MDF Magazine Issue 72 December 2023

Meet the Gauteng branch chairperson
By Rothea Louw
At the September 2023 AGM of the MDF Gauteng Branch, Mr Andrew Millar was elected as the new chairperson for our branch
for the 2023/2024 year. He is 49 years old and is the first chairperson of our branch who is affected by MD.
Andrew was diagnosed with SMA at a very young age. During his teenage years he was constantly falling, which led to broken
bones and injuries. He was 20 years old when he started to do research about SMA and only then understood his condition.
Andrew is a writer, ghostwriter and editorial consultant. The primary benefit of this occupation is that he can work from home.
He needs support with the execution of certain tasks but is functioning productively. He is married to Robyn, who is an artist.
The fact that all South Africans have a constitutional right to health care but that those with MD and NMDs are often ignored
entirely or left far behind motivates Andrew to be involved in activities for people with MD, including being spokesperson for
the MDF on access to new generation treatment. He is of the opinion that given the extreme struggles MD patients and families
experience, the lack of due support has to change.
Many people in the broader community close their eyes to the needs of others, but Andrew feels that support for the MDFSA
changes the lives of many. When someone gets involved, they should try not only to empower people to cope with their condition
but also to contribute positively to their communities.
With a philosophy like “attitude is everything”, Andrew’s positive spirit makes an impression on people wherever he goes. We
are fortunate to have him with us.
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and
then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
– Christopher Reeve