br />
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied<br />
Satisfied Very Satisfied<br />
NET<br />
Satisfied<br />
Counselling 100%<br />
Speech Pathology 94%<br />
Outreach<br />
(opening hours)<br />
40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients using a service<br />
97%<br />
Physiotherapy 92%<br />
Occupational Therapy 92%<br />
Nursing 90%<br />
Dietetics 93%<br />
Social Welfare 88%<br />
40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients using a service<br />
40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100<br />
% of <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients<br />
WHO RESPONDED<br />
PARTICIPANTS BY SERVICE<br />
Online Phone TOTAL<br />
Service n= % n= % n= %<br />
Physiotherapy 161 68% 106 69% 267 68%<br />
Nursing 129 54% 68 44% 197 50%<br />
Occupational Therapy 90 38% 65 42% 155 40%<br />
Community Support 80 34% 74 48% 154 39%<br />
Social Welfare 83 35% 45 29% 128 33%<br />
Support Coordination 66 28% 38 25% 104 27%<br />
Counselling 65 27% 20 13% 85 22%<br />
Speech Pathology 50 21% 42 27% 92 24%<br />
Outreach 36 15% 37 24% 73 19%<br />
Residential Respite 12 5% 5 3% 17 4%<br />
Accommodation 11 5% 23 15% 34 9%<br />
TOTAL 237 61% 154 39% 391 100%<br />
Age:<br />
18-39 5%<br />
40-49 13%<br />
50-64 44%<br />
65+ 38%<br />
Location:<br />
Metro 87%<br />
Regional 26%<br />
Condition:<br />
MS 77%<br />
ONC 23%<br />
Tenure:<br />
Less than<br />
a year 8%<br />
More than<br />
a year 92%<br />
Gender:<br />
Female 70%<br />
Male 30%<br />
25
PHYSIOTHERAPY<br />
FIGHTMASTER COMING TO NEW<br />
ALBANY SERVICES CENTRE<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Rockingham Client, Charles Van Niekerk, greatly attests to the benefits of boxing in<br />
managing his Parkinson’s symptoms – both physical and cognitive. So much so, that he and<br />
his family were inspired to hold a community fundraiser to enable <strong>MSWA</strong> to purchase a new<br />
Fightmaster for one of our Services Centres.<br />
For World Parkinson’s Day <strong>2021</strong>,<br />
Charles’ wife Nola and his two<br />
sisters-in-law cooked large quantities<br />
of a delicious South African street<br />
food dish they grew up with called<br />
‘bunny chow’: a hollowed out loaf of<br />
bread filled with bean curry, chicken<br />
curry or lamb curry.<br />
Friends and family flocked to<br />
Charles’ and Nola’s Success home<br />
to buy themselves a Saturdaynight-takeaway-to-remember.<br />
The amount raised was an<br />
incredible $1,650.<br />
“We didn’t expect to make that<br />
amount,” says Charles. “Nola was<br />
saying that if we make five or six<br />
hundred dollars we’ll be happy.”<br />
But their friends and family turned<br />
up in droves to show their support.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s Physiotherapy Manager,<br />
James Beckett – who himself<br />
attended the event – says he is<br />
thrilled that their fundraising efforts<br />
have allowed him to purchase<br />
a further Fightmaster boxing<br />
machine for the benefit of people<br />
living with Parkinson’s in WA.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Client, Charles Van Niekerk, and <strong>MSWA</strong> Physiotherapy Manager,<br />
James Beckett, with the Fightmaster boxing machine.<br />
Charles too is delighted at<br />
the outcome. “It’s a cause<br />
that is very important to me.<br />
Nola and I really appreciate<br />
everyone who came along to<br />
our fundraiser.”<br />
Fightmasters are currently available<br />
to <strong>MSWA</strong> Clients who attend<br />
physiotherapy in Rockingham,<br />
Kelmscott, Butler, Beechboro and<br />
now – thanks to Charles and Nola<br />
– Clients in Albany will have access<br />
when the spacious new Services<br />
Centre opens next year.<br />
26
MASSAGE<br />
THERAPY<br />
AT <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
JAMES BECKETT<br />
MANAGER PHYSIOTHERAPY<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> has been providing massage therapy for over 20 years. There is overwhelming evidence<br />
in support of massage being effective in helping people manage their disability.<br />
The majority and most robust<br />
evidence is in the management<br />
of pain, a common complaint<br />
of people with neurological<br />
conditions. There is also growing<br />
evidence that massage has a<br />
positive effect on balance, stability,<br />
mobility (specifically, improved gait<br />
speed) and reduction of disability.<br />
Through its therapeutic benefits,<br />
massage can promote independence<br />
and help people with a disability<br />
participate in work and within their<br />
communities. These outcomes are<br />
also amongst the most common that<br />
people list as being their overarching<br />
NDIS plan goals.<br />
At <strong>MSWA</strong> a typical massage<br />
session is from 30 minutes to 1<br />
hour. Massage techniques, areas<br />
of focus and number of sessions<br />
are guided by a Client’s long-term<br />
goals and assessment findings.<br />
These treatments often occur in<br />
combination with other therapies<br />
(eg physiotherapy) to better help<br />
clients achieve their goals. Clients<br />
are assessed at the time of their first<br />
appointment. This ensures that the<br />
service is not only one that the Client<br />
wants, but also one that is deemed<br />
beneficial to their symptoms and<br />
condition.<br />
As massage is not currently<br />
funded through the NDIS,<br />
we offer massage to all Clients<br />
on a fee-for-service basis<br />
through our highly qualified<br />
therapists. Appointments of<br />
15 to 60 minutes’ duration<br />
can be booked subject to<br />
availability. Please contact<br />
your Physiotherapist or<br />
Client Liaison Coordinator<br />
for more information.<br />
WOULD YOU PREFER TO<br />
RECEIVE BULLETIN ONLINE?<br />
If you would like to opt-out of receiving a paper copy of this publication,<br />
please contact communications@mswa.org.au to sign up to the e-magazine.<br />
27
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY<br />
POSTURAL CARE<br />
There are 24 hours in a day. Out of 8,760 hours of the year, a<br />
person with movement problems will spend approximately<br />
3,640 hours in bed.*<br />
Good sleep positioning is important.<br />
Once the hips and knees lose the<br />
ability to straighten fully, the legs<br />
will adopt an avoidable position<br />
with either the knees together,<br />
the knees out to the side, or a<br />
‘windswept’ position with both<br />
knees to one side.<br />
Maintaining or improving sleep<br />
quality and quantity are equally<br />
as important as maintaining an<br />
effective night time position. A<br />
good position is usually more<br />
symmetrical, more supportive, and<br />
with less risk of pressure. Lying on<br />
your back in a supportive position,<br />
compared to lying unsupported on<br />
your side allows the force of gravity<br />
to be used in positive manner to<br />
keep your spine in neutral and to<br />
gently stretch your knees and hips.<br />
Night time positioning<br />
equipment needs to<br />
be simple in order to<br />
be effective.<br />
The <strong>MSWA</strong> OT team has recently<br />
been approved to purchase the<br />
Simple Stuff Works Positioning<br />
System which is available to trial.<br />
The kit consists of two layers of nonslip<br />
mesh which cover the mattress<br />
and supports are placed in between<br />
these layers to keep the person<br />
comfortable and well positioned.<br />
Some people may need support<br />
to correct established problems<br />
such as chest rotation – this is<br />
easily done using the Simple Stuff<br />
Works System.<br />
Temperature control when using<br />
night time positioning equipment<br />
can be complicated. However, the<br />
Simple Stuff Works Positioning<br />
System aims to address this by<br />
providing breathable, temperate<br />
fibres which wick away perspiration.<br />
The mesh allows air to circulate to<br />
maintain a neutral environment for<br />
temperature.<br />
Speak to your Occupational<br />
Therapist today about trialling<br />
this positioning equipment and a<br />
range of pillows to see if this would<br />
suit you.<br />
* Source: Simple Stuff Works<br />
Associates, 2015<br />
NABAA SAMNAKAY<br />
SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL<br />
THERAPIST<br />
SPECIALIST DISABILITY<br />
ACCOMMODATION (SDA) ASSESSMENTS<br />
The Occupational Therapy team are excited to announce a new service for eligible NDIS Clients.<br />
We have been trained and can now assist our NDIS Clients to transition into Specialist Disability<br />
Accommodation (SDA).<br />
SDA is a form of housing that is<br />
specifically designed to support<br />
Clients to receive the support that<br />
they need to live in the community.<br />
There are different housing types<br />
that our occupational therapists<br />
can recommend, such as:<br />
/ high physical support (housing that<br />
has been designed to incorporate<br />
high level of physical access),<br />
/ fully accessible (appropriate for<br />
Clients that have high physical<br />
needs),<br />
/ robust (housing that is made out<br />
of strong materials and requires<br />
less maintenance to reduce risk to<br />
the participant and community),<br />
/ improved liveability (housing<br />
with reasonable level of physical<br />
access).<br />
Our occupational therapists work<br />
with you to assess your needs<br />
and current home environment<br />
to determine the best housing<br />
and support options for yourself<br />
and your family. It is important to<br />
us to ensure that everyone has<br />
the opportunity to live in a safe,<br />
comfortable environment that<br />
meets their expectations and<br />
improves their quality of life.<br />
To enquire about eligibility for an<br />
SDA assessment, please contact<br />
your Client Liaison Coordinator<br />
(CLC) or your Support Coordinator<br />
for a referral to the OT department.<br />
LINA MAGEED<br />
SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL<br />
THERAPIST<br />
28
BRAND, MARKETING & SALES<br />
REGISTRATIONS OPEN SOON!<br />
The <strong>MSWA</strong> Stationary Cycle Challenge is a cycling challenge<br />
completed on a stationary bike over an 8-week period,<br />
concluding the week of the <strong>MSWA</strong> Ocean Ride event.<br />
As an <strong>MSWA</strong> Client, you can register for the challenge and<br />
track your distance on a stationary bike as part of your weekly<br />
physiotherapy routine.<br />
We offer prizes for the Highest Individual Fundraiser, Most<br />
Kilometres Ridden by an Individual, and Most Kilometres Ridden<br />
by a Team (they get to host the perpetual shield for the year!)<br />
How to get involved:<br />
1. Registrations open Monday, 23 August <strong>2021</strong><br />
2. Sign up for FREE with your physio or visit at<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>OceanRide.org.au<br />
3. Ride between Monday, 27 September <strong>2021</strong> and Friday, 19<br />
November <strong>2021</strong> during your weekly physiotherapy sessions.<br />
4. Make a difference for <strong>MSWA</strong>!<br />
For enquiries please contact events@mswa.org.au<br />
or call 6454 3131<br />
“For anyone else who'd like to<br />
give the <strong>MSWA</strong> Stationary Cycle<br />
Challenge a go, I would say do it!<br />
It's a fabulous way to exercise and<br />
the funds it raises goes to a great<br />
cause – <strong>MSWA</strong>.”<br />
Liz Elliot, <strong>MSWA</strong> Client<br />
This year will be Liz Elliot’s third<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Stationary Cycle Challenge.<br />
Liz lives with an acquired brain<br />
injury – the result of a grade three<br />
brain tumour she was diagnosed<br />
with in 2016. <strong>MSWA</strong> has been<br />
heavily involved in her rehabilitation<br />
and the <strong>MSWA</strong> Stationary Cycle<br />
Challenge forms part of her goal to<br />
return to cycling.<br />
29
VOLUNTEERING, CAMPS & RECREATION<br />
VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON <strong>2021</strong><br />
Each year at our Volunteer Luncheon, we recognise some of our volunteers for their invaluable<br />
contribution to <strong>MSWA</strong>. This year, we were pleased to give special thanks the following<br />
volunteers for their service:<br />
Chrystal Ling<br />
Chrystal does wonderful work<br />
supporting our residents over the<br />
weekend, spending time with them<br />
and making the day special. The<br />
staff and management appreciate<br />
Chrystal on many levels for making<br />
a difference in residents’ lives.<br />
John and Sylvia Griffith<br />
Beautiful gardens take a lot of work<br />
to maintain, and this is what John<br />
and Sylvia do for us at Fern River.<br />
They are a true team, and together<br />
they make a massive difference at<br />
Fern River, improving and making<br />
our gardens colourful and beautiful.<br />
Commended by: Danuta Figurska,<br />
Manager - Fern River<br />
Murray Newman<br />
For Murray nothing is too much<br />
trouble, and he has been invaluable<br />
helping out with repairs, gardening,<br />
putting up shelves and hanging<br />
pictures, carrying out monthly<br />
inspections on our van, and doing<br />
odd jobs around the facility.<br />
Commended by: Chris Rush,<br />
Manager - Butler Accommodation<br />
Endera Padmanathan<br />
Endera is reliable, hardworking<br />
and has chef quality knife skills<br />
that any cook would admire. She<br />
is so kind and helpful and has a<br />
wealth of culinary knowledge that<br />
contributes wonderfully to the food<br />
that is prepared in the kitchen.<br />
Thank you Endera for teaching us<br />
so many things.<br />
Commended by: Justine Webb,<br />
Kitchen Supervisor - Wilson<br />
Barbara Williams<br />
Barbara has helped us in the office<br />
for so many years, and she is brilliant.<br />
Barbara is a very optimistic person<br />
bringing us a pleasant atmosphere.<br />
Barbara is a patient and hard worker.<br />
She commenced volunteering at<br />
Fern River in February 2013.<br />
Commended by: Danuta Figurska,<br />
Manager - Fern River<br />
Commended by: Danuta Figurska,<br />
Manager - Fern River<br />
Peter Barnes<br />
Peter is an activities assistant who<br />
goes above and beyond for us all at<br />
Outreach in Beechboro. Peter never<br />
misses a Friday, he puts a smile<br />
on absolutely everyone's face and<br />
our team would not be complete<br />
without him.<br />
Commended by: Chrystal Ruthven,<br />
Outreach Coordinator Beechboro<br />
30
Andrea Donatti<br />
Andrea is one of our dedicated<br />
and reliable Peer Phone Support<br />
volunteers who has been<br />
supporting some of our Clients.<br />
Andrea is an <strong>MSWA</strong> Client which<br />
makes her very relatable when<br />
speaking to others who have MS. I<br />
am very appreciative and grateful<br />
to have Andrea working with us and<br />
helping our <strong>MSWA</strong> community feel<br />
heard, seen and supported.<br />
Commended by: Dajana Tesevic,<br />
Counsellor<br />
Gillian Rawlings<br />
Gillian is new to the team at<br />
Rockingham Outreach. She works in<br />
the kitchen on a Wednesday, which<br />
is a new day for Outreach, and her<br />
volunteering has enabled a lunch to<br />
be offered to our participants. Her<br />
enthusiasm and friendly nature is<br />
to be commended. Gillian is always<br />
willing to oblige no matter what<br />
the task.<br />
Commended by: Peta McCormack-<br />
Luckins, Outreach Coordinator -<br />
Rockingham<br />
Meg Gillespie<br />
Meg works two days a week in the<br />
Wilson kitchen. She is extremely<br />
reliable and always makes an effort<br />
to be friendly with Clients, staff and<br />
other volunteers. Many thanks from<br />
your team, Meg.<br />
Commended by: Justine Webb,<br />
Kitchen Supervisor - Wilson<br />
Anju Shukla<br />
Anju commenced volunteering<br />
a few months ago in the Finance<br />
team and all her help and effort is<br />
really appreciated. It is a pleasure<br />
to work with Anju. She is a team<br />
player, friendly and keen to learn.<br />
She always offers me help if I need<br />
it. She has a positive work attitude<br />
and many qualities that are very<br />
uplifting in the workplace.<br />
Commended by: Sooyian Yap,<br />
Finance Officer<br />
Margaret Wells<br />
Margaret started volunteering at<br />
a time when many are planning<br />
retirement. In August, she reaches<br />
10 years of service in volunteering.<br />
Outreach would certainly not run<br />
as smoothly each week if it wasn’t<br />
for Margaret. Outreach staff and<br />
Clients are enriched by Margaret’s<br />
presence each week and for this we<br />
are very thankful for everything she<br />
does for us.<br />
Commended by: Zuraini Hussain,<br />
Outreach Coordinator - Wilson<br />
OUR NEW VOLUNTEER AND CAMPS COORDINATOR<br />
Hi there! I’m Mala Padmanathan, the new Volunteer and Camps<br />
Coordinator. Interestingly, my journey with <strong>MSWA</strong> started as a<br />
volunteer at Wilson Outreach. After a few months, I decided I<br />
enjoyed it enough to want to stay.<br />
For the last five years, I’ve been a Recreation Support Worker<br />
with <strong>MSWA</strong>, working at some of our facilities including Wilson,<br />
Fern River and Hamilton Hill.<br />
I’m now on a new journey in a new role and am looking forward<br />
to meeting each of you in the weeks to come.<br />
If you or someone you know has an interest in volunteering or<br />
attending an <strong>MSWA</strong> Camp, you can contact me on 6454 3184.<br />
31
ACCOMMODATION & OUTREACH<br />
MARGARET DOODY HOUSE<br />
RESPITE UPDATE<br />
At Margaret Doody House Respite in City Beach we endeavour to provide the most<br />
comprehensive respite experience. It is important for us to create a homely environment<br />
whilst ensuring we support our Clients and meet their needs during their stay with us.<br />
We also want to keep our premises<br />
and equipment well maintained.<br />
Only last month we took delivery<br />
of five new state-of-the-art Wissner<br />
Bosserhoff electric beds, replacing<br />
our well used more basic models<br />
which have served many so well<br />
over the last few years.<br />
This costly replacement of beds and<br />
mattresses has been made possible<br />
by a donation from the Soraggi<br />
family, who very kindly donated one<br />
bed and an electric recliner chair,<br />
and through the allocation of funds<br />
raised by the <strong>MSWA</strong> Ocean Ride<br />
2020 for the remaining four.<br />
We humbly thank the Soraggi<br />
family for their generous donation<br />
and of course all those <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
supporters who participated in, and<br />
donated funds to, the Ocean Ride.<br />
All the beds have been put to good<br />
use and the feedback from our<br />
Clients has been incredible.<br />
If you, or anyone you know, needs<br />
respite support or would like more<br />
information about our amazing<br />
respite facility, please contact<br />
Alimul Tasin or Adam Moore during<br />
business hours on 9385 9574.<br />
And don’t forget our Treendale<br />
Gardens respite facility in<br />
Australind, providing a break<br />
away and some country air!<br />
ALIMUL TASIN<br />
MANAGER – MARGARET DOODY HOUSE<br />
32
OUTREACH HAPPENINGS: WILSON<br />
Here we are already eight months into the year. Time certainly whizzes by and at Wilson<br />
Outreach our Clients, volunteers and staff just seem to get busier. The pace in the atrium and<br />
Occupational Therapy room is a force to be reckoned with.<br />
Clients attend Wilson Outreach<br />
from Mondays to Thursdays. Both<br />
rooms are a hive of activity from<br />
8.30am to around 1.00pm on these<br />
days. As well as the morning tea<br />
trolley doing the rounds, at 10.00am<br />
there are always wonderful cooking<br />
aromas coming from the kitchen.<br />
Lunch is served at midday with two<br />
courses on offer for $4.00, with an<br />
amazing menu to choose from.<br />
As well as celebrating birthdays<br />
and special theme days such as<br />
St Patrick’s day, ANZAC day and<br />
Easter there have been many other<br />
exciting additions to the monthly<br />
program. On the last Thursday of<br />
every month there is the ‘Op-Shop<br />
Cafe' when morning tea is served as a<br />
fundraiser for the group. Everyone's<br />
favourite are the pumpkin scones,<br />
hot out of the oven and baked by<br />
Justine, the Wilson cook. The smell<br />
is divine around the whole building<br />
and that brings many staff along<br />
who support this every month.<br />
During the rest of the month the<br />
Op-Shop is open to both Clients and<br />
staff with all items being sold for<br />
$2.00 each. To highlight the clothes<br />
that were in the shop, Clients<br />
and staff recently participated in<br />
a fashion parade. This was held<br />
in the atrium, showcasing many<br />
glamorous items, together with<br />
scarves and handbags to match.<br />
Not forgetting shoes, which only<br />
enhanced the outfit! Purchases<br />
skyrocketed that day with many<br />
laughs to go with it.<br />
With never a dull moment at<br />
Wilson, a sports tournament was<br />
also held in May. This time it was<br />
an outside activity, for Clients,<br />
staff and volunteers. Numerous<br />
‘stations’ were set up, both under<br />
the patio and on the lawn area as<br />
a round robin tournament. Medals<br />
and participation certificates were<br />
presented before lunch and most<br />
importantly the winning team<br />
announced. Congratulations to ‘The<br />
Pink Team’, who came through with<br />
flying colours. The smiles from all<br />
the photos taken say it all: everyone<br />
was a winner that day.<br />
Well done to Zuraini and her team<br />
for such a fantastic program thus far.<br />
Here's to everyone enjoying the rest<br />
of the year when in attendance at<br />
Wilson Outreach. If you are reading<br />
this and feel Outreach is a place you<br />
would like to visit, please contact<br />
Nicola Ryan, Senior Outreach<br />
Coordinator or Zuraini Hussain,<br />
Wilson Outreach Coordinator,<br />
on 9365 4830.<br />
NICOLA RYAN<br />
SENIOR OUTREACH<br />
COORDINATOR<br />
33
COUNSELLING<br />
THE<br />
IMPORTANCE<br />
OF PETS<br />
Anyone who has ever owned a pet will agree that animals are a great source of unconditional<br />
love and support. But, for an individual with chronic illness, a furry friend can provide much<br />
more than faithful companionship and a good cuddle. Studies show that animals can help<br />
with everything from lowering stress and blood pressure to battling depression and healing<br />
chronic pain.<br />
Here are some of the benefits:<br />
Pets reduce stress<br />
Many people feel stress. Research<br />
shows that just patting a pet can<br />
ease stress and reduce your blood<br />
pressure. Even watching fish<br />
swimming in an aquarium reduces<br />
stress as you relax and practice<br />
mindfulness.<br />
Pets provide companionship<br />
Pets can be affectionate, accepting,<br />
loyal, honest, and consistent. If you<br />
feel isolated with little support, a<br />
pet can help reduce feelings of<br />
loneliness and isolation.<br />
Pets help fulfil the human need<br />
to touch<br />
Most people feel better when they<br />
have physical contact with others.<br />
Simply patting a pet can lower your<br />
heart rate.<br />
Pets require routine and<br />
organisation<br />
Most pets require a routine of<br />
feeding, cleaning and exercise.<br />
This can give you purpose and<br />
motivation which can help your<br />
self-esteem, wellbeing and mental<br />
health.<br />
Pets provide a sense of purpose<br />
A pet can provide you with a sense<br />
of purpose, which helps improve<br />
mental health conditions like<br />
depression and anxiety.<br />
Pets increase your<br />
social interaction<br />
Pets create opportunities for<br />
social interaction as pet-friendly<br />
events, beaches or parks can help<br />
increase your social network. If<br />
you are uncomfortable with social<br />
interactions, your pet can be your<br />
own special ’support person’, as<br />
it is often easier to face difficult<br />
situations when not alone. Not to<br />
mention the social interaction with<br />
your animal, which at times can be<br />
just as, if not more, nourishing than<br />
interacting with humans.<br />
Pets improve your fitness<br />
(particularly dog owners)<br />
If you own a dog, they need regular<br />
walks, and this exercise is good<br />
for you too. Exercise, like walking,<br />
has many benefits for your mental<br />
health and wellbeing. You can also<br />
use the time walking your dog to<br />
improve your fitness and make the<br />
most of the outdoors to help you<br />
further develop mindfulness and<br />
relaxation. The simple joy a dog<br />
exudes while on their walk can be<br />
contagious and mindfully engage<br />
you in the moment.<br />
Below is the link to the HABRI<br />
(Human Animal Bond Research<br />
Institute). The short videos are<br />
amusing:<br />
habri.org/the-pet-effect/<br />
KAREN BROWN<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> COUNSELLOR<br />
34
“We adopted Toby from the RSPCA four years ago and we<br />
were so lucky to find him, he has honestly been a lifesaver to<br />
me. Toby is a Border Collie cross, he is very gentle and follows<br />
me everywhere. He always senses when I am feeling down or<br />
unwell and will come and lay or sit beside me. I am diabetic<br />
and he even senses when my blood sugar is getting low, he<br />
will come and nudge me to tell me something is wrong. I have<br />
no idea how he learnt to do that! If my husband is working I<br />
take Toby for a short walk, it makes me get out of the house<br />
and have some exercise even when I don’t feel like it. He is my<br />
friend, my companion and my comforter.<br />
JEAN GILBERT<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> CLIENT<br />
I would encourage anyone who is thinking of getting a dog<br />
to go for it. Choose one who is suited to your personality and<br />
lifestyle and you will have a friend and a companion in life.”<br />
SUGGESTIONS, COMPLAINTS<br />
AND COMPLIMENTS<br />
We want to hear from you. Your feedback helps us to understand what is working well and<br />
where we can improve.<br />
You can raise a concern or<br />
acknowledge the supports an <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
staff member has provided by:<br />
/ Talking to the coordinator of<br />
your services<br />
/ Telephoning the Complaints<br />
Liaison and Compliance<br />
Coordinator, Michelle John,<br />
on 6454 3146.<br />
/ Emailing<br />
feedback@mswa.org.au<br />
/ Writing to Quality and<br />
Compliance; Locked Bag 2,<br />
BENTLEY DC 6983.<br />
Please tell us:<br />
/ What happened<br />
/ When it happened<br />
/ Who was involved<br />
/ What you would like to see<br />
occur as a result of sharing your<br />
feedback<br />
All feedback is reviewed, and<br />
complaints investigated in a timely<br />
manner with the team responsible<br />
for the service.<br />
Our goal is to achieve a positive<br />
outcome for all people involved<br />
and improve the quality of the care<br />
and services provided. You will be<br />
included in the process and the<br />
outcomes shared with you.<br />
Please note, you have the right to<br />
have support from an advocate at<br />
any point in a complaint process.<br />
The Complaints Liaison and<br />
Compliance Coordinator can help<br />
you to access an advocacy service<br />
if you wish.<br />
35
TAKE A BREAK<br />
IN THE SOUTH<br />
WEST.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> TREENDALE IS NOW TAKING BOOKINGS.<br />
Whether you or a loved one need a break from daily routine, we have a range of rooms<br />
with 24-hour care at <strong>MSWA</strong> Treendale Gardens Respite for a much-needed break.<br />
Located next to the respite facility is a wonderfully appointed family holiday unit, where<br />
families can get away from regular routines whilst accessing support for their loved ones.<br />
To find out more please contact us on 9725 9994 or treendale@mswa.org.au