MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 2023
Recognising our Difference Makers | Let your voice be heard for a better NDIS | Stationary riders cycle to glory | Upgraded gym opens up options
Recognising our Difference Makers | Let your voice be heard for a better NDIS | Stationary riders cycle to glory | Upgraded gym opens up options
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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
mswa.org.au<br />
INSIDE<br />
Albany physiotherapist Suzanne Rice and<br />
Metro Lower South Care Support Worker<br />
Joanne Ingham are our inaugural Difference<br />
Makers of the Year - as voted by you!
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 />
CHIEF CLIENT OPERATIONS OFFICER –<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 />
MANAGER CLINICAL SERVICES<br />
Vanishree Chetti 9365 4818<br />
MARGARET DOODY RESPITE HOUSE<br />
Senior Coordinator,<br />
Nelly Higginson 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 />
ALBANY SUPPORTED<br />
ACCOMMODATION FACILITY<br />
Manager, Kate Jones 6154 5085<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 Davina Sawyer 6454 3173 or<br />
feedback@mswa.org.au<br />
EDITORIAL WORKING GROUP<br />
Nicola Washington, Tony Millar,<br />
Emily Ace and Nicolette Murphy.<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Geoff Hutchinson, Carol Chong,<br />
Dajana Tesevic, Vanishree Chetti,<br />
Denise Vogels, James Beckett,<br />
Tracey Hockey, Misty Reinkowsky<br />
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 />
NURSING<br />
Our Neurological Liaison Nurses are usually the first point of contact after the<br />
neurologist’s diagnosis.<br />
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 />
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, to help people remain in their homes. Care and supports<br />
are provided through a combination of funding from the Department of<br />
Communities - Disability Services, and our own fundraising efforts.<br />
CUSTOMER SUPPORT TEAM: community.support@mswa.org.au<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 a neurological<br />
condition who are over 65. Services are delivered by staff specifically trained in home<br />
care for older Western Australians who are living with a neurological condition.<br />
JAY NARROO, AGED CARE COORDINATOR: 6154 5194<br />
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT<br />
The <strong>MSWA</strong> Employment Support Service is the only specialist employment service<br />
for people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions in<br />
Western Australia and can help you to stay in your current job or find employment<br />
in the open labour market.<br />
LEIGH MCCAFFREY, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES MANAGER: 1300 865 209<br />
WELCOME<br />
Welcome to the <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2023</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 />
2<br />
3
FROM OUR CEO<br />
MEMBER & CLIENT SERVICES<br />
It is refreshing to write this<br />
In January, we called for<br />
Our third area of change is our<br />
Welcome to the <strong>Summer</strong> Edition<br />
We thank James Beckett and the<br />
I would like to extend my sincere<br />
message as we start the new<br />
expressions of interest for the<br />
Board. I'm delighted to welcome<br />
of our Member & Client Services<br />
Physiotherapy Team, as well as<br />
congratulations to our inaugural<br />
year with sunshine and hope. In<br />
Client Advisory and Co-Design<br />
three new directors.<br />
<strong>Bulletin</strong>. I hope you all had a lovely<br />
Brendan O'Leary and the Facilities<br />
Difference Maker Award winners,<br />
January last year we were still a<br />
state in total lockdown and closed<br />
borders! It's almost hard to believe.<br />
I sense we are all starting this year<br />
with a fresh perspective and a<br />
renewed approach. Tough times<br />
always change us, and hopefully<br />
we can use our learnings to review<br />
how we do things and find ways to<br />
serve you better.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> has many new initiatives<br />
starting this year linked to our<br />
purpose; Empowering People with<br />
Neurological conditions to live<br />
their best lives, which we are very<br />
excited about.<br />
The first is to step up our<br />
collaboration and co-design with<br />
Clients and people with direct<br />
lived experience of a neurological<br />
condition. Gone are the days when<br />
we do things ‘for and to’ the people<br />
we exist to support – we need to<br />
truly listen, engage and do things<br />
‘with’ our Clients and the broader<br />
‘ecosystem’ we work within.<br />
Committee and we have been<br />
overwhelmed by the response<br />
from Clients. Expressions of<br />
interest are now closed and we<br />
will announce our full committee<br />
shortly. I am so passionate about<br />
this project, its potential to<br />
make us see things differently<br />
and pave the way to make a<br />
greater impact.<br />
In line with our Client centred<br />
focus, we launched our inaugural<br />
Difference Maker of the Year award.<br />
We asked Clients to nominate<br />
staff members who truly make a<br />
difference to their lives and were so<br />
pleased to be inundated with 110<br />
nominations in the first year. Our<br />
winners (yes plural, we couldn’t<br />
choose between them!) were<br />
Physiotherapist Suzanne Rice from<br />
Albany and Care Support Worker<br />
Joanne Ingham from the Metro<br />
Lower South team. You can read<br />
all about these special women on<br />
pages 10 to 13.<br />
Our second area of renewal is to<br />
update and contemporise our<br />
Constitution to reflect the nature<br />
of what we do now, taking into<br />
account the size and complexity<br />
/ John Patmore joins us as a<br />
member living with MS, who<br />
brings incredible experience<br />
and skills in IT as we focus on<br />
new digital opportunities and<br />
address cyber risks in this era.<br />
/ Kathryn (Kate) Gatti joins<br />
with invaluable skills and<br />
experience in clinical<br />
governance and service quality.<br />
We have long needed this skill<br />
set on the Board.<br />
/ Benjamin Jardine brings<br />
extensive experience in<br />
the NDIS funding and<br />
management space, including<br />
accommodation support.<br />
Lastly, we look ahead to our Albany<br />
facility celebrating its first year of<br />
operation in April and hopefully<br />
the commencement of two new<br />
exciting developments in Shenton<br />
Park and Golden Bay. Another<br />
key focus of <strong>2023</strong> will be to set our<br />
strategy around where to expand<br />
our High-Support Accommodation,<br />
Respite and services support to<br />
better meet the needs of West<br />
Australians with neurological<br />
conditions.<br />
festive break and a wonderful<br />
start to <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
It was great to end last year<br />
with our wonderful Client and<br />
Volunteers Christmas Party – what<br />
a fabulous party with an impressive<br />
turnout. The delicious meal and<br />
marvellous entertainment from<br />
our very own talent pool at <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
was amazing, along with music<br />
played by Fenton Oldmeadow<br />
and the harmonious singing from<br />
the Bletchley Park Primary School<br />
Choir. A big thanks to everyone<br />
who worked in front and behind<br />
the scenes, including our friends<br />
at QBE who lent us a team of<br />
volunteers, you all made the day<br />
a success.<br />
The start to <strong>2023</strong> was highlighted<br />
by the official opening of our<br />
upgraded gym space at <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Wilson. On 11 January we held<br />
a morning tea to open the gym<br />
following the wonderful work<br />
undertaken to accomplish more<br />
space and provide new gym<br />
equipment for our Clients to utilise.<br />
Team for delivering the project<br />
over the Christmas break. We are<br />
very grateful to our supporters who<br />
donated an incredible $27,000 at<br />
last year’s <strong>MSWA</strong> Dinner Auction,<br />
your generosity enabled us to<br />
make these changes which will<br />
expand our services. A big thank<br />
you for your incredible impact.<br />
See the pictures on<br />
We have now implemented our<br />
new Client Management System.<br />
We have been busy learning<br />
new processes and training our<br />
teams on the new technology. As<br />
such, you may have noticed a few<br />
changes, including our Support<br />
Workers using the new scheduling<br />
app. As with anything new, it<br />
takes a bit of time to get used to.<br />
As we settle the systems in, we<br />
can start to gain the benefits and<br />
improvements.<br />
As we start fresh for <strong>2023</strong>, we can<br />
commence our next projects.<br />
The focus on our horizon is to<br />
begin building our new service<br />
delivery model to further provide<br />
person-centred care. I am<br />
looking forward to building on<br />
the information and insights we<br />
Suzanne Rice and Joanne Ingham,<br />
two incredible professionals<br />
recognised by our Clients for<br />
their compassion, expertise and<br />
dedication. You are a credit to our<br />
organisation and <strong>MSWA</strong> is lucky to<br />
have you. It was heartening to see<br />
the outpour of gratitude for our<br />
staff and we look forward to seeing<br />
the awards grow bigger and better<br />
in <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
As we are now in the midst<br />
of summer, we have provided<br />
some useful tips on keeping<br />
cool during hot nights on<br />
and staying hydrated<br />
(and why it is so important)<br />
on<br />
As always, your feedback is<br />
important to us. If you have<br />
anything you would like to<br />
share, please contact us at<br />
feedback@mswa.org.au.<br />
Stay safe and enjoy the<br />
summertime.<br />
NICOLA WASHINGTON<br />
CHIEF CLIENT<br />
OPERATIONS OFFICER<br />
of our organisation. We will be<br />
sending out further information<br />
and invitations to discussion<br />
sessions on this topic in the<br />
next few months.<br />
All of these changes will help<br />
us to do what we exist to<br />
do – to truly make a positive<br />
difference in the lives of the<br />
people we support. I look<br />
forward to working with you<br />
and learning from you as we<br />
gathered towards the end of last<br />
year to inform our service model.<br />
We will be asking for your feedback<br />
and input as we pilot new ideas, to<br />
ensure we continue to provide the<br />
services and supports you need<br />
with added improvements.<br />
forge ahead to do an even<br />
better job this year.<br />
MELANIE KIELY<br />
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER<br />
Smiles all around at the Client<br />
and Volunteer Christmas Party.<br />
4<br />
5
RESEARCH<br />
RESEARCH IN FOCUS<br />
We thought we would start the New Year with a look at a few <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
funded projects across a variety of Western Australian institutions<br />
including Perron Institute, ECU, and Curtin University. Check out the<br />
four projects we are highlighting in this edition of <strong>Bulletin</strong>.<br />
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY<br />
SPIN Research Program – Savour<br />
CURTIN UNIVERSITY<br />
Discoveries around diet in MS<br />
PERRON INSTITUTE<br />
Demyelinating Diseases<br />
Many people with MS turn to the<br />
Led by Group Director, Clinical Professor Allan Kermode<br />
Professor Joanne Dickson<br />
Improving and maintaining quality<br />
of life is the main objective of Edith<br />
Cowan University’s <strong>MSWA</strong> funded SPIN<br />
(Systematic Profiling in Neurological<br />
Conditions) Research Program, with<br />
mental health being a major focus.<br />
Savour is a novel, imagery-based<br />
technique that uses positive<br />
memories to promote improvements<br />
in mental well-being. Individualised<br />
guided imagery encourages<br />
participants to revisit and savour a<br />
recent positive memory. Participants<br />
then project positive outlooks<br />
for events in the future and<br />
savour the anticipated positive<br />
emotions elicited.<br />
Professor Joanne Dickson at ECU says,<br />
“Affective savouring techniques like<br />
Savour have been shown to increase<br />
hope and happiness in people living<br />
with mental health conditions such<br />
as psychosis and post-traumatic<br />
stress disorder. Imagery-based<br />
interventions have been shown to<br />
improve mood and quality of life,<br />
and reduce fatigue in MS.”<br />
We are currently completing the final<br />
assessments of an initial trial and<br />
planning the next steps for the full<br />
trial, which will include people with<br />
all neurological conditions and their<br />
carers. To find out more contact<br />
spin@ecu.edu.au or keep an eye out for<br />
updates in <strong>MSWA</strong>’s Vitality Newsletter.<br />
internet for advice on diet, but<br />
navigating the information can<br />
be confusing and stressful. As<br />
Associate Professor Lucinda Black,<br />
team leader of the MS Nutrition<br />
Education Program at Curtin<br />
University, has identified “people<br />
with MS are so interested in diet<br />
and motivated to make healthy<br />
changes. Helping them make the<br />
right, evidence-based food choices<br />
is a privilege.”<br />
Their vision is to remove the<br />
confusion about diet and promote<br />
healthy eating among people with<br />
MS – something Lucinda loves<br />
doing and loves about her job.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s support of the MS<br />
Nutrition Education Program over<br />
the past seven years has enabled<br />
Associate Professor Lucinda Black<br />
and her team to build much<br />
needed research capacity for WA.<br />
Over the years, the team has<br />
been able to expand on four<br />
interconnected pillars of research:<br />
1. Lived experience (talking to<br />
people with MS and health<br />
professionals about food,<br />
nutrition and special diets);<br />
2. Epidemiology (testing whether<br />
diet is linked to MS onset and<br />
progression using studies from<br />
around the world);<br />
3. Nutrition education<br />
(co-designing nutrition<br />
resources and education<br />
programs with people with MS);<br />
4. Clinical trials (developing trials<br />
to help improve diet quality<br />
among people with MS).<br />
Associate Professor Lucinda Black<br />
The team has already shown<br />
links between diet and MS onset,<br />
including a beneficial effect of the<br />
Mediterranean diet, lower ultraprocessed<br />
food intake and higher<br />
fish consumption. They are now<br />
testing these dietary patterns and<br />
foods with disease progression to<br />
determine their potential benefits,<br />
a step that is hugely exciting. As<br />
one participant commented about<br />
the research, “what you're doing<br />
right now is vital to any MS person,<br />
and I’m just one person. I just<br />
feel really grateful that you cared<br />
enough to take me on”.<br />
The team recently developed a<br />
six-week online nutrition education<br />
program, co-designed with people<br />
with MS and tested with 70<br />
participants. Preliminary results<br />
show that the program helps to<br />
improve food choices and gives<br />
people a better understanding<br />
about food and nutrition. The<br />
feedback will help improve the<br />
program, which will run as a larger<br />
study in the future. “When people<br />
with MS tell us we are making a<br />
difference, I know we're on the<br />
right track,” Lucinda said.<br />
Anyone interested in finding out<br />
more about getting involved in the<br />
research program, please contact:<br />
MSDietProject@curtin.edu.au<br />
This research team including Dr<br />
Marzena Fabis-Pedrini, Dr. Belinda<br />
Kaskow and Dr. Stephanie Trend is<br />
involved in a number of research<br />
projects to investigate the clinical<br />
profile of different subgroups of<br />
Western Australian patients with MS,<br />
which is a demyelinating disease.<br />
Specifically, under their banner<br />
of MRI and genetic research, the<br />
team are:<br />
/ Examining antibodies in<br />
Relapsing-remitting multiple<br />
sclerosis (RRMS)<br />
/ Conducting brain and serum<br />
neurofilament light analysis<br />
in people with benign and<br />
non-benign MS<br />
PERRON INSTITUTE<br />
Brain Plasticity<br />
Led by Associate Professor Jenny Rodger<br />
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability<br />
to reorganise itself by forming new<br />
neural connections throughout life.<br />
Associate Professor Rodger and her<br />
research team aim to understand<br />
brain plasticity and how to harness<br />
it, thereby producing new and<br />
effective treatments for patients<br />
with a wide range of neurological<br />
and neuropsychiatric conditions<br />
including mental illness.<br />
A key focus of the team is<br />
research into the neuroplasticity<br />
mechanisms that are specific<br />
to brain development, with the<br />
goal of supporting healthy brain<br />
function throughout life.<br />
/ Collecting clinical samples<br />
over time<br />
/ Investigating biomarkers in MS<br />
/ Looking at genetic determinants<br />
through immunophenotyping<br />
/ Conducting quantitative MRI<br />
studies including building an<br />
MRI library, clinical comparisons,<br />
collaborative studies, walking<br />
rehabilitation through music,<br />
and the development of exercise<br />
guidelines for MS<br />
Additional research is being<br />
conducted in cellular immunology,<br />
B-cell regulation and T-cell interaction,<br />
post-mortem single-cell sequencing<br />
from brain tissues and antigen<br />
discovery to identify the cause of MS.<br />
As well as pursuing innovative<br />
and cutting-edge research into<br />
neuroplasticity, this team is<br />
also designing evidence-based<br />
treatment protocols for human<br />
clinical trials using transcranial<br />
magnetic stimulation for the<br />
rehabilitation of stroke, MS<br />
and more.<br />
Their research also explores the<br />
biological basis of neuropsychiatric<br />
conditions such as depression<br />
and anxiety, and investigates<br />
treatments such as non-invasive<br />
stimulation and novel therapeutics.<br />
Clinical Professor Allan Kermode<br />
Associate Professor Jenny Rodger<br />
The hope remains to confirm the<br />
benefit of treatments, including<br />
transcranial magnetic stimulation,<br />
that build new pathways and<br />
increase repair in the brain<br />
through non-invasive interventions<br />
which complement standard<br />
rehabilitation therapies and<br />
improve outcomes.<br />
6<br />
7
CLIENT ENGAGEMENT TEAM<br />
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD<br />
FOR A BETTER NDIS<br />
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY<br />
DREAMING OF AN<br />
OOLER NIGHTS’ SLEEP<br />
As covered in the Spring 2022<br />
Thankfully the NDIA has made it<br />
As Occupational Therapists,<br />
Edition of <strong>Bulletin</strong>, the National<br />
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)<br />
recently released their 2022 – 2026<br />
Corporate Plan outlining the<br />
direction the Scheme will head<br />
over the next period.<br />
One of the key takeaways from<br />
the document was a focus on<br />
participant engagement, stating<br />
very easy to share your experiences<br />
and ideas by providing online<br />
options to capture feedback.<br />
These include answering a standard<br />
online questionnaire or uploading a<br />
written, audio or video submission if<br />
you would prefer to speak at length.<br />
The NDIA is seeking answers or<br />
feedback on four key questions<br />
we are often on the lookout for<br />
up-to-date Assistive Technology<br />
that aims to make life a little easier<br />
for our Clients.<br />
Many of our Clients experience<br />
thermoregulatory dysfunction<br />
which means it is difficult for<br />
their bodies to regulate their<br />
temperature according to the<br />
Client and <strong>MSWA</strong> Wilson staff member<br />
Tracey Hockey has had an OOLER for<br />
about six months and provided the<br />
following review:<br />
“I received my OOLER during winter<br />
2022 after wanting to know what new<br />
tech was available to get me into<br />
continuous sleep without waking many<br />
times in the night overheated.<br />
“for the Scheme to succeed, it is<br />
critical that we listen and work with<br />
participants, their families and<br />
the disability community to make<br />
sure that each improvement is a<br />
step in the right direction.” Step<br />
one was for the NDIA to listen, so<br />
how will they do that?<br />
The answer became apparent in<br />
October, when National Disability<br />
Insurance Scheme (NDIS)<br />
Minister Bill Shorten announced<br />
an independent review of the<br />
NDIS, to improve the wellbeing of<br />
Australians with disability and the<br />
Scheme’s sustainability.<br />
The review will seek to examine<br />
the Scheme’s design, operations<br />
and sustainability. It will also look<br />
at ways to make the market and<br />
workforce more responsive and<br />
sustainable. Most importantly, it<br />
will seek to work with participants,<br />
their families and providers to put<br />
people with disability at the centre<br />
of the NDIS. These are significant<br />
and worthy goals, so we all must<br />
speak up and help achieve them.<br />
as a starting point for this review.<br />
These are;<br />
1. What are your three main<br />
problems or concerns with<br />
the NDIS?<br />
2. How do these three main<br />
problems affect you and/or<br />
others?<br />
3. What do you think are possible<br />
solutions to those problems?<br />
4. What parts of the NDIS are<br />
working well for you?<br />
These questions will inform the<br />
focus of the review to follow, so it is<br />
important as both the neurological<br />
and the Western Australian<br />
community that your experiences<br />
are included. If you would like to take<br />
part in this round of reviews, visit<br />
ndisreview.gov.au and click on the<br />
link ‘Have your say’. From there, look<br />
for the ‘Have your say online’ box<br />
about halfway down the page and<br />
choose your desired feedback option.<br />
One important note to remember is<br />
that while this is your first chance to<br />
have your say, the NDIA has assured<br />
us that it won't be your last, with<br />
more opportunities as the review<br />
progresses over the coming year.<br />
Also, while you are looking around<br />
the NDIS website, don’t forget<br />
A common theme in these articles<br />
is that the NDIA is most effective<br />
when participants push the agency<br />
to provide them with a plan that<br />
suits their needs. Plans are better<br />
when you tell your planner about<br />
your actual needs, support is better<br />
when you get to know your Local<br />
Area Coordinator, and providers<br />
like <strong>MSWA</strong> can provide further<br />
tailored services when you're<br />
engaged with us.<br />
This is an important<br />
opportunity to engage with<br />
the people who have the<br />
power to make the scheme<br />
into something wonderful<br />
or just another impersonal<br />
funding Scheme.<br />
Over the past couple of years, there<br />
have been real concerns about the<br />
NDIS and its direction. However,<br />
while there is still much to be done,<br />
there is now a renewed focus on<br />
getting it right.<br />
The NDIA has made the first step<br />
by offering up a listening ear,<br />
it’s now the responsibility of<br />
us all to take part and help design<br />
a better Scheme.<br />
weather around them.<br />
Particularly in these hot summer<br />
days, it can be very difficult to have<br />
a good night’s sleep. Our team<br />
has discovered a device that can<br />
help Clients with regulating their<br />
temperature when they sleep.<br />
The OOLER is a Smart Sleep<br />
System which uses advanced<br />
cooling technology to keep the<br />
bed at a perfect temperature<br />
for sleeping.<br />
It consists of a cool mesh pad that<br />
can be spread onto a mattress and<br />
is then temperature controlled by<br />
an app.<br />
If you would like more information<br />
about the OOLER, including funding<br />
options, or any other technology or<br />
strategies that could help you get<br />
a better night's sleep, contact your<br />
occupational therapist who can<br />
do an assessment and navigate<br />
options that would be best for you.<br />
The first night I set it at 18 degrees and<br />
slept through the night without waking<br />
once! This was a record since having a stroke in 2016.<br />
On the second night I organised the app to set up a Monday to<br />
Friday schedule and a weekend schedule, which was very easy to<br />
do. It worked a treat every night and I continued to sleep solidly,<br />
even with the ‘cool’ doona over the top of me as it was winter.<br />
I have had a brilliant outcome with the OOLER until we hit summer<br />
and my schedule had to change, as I needed the bed to come<br />
down in temperature to 14 degrees.<br />
I really recommend the OOLER to anyone who is having thermosregulatory<br />
issues (hot or cold) as once you set the OOLER at your<br />
desired temperature, it keeps you in that zone. If you wake in the<br />
night, you can change the setting on the unit itself or on the app.<br />
Positives:<br />
Negatives:<br />
/ Water efficient and doesn't<br />
need to be filled daily<br />
/ Set up can be challenging -<br />
you may need help to<br />
/ It doesn’t make a lot of<br />
lift mattress<br />
noise (it is quieter than the<br />
C-PAP machine)<br />
/ May need assistance to fill<br />
machine placed on the floor<br />
/ Keeps you at a comfortable<br />
temperature all night<br />
/ It can feel a little bumpy in<br />
bed the first few nights, but<br />
/ King-single size fits one<br />
you adjust to it quickly<br />
side of a queen bed<br />
/ Your partner will want to<br />
/ App is easy to use<br />
share it at certain times of<br />
the year!<br />
/ Machine washable<br />
Overall, I give this cooling technology 9/10<br />
to subscribe to the NDIS Review<br />
newsletter to keep updated with the<br />
latest outcomes from the review.<br />
GEOFF HUTCHINSON<br />
MANAGER CLIENT<br />
ENGAGEMENT<br />
CRYSTAL CHAN<br />
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY<br />
MANAGER<br />
8<br />
9
OUR COMMUNITY<br />
DIFFERENCE MAKER<br />
OF THE YEAR<br />
We held the inaugural Difference Maker Awards at the end of 2022 to celebrate the special people who live out<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s purpose and vision in everything they do.<br />
Of the four categories, The Difference Maker Award was extra special as it was nominated by you – our Clients!<br />
We were overwhelmed with more than 100 responses sharing gratitude for our hard-working frontline teams,<br />
which resulted in nine deserving finalists:<br />
/ Dajana Tesevic, Counsellor & Health Education and Peer Support Coordinator<br />
/ Emma Chapman, Client Service Coordinator<br />
/ Oliver Guttinger, Accredited Exercise Physiologist<br />
/ Lisa Reardon, Social Welfare Officer<br />
/ (Elle) Niramon Kullasin, Community Support Worker<br />
/ Liesl Murdoch, Senior Counsellor<br />
/ Karen Brown, Counsellor<br />
Including our two worthy winners:<br />
/ Joanne Ingham, Community Support Worker (Metro Lower South Team)<br />
/ Suzanne Rice, Physiotherapist (Albany)<br />
With such tight competition, it was impossible to choose just one! We took some time to learn a little<br />
bit more about our award recipients and find out what this recognition means to them.<br />
JOANNE INGHAM<br />
It is Joanne’s mission in life to<br />
assist her Clients to maintain<br />
their independence for as long as<br />
possible through her Care Support<br />
role, in which she dedicates 100 per<br />
cent of herself to every Client in<br />
every session.<br />
Although a natural-born care<br />
giver, Care Support has not always<br />
been Joanne’s career, having<br />
pivoted from decades in business<br />
ownership and bookkeeping.<br />
The career transition was inspired<br />
by her experience caring for her<br />
mother post-operation, as well as a<br />
dear family friend.<br />
“[Mum] had her best friend from<br />
Spain living with her because she<br />
was terminal from cancer, so I<br />
was running upstairs downstairs<br />
between the two of them and I<br />
quite enjoyed it,” Joanne said.<br />
“There were a lot of laughs and of<br />
course a bit of sadness.”<br />
“To be able to help someone and<br />
make them happier, make them<br />
feel more valued and just to be of<br />
assistance is what I get out of it.”<br />
Inspired, Joanne completed<br />
her studies remotely during the<br />
COVID-19 lockdowns, selected<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> from a number of job<br />
offers and hasn’t looked back.<br />
“I picked <strong>MSWA</strong> because it was<br />
more than just aged care,” she<br />
said, “my mum has since been<br />
diagnosed with dementia as well,<br />
so I picked <strong>MSWA</strong> because it was<br />
neurological.”<br />
“It’s a hard job, but it is a lovely<br />
job to think that you have<br />
helped someone.”<br />
“Sometimes I visit a Client and<br />
they may not have had a good<br />
couple of days, but the look on<br />
their face when they see you, it is<br />
just everything.”<br />
Joanne with her Client Sue Bryan, who nominated the care support<br />
worker for always going “above and beyond” in her duties to make a<br />
significantly positive impact on her life.<br />
Joanne said she was shocked<br />
and delighted to be named<br />
one of the Difference Makers<br />
Award for 2022.<br />
“I still have a big grin on my face. I<br />
have never won anything, so it was<br />
amazing,” she said.<br />
“I do work really hard, and I<br />
always give Clients my 100<br />
per cent attention – I think that is<br />
really important.”<br />
“[The award] made me feel<br />
thanked for that effort, I just feel<br />
appreciated.”<br />
The fact the award was Client<br />
nominated made it that much<br />
more special, “because they are<br />
the ones I am doing it for”<br />
according to Joanne.<br />
“But it is not just me, we are all<br />
a team, and we all get up every<br />
morning and do what we need to<br />
do to help these guys with their<br />
everyday lives,” she said.<br />
Joanne had a special message to<br />
share with her Clients, particularly<br />
the ones who nominated her.<br />
“Thank you all so much, you are all<br />
wonderful,” she said, “I love them<br />
all in their own little ways.”<br />
“It gives me pleasure to go to<br />
work to be with these people<br />
and I am sure I get just as<br />
much out of them as they do<br />
with me because I am forever<br />
laughing with them.”<br />
An excerpt of what our Clients had to say about Joanne:<br />
“Jo remembers my quirky behaviors due to my neuro conditions,<br />
which takes a lot of understanding and patience… Since day one of<br />
having Jo as my support worker, she has treated me as Jo would<br />
like her own mother treated under similar circumstances.”<br />
“She shows me the utmost respect and we laugh, and she makes a<br />
huge difference to my day. Jo is completely present in the moment<br />
and I value and look forward to our time together.”<br />
“Jo always goes the extra mile and doesn't treat it like a job as she<br />
is always 100 per cent present.”<br />
10<br />
11
OUR COMMUNITY<br />
DIFFERENCE MAKER<br />
OF THE YEAR<br />
SUZANNE RICE<br />
A people-person through and<br />
through, Suzanne’s passion is to<br />
support her Clients to achieve their<br />
goals and celebrate these wins as if<br />
they are her own.<br />
Moving to Albany with her family<br />
in 2018, Suzanne has been our<br />
solo physiotherapist in the regional<br />
town and has worked hard to<br />
build the service across her<br />
five-year tenure.<br />
“We have had a lot of changes,<br />
we were in a little pocket<br />
studio office for a long time<br />
and with the opening of our new<br />
facility in 2022 it’s been all go,”<br />
Suzanne said.<br />
“The Clients are staying with us<br />
and finding improvements and<br />
living their best lives, which<br />
makes me think I am doing the<br />
right thing.”<br />
Suzanne sought out <strong>MSWA</strong> due<br />
to her interest in neurological<br />
physiotherapy, where each<br />
individual has their own<br />
unique complexity.<br />
“It’s like a puzzle, but it’s not one<br />
you are working on yourself,”<br />
she said.<br />
“It’s an interactive problem-solving<br />
challenge with the individual Client<br />
and then you get to celebrate their<br />
wins as well.”<br />
Working in the community<br />
for <strong>MSWA</strong> allows Suzanne to<br />
have a long journey with each<br />
Client, forging strong relationships<br />
unlike anything she had<br />
experienced previously.<br />
“When you see their smile and<br />
their confidence build up, you<br />
know you are doing a good job,”<br />
she said.<br />
“They come back and say, ‘I was<br />
able to wash the dishes standing<br />
up’ or ‘I managed those steps’ or ‘I<br />
managed to get down the beach<br />
to go for that swim’ – all those little<br />
wins are really rewarding.”<br />
“You are not only just a physio, you<br />
are their coach, their friend, their<br />
case manager – you have a whole<br />
heap of different hats on for them.”<br />
Suzanne strongly believes<br />
“information is power” and works<br />
to educate her Clients about their<br />
bodies to ensure positive outcomes.<br />
“Being able to teach people about<br />
their bodies so that they can make<br />
changes themselves, that is really<br />
powerful,” she said.<br />
“When they feel like they are losing<br />
function, to be able to change it<br />
around and see that they are actually<br />
gaining ability and they can manage it<br />
themselves and take control back, it’s<br />
a real privilege to be able to instil that.”<br />
“I care about making them feel<br />
good, helping them feel good<br />
and empowering themselves…<br />
it’s my passion.”<br />
On receiving the Difference Maker<br />
Award, Suzanne was touched to<br />
know Clients had made the effort<br />
to nominate her in the first place,<br />
let alone to have taken the title.<br />
“When I got the call telling me that<br />
I had won, it was a bit of a surprise,”<br />
she said.<br />
“It is always nice to have your<br />
efforts recognised and the reason I<br />
am here is for the Clients, so it was<br />
really surreal.”<br />
When asked what she would say to An excerpt of what our Clients had to say about Suzanne:<br />
the Clients who nominated her, her “Suzanne has never judged me when I give up on myself and she<br />
appreciation spilled over.<br />
gets me back to where I need to be with my exercise programs. She<br />
“They are all amazing – oh, I’m<br />
makes my life worth living again for which I am eternally grateful.”<br />
crying now,” she said.<br />
“I went to Suzanne for the first time two years ago. I was lost and<br />
confused… and I was scared. Suzanne helped me to make sense of<br />
“For them to have that level<br />
what my body was doing, she made me feel listened to and helped<br />
of trust in me and helping<br />
me to no longer be scared of the process.”<br />
them on their journey is a real “Suzanne is an incredibly dedicated, friendly and kind professional<br />
privilege and I thank them.”<br />
who truly helps and enriches the life of every Client she works with.”<br />
OUR PEER-NOMINATED WINNERS<br />
The Trailblazer Award<br />
A peer-nominated award<br />
for new team members<br />
who have shown leadership,<br />
initiative and huge potential,<br />
Leading with Purpose Award<br />
This award is for team<br />
members who live the <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
‘values and behaviours’ in<br />
everything they do.<br />
Change Maker Award<br />
This award is for team members<br />
who are a centre of influence<br />
within a team or <strong>MSWA</strong> facility.<br />
It is someone who goes above<br />
within their first 12 months.<br />
and beyond to ensure the people<br />
Finalists:<br />
we support are at the heart of<br />
Finalists:<br />
Vanishree Chetti,<br />
everything they do.<br />
Sophie Davies,<br />
Manager Clinical &<br />
Neurological Liaison Nurse<br />
Jamie Puls,<br />
COVID-19 Response<br />
Coordinator<br />
Award recipient:<br />
Tracey Hockey,<br />
Receptionist (Wilson)<br />
Residential Services<br />
Sophie Brandsma +<br />
Laura Radicevic,<br />
Senior Marketing Officers –<br />
Lotteries<br />
Award recipient:<br />
Georgina Hett,<br />
Senior Speech Pathologist<br />
Finalists:<br />
Carol Chong,<br />
Manager Allied Health Services<br />
Luke Everett,<br />
Accredited Exercise Physiologist<br />
Award recipient:<br />
Elizabeth Stewart,<br />
Member and Client Services<br />
Regional Manager<br />
12<br />
13
OUR SUPPORTERS<br />
HIGH-GRADE TECH<br />
TO IMPROVE<br />
QUALITY OF LIFE<br />
Pharmacy 777 is delivering on<br />
their pledge to make a difference<br />
by generously donating a $25,000<br />
pressure mapping system to<br />
prevent painful pressure injuries.<br />
One of our longest-standing<br />
community partners, Pharmacy<br />
777’s philanthropic donations have<br />
topped $250,000 since 2011, an<br />
incredible commitment which has<br />
made a significant positive impact<br />
for the people we exist to support.<br />
The pressure mapping system<br />
is brand new technology for<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>, which takes the<br />
guesswork out of pressure injury<br />
prevention according to <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Senior Occupational Therapist<br />
Anna Jessop.<br />
Portable and versatile, the<br />
equipment can be used on any<br />
seating surface – such as an electric<br />
wheelchair, favourite recliner or<br />
even a mattress – to determine<br />
areas of high pressure.<br />
“We want all the information we<br />
can get to show us those areas<br />
and put interventions (such as<br />
modified cushions) in place so<br />
Clients do not develop pressure<br />
injuries,” Anna said.<br />
“Even the most highly trained OTs<br />
can’t pick up those really niche highrisk<br />
areas without this technology.”<br />
“It is such a lifesaver to be able to<br />
check what is going on - it takes all<br />
the guesswork out of it.”<br />
“It is the kind of thing you really<br />
want to avoid because pressure<br />
injuries can be hard to heal and can<br />
impair skin integrity.”<br />
Anna said pressure sensors of this<br />
grade were once limited to hospitals,<br />
so having a portable system available<br />
in Perth and the South West region<br />
meant greater accessibility for Clients.<br />
“We can take it out to Clients, we<br />
can bring it to Outreach and it is<br />
that much more accessible than it<br />
used to be,” Anna said.<br />
“It is going to make a massive<br />
difference to our Clients in<br />
preventing an injury and really<br />
improving quality of life.<br />
“On behalf of the OT department<br />
and our Clients, I want to say a<br />
huge ‘thank you’ to Pharmacy 777.”<br />
Kristian Ray, Pharmacy<br />
Development Manager, said<br />
Pharmacy 777 was pleased to<br />
provide access to this new system<br />
which enabled “improved patient<br />
comfort, care and support from the<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Occupational Therapy team”.<br />
Senior Occupational Therapist Anna Jessop assesses<br />
Client Kim Flanagan with the new system.<br />
“The Pharmacy 777 Group's vision<br />
is to enhance the quality of life<br />
within our community – supporting<br />
community organisations and<br />
initiatives is a core part of our<br />
commitment to make a difference<br />
– including for people living<br />
with MS and other neurological<br />
conditions, together with their<br />
support team,” Kristian said.<br />
“Allocating our donation towards the<br />
pressure mapping system, we know<br />
first-hand how our contribution is<br />
making this difference.”<br />
Kristian said Pharmacy 777 had<br />
supported <strong>MSWA</strong> across a number<br />
of initiatives during the twelve-year<br />
partnership.<br />
“From supporting wellness<br />
retreats, facilities and research, to<br />
in recent years - purchasing key<br />
patient equipment such as beds at<br />
Margaret Doody Respite House, the<br />
NeuroNode communication device<br />
and now the pressure mapping<br />
system,” he said.<br />
“For any organisation looking<br />
to see direct impact of<br />
donations to the community,<br />
we encourage them to get in<br />
touch with <strong>MSWA</strong> to find out<br />
about projects and equipment<br />
that can be funded to provide<br />
much needed support.”<br />
A PERFECT DAY FOR <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> gratefully accepted a<br />
David hails from the Shetland Isles<br />
generous $22,500 donation from in the north of Scotland, which has<br />
INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Joint<br />
one of the highest rates of MS in<br />
Venture, after two employees<br />
the world per head of population.<br />
nominated our cause – one<br />
Remarkably, David has two<br />
they hold close to their hearts<br />
brothers and one sister who live<br />
– supported under a recent<br />
with MS.<br />
health, safety and environmental<br />
“My two brothers have not been<br />
performance initiative.<br />
affected too greatly physically,<br />
When the opportunity arose to<br />
with only minor weakness in their<br />
nominate a beneficiary for INPEX’s<br />
limbs from time to time,” David<br />
‘Perfect Day’ campaign, Shutdown<br />
explained.<br />
Engineer Peter Rautenbach and<br />
“However, my sister has the<br />
Senior Inspector Operations David<br />
more aggressive form of MS<br />
Graham cast <strong>MSWA</strong>’s name into<br />
and her health and mobility has<br />
the ring.<br />
deteriorated quite rapidly over the<br />
It was Christmas Day 2020 when<br />
last few years.”<br />
Peter’s wife Carissa ended up in<br />
Naturally, both David and Peter<br />
the emergency department, after<br />
jumped on the opportunity to<br />
losing sight in her right eye and<br />
make a difference.<br />
experiencing sensations down her<br />
right side. Several admissions and “I was extremely proud to have<br />
a week later, Carissa was diagnosed <strong>MSWA</strong> nominated, as all through<br />
with MS.<br />
my life back home I have witnessed<br />
several people whom I know, not<br />
Peter said the diagnosis took<br />
just my family, who have suffered<br />
time and many questions to make<br />
this condition and I am very<br />
sense of.<br />
passionate about supporting the<br />
“There was an enormous amount<br />
cause,” David said.<br />
of doubt as to what her treatment<br />
The ‘Perfect Day’ campaign took<br />
options were, what it meant for our<br />
place during a 45-day maintenance<br />
small family and what our future<br />
turnaround activity across Ichthys<br />
looked like.”<br />
LNG’s two offshore floating facilities,<br />
“It took a few months for the<br />
located 220 kilometres offshore<br />
majority of her symptoms to<br />
from Western Australia, and the<br />
pass and then she got onto a<br />
onshore processing plant in Darwin.<br />
treatment plan.”<br />
To ensure all employees returned<br />
“Carissa is someone who I look up<br />
home safely each day, the Ichthys<br />
to and I am incredibly proud of as<br />
Joint Venture pledged to donate<br />
she doesn’t let MS dictate how she<br />
five hundred dollars to six charities<br />
lives her life even though she lives<br />
(two per facility) for every ‘perfect<br />
with it day to day.”<br />
day’ the workforce achieved.<br />
Peter Rautenbach, wife Carissa<br />
and daughter.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> representatives joined INPEX<br />
at an event to acknowledge the<br />
Perfect Day fundraiser donations<br />
Astonishingly, the respective<br />
offshore facilities Peter and David<br />
work on each achieved nothing but<br />
perfect days over the campaign,<br />
and ultimately $22,500 was raised<br />
for <strong>MSWA</strong>.<br />
“The work <strong>MSWA</strong> and MS<br />
Australia continue to do<br />
every day providing support<br />
and conducting valuable<br />
research into the disease and<br />
other neurological conditions<br />
provided us with hope about<br />
the future,” Peter said.<br />
“Our hope is that <strong>MSWA</strong> and MS<br />
Australia will continue to find<br />
improved treatment options for<br />
those with the condition and even<br />
one day find a cure.”<br />
14<br />
15
NURSING<br />
WATER, LIFE, THE UNIVERSE<br />
AND EVERYTHING! – PART 2<br />
WHAT ROLE DOES WATER PLAY IN THE BODY?<br />
ROCHELLE BROWN<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> NEUROLOGICAL LIAISON NURSE<br />
For the second instalment of this series, we take a deep dive into the<br />
critical daily functions of the body and the vital role water plays in each.<br />
Simply put, water helps to keep our body hydrated and in good working order.<br />
But why is hydration so important?<br />
It keeps your body temperature regulated<br />
If you are exercising or simply in a hot climate, your body is producing sweat<br />
to stay cool.<br />
If you don’t replace the water you are losing, your body temperature will<br />
quickly rise back up and you will lose important electrolytes.<br />
Water prevents constipation<br />
Many people assume that to prevent constipation you must consume foods<br />
rich in fibre regularly. While this can certainly help prevent constipation, it is<br />
not the only way. You must also stay hydrated as this will ensure your bowel<br />
movements contain sufficient water to keep things moving.<br />
If you do not drink enough water, you will likely find that you become or<br />
remain constipated.<br />
Water can help you make up for the fluid loss from certain medications<br />
Medicines that can increase the risk of dehydration are diuretics, laxatives,<br />
antacids and blood pressure tablets.<br />
80%<br />
Making hormones and Neurotransmitter<br />
Water helps you to produce saliva<br />
Saliva might be a rather unpleasant subject, but it is necessary to<br />
help you to swallow and break down your food. Its main component<br />
is water, along with mucus, enzymes and electrolytes.<br />
Protects organs and tissue<br />
Food to move easily through the digestive tract<br />
Our digestive tract, in simple terms, is a 9m long tube. Water acts<br />
like a lubricate to ease food through. Without enough water, food<br />
moves slower and issues such as bloating and constipation can arise.<br />
Drinking a glass of water with your meals and snacks can be a great<br />
trick if you struggle to drink enough fluid to support digestion.<br />
It helps you get rid of waste products<br />
You lose a lot of nasties through your perspiration, urination and<br />
defecation, and therefore need an adequate amount of water in your<br />
system to sweat, urinate and defecate! If you become dehydrated, you<br />
will have problems getting rid of waste products from your body.<br />
Transporting oxygen to all parts of the body<br />
Water protects your tissues and joints<br />
To help maintain a full range of motion, you need to keep your joints, muscles<br />
and spinal cord well lubricated. Water helps cushion your joints and helps you<br />
stay in good physical shape.<br />
Supporting cell growth and reproduction<br />
Between 50% and 80% of the<br />
human body is made of water<br />
In part three of this series, we will focus on water’s role in:<br />
/ Helping to regulate your appetite<br />
/ Improving blood oxygen levels<br />
/ Boosting your metabolism and your energy<br />
/ Keeping your brain in good working order<br />
/ Improving mood<br />
16<br />
17
DIETETICS<br />
STAY HYDRATED<br />
THIS SUMMER<br />
Are you finding it hard to<br />
concentrate, feeling fatigued,<br />
foggy, bloated, or moody?<br />
Did you know that these can also be<br />
signs you are not drinking enough<br />
fluids and not just symptoms of<br />
your neurological condition?<br />
As Rochelle discussed in her article<br />
What Role Does Water Play in the<br />
Body? our body uses water for so<br />
many functions. From transporting<br />
oxygen and energy around<br />
our bodies, to regulating body<br />
temperature, aiding digestion and<br />
supporting muscle contractions –<br />
the list can go on and on.<br />
Studies have indicated that even<br />
just one to two per cent body water<br />
loss can impair how well your brain<br />
is functioning. Making sure you<br />
are well hydrated can be a game<br />
changer for managing MS and<br />
symptoms of other neurological<br />
conditions.<br />
How do you know if you are<br />
well hydrated?<br />
The common recommendation of<br />
eight cups or two litres per day is<br />
not necessarily true when it comes<br />
to knowing if you are maintaining<br />
your hydration status or not, but<br />
this guide can be a good place to<br />
start. The amount of fluid you need<br />
to drink each day is variable and<br />
depends on many factors, some<br />
including body size, heat, activity<br />
levels, amount of salty food eaten,<br />
so it can be likely that on particular<br />
days or with certain people this<br />
amount may not be enough.<br />
The simplest, most effective way to<br />
assess your hydration status is the<br />
colour of your urine*, with a goal:<br />
for your urine to be coloured<br />
straw-yellow or lighter across the<br />
whole day. Drinking regularly<br />
across the day will be the best way<br />
to achieve this.<br />
But won’t I be heading to the<br />
toilet more?<br />
This is likely, especially if you are<br />
experiencing MS or neurological<br />
related continence issues. However,<br />
don’t let this deter you. Maintaining<br />
a better hydration status can<br />
support you to avoid complications<br />
such as urinary tract infections,<br />
constipation and kidney stones.<br />
If incontinence is an issue for you,<br />
front loading your fluids at the<br />
start of the day and avoiding fluids<br />
1-2 hours before going to bed is<br />
a useful strategy, so is keeping a<br />
journal of times you drink and go<br />
to the toilet, along with volumes<br />
drunk and the colour of your<br />
urine. This can provide insight into<br />
spacing water evenly and regularly<br />
over the rest of the day. If you<br />
have not done so already, be sure<br />
to have a chat to your GP and/or<br />
neurologist for more support.<br />
Increasing fluids is challenging, so here are some tips we often share with our Clients:<br />
Start your day with a glass of water.<br />
You don’t just have to just drink water!<br />
1 4<br />
While you are sleeping your body doesn’t get<br />
All sorts of fluids count toward getting enough<br />
2<br />
3<br />
any fluids therefore drinking a glass at the start<br />
of the day can help to flush your system of toxins,<br />
which can result in benefits such as increased<br />
energy and immunity, increasing metabolism<br />
and preventing headaches. It will also help you to<br />
develop and maintain the habit of increasing your<br />
daily water intake.<br />
Carry a drink a bottle around with you so you<br />
always have access to water.<br />
If you are at home most of the time, strategically<br />
place bottles/jugs/glasses of water in areas of your<br />
house you frequently visit. When you see the<br />
bottle, take a drink.<br />
Doing the above, but find you are still forgetting<br />
to drink over the day?<br />
Set reminders on your phone or computer that<br />
remind you to drink. Another option is to link<br />
drinking to an activity that you do frequently<br />
over the day. For example, when you eat make it<br />
a habit to also have a drink of water, or whenever<br />
you use the bathroom use that opportunity to<br />
also get a glass of water.<br />
FLAVOUR YOUR WATER<br />
Start with:<br />
/ 1L water<br />
/ 1 cup of ice (If you like your drinks cold)<br />
Then add one of the following options,<br />
or make up your own combo!<br />
Strawberry, basil and lemon:<br />
/ 1/2 cup strawberries stemmed<br />
and sliced, fresh or frozen<br />
/ 5 large basil leaves torn<br />
/ 1 lemon thinly sliced<br />
Honeydew, cucumber, and mint:<br />
/ 1/2 cup honeydew cubes<br />
/ 1 cucumber thinly sliced<br />
/ 10 fresh mint leaves torn<br />
Blueberry, lemon, and rosemary:<br />
/ 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen<br />
/ 1 lemon thinly sliced<br />
/ 4 sprigs fresh rosemary<br />
water. Here are my favourite healthy alternatives<br />
to plain water:<br />
- Cold tea infusions<br />
- Flavour your water - see our yummy flavour<br />
combinations below!<br />
- Adding water rich foods to your meals and<br />
snacks such as lettuce, tomatoes, capsicum,<br />
asparagus, strawberries and watermelon.<br />
- Change the temperature of the water to what<br />
you like: ice blocks, warm water, tea!<br />
- Still not sold? Sugar free or diet cordials and<br />
soft drink also count!<br />
If you are having difficulty hydrating your body,<br />
you can always talk to one of our dietitian’s at <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
for assistance.<br />
GEMMA TOOVEY<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> DIETITIAN<br />
Watermelon, kiwi, and lime:<br />
/ 1 cup watermelon cubes<br />
/ 1 kiwi fruit diced or cut into circles<br />
/ 1 lime sliced into circles<br />
Storage: Leave the fruit and herbs in the water<br />
for up to 24 hours then remove from the water.<br />
Store the infused water in the refrigerator for<br />
up to three days (four days total).<br />
Recipes and photo from:<br />
www.culinaryhill.com/8-infused-water-recipes/<br />
*Please note some medications and certain foods can change the colour of urine<br />
which makes this method difficult. If you are concerned, ask to speak to a dietitian.<br />
18<br />
19
COUNSELLING<br />
RIDING THE WAVE OF EMOTION<br />
The mind-body connection is<br />
Research has shown that emotional repression has been linked with<br />
a familiar concept to all of us.<br />
decreased immune function (Patel & Patel 2019). Unexpressed emotion<br />
When we are anxious, we can<br />
can leave you feeling exhausted and result in a low mood.<br />
‘feel it in our gut’, when angry we<br />
may become ‘hot-headed’, when<br />
stressed we may ‘carry the weight<br />
of the world on our shoulders’.<br />
Therefore, the work of releasing emotions is an important one that<br />
contributes to a strong immune system and improves our energy levels.<br />
Physical exercise can help with managing and processing our emotions,<br />
but what if this is not possible because of disability? Or is more difficult in<br />
NOTHING CHANGES<br />
IF NOTHING CHANGES<br />
“Any change, even a change for<br />
the better, is always accompanied<br />
by drawbacks and discomforts”<br />
Arnold Bennett<br />
We are well into <strong>2023</strong> now and,<br />
like most people, you might have<br />
been thinking about resolutions<br />
for change. Maybe you have been<br />
stuck in the same routine for<br />
some time, or maybe you want<br />
to improve your life in some way.<br />
More often than not, it can be<br />
easier to continue with the status<br />
quo and do nothing. Perhaps just<br />
the thought of change is too scary<br />
and causes an uneasy feeling. How<br />
can you get past the barriers and<br />
discomfort to take steps towards<br />
positive change?<br />
* In her book Feel the Fear<br />
and Do It Anyway, Susan<br />
Jeffers talks about how<br />
to overcome fear to move<br />
forward in your life.<br />
Think back to the changes in your<br />
life–changing careers, ending a<br />
relationship, returning to school,<br />
health issues or moving home.<br />
After such a change it can be<br />
difficult for a while until you arrive<br />
at a new normal. The next time<br />
you face a change, big or small, the<br />
uneasiness may return. There may<br />
be resistance, denial, distractions,<br />
procrastination or even fear.*<br />
The problem with doing nothing<br />
is that if nothing changes, nothing<br />
changes. Yes, you may be more<br />
comfortable being in the same<br />
story, but is this where you want<br />
to be? Most likely, if you feel stuck<br />
or unhappy, it is a sign that you do<br />
need a change.<br />
We can’t always avoid the<br />
discomfort of change, but we can<br />
learn how to navigate it. While each<br />
change journey is different, there<br />
are general steps that can help us<br />
on the way:<br />
/ Know yourself – be honest<br />
about what you need and want.<br />
/ Evaluate your goals – start<br />
with goals that are easy<br />
and attainable.<br />
/ Find support – look for people<br />
who can help; family, friends or<br />
professional.<br />
/ Take action – real change<br />
comes from doing, not just<br />
planning.<br />
/ Allow and assess – see what<br />
is happening, is this working<br />
for you?<br />
/ Revise – if it’s not working, make<br />
adjustments then start again.<br />
Any change that we attempt<br />
to make in life is going to be<br />
a process. We often have no<br />
choice about the changes we<br />
experience, but conscious<br />
change can be an opportunity<br />
to make us feel good about<br />
ourselves, as well as being<br />
an important part of our<br />
growth journey.<br />
If you need support to make strides<br />
towards positive change, get in<br />
touch with our Counselling Team<br />
on 9365 4811.<br />
ALYSON YEARSLEY<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> COUNSELLOR<br />
JANICE PETROVIC<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> COUNSELLOR<br />
ACKNOWLEDGING<br />
Emotions have been<br />
described as like “animals<br />
hiding in the woods” (Sunim,<br />
2002). We may have grown up<br />
in a family where emotions<br />
were not validated. Many<br />
of us learnt to ‘soldier on’,<br />
so our natural tendency is<br />
to push feelings down or<br />
distract ourselves from them.<br />
Many addictive behaviours<br />
including workaholism are<br />
ways of distancing ourselves<br />
from difficult emotions.<br />
CREATIVE ARTS<br />
Writing and Art/Music therapy<br />
are also helpful in recognising<br />
and expressing emotions in a<br />
more organic way.<br />
COMMUNICATING<br />
Communicating how we feel<br />
and what we need to those that<br />
matter to us – this can be an<br />
important step in the process of<br />
releasing difficult feelings.<br />
the summer months due to heat intolerance?<br />
Physiotherapy, massage and bodywork such as yoga are highly recommended,<br />
however we have rounded up some other ways of releasing emotion that<br />
can be helpful. These techniques are supported by brain science research.<br />
NAMING & TAMING (Siegel, 2012)<br />
Once we recognise the emotion it is important<br />
to name it. A simple phrase, said softly, can help<br />
release emotions – ‘I feel angry’, ‘I am hurt’.<br />
“When you experience significant internal tension<br />
and anxiety, you can reduce stress by up to 50 per cent<br />
by simply noticing and naming your state” (Ablett, 2019).<br />
SELF-COMPASSION<br />
Self-Compassion is another mindfulness strategy<br />
that can help us befriend and embrace a difficult<br />
emotion, somewhat like a mother would nurture a<br />
baby (Sunim, 2018; Thich Nhat Hanh, 2002). Even if<br />
a mother doesn’t know why the child is crying, her<br />
kind attention already makes it feel better. With kindness,<br />
we can practise a similar nurturing attention towards ourselves.<br />
MINDFULNESS<br />
Mindfulness techniques increase our ability to stay present and<br />
feel anchored (particularly using our breath and senses) so we<br />
can recognise and stay with a difficult feeling. Emotions can<br />
be described as having the quality of a ‘wave’, and it has been<br />
suggested that when we are able to stay in the ‘wave of an emotion’<br />
with presence, it will last for 90 seconds (Taylor, 2008). However, if we<br />
keep pushing it away, it continues to call at our attention in different<br />
ways – unfortunately sometimes through physical symptoms.<br />
References:<br />
Taylor, Dr. Jill B (2008), My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey.<br />
Ablett, Mitch (2019), Tame Reactive Emotions by Naming Them.<br />
Siegel, Daniel J (2012), Mindsight : Change your brain and your life.<br />
Sunim, Haemin (2018), The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down.<br />
Thich Nhat Hanh (2002), Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames.<br />
20<br />
21
PHYSIOTHERAPY<br />
LYMPHOEDEMA CLINIC<br />
NOW AT YOUR SERVICE<br />
WILSON GYM UPGRADE PROVIDES<br />
CLIENTS WITH MORE OPTIONS<br />
An important injury prevention<br />
“People who also spend a lot of<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Wilson was a hive of<br />
service has landed at <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
time in wheelchairs or in bed are<br />
excitement in January, as Clients<br />
which will look to relieve and<br />
susceptible to pressure injuries, so<br />
and staff came together to witness<br />
manage swelling experienced by<br />
if the health of your skin isn’t great<br />
the opening of the expanded<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Clients.<br />
to begin with, you are more likely to<br />
gym space, complete with new<br />
Offered through the Physiotherapy<br />
Team, the new lymphoedema<br />
service has been in development<br />
for several months to refine an<br />
effective process and is now ready<br />
to accept interested Clients.<br />
develop pressure injuries and find<br />
it more difficult to recover from<br />
them, because the circulation isn’t<br />
as good as it could be.”<br />
Left untreated, swelling could<br />
result in lasting damage.<br />
equipment to suit the growing<br />
needs of our Client base.<br />
This $27,000 upgrade was<br />
made possible by generous<br />
supporters through <strong>MSWA</strong>’s<br />
Annual Dinner Auction and<br />
Senior Physiotherapist Randall<br />
Rooney explained that<br />
‘Lymphoedema’ is an umbrella<br />
term used for a range of swelling<br />
disorders and is a common<br />
problem experienced by people<br />
with reduced mobility usually in<br />
the lower limbs and less frequently<br />
in the arms or trunk of the body.<br />
Randall explained that early<br />
intervention is key to ensuring<br />
Clients do not develop painful<br />
injuries as a result of the swelling.<br />
“Swelling in tissues produces a<br />
barrier between the circulation<br />
and the cells, making the distance<br />
greater for the exchange of oxygen,<br />
nutrients and waste,” he said.<br />
“When we have swelling, the<br />
health of the cells is not as good<br />
as what it could be, which can<br />
eventually lead to changes in the<br />
skin and toenails.”<br />
“Ongoing swelling causes the<br />
cells to release a low-grade<br />
inflammatory response, which<br />
results in tissue scarring,” he said.<br />
“If we can manage it early, then<br />
we don’t get to that stage, as this<br />
becomes much harder to manage.”<br />
When engaging with the<br />
lymphoedema service, the<br />
physiotherapist will complete an<br />
initial assessment and medical<br />
background check to ascertain<br />
why the swelling is occurring.<br />
Measurements are then taken<br />
first thing in the morning when<br />
swelling is at it’s minimum to<br />
prescribe custom compression<br />
garments which can be worn<br />
throughout the day to stop the<br />
development of swelling.<br />
Considerations are also made<br />
around the Client’s ability to<br />
apply and remove the garment<br />
and a donning aid may also be<br />
prescribed to assist.<br />
The physiotherapist will also<br />
provide education around the<br />
management of the swelling,<br />
including the importance of<br />
hydration and how to elevate<br />
and ice.<br />
For more complex cases, there are<br />
other options such as bandaging<br />
to decongest the limb over a series<br />
of visits, before moving to custom<br />
garments.<br />
Other treatments include manual<br />
lymph drainage, a specific<br />
technique developed in Germany<br />
by Dr. Emil Vodder.<br />
“It is about stimulating the<br />
lymphatic system to drain the<br />
tissues more efficiently,”<br />
Randall said.<br />
“It is a very interesting concept.<br />
If you think of the lymphatic<br />
system as a vacuum cleaner<br />
which is constantly sucking<br />
back to the heart, it is about<br />
stimulating the system to help<br />
drain the fluid.”<br />
If you have noticed the<br />
development of swelling<br />
during the heat of<br />
summer or have ongoing<br />
swelling concerns contact<br />
lymph@mswa.org.au to find<br />
out how the lymphoedema<br />
service could help you.<br />
will allow our Physiotherapy<br />
Team to provide better<br />
support to current and newly<br />
diagnosed Clients.<br />
It also signalled the opening<br />
of a dedicated assessment<br />
space, a critical resource having<br />
added three new physiotherapy<br />
services over the past two years<br />
(Lymphodema, Respiratory and<br />
Continence).<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Physiotherapy manager<br />
James Beckett said the upgrade<br />
would provide improved options,<br />
space and privacy for Clients<br />
receiving services.<br />
“Previously we had not been able<br />
to offer Clients who are newly<br />
diagnosed, or in the very early<br />
stages of their neuro condition,<br />
with the level of support we would<br />
like,” James said.<br />
“These Clients need different<br />
equipment, which means more<br />
space and slightly different services.”<br />
“This is now possible thanks to the<br />
generosity of our supporters. We<br />
spent many a month poring over<br />
our equipment choices to make<br />
sure we spent all of that money as<br />
wisely as possible.”<br />
Manager Allied Health<br />
Services Carol Chong said this<br />
upgrade provided Clients with<br />
renewed options and access to<br />
improved technology.<br />
“It means we can better tailor our<br />
services to meet our Clients’ needs<br />
because it is not a one-size fits all<br />
service,” she said.<br />
“We need to be continually looking<br />
at improvement and what is the<br />
Thank you to our generous supporters<br />
for positively impacting the lives of<br />
our Clients through your donation.<br />
“Without our supporters it would<br />
have taken a lot longer to get<br />
where we are today.”<br />
Carol said this work was just<br />
the beginning, and the team<br />
would continue to look at<br />
options to broaden our offerings<br />
at each facility.<br />
“It ultimately provides a wider range<br />
of services for all of our Clients.”<br />
most suitable for our Clients as<br />
things advance.”<br />
22<br />
23
OUTREACH<br />
AWARD WINNERS LIST<br />
First prize awards:<br />
/ Jasmin Franklin<br />
Drawing - Pencil/Conte/<br />
Charcoal/Ink<br />
/ Jasmin Franklin<br />
Drawing - Mixed Media<br />
/ Susan Finlay<br />
Scrapbooking<br />
Bernie Abernethy<br />
Lyndee Aspey<br />
/ Shane King<br />
Drawing - Oil/Acrylic<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Textile - tapestry<br />
CLIENT ART SHINES<br />
AT CANNING SHOW<br />
Yvette D’cruz<br />
Shane King<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Drawing - Pastel<br />
/ Lyndee Aspey<br />
Dry flower arrangement<br />
/ Bernie Abernethy<br />
Card making<br />
Christmas card<br />
/ Bernie Abernethy<br />
Paper tole picture<br />
/ Yvette D’cruz<br />
Decoupage<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong>’s Client artists had their<br />
Turning ‘trash’ into treasure,<br />
Second prize<br />
most successful year to date<br />
at the 2022 Canning Show, with<br />
19 winning works of art and both<br />
Susan Finlay and Jasmin Franklin<br />
named as show champions.<br />
This was no surprise with the level of<br />
talent on display, as 16 Client exhibitors<br />
submitted 47 pieces for judging.<br />
Jasmin earned the title of<br />
Champion People with Disability<br />
Painting and Drawing for her<br />
stunning anime rock painting and<br />
Susan was named Champion Scrap<br />
Booking for a second year running.<br />
Susan’s style of ‘junk journaling’ is<br />
quite unique, having finessed her<br />
abilities through hours of practice<br />
and a willingness to constantly<br />
extend herself.<br />
“I do junk journaling continuously,<br />
every day and every night,” she said.<br />
“It is a fairly new craft in the paper<br />
world – a lot of people don’t know<br />
about it – but it is just another<br />
form of journaling and you can use<br />
anything up, I love it.”<br />
Susan recycles everything in her<br />
journals, from old envelopes to<br />
porridge packets.<br />
“I use scraps of things and<br />
whatever I can use I put in there,<br />
each journal has tucks and pockets<br />
and everything hidden, flips and<br />
flaps all through it,” she said.<br />
“I save papers as well and do<br />
stamping, stenciling, put lace and<br />
material on it, do different forms of<br />
it. Whenever I can learn something<br />
new I add it in there.”<br />
Susan’s champion piece was a<br />
vintage captain logbook, which she<br />
made for a family member they call<br />
“Captain Dan”.<br />
It has been almost five years since<br />
Susan began attending <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Wilson each Tuesday for art class,<br />
in which she progressed from<br />
card-making to scrapbooking and<br />
now her junk journals.<br />
“Our craft lady – we call her ‘Ma’<br />
but it is Lesley of course – she is a<br />
volunteer and would do anything<br />
to help you, she is just wonderful,”<br />
Susan said.<br />
“We would be lost without Zu<br />
because she does everything to<br />
help us, she is the one who puts it<br />
all into the Canning Show.”<br />
For beginners wanting to learn<br />
more about art and craft, Susan<br />
said YouTube was a great resource<br />
for techniques and new ideas.<br />
“You can learn everything on<br />
YouTube, you just need to have a<br />
go,” she said.<br />
“Or come and join us anyway, come<br />
have a conversation, come have a<br />
cuppa and we are always having<br />
fun, always.”<br />
All of our exhibiting artists<br />
were recognised for their<br />
talents with a presentation<br />
of certificates by <strong>MSWA</strong> CEO<br />
Melanie Kiely late last year and<br />
we again want to extend a<br />
huge congratulations to all.<br />
We can’t wait to see what you<br />
produce in <strong>2023</strong>!<br />
Barry Belt<br />
Jackie Edwards<br />
Janene Grant<br />
Lesley Pitt<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Textile – Wall hanging<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Toys & Dolls - Rag doll<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Drawing - Water colour<br />
/ Bernie Abernethy<br />
Card making<br />
Third prize<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Drawing - Pencil/Conte/<br />
Charcoal/Ink<br />
/ Jackie Edwards<br />
Handicraft - Garden ornament<br />
/ Yvette D’cruz<br />
Mosaic article<br />
/ Essie Clinton<br />
5D Diamond dot art<br />
/ Shane King<br />
Mixed media open<br />
EXHIBITING ARTISTS<br />
/ Tony Villamagna<br />
/ Barry Belt<br />
/ Lesley Pitt<br />
/ Daniel Leary<br />
/ Janene Grant<br />
/ Chris Stephens<br />
/ Nauman Hamid<br />
/ Sheila Hayfield<br />
Susan's winning art<br />
Jasmin's winning art<br />
24<br />
25
ACCOMMODATION & OUTREACH<br />
OUTREACH AND ACCOMMODATION<br />
HAPPENINGS<br />
Santa brings Christmas spirit to Outreach<br />
Festive activities filled the final days of Outreach for<br />
2022, with the month of December packed full of art and<br />
entertainment across our centres.<br />
Clients were busy making cards, gifts, gingerbread people<br />
OUTREACH<br />
cookies and wonderful decorations.<br />
The highlights were the visits from Mr and Mrs Claus, as<br />
It has been a busy few months at Outreach, with<br />
plenty of holiday season celebrations leading into the<br />
Outreach opening times<br />
they delivered Christmas gifts and spread joy at Wilson<br />
and Beechboro Outreach.<br />
Christmas break, then kicking off the new year strongly<br />
with some entertaining visitors!<br />
If you live in Perth, Rockingham, Bunbury or Albany<br />
and are interested in a trial to experience the Outreach<br />
community, get in touch with Senior Community<br />
Outreach Coordinator Melissa Coombs via<br />
outreach@mswa.org.au<br />
Wilson Mon, Tues, Wed + Thurs 8.30am -2pm<br />
Beechboro Mon + Fri 8.30am – 1pm<br />
Rockingham Tues, Wed + Fri 8.30am – 1pm<br />
Bunbury Wednesday 9am – 12pm<br />
Albany Friday 9am – 12pm<br />
ACCOMMODATION<br />
We hope they will visit again next year!<br />
Pigeon racing!<br />
It appears <strong>MSWA</strong> Community Support Worker,<br />
Garry ‘The Pigeon Man’ Wilson, has a hidden talent!<br />
When he isn’t spending time with our Clients at<br />
Wilson Outreach, Garry raises, trains and races<br />
pigeons, donating any funds from this venture to<br />
veteran support charity Legacy WA.<br />
In January, Garry bought some of his baby<br />
pigeons to visit our Clients in Beechboro –<br />
just look at those smiles.<br />
Thank you very much for your kind<br />
donation<br />
Albany was also lucky enough to receive<br />
some thoughtful donations from the<br />
community to help everyone feel more at<br />
home when attending the Services Centre.<br />
This included a donated bench seat from<br />
the Albany Men’s Shed and the private<br />
Albany sprouts green thumbs<br />
donation of a piano.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Client, David, was delighted when team<br />
members from Bunnings arrived at the <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Albany Accommodation and Services Centre to<br />
set up raised gardens for the patio area outside<br />
his unit in late 2022.<br />
They happily assisted him with planting flowers,<br />
herbs, fruit and vegetables, and gave him tips on<br />
how to fertilise and care for them.<br />
David organised the gardening day with the<br />
team at Bunnings Albany and said he felt it was<br />
the first time he was able to give back to the<br />
Fantastic Fringe show<br />
Beechboro Outreach were treated<br />
to an exclusive Fringe show in<br />
January, when Perth-based theatre<br />
company Company O performed<br />
Art (a play by Yasmina Reza).<br />
Picture perfect painting day<br />
Rockingham Outreach got their creative<br />
juices flowing in January, when Outreach<br />
Coordinator Peta arranged a canvas<br />
painting class.<br />
The theme for the day was ‘Australiana’.<br />
people at <strong>MSWA</strong> that supported him.<br />
He added that he's been given a whole sense<br />
of purpose as he wants to grow herbs and<br />
vegetables for use in the <strong>MSWA</strong> Albany kitchen<br />
so that all the Clients can enjoy them too.<br />
Great work David!<br />
Festive fun<br />
The Facilities Team worked hard to bring<br />
the seasonal spirit to our Accommodation<br />
Clients with larger than life Christmas<br />
displays. Their hard-work paid off, with<br />
both Clients and Staff reporting their joy!<br />
26<br />
27
VOLUNTEERING, CAMPS & RECREATION<br />
HERE’S TO A GREAT YEAR<br />
OF VOLUNTEERING!<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> is lucky to have amazing<br />
volunteers supporting us in a<br />
variety of roles across the<br />
organisation.<br />
Our volunteers make fundraising<br />
events such as the <strong>MSWA</strong> Ocean<br />
Ride and Step Up for <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
possible, while our niche group of<br />
peer support volunteers facilitate<br />
coffee groups to provide critical<br />
connections and support for our<br />
Clients. We also have volunteers<br />
based in our offices, Outreach<br />
Centres, facilities and Clients’<br />
homes, who commit anywhere from<br />
half an hour to 12 hours a week. We<br />
can’t thank our volunteers enough<br />
for their time, commitment and<br />
dedication to making a difference.<br />
2022 was anything but an easy year<br />
to navigate for most of us. The WA<br />
border opened after a two-year<br />
closure and the community had to<br />
adhere to changing restrictions and<br />
measures to minimise the spread of<br />
COVID-19 and its numerous strains.<br />
Plans and processes had to be<br />
reviewed to best address growing<br />
concerns and individuals had to<br />
keep pace with these changes as<br />
days went by.<br />
But despite the ever-changing<br />
COVID-19 landscape, our<br />
volunteers pressed on and<br />
contributed more than 3,300<br />
hours in 2022. On a positive<br />
note, we were glad to welcome<br />
10 new volunteers last year,<br />
with a third of our new recruits<br />
based in the Albany region.<br />
We start <strong>2023</strong> with seven positions<br />
to fill across Beechboro, Wilson,<br />
Hamilton Hill and City Beach and<br />
welcome all expressions of interest<br />
by those wanting to make a positive<br />
impact in their community. Our<br />
aim is always to place potential<br />
volunteers in positions suited to<br />
their skills, goals and interests, in<br />
locations most convenient to them.<br />
To boost the growth of the <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Volunteers Team, we have listened<br />
to feedback and will be reviewing<br />
and refining our program to<br />
encourage greater community<br />
participation. Engaging volunteers<br />
in our organisation not only provides<br />
valuable support for staff, but it<br />
also builds a greater awareness,<br />
understanding and acceptance of<br />
people with neurological conditions<br />
in the larger community.<br />
WE WANT YOU!<br />
Current Volunteer Positions:<br />
Kitchen<br />
Assistant<br />
(2 positions)<br />
Wilson,<br />
Beechboro<br />
EVENT VOLUNTEERS WANTED<br />
We are on the search for<br />
volunteers to help out with our<br />
flagship Step Up for <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
event on Sunday, June 25, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Join in the fun by registering<br />
your interest here:<br />
https://bit.ly/3JgjM7N.<br />
Alternatively, you can contact the<br />
team at events@mswa.org.au.<br />
So, if you or someone you know<br />
would like to be a part of the <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Volunteers Team, contact Mala<br />
Padmanathan, Volunteer and Camp<br />
Coordinator on 6454 3184 or via email<br />
at Mala.Padmanathan@mswa.org.au.<br />
MALA PADMANATHAN<br />
VOLUNTEER AND CAMP<br />
COORDINATOR<br />
Activity<br />
Assistant<br />
(2 positions)<br />
City Beach,<br />
Rockingham<br />
Gardener<br />
(3 positions)<br />
Beechboro,<br />
Hamilton Hill,<br />
Wilson<br />
28<br />
29
EVENTS<br />
GOING THE DISTANCE FOR <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
2022 <strong>MSWA</strong> OCEAN RIDE<br />
An incredible 2,100 cyclists came together to<br />
It was also great to see <strong>MSWA</strong> staff members, like our<br />
fundraise more than $400,000 for people living with Chief Executive Officer Melanie Kiely, Chief Marketing<br />
neurological conditions as part of the 2022 <strong>MSWA</strong> Officer Tony Millar and <strong>MSWA</strong> Board President Horst<br />
Ocean Ride - Powered by RetraVision, in November. Bemmerl participating in the ride, and bringing their<br />
family and friends along for the fun too.<br />
As our riders can attest, the weather was glorious and<br />
the head winds weren't too strong - a welcome relief We extend our immense gratitude to our<br />
for those brave participants undertaking the longer<br />
volunteers fulfilling an array of roles – from finish<br />
ride distances.<br />
line cheerleaders to our critical road marshal<br />
positions, without which the event would not<br />
From seasoned cyclists taking on the 140km EPIC<br />
have been the success it was.<br />
Challenge, joy riders spending a day out with family<br />
and right through to beginners trying something new, A great day was had by a community coming together<br />
all were united in supporting the <strong>MSWA</strong> cause.<br />
for something bigger than themselves – to raise funds<br />
and awareness to make a tangible difference in the<br />
Once again we had a strong show of support from<br />
lives of those living with neurological conditions.<br />
long-time corporate supporters, including Retravision,<br />
APA, Wood, GR Engineering and Radlink, who were all Our event photographers Nina Otranto and Adam Kenna<br />
represented during their rides.<br />
captured all the action and we have selected some of our<br />
We also acknowledge our 2022 sponsors RetraVision, favourite photos to share with you in <strong>Bulletin</strong>.<br />
Road Safety Commission, City of Joondalup and<br />
If you would like to view to whole gallery to see<br />
Harcourts Foundation for making this event possible.<br />
if you were snapped, head online to<br />
mswaevents.smugmug.com/2022-<strong>MSWA</strong>-Ocean-Ride<br />
But don't just take our word for it! See<br />
what our participants had to say:<br />
“My favourite part of the day was being<br />
out on the road with other people who<br />
are riding for the same cause.”<br />
“It felt good to support, ride and be a<br />
part of something.”<br />
“The weather was amazing and<br />
everyone embraced the event towards<br />
a great cause.”<br />
“Great to take part in the personal<br />
challenge shared with other<br />
like-minded people.”<br />
“I felt like a star at the finishing line.”<br />
WOULD YOU PREFER<br />
TO RECEIVE BULLETIN<br />
ONLINE?<br />
Help us to reduce our environmental impact by going<br />
digital! Not only does this save trees and minimise<br />
our contribution to landfill, but it also allows you<br />
to better engage with our <strong>Bulletin</strong> content.<br />
Get in touch via communications@mswa.org.au<br />
to sign up to our e-magazine.<br />
30<br />
31
OUR COMMUNITY<br />
STATIONARY RIDERS<br />
CYCLE TO GLORY<br />
Winners are grinners<br />
in Rockingham.<br />
Tania Barclay played a significant<br />
role in <strong>MSWA</strong> Albany’s total, with<br />
an individual effort of 520.97kms,<br />
the highest out of all 219<br />
participants.<br />
Physiotherapy Assistant Celeste<br />
McMahon had a special strategy to<br />
keep everyone in Albany pedalling,<br />
which was to put up images and<br />
facts about oceans in the gym.<br />
“This year, as it is the Ocean<br />
Ride, I featured the five oceans<br />
of the planet, ocean animals<br />
and mysteries of the oceans<br />
– something that brings back<br />
memories for people as well as<br />
being a talking point," she said.<br />
“I also put a lot of jokes on there –<br />
we try to make it fun instead of so<br />
serious and they feel like they are<br />
achieving as well.”<br />
Healthy competition between<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Service Centres saw<br />
Clients ride a combined total of<br />
8935kms in the Stationary Cycle<br />
Challenge – the equivalent<br />
of travelling from Perth to<br />
Sydney… and back!<br />
The challenge is led by our<br />
Physiotherapy Team, who track<br />
the kilometres Clients travel on<br />
stationary bikes to add toward each<br />
teams’ total.<br />
Individuals and teams also had the<br />
chance to fundraise over the course<br />
of the challenge, which led into the<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Ocean Ride event.<br />
Rockingham were thrilled to be<br />
crowned in first place for 2022,<br />
taking home the coveted shield<br />
with 1976kms across their 39 riders.<br />
Rockingham Physiotherapy<br />
Assistant Kirsten Rutherford said<br />
she was so proud of her team for<br />
taking out the win.<br />
“I feel so happy for them that they<br />
have done it and we put it together<br />
as a team,” Kirsten said.<br />
“It’s good individually<br />
because they have all set their<br />
individual goals and have<br />
smashed it, but working as a<br />
team and actually getting our<br />
goal of making Rockingham<br />
number one again was good<br />
for all of us.”<br />
Kirsten said there had been plenty<br />
of healthy competition between<br />
Clients over the eight weeks.<br />
“A lot of people tried to really<br />
push past their goals. Seeing that<br />
other people could do it really<br />
motivated them, and they went<br />
for it," she said.<br />
Client Joan Johnston said she was<br />
excited to take the win with the<br />
“lovely bunch” at Rockingham.<br />
“How exciting is it!” she said,<br />
“[the Stationary Cycle] gives you<br />
something to head for, but we all<br />
“Everyone is always happy and<br />
smiling, so it is always uplifting<br />
coming in here.”<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Rockingham just pipped<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Wilson at the post, who<br />
notched up an impressive 1528kms<br />
with 38 participants and defending<br />
champions <strong>MSWA</strong> Albany in third,<br />
who recorded a mammoth<br />
1479kms despite only fielding a<br />
16-person team.<br />
Albany Physiotherapy Assistant<br />
Celeste motivating team members<br />
Caroline and Graham to defend their<br />
2021 title during the challenge.<br />
Celeste said the challenge was<br />
a good “social booster” and<br />
individual motivator for Clients.<br />
“Having people with different<br />
neurological conditions<br />
participating in the challenge<br />
made them feel connected – it’s<br />
not just for people with MS – it<br />
makes them feel part of a team<br />
and included, and inclusivity is<br />
everything,” she said.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Albany Client Graham<br />
Smithson said the team had given<br />
it “a good go, as we always do”<br />
and said the challenge was about<br />
“enjoying what you are doing”.<br />
The highest individual fundraiser<br />
was Ehsan Karaji from <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Wilson, who raised $520 for the<br />
organisation.<br />
We look forward to seeing this<br />
event continue to grow in the<br />
future and would like to thank<br />
each and every participant for<br />
their support.<br />
aim at something in here.”<br />
32<br />
33
OUR COMMUNITY<br />
A PIPEDREAM COME TRUE<br />
Ian is usually pretty confident of a win in the <strong>MSWA</strong> Lottery but this year<br />
was different – he thought he had missed out on a ticket entirely.<br />
You can imagine his surprise when <strong>MSWA</strong> CEO Melanie Kiely, Client Nicolette<br />
Murphy and Care Support Worker Natasha Bishop called to congratulate him<br />
on winning the life changing $3.8 million Applecross Grand Prize Package.<br />
A member of the Platinum Club, which reserve tickets in future <strong>MSWA</strong> Mega<br />
Home Lotteries, Luxury Lotteries or Multi-Choice Raffle campaigns, Ian’s ticket<br />
had somehow found its way into his junk folder.<br />
“I thought ‘I really must contact <strong>MSWA</strong> and give them my updated details’<br />
because it looks like my Platinum tickets haven’t come through,” Ian said.<br />
“I had been a bit disappointed because I thought I had missed out on a ticket<br />
this time, so it came really out of the blue!”<br />
“I really didn’t believe it, I just thought, ‘it can’t be true’.”<br />
Ian won <strong>MSWA</strong>’s biggest ever grand prize; an idyllic home located in<br />
Applecross, a luxe Range Rover Velar and a cool $300,000 in cash, allowing<br />
him to put in his notice at work the very next day.<br />
“It was getting to that stage in life where retirement was getting closer, but<br />
you never know what is going to happen with markets, how much money<br />
you need, you never know what is round the corner,” Ian said.<br />
“It’s that kind of pipedream; ‘if I win the house, I will actually be able to retire<br />
and it will change my life’, but you never actually expect it to happen.”<br />
“Now I am living that dream.”<br />
Ian and his wife purchased tickets for the very first <strong>MSWA</strong> lottery, motivated by<br />
a friend from his school days who lives with MS. He has been buying them ever<br />
since to continue his support of people living with neurological conditions.<br />
“We are still in the Platinum Club so I look forward to winning another house<br />
next year,” he laughed.<br />
“No, I have no expectations to win anything else, but I will stay in the<br />
Platinum Club so I can give back and keep supporting <strong>MSWA</strong>.”<br />
SPECIAL GUESTS<br />
CHANGE WINNERS’ LIVES<br />
“It is something that needs to be supported and the lottery is a great vehicle<br />
to be able to support <strong>MSWA</strong> and give a bit of money to help.”<br />
For those thinking of buying a ticket, Ian’s advice was to “go for it”.<br />
“All the people at work are looking into the house lottery now, because you<br />
don’t believe anybody wins until you find out the person sitting next to you in<br />
the office has won it,” he said.<br />
“You realise the winners are all real, and it is possible.”<br />
Three special guests took part in one of last year's<br />
Mega Home Lottery prize draws, responsible for<br />
the most important role – pressing the button to<br />
reveal the winner!<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> Clients Julia Hewson, Neil Cumming and<br />
Nicolette Murphy handled the pressure with ease,<br />
turning Super Early Bird winner Anouska, Early<br />
Bird Prize winners Daryl and Kylie, and Grand Prize<br />
winner Ian into millionaires with just a click.<br />
Care Support Workers Natasha Bishop and Laila<br />
Bjorklund also joined in to call the winners and hear<br />
their reaction to incredible news.<br />
“It was a very special moment for sure, something<br />
Neil will cherish a long time,” said Laila.<br />
“It really was the best day of ‘work’ ever –<br />
one I won’t ever forget!” said Natasha.<br />
IS IT YOUR TURN TO WIN?<br />
The <strong>MSWA</strong> Mega Home Lottery is back, and<br />
this time there are three incredible homes to be won,<br />
including our biggest Grand Prize yet!<br />
Tickets go on sale Monday, 27 February, visit us at<br />
mswalottery.com.au to secure your tickets and go in the<br />
draw to win.<br />
Every ticket sold supports Western Australians living with<br />
a neurological condition.<br />
34<br />
35
OUR COMMUNITY<br />
SAVE THE DATE!<br />
11 MARCH, <strong>2023</strong> 25 JUNE, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Take your marks, get set... GO!<br />
Albany Swim is a unique community swimming event to raise funds for<br />
people living with neurological conditions, including those living in the<br />
Great Southern region.<br />
Join swimmers of all ages as they challenge themselves to out-swim the clock.<br />
Teams of 10 will work together to continuously relay over an eight-hour<br />
marathon in the swimming style of their choice (even doggy paddle!).<br />
Ready to dive right in?<br />
Find out more and register now at www.mswaswim.org.au.<br />
Set yourself a special challenge in <strong>2023</strong> by getting involved in our<br />
unique stair-climbing event.<br />
Step Up for <strong>MSWA</strong> challenges you to climb 1,103 steps up Perth’s tallest building<br />
– once, twice or even multiple times for the super steppers!<br />
Registration will be opening very soon and we'd love to have you join us.<br />
Visit join.stepupformswa.org.au/early to be first to know when registration opens.<br />
Interested in volunteering? Sign up now: https://bit.ly/3JgjM7N.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> ALBANY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY<br />
13 APRIL, <strong>2023</strong><br />
That’s right, one whole year has flown by!<br />
It is only right to celebrate <strong>MSWA</strong>’s amazing Services Centre and Accommodation<br />
Facility in Albany as we approach this milestone with a community event, seeing<br />
as the development was made possible by our generous supporters in the region.<br />
Further details will be shared in our Vitality newsletter as they<br />
become available, so keep your eyes on your inbox or check in at<br />
mswa.org.au/news-research/publications.<br />
MAY, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Organised by our friends over at MS Plus, The May 50k aims to raise<br />
funds to leave MS where it belongs – behind us.<br />
Sign up for free to run, walk or move 50kms during the month of May<br />
and track your progress to achieve your fitness goals.<br />
Share your commitment to the challenge and raise funds to support<br />
MS research.<br />
Register your interest as an individual, team or workplace at<br />
www.themay50k.org.<br />
6 MAY, <strong>2023</strong><br />
With four ride distances to choose from, there is something to suit all ages,<br />
abilities and fitness levels.<br />
The various routes take riders through scenic Albany, past some of the city's<br />
most iconic spots, like the National ANZAC Centre, the Historic Whaling Station<br />
and Middleton Beach!<br />
There was more to see in 2022, with the route extended to explore Tornidirrup<br />
National Park, taking cyclists out to nature's marvels Uredale Point, the Natural<br />
Bridge and the Gap.<br />
This year’s date has been set, with further information to come.<br />
AUGUST, <strong>2023</strong><br />
MS Readathon challenges kids to read as much as they can in<br />
August, where they have the chance to earn prizes, collect badges<br />
and complete challenges.<br />
It makes reading fun and exciting!<br />
Register your interest for the <strong>2023</strong> readathon at msreadathon.org.au.<br />
8 MARCH<br />
13 - 19 MARCH<br />
16 MARCH<br />
17 MARCH<br />
20 - 26 MARCH<br />
7 APRIL<br />
11 APRIL<br />
International Women's Day<br />
Brain Awareness Week<br />
Swallowing Awareness Day<br />
World Sleep Day<br />
Dietitians Week<br />
World Health Day<br />
World Parkinson's Day<br />
36<br />
37
INK-REDIBLE DONATION<br />
ALL SWEET FOR <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
SUBMIT YOUR<br />
ARTICLE TO US<br />
It was a full circle moment for<br />
Perth tattoo artist Rory Armstrong<br />
when he utilised the same<br />
creative skills which introduced<br />
him to his girlfriend, Dana, to raise<br />
more than $6,000 for <strong>MSWA</strong> in<br />
her honour.<br />
Dana was diagnosed with<br />
relapsing-remitting MS at just 22<br />
years of age, but Rory said her<br />
condition did not stop her from<br />
helping others in her full-time<br />
nursing career.<br />
Do you have a story about living<br />
with a neurological condition in<br />
WA that other <strong>MSWA</strong><br />
Clients might like to read?<br />
We invite you to share your<br />
experiences with our many<br />
<strong>Bulletin</strong> readers.<br />
Email your submission to<br />
bulletin@mswa.org.au<br />
for consideration by the<br />
Editorial Working Group.<br />
“Dana is one of those people who<br />
gets a little bit embarrassed when<br />
people do things for her, she is so<br />
used to doing things for everyone<br />
else,” said Rory.<br />
The pair first met when Dana<br />
came to Rory for a tattoo, and the<br />
“rest is history”.<br />
“Through her, I found out how<br />
hard MS really can be on people,<br />
both the families and the patient,”<br />
Rory said.<br />
“I thought, ‘I make pretty good<br />
money tattooing, so if I can donate<br />
one day of my year to anyone else<br />
living with a neurological condition,<br />
why not?’ It was a pretty easy<br />
decision.”<br />
To raise the funds, the Bittersweet<br />
Tattoo Studio in Subiaco hosted<br />
a ‘Flash Day’ in December, with<br />
Rory donating 100% of his profits<br />
to benefit people living with<br />
neurological conditions.<br />
Rory said the response on the day<br />
was overwhelmingly positive.<br />
“We had a line about 200m long<br />
before the doors opened at 10am,”<br />
Rory said.<br />
“We walked down the line and the<br />
first 40 to 50 people were there to<br />
see me, or my co-worker who was<br />
also donating a portion of their<br />
profits, to support the charity. It<br />
was awesome to see.”<br />
Rory also ran a raffle in the two<br />
weeks leading up to the event,<br />
receiving an upswell of support<br />
that saw him sell 300 tickets for<br />
the cause.<br />
“As soon as I mentioned the raffle<br />
and I put it up on my socials the<br />
response was absolutely insane,”<br />
he said.<br />
Combined with his takings and<br />
donations from other artists’ profits<br />
on the day, the total raised came to<br />
an incredible $6,214.<br />
“I know Dana was absolutely<br />
overwhelmed by all of it, but she<br />
was very grateful,” said Rory.<br />
“The team at <strong>MSWA</strong> does the most<br />
amazing job, I am so thankful for all<br />
of you and the work you do, so I am<br />
glad I could contribute.”<br />
This is just the start of a new<br />
tradition for Rory, who plans<br />
on making the fundraiser an<br />
annual event.<br />
“Next year I am setting myself the<br />
goal of raising $10,000” Rory said.<br />
<strong>MSWA</strong> would like to extend a<br />
huge thank you to Rory and<br />
the team at Bittersweet Tattoo<br />
SUGGESTIONS, COMPLAINTS<br />
AND COMPLIMENTS<br />
We want to hear from you. Your<br />
feedback helps us to understand<br />
what is working well and where<br />
we can improve.<br />
You can raise a concern or<br />
acknowledge the support<br />
an <strong>MSWA</strong> staff member has<br />
provided by:<br />
/ Talking to the coordinator of<br />
your services<br />
/ Telephoning the Complaints<br />
Liaison and Compliance<br />
Coordinator, Davina Sawyer,<br />
on 6454 3146<br />
/ Emailing<br />
feedback@mswa.org.au<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<br />
right to have support from<br />
an advocate at any point in<br />
a complaint process. The<br />
Complaints Liaison and<br />
Compliance Coordinator can<br />
help you to access an advocacy<br />
service if you wish.<br />
“I didn’t know what I had got<br />
myself into. I was constantly writing<br />
raffle tickets down every night and<br />
day, but it was so worth it.”<br />
Studio for their support and<br />
commitment to improving<br />
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<strong>MSWA</strong>.ORG.AU