Network - Summer 2012

The magazine of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT | www.ms.asn.au

Network12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

News 5Ourpeople 11Research 12MSSocietyvolunteers 13BeattheHeatthisSummer! 20Willyoucoolyourhomeefficientlythissummer? 23GoGlobalTravel 24Peersupportupdate 26WorkplaceSolutions 28Clientstory 29 MSChoiceAwards 33Spotlight 33

2 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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From the Editor ...............................................................3

CEO report ............................................................................4

News ...............................................................................................5

Our people........................................................................... 11

Research ................................................................................ 12

MS Society volunteers .....................................13

MS Mud Run ......................................................................14

Beat the Heat this Summer! ..................20

Will you cool your home

efficiently this summer? ................................23

Go Global Travel ......................................................24

Peer support update ........................................ 26

Workplace Solutions .........................................28

Client story ....................................................................... 29

MS Choice Awards ...............................................33

Spotlight ................................................................................33

Locations ..............................................................................36

In this issue

In this issue

MSHeadOfficePO Box 377 Salisbury South DC SA 5106 P (08) 7002 6500 Toll Free 1800 812 311 F (08) 7002 6599 E [email protected]

MSNorthernTerritoryPO Box 867, Nightcliff NT 0814 P (08) 8948 5300 F (08) 8948 5344 E [email protected]

www.ms.asn.au

MSSocietyPrivacyPolicy:The MS Society of SA & NT is committed to the protection of private information. A full copy of the MS Society Privacy Policy is available by phone: (08) 7002 6500 or online at www.ms.asn.au

Disclaimer: Material published in Network may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the MS Society. Any views expressed are not necessarily the views of the MS Society. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of any content but no responsibility can be taken for any error or error by-omission.l

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12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 3

If you are thinking about taking a trip

over the summer, we have recently

partnered with Go Global Travel. Go

Global Travel are a specialist disability

travel agency and can provide a

tailored travel service to suit your

needs such as home visits to plan your

itinerary. Kirstie, who is also a client

of the Society, is our travel agent and

can be contacted on(08)82710026

or email [email protected]. Read

about their services on page 24.

Also in this edition there are lots of

tips on keeping cool and your energy

bills down over summer in this edition.

I hope they are helpful over the hot

summer months that many of you find

unbearable.

I want to wish everyone a great

Christmas and New Year! Stay safe over

the holiday period… speak to you all

again in 2013!!

ReneeMeredithEditor Network

MS Society of SA & NT Inc

[email protected]

Hello everyone,

We are living and breathing mud in the

office at the moment! By the time this

edition is out, the event will be over

and we can all breathe a sigh of relief!

It’s shaping up to be a brilliant day, and

loads of fun.I’ve saved pages 14 to 19

to slot in some photos before we go to

print! I’m planning to take part on the

day. Wish me luck retrospectively!

For the past few months I’ve listened

to Paul, regular volunteer and client of

the Society, talk about his upcoming

trip to America. He’s been so excited

and has worked hard to get fit for the

trip, so when he returned in October,

I set him straight to work writing a story

about his experience for Network.

It’s on page 29. I hope you enjoy it

and get inspired by the travel bug

like Paul was.

From the Editor

From the Editor

24

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36


CEO report

I will speak much more about these

matters in the next edition of Network.

I have been invited to attend my first

Peer Group meeting at Gawler on 10

December, and I am very much looking

forward to it. I hope that by being face

to face with many more PwMS I will

come to a better understanding of your

needs, and to represent your views in

the planning and management of the

Society. If other peer groups would like

me to attend a meeting, please contact

Lyn Blackmore on(08)70026504.

As you will see elsewhere in this

edition, MS Australia is about to

release the results of a 3-year study

into the needs of people with MS.

The draft that I have seen provides

a very comprehensive analysis of the

needs, and the report will help the

Society in its future service planning.

The report will be made available

to all members through our website

when it is available; we will also make

hard copies available to those without

internet access.

I envisage that the Needs Analysis

will also be the topic of much

conversation and discernment in the

PwMS committee over coming months.

Following my call for more members

of that committee in the last Network

magazine, I was delighted that 3 people

indicated a willingness to come along

to a meeting and “give it a go”. Two

people subsequently attended the

next meeting, whilst the third was

unable to come at the scheduled time.

However, I am hopeful that we might

end up with three new “faces”. And

I would dearly love 10 more, so please

consider whether you might be one

of those faces!

Of course, the Bernie Lewis MS Mud

Run is not just about fundraising; it is

a very important tool in getting the

message out to the public that People

with MS (PwMS) are very ordinary

members of society, with very normal

goals and needs and desires. Many

people do not realise that PwMS also

have special needs, such as a need

for family, friends, work colleagues and

the public in general to understand the

obstacles PwMS have to overcome

every day just to achieve the simple

things in life.

With its 22 obstacles over 4km,

the Mud Run is a metaphor for the

life of people with MS, and this

message will be stressed on the day

to participants and onlookers alike.

I would like everyone to leave the

event on 2 December with a sense

of satisfaction at having had a

great time, and also a heightened

awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.

I am pleased to announce the

appointment of Michelle Anderson to

the position of MS Assist/Peer Group

Coordinator. Michelle, formerly the

Manager of Employment Solutions,

brings a lot of first-hand knowledge

of PwMS and the Society, and much

experience, to this position. Through

the MS Assist program that Michelle

will initiate, as well as a focus on the

development of peer groups and

partnerships with other organisations,

we are aiming to extend the reach

of services that PwMS have told us

they need. This will include very

purposefully people outside of

Adelaide; the Northern Territory and

rural and regional South Australia will

be targeted for much needed services.

At the time of writing this column, we are just days away from hosting the first ever Mud Run in South Australia. It is a very exciting (and maybe a little stressful J) time for our fundraising staff, as this is the largest fundraising event ever staged by the MS Society of SA & NT.

CEO report

Graeme participated in the ‘Chief Mudder’ race

in the Bernie Lewis MS Mud Run. You can see

him in action on our front cover!


Page heading 1 | Page heading 2 | Page heading 3 | etc

As we head into summer and the

Christmas period, I am very aware

that we are heading into a very

uncomfortable time of the year for

PwMS. Some have air conditioners;

some may even be able to afford

to run them. But there are many

people who do not have the luxury

of a cool place in the home. It is a

disappointment for me that we have

not yet succeeded in persuading the

state government to make the cooling

concessions more universally available

to PwMS, but it is not a topic we have

forgotten about.

I believe it is a right of people living

with intolerance to heat to have

the means of controlling their body

temperature, and I will lobby with

government for this cause.

In closing, I would like to wish all our

members, clients and staff a very

peaceful and joyful Christmas. I thank

you all for your participation in your

Society, including the many volunteers

and support people in the lives of all

PwMS. May the spirit of Christmas be

with you all.

GraemeWarnockChief Executive Officer

MS Society of SA & NT Inc

News

News

Along with all other charitable and not-

for-profit organisations, we are currently

reviewing a discussion paper issued

by the Federal Government’s “Not-

for-profit (NFP) Sector Tax Concession

Working Group”. This very important

review is looking at many of the

benefits currently provided to some

FBTs, including income tax exemption,

refundable franking credits on franked

dividends received, tax deductibility

of donations, fringe benefits tax

concessions to staff of approved

charities (such as the MS Society of SA

& NT), GST concessions and other tax

concessions available to some NFPs.

NFPs are a varied and disparate

group, and include small charitable

organisations like our own, through

to private schools and local bowling

and tennis clubs for example, through

to licensed leagues clubs (as seen

mainly in NSW and QLD) who have

turnovers of many hundreds of millions

of dollars, including large proportions

through poker machines. We will be

making strong representations to the

working group that we should not be

judged in the same category as some

of these massive businesses, and that

the loss of many of the tax benefits

would put at risk the very survival of

organisations such as the MS Society,

in the absence of full and ongoing

compensation in real terms into the

future. This is another example of

where the Society is representing the

needs of its members, and yet another

reason to join up as a member so that

your voice can be heard. Remember,

if you are not a member currently,

your next 12 month’s membership

is FREE! Please join!

ChristmasClosure

The MS Society offices will close for Christmas at 2:00pm on Monday 24 December and will reopen at 9:00am on Wednesday 2 January.

If you need any assistance over this

period, please contact your GP or

other healthcare professional.

In an emergency situation, call or go

directly to the emergency department

at the hospital.

Usefulnumbersovertheholidayperiod

DisabilityServices

After-hours service:

0883721414

Lifeline

If you feel that you might need

phone counselling, you can call

131114about anything that

might be troubling you.

CrisisCare assists people in

crisis. Opening hours: 4:00pm to

9:00am weekdays, 24-hours on

weekends and public hoidays.

Call 131611


LegalAssistance

The MS Society is offering a service to people with MS who think they may have a legal issue but are not sure where to take it. Our volunteer legal adviser can provide advice on how best to pursue the matter.

As discussed the last Network,

this service can also be used for

assistance with writing wills where the

MS Society is listed as a benefactor.

Please contact Lyn Blackmore for

more information on(08)70026500.

CoolCaneCovers

Walking Sticks may not be the coolest of accessories, but these covers certainly make them a bit more colourful and fun!

There are lots of different designs

and colours to choose from at www.

musmate.co.uk/canecover/index.htm

News continued

NeedsAnalysisofPeoplewithMS

As we are going to print with this edition, MS Australia has just released a National MS Needs Analysis for 2012.

2808 People with MS (PwMS)

completed the survey which found the

top areas of need for PwMS were:

n Education/Information

– about MS, symptom

management, benefits, etc

n Psycho-socialneeds

– peer support, counselling

n Environmentalneeds

– transport, equipment, home

modifications

n Employment/Financialneeds

– vocational support, flexible work

hours, government assistance

n Services

– physio, nursing

We will have more information on

the results of this survey available in

the coming weeks. Please check our

website and make sure you’re signed

up to our e-newsletter if you would

like stay informed.

News

DoyouliveinHoveorSemaphore?

We are hoping to start exercise groups in these areas next year.

If you would be interested in

attending these classes, please email

[email protected] call(08)70026500.

GentleYoga

The Gentle Yoga Class held on Tuesdays at 9:30am–10:30am run by Maria Merlino has moved back

to the EnfieldCommunityCentre

which is located at 540 Regency Road,

Enfield and is at Bus Stop 18 on the

100 Circle Line.

Contact Maria for more information

(08)82695210or 0411384486.


News

HealthSolutions

The following Health Solutions programs finish the week ending Friday 7 December:

n Marion exercise group

n Reynella exercise group

n Klemzig hydrotherapy

(Wednesday & Friday)

n Elizabeth circuit class

n Greenacres circuit class

(last session 20 November)

Unless otherwise advised, programs

will resume the week commencing

Monday 4 February 2013.

Please note our hot weather policy:

Iftheforecaststatesthatitis

goingtobe38degreesorover

onthe8:00amnewsthemorning

oftheprogram,itwillbecancelled

forthatday.

OralMedicationAubagioapprovedbytheTGA

The oral medication Aubagio (teriflunomide) has recently been registered as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Aubagio is a once-daily oral therapy

that aims to reduce relapses, slow the

progression of physical disability and

reduce brain lesions in people with MS.

This treatment is currently before

the Pharmaceutical Benefits

Advisory Committee (PBAC)

for consideration for subsidy.

More information can be found at

MS Research Australia’s website at

www.msra.org.au/tga-registers-

teriflunomide

People living with MS who require

further information should contact

their MS nurse or their treating

Neurologist.


MightySwim–Joinnow!

TEAMMS

TEAM MS is for anyone who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or anyone that has a disability or needs assistance to swim.

Carers are also invited to join

TEAM MS. Any queries specifically

related to TEAM MS please contact

your team captain, Lee O’Connell

on (08)83600800.

TEAMMS(Staffandfriends)

Are you connected with the MS

Society in any way: member, family,

friends, students or staff? We need

swimmers, sponsors, timekeepers,

lap counters etc. Any queries related

to TEAM MS (Staff and friends) please

contact your team captain, Sarah

Hueppauff on (08)83600800.

Lapswimming

Practice sessions are currently on

Tuesdays from 2:00pm–3:00pm at the

Payneham Pool (OG Road, Felixstow)

Contact Elly Fleig on 0421388676

for more details.

News

The ReneeThonardAwardis the

Society’s most prestigious award, given

annually at the AGM to an individual or

group, in recognition of consistent and

meritorious service to the Society.

The standard of the service is such

that the individual has made a tangible

difference for benefit of people with

multiple sclerosis and/or their families.

Renee Thonard was a founding

member of the Society in 1964.

This year’s recipient was Stefanie

Edson, pictured above with President

of the MS Society Board, Tony Abbott.

Stefanie helped run, and swam in,

this year’s inaugural Mighty Swim in

Hawker, SA, which raised over $10,000.

She was happy to make the 10-hour

round trip from her home in the Flinders

Ranges to collect the award! More

information about next year’s Hawker

MS Mighty Swim is on page 10.

News continued

AnnualGeneralMeetingandReneeThonardAward

The AGM for the MS Society was held on 17 October. Although a small turn out, it was an opportunity to celebrate our successes and look at ways to keep the Society sustainable in the future.

Membership of the society was a hot

topic and something the Board would

like to focus on in the coming year.

The Annual Report is available on our

website, or you can request a copy by

[email protected] call

Renee on (08)70026516.


News


Our people

LynBlackmoreStaff

JobTitle: Personal Assistant

Butwhatdoyoudo?

I provide admin support to the

CEO plus oversee Head Office

administration. The role is diverse

as it includes phone contact with

clients and outside organisations,

membership of the MS Society and

involvement with two data bases.

Having worked at the Society for so

long, I am also the ‘go to’ person for

just about everything and anything!

Howlonghaveyouworked

attheMSSociety?Nearly 17 years.

Whatisthemostenjoyable

partofyourjob?

Being a part of a team in which

our main focus is trying to achieve

better outcomes for people with MS.

Describeyourselfin3words:

Short, quirky, patient.

Our people

What’syourfavouritefood?

Hmm, I have a few favourites – at the

moment it’s salt and pepper squid.

Whenyou’renotworking

attheSociety,whatdoyoudo?

Well there is cricket, dabbling in the

kitchen, spending time with family and

friends, the theatre and when I can

travel back to my prior home, New York.

I believe education of other health

professionals and our future health

professionals (eg. physiotherapy

students) about MS is essential and I

try to support this as much as possible.

Howlonghaveyouworked

attheMSSociety?Since 2002.

Whatisthemostenjoyable

partofyourjob?

Meeting clients and their family

members who, despite facing numerous

challenges; related (or not) to MS, still

have a positive outlook and who are

an inspiration to work with. I also love

working with a great team of caring

professionals & volunteers who are

genuinely passionate about our clients.

And I have a great time each Tuesday

morning at the Reynella MS exercise

group – filled with exercise, laughter and

if we are lucky – birthday cake!


Practical, optimistic, organised (mostly).


Baked cheesecake. (Or any other

dessert with custard or chocolate).

But even better with a quiet cup of tea.

Whenyou’renotworking

attheSociety,whatdoyoudo?

Mummy duties – looking after

my 4-year-old daughter and

15-month-old son.

MargotStrelanStaff

JobTitle: Physiotherapist

Butwhatdoyoudo?

Help people with MS manage and

understand their symptoms, ultimately

trying to reduce the impact it has on

their lives. I do this in a number of ways

– through informal chats with clients,

assessments, home visits, education

sessions, running exercise groups,

setting home exercise programs,

equipment prescription, referring

clients to rehabilitation programs,

liaising with other service providers

in the community and trying to keep

up-to-date with current research and

treatment options.


PaulColquistVolunteer

WhatdoyoudoattheSociety?

Talk and annoy Staff! I assist the

fundraising department with

administrative tasks, and for the

past few months have been helping

the Mud Run crew prepare for the

inaugural Bernie Lewis MS Mud Run.

Howlonghavevolunteered

attheMSSociety? 2 Years.

Whydidyoubecomeavolunteer?

To help fellow sufferers, it’s a way

that I am able to give back.


Passionate, kind and funny.


Anything of good quality – I used to be

a chef, so I’m not that fond of cooking!

Whenyou’renotvolunteering,

whatdoyoudo?

Between studies and volunteering

I enjoy watching sport and relaxing.

I also recently returned from a 6-week

trip around America (see page 23)…

I now have the travel bug!

Our people | Research

PhD student in the Neuro-psychology department at University of Cape Town, Amy Northam is conducting research on multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of her research is to

investigate the cognitive (the way we

think, attend to information, remember

etc.) and mood or affective (the way we

feel) symptoms of MS. She aims to build

on what we already know and to add to

the literature and knowledge about MS

and inparticular compare the answers

of people with MS in South Africa to

those of people with MS in Australia.

Amy is looking for people to take part

in an email interview. A questionnaire

will be sent to you and your family or

carer which can be filled out in your

own time.

You will remain anonymous and all

your answers will be confidential. After

the study has been submitted, all

information collected will be destroyed.

Our people continued Research

Benefitstoyourtakingpart:

1. You will receive an information

pamphlet on the common cognitive

and affective symptoms of MS.

This will include information about

each of the symptoms as well as

ways of coping with them.

2. While you will not receive the

full neuropsychological report

following participation in this

study (detailing your cognitive

functioning), Amy will be able to

comment on your mood and/or

behavioural symptoms and offer

you some recommendations.

3. Your answers will be invaluable in

helping Neuropsychologists (and

the scientific community) to gain

a better understanding about the

cognitive and affective symptoms

of MS.

If you would like to take part, please

email Amy [email protected]


Page heading 1 | Page heading 2 | Page heading 3 | etc

Our muddy buddies, as we have now

affectionately named them, were all

such good sports that we decided to

ask them to be our volunteers for the

Adelaide Zombie Walk. Our idea was

simple – dress some volunteers up as

muddy zombies with mud run slogans

on their t-shirts, armed with flyers to

hand out.

So this time, armed with fake blood

and make-up as well as the mud, we

dressed up our volunteers as zombies,

chained them together and set them

off on the walk.

They were brilliant! Groaning as they

stumbled zombie-style down Grenfell

Street on a Saturday night making

zombie friends and handing out flyers

for us along the way.

Again we ended up with some

fabulous pictures and a lot of zombies

committing to come back from the

dead to do our mud run!

A big thank you to Brandon, James,

Chelsea, Tahli, Stacey and Rebecca.

Your energy at both the muddy photo

shoot and the zombie walk were

amazing and we truly appreciate the

time you donated to the MS Society!

If you’re interested in volunteering

for the MS Society, please email

[email protected]

(08)70026500

Gettingdirtyforagoodcause!

The MS Society has always had some diverse tasks for our volunteers, but the expectations of our volunteers this year have been downright strange! Have you ever covered your volunteers in mud? Or fake blood?

The MS Society is hosting a unique

event this year, the Bernie Lewis MS

Mud Run. We have not held a mud

run before, or anything similar, so we

have had to start from scratch with

everything – including images.

We needed images of people doing

a mud run for our website and

promotional material. We looked into

buying stock images of muddy people

but quickly ruled this out due to cost

and limitations of the images, so this

left us with one option …. Getting some

volunteers muddy!!

We found six willing volunteers; Brandon,

James, Chelsea, Tahli, Stacey and

Rebecca. The next challenge was

finding the mud! Thankfully it was winter.

After searching for a suitable spot and

not having much luck we came across

a dirt track with a big puddle – not

exactly what we had in mind, but we

decided to make do.

Our wonderful volunteers were a little

hesitant of the mud at first, but it took

one flying mud pie for them to get

down and dirty and create the most

amazing pictures for us to use.

These images have gone on to form

our mud run website, social media

site and all of our advertising and

promotional material. We think it looks

amazing, you can judge for yourself

at www.msmudrun.com.au

MS Society volunteers

MS Society volunteers


“The most amazing day – I cannot remember the last time I had that much fun” ~ Vickie

“SABRE Paintball Club would like to thank all volunteers on the day especially the ones on the obstacles. We will definitely be there next year!” ~ Drew

“What a great event, loads of mud, well organised, wonderful volunteers and a great laugh. Well done MS Society, look forward to it being an annual event!” ~ Robyn

“Great event put together, great feel and vibe from the EMF Health Club Belair mob” ~ Mike

A special thanks to our wonderful MC Joel Scalzi

MS Mud Run


“Great day - Well organised - Heaps of Fun - Fantastic Weather ... THANKS HEAPS - from the SUDDEN COMFORT gang .. Next year will be even Bigger and Better !!!” ~ Tony “Amazing day, had so much fun splashing

in the mud! Good to see it brought out the child in most of us and most impor tant it all went to a fantastic cause” ~ Jake

That’s our CEO, Graeme

Warnock! What a champ!!!

“THANK YOU so much to the amazing (and abundant volunteers, you guys were amazing & made the day run smoothly with lots of fun!” ~ Lisa

Top Mudder: Harrison Hughes

Top Fundraiser:

Peter Williams – $3290

Top Team Fundraiser:

The Mud Bunnies – $4401

The chief mudder winner(s):

Richard Van Ruth (Primo Estate) and

Lachlan Clyne (Mayor of Unley)

MS Mud Run


Proudly Sponsored By

EVENT PARTNERS

Naming rights sponsor Major sponsor

The MS Society of SA & NT is incredibly grateful for the support from the corporate community. Together we are all helping make a difference in the lives of people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Special thanks also to:Wallis Cinemas, Red Bull, Miss Gladys Sym Choon, Lotus Candles, Vili’s, Rocla Pipeline Products, Bakers Delight Anzac Highway and Holdfast Bay Rotary.

The inaugural Bernie Lewis MS Mud Run was held at Urrbrae Agricultural High School on Sunday December 2nd and what a day it was!

The mudders came out in full force to support this unique event and judging from all the dirty big grins and the wonderful feedback we have received, it was a great day had by all.

Almost 2000 people ran, jogged and crawled their way around a military style obstacle course filled with mud!

Over $100,000 was raised by our Mudders which was a phenomenal achievement, especially for a first year event and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT would like to thank each and every one of them from the bottom of our hearts! They have all made a difference in the lives of people affected by MS and their fundraising efforts will contribute towards vital services such as physiotherapy, nursing and immunotherapy support, occupational therapy, social work, counselling and education.

The very brave mudders and the spectacular 150 strong volunteers, who gave their all on the day, also helped the Society achieve a long term dream (almost 2 years in the making) in bringing a Mud Run to the people of Adelaide. An event that we hope will continue to grow and become an annual date on Adelaide’s social calendar.

Big events like this don’t happen without sponsors and we would like to thank Mark Lewis and his team at Bernie Lewis for their amazing efforts. They supported the Mud Run Crew in the planning and lead up to the mud run and were right there with us in the trenches on the day. Our sincere thanks to you all.

Special thanks to SA Water our major sponsor and their “Squirt Squad” who were tireless in their efforts to make sure all participants were well hydrated as they oozed from one obstacle to the next.

This event could not have happened without Urrbrae Agricultural School. Maxine and her team were outstanding in their patience, problem solving abilities and genuine kindness to the Mud Run Crew and their many requests in the lead up to the big day. Their beautiful school was the absolute perfect backdrop for our event and we would like to acknowledge their bravery in letting us implement all kinds of muddy plans, where other venues replied “you want to do what??? I don’t think so”!!

To our event partners and supporters (listed on the opposite page) THANK YOU! You were integral in making the Bernie Lewis MS Mud Run a reality. We are so very grateful that you too recognised how special this event could be and because of your support also, we now have a Mud Run 2013!!

CEO Graeme Warnock and Fundraising Manager Suzy Dimaline would like to also take this opportunity to thank their individual team members who worked tirelessly for over 12 months to bring this massive day together. Kirsten Alderson with her outstanding volunteer co-ordination and creative abilities, Emily Polomka for her fiscal negotiations and cool, calm head on the day, Sonya Rowell for being the best jack of all trades, Mishell Skinner for utilising her staff in the call centre to get the ball rolling and get the mud run message out to the public and Renee Meredith for organising media and video coverage on the day. They would also like to highlight the outstanding efforts of Deb and Cass from dbusiness and Lucas and his team at Highgate who engineered the fantastic muddy course and all its obstacles. Lastly but by no means least, board members Mark Taplin (Gardenworks) who worked tirelessly for a week in scorching weather to help build the course with his own machinery and Max Harris and Pamela Lochyer for their efforts in assisting the Society to gain sponsorship. They are all very much MS Champions.

After a little (well earned) hiatus the Mud Run Crew look forward to bringing you an even bigger and better Mud Run in 2013 and the most important thing we have learned from this wonderful experience....

Getting dirty never felt so good!!!

The Crew

MS Mud Run



EVENT PARTNERS
















The Crew

MS Mud Run


EVENT PARTNERS
















The Crew

causing MS symptoms to become

temporarily worse. An increase in

body temperature of just 0.5 degrees

centigrade is enough to have an effect.

Some people with MS may not be

aware that they are sensitive to

heat. To check this, ask yourself the

following questions:

n Do I feel more fatigued in the hotter

weather?

n Do I feel more fatigued after doing

the dishes with my hands in hot water?

n Do I feel more fatigued after

a hot shower or bath?

If the answer is yes, then the following

strategies can help you to minimise the

effect of heat on your symptoms.

Exercise&physicalactivity

While it is tempting to avoid physical

exertion altogether in the warmer

months, MS Australia physiotherapists

recommend staying active all year

round to maintain general health and

fitness, manage fatigue, improve your

mood, and minimise the impact of MS.

Exercise is also important to avoid

complications associated with physical

inactivity, such as stroke, Type 2

diabetes, osteoporosis and heart

disease. Nevertheless, it is important to

make a few adjustments to any exercise

regime in summer to avoid overheating.

Thesecaninclude:

n Avoid exercising in the middle

of the day; instead, try mornings

and evenings.

n Drink plenty of water and keep

hydrated at all times.

Beat the Heat this Summer!


Research indicates that even the

smallest increase in temperature

can cause a pseudo exacerbation

of MS Symptoms. In MS, damage to

nerves causes the messages which

pass along them to slow and become

blocked. It is thought that the myelin

sheath around the nerve is damaged

– which is what happens in people

with MS – the nerve lacks

insulation and becomes

highly sensitive

to heat,

Enjoy the good things the festive season has to offer by following these practical tips to keep cool, as well as stay safe and active this summer.

While the summer heat can be

unwelcome for many people with MS,

there are solutions to minimise the

impact heat has on your ability

to do what you need

and want to do.




If using a portable fan, remember that

it will be more effective if combined

with moisture from a cooling garment

or water spray.

Note: In extreme heat, fans can

actually make people hotter. Avoid

using them in these circumstances.

Enquire beforehand as to whether

locations are air conditioned.

Try to ensure that you have an

air-conditioned vehicle and have

your air conditioning checked on a

regular basis.

Park the car undercover, if possible,

or use a sun shield on the windscreen

to keep the heat out.

Consider alternatives, such as

doing your banking, paying bills

or shopping online.

Stayhydrated

Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost

through perspiration and evaporation.

Planahead

Check the weather report and plan

your day or week. The Bureau of

Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au)

produces fairly accurate seven day

forecasts. Be flexible in your plans on

really hot days. Expect less of yourself

on these days and do whatever you can

to remain relaxed. Plan rest periods

during warmer parts of the days.

Venturingoutdoors

Choose to go out in the cooler part

of the day. Fill a reusable drink bottle

half way and freeze it. Top it up with

water just before you head out.

n Exercise in the shade or places

with air conditioning.

n Try water based exercise like

hydrotherapy.

n Activities such as swimming,

tai chi and yoga are more suitable

for warmer weather.

n Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

n Cool down and rest after exercise

(i.e. have a cool shower).

n Use cooling collars and vests

and/or have a water spray bottle

handy while exercising.

n Pace yourself during exercise so

the body is not getting overheated.

n Consult with your physiotherapist

about the best exercise regime

for you.


Yoursuggestions

Here are some extra suggestions sent

in by people with MS on how they

‘beat the heat’:

n Keep your feet cool by rolling a

frozen bottle of water backwards

and forwards under your feet.

n Avoid hot, heavy food. Eat cold

foods, particularly salads and fruit

with a high water content.

n Make sure you have various sizes

of cooler bags and bricks, suitable

for all occasions.

n Personal misting fans are useful,

as is a spray bottle.

n Have a cool shower in the hottest

part of the day and another one just

before you go to bed.

n Visit your local shopping centre,

library or club during the hottest

part of the day. Most public

buildings are now air conditioned

and you’re not paying for it like you

do at home.

n Watch a movie set in a cold climate,

such as Alaska or Antarctica.

n Have insulation installed.

n Enquire as to whether you can pay

your electricity bill in instalments.

This is an extract of an article that first appeared in

the Summer 2012 edition of Intouch magazine – the

official magazine of MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC.

To access the full edition of Intouch,

visit www.msaustralia.org.au/actnswvic

Multiple Solutions may also be able

to assist with some of these products

through the Workplace Support

program. See page 28 for more details.

Seeksupport

Talk to your family and friends about

the impact heat can have on you.

Perhaps give them this article to read!

Staying inside during the summer heat

may contribute to feelings of isolation

and loneliness. Try to stay in contact

with friends and family or connect with

one of the MS South Australia peer

support programs.

FinancialAssistance

On 1 January 2012, the South

Australian Government introduced

the Medical Heating and Cooling

Concession. This energy concession

assists South Australians on a fixed

or low income who have a clinically

verified medical condition which

requires the frequent use of heating

or cooling in the home to prevent the

severe exacerbation of their condition.

The Medical Heating and Cooling

Concession is $165 and is available to

eligible applicants in addition to the

current energy concession. For more

information visit the website www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/pub/tabId/164/itemId/3391/Medical-Heating-and-Cooling-Concession.aspx or call the

concession hotline on 1800307758.

Keepyourbodycool

Wear lightweight, loose, ‘breathable’

clothing. Some people with MS

experience both heat and cold

sensitivity. If warm clothing is put on in

the morning, it is important to monitor

the temperature during the day and

adjust clothing to avoid overheating

as the day gets warmer.

Choose clothes and bed linen made

from natural fibres. Wear a wide

brimmed hat in the sun. Use a spray

bottle and/or small personal fan to cool

your face and body.

Wet face washers/scarves can be worn

around the head and neck for some

cooling relief. Take a cool bath or head

for the pool. Wear cooling products

such as cooling neck ties, hats or vests.

Consider obtaining a cooler bag to

keep your cooling vest, neck tie and

cool drink in when you go out so that

it stays cool until required.

Thefollowingwebsiteshavemoreinformationontheseproducts:

Arctic Heat offer a discount to

clients who have MS. Normally

$198 + postage, discounted

price is $132 + postage.

www.arcticheat.com.au

Quantum Chill offer cooling

vests, neck ties and other

products with a 20% discount

for Network readers.

www.quantumchill.com.au

www.kooltubes.com.au

www.necktiecoolers.com

www.iceepak.com.au

Beat the Heat this Summer! continued



An efficient system is one that is

properly sized, correctly installed

and, for ducted systems, uses

energy-efficient ducting.

No matter what you are cooling this

summer, remember to check the

energy rating of the cooler and think

about calculating the running costs

for each of your cooling options.

This way you can be confident that

you are using the most energy-

efficient cooler in your home.

For more tips on energy-efficient

cooling including ways to keep

your home cool for free and how to

calculate an appliance’s running costs,

visit www.sa.gov.au/energysmart

This article is courtesy of the South Australian

Government’s Energy Advisory Service.

Tips for using your air-conditioner

efficiently:

n Set the thermostat of your air-

conditioner as high as you feel

comfortable with, try between

24 and 27 degrees. Every 1°C

lower can add 10% to the running

costs of your appliance.

n Only cool the rooms you need to.

n Clean the filters of your air-conditioner.

n Ensure you have appropriate

insulation in your ceiling, and,

if possible, walls.

n During summer, shade your

windows on the northern, western

and eastern sides of your home.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a

new air-conditioner, it pays to

get an energy-efficient system.

As the weather starts heating up, it’s the perfect time to think about how you will cool your home this summer.

Having more than one cooling option

and using them efficiently will reduce

the impact on your energy bill.

Fans are the cheapest type of cooling

appliance to buy and have low running

costs of 2–7 cents per hour. Fans

create air movement which helps to

evaporate moisture from the skin,

carrying heat away. Fans are best

suited to moderate hot weather; in

extreme heat an air conditioner is

the best option to keep you cool.

If your home is energy-efficient, with

good insulation and summer shading

you can meet your comfort needs with

a smaller air-conditioning system that

costs less to buy and run.

Will you cool your home efficiently this summer?

Will you cool your home efficiently this summer?


Our aim is to get to know your

individual needs to create the holiday

of a lifetime!

GoGlobalTravel

41 Goodwood Road, Wayville SA 5034

P: (08) 8271 0026 F: (08) 8271 0046

E: [email protected]

W: www.ggtravel.com.au

Travel Agent License TTA 242280

Go Global Travel

Some of the products that we can

assist you with include:

n Flights including mobility assistance

n Accessible hotel rooms

n Wheelchair accessible airport and

hotel transfers

n Lifters and equipment Hire (help

source)

n Cruises including accessible cabins

n Tours

n Chauffeured motorhomes

n Trike tours

n Wheelchair accessible

vehicle rentals

Go Global Travel

Go Global Travel was established due to an overwhelming need to create safe, fun and memorable holidays for people with disabilities and the senior community. Our commitment to you is to provide a unique travel service. We will help you to travel to places that you only ever dreamed about!

We will help you with all of your travel

arrangements, making the world more

accessible for you to travel.

Our Adelaide based office specialises

in creating an easy travel experience,

by making the world more accessible

for you to travel. We can help every

traveller including individuals,

families and groups with their

unique travel itinerary.

Go Global Travel take the guess work

out of where you should travel and

and advice on suitable places that

we know will cater for your needs.

We source products and destinations

specifically for your individual needs.

Go Global Travel’s staff are specialised

travel agents and we believe in

employing staff members who also

have disabilities, thus enabling them

to better understand your specific

needs and to help you plan a

holiday of a lifetime. We are friendly,

compassionate and offer professional

experience. Our staff have travelled

interstate and overseas and have

the knowledge to help you with your

unique travel arrangements.

Main heading


Go Global Travel


The Peer Support program continues to connect people with MS to each other to provide opportunities to meet and discuss your MS with others experiencing similar issues. There are a number of programs and groups currently in action – please read on for more information!

Peer support update

PeerSupportGroupsmeetinthefollowingareas:

Location Day/Time Venue GroupCoordinator

Barossa 3rd Thursday each month Tanunda/Nuriootpa Denise Hoffman (08) 8565 6245

Fleurieu Random Tuesdays Rotated around Fleurieu eateries

Jill Masters (08) 8555 0358

Gawler 2nd Monday each month Gawler Women’s Health Centre

Carolyn Cordon 0418 806 490

Glandore 1st Wednesday each month Glandore Community Centre

TBC – Contact MS Society or just attend a meeting to connect

HardYakkas(Elizabeth)

2nd & 4th Wednesday each month

Elizabeth MS Society Office Tallia Coulter 0403 766 157

Modbury Last Tuesday each month Independent Living Centre, Gilles Plains

Jennifer Cotis 0407 888 492

Morphettville 4th Friday each month Silks Bistro, Morphettville Christine Sutherland (08) 8276 3779

Noarlunga 1st Thursday each month GP Plus Clinic, Noarlunga Virginia Stanfield (08) 8382 5244

Norwood 3rd Thursday each month Mary Martin Bookshop Norwood

Paula Hardy (08) 8379 8220

PortLincoln Every 2nd Tuesday Group member’s homes Jasmine Blackwood 0417 374 251

Stirling 3rd Wednesday each month Stirling Coventry Library TBC – Contact MS Society or just attend a meeting to connect

TailemBend Wednesdays, mid-monthly Group member’s homes Sue Griffiths (08) 8572 3914

Unley Times to be advised Group member’s homes Fiona Slee (08) 8373 6358

UpperSouthEast Times to be advised Venue to be advised Samantha Loechel 0427 662 156

Familymembersandcarersarewelcome

If there have been any changes to your support group that we’re not aware of,

please contact the MS Society to advise us of any updates.

Peer support update


Mentoring

We have an excellent group of

supportive, caring mentors who are

more than happy to talk with other

people with MS. They also have MS,

so odds are they have had some

similar experiences to you. If you’re

hesitant to join a group or would just

like to speak with someone privately,

please contact the MS Society on

(08)70026500 to be connected

to a peer mentor.

Onlinesupport

115membersandcounting!

You might find it a bit nerve-wracking

to attend a group or speak with

someone in person about your MS.

Maybe you’re just not ready to speak

or meet a person with MS yet, but

would like some advice anyway.

Perhaps distance is an issue if you live

in a rural or remote area, or you may

be too ill to leave the house.

Online support might be an option for

you. It’s convenient – log in whenever

or wherever you like. This is a closed

forum, only accessible to members.

You can find it at www.facebook.com/

groups/MySocietySANT/ – just

request to be a member.

Peer support update


Workplace Solutions

Checklistforwhenyoumayneedworkplacesupport

n Employed or self-employed for

at least 8 hours per week.

n Experiencing fatigue and/or heat

intolerance.

n You want information about

disclosure, discrimination, industrial

legislation or education for

employers and co-workers.

n There are concerns about your

mobility, balance or workplace safety.

n You need equipment or modifications

to make working easier.

n You feel stressed/anxious about

your ability to continue working.

n You cannot maintain productivity

levels or meet KPIs.

n You cannot meet the physical

demands of your current role.

n You are needing support with

personal care for meals and/or

bathroom needs at the workplace,

or help to just get around.

Anyone of these is a valid reason

to ask for workplace support.

Early intervention can address

concerns before they become major

issues. Don't wait until your health and

job are at risk – contact us today.

Contact

South

Michele Watts

Tel: (08)81981400


North

Mary-Anne Edge

Tel: (08) 82036600


Workplace Solutions

Didyouknow?

n Multiple Solutions can purchase cooling vests, cooling collars or

devices to keep you cool while you work?

n Mobility aids can be funded if they are needed at your workplace?

n You can get a Mobility Allowance from Centrelink, and a Health Care

Card, if you are in paid or voluntary work, or study, and have difficulty

using public transport?

Call Multiple Solutions on (08)82036600to find out more.


This tour also included a scenic flight

back over the Vegas strip at dusk.

Having arrived an hour before our

departure time of 16:30, I was feeling

a little nervous. After checking in

and being weighed we sat nervously

waiting to be called by our pilot. As

the time grew closer to departure,

the nerves were being replaced by

excitement and the man who held

my life in his hands for the next three

hours called out our names. Our

pilot, James yelled out seven names

including mine, Sally’s and our good

friend Russell who had joined us

for the second half of our six-week

adventure around America. We went

through a safety briefing and put on a

safety vest before going out onto the

tarmac where we received our final

instructions from James. The three of

us were lucky enough to have been

given the front seats on the way out

to the canyon and after we put on our

seatbelts and headsets we waited for

the helicopter to build up to take off.

PaulColquist

MyDayofChoice

Through the experience of my MS Choice Award I now know why the Grand Canyon is on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world.

To celebrate my 40th and my wife

Sally’s 30th birthday, we recently

went on the trip of a lifetime, travelling

around America including Las Vegas,

LA, New York, Boston, San Francisco,

ending up relaxing in Mexico before

coming home.

As part of my trip, I had applied

for, and was granted, a MS Choice

Award for a flight over the Grand

Canyon. This is the story of my

Grand Canyon adventure.

Friday28Septemberwas the day

we had booked in with ‘Maverick

Helicopter Tours’ to do a helicopter

flight to the Grand Canyon with a

picnic on the canyon floor.

Client story

Client story

‘Asthetimegrewclosertodeparture,thenerveswerebeingreplacedbyexcitementandthemanwhoheldmylifeinhishandsforthenextthreehourscalledoutournames.’We quickly found out the family of four

behind us came from Sydney and after

a quick talk about whereabouts we

lived in each state and a bit of banter

about which one was better (we all

know the answer to this) James’s voice

broke up the talk with the words we

are ready for “take off”.

As I looked around the smiles on every

ones faces, I thought let the fun begin!


Client story

Client story continued

After flying through the canyon we

landed on the floor and the eight of us

enjoyed a beautiful sunset supper. To

be on the floor of the Grand Canyon

as the sun is setting is one of the most

amazing sights I have ever seen in my

life (people who have been here will

understand what I am saying). After an

hour eating, wandering around and

throwing rocks into the Colorado River

it was time to leave.

‘…IknewIwasgoingtoseesomethingspecialbutoncewegotourfirstlook,itwasfarmorespecialthanIhadeverimagined.’

Lifting up and hovering out to the take

off point was exciting but, was I very

keen to get going and when this finally

happened I thought, WOW, why has

it taken me 40 years to do this?

The next five or so minutes were

a blur as we took in the helicopter

experience and the sights of Vegas.

I was a little surprised when James

said we were going at 130 miles an

hour as it sure did not feel that fast.

Still amazed by the experience James

then began the second part of his job

as Tour Guide.

I was listening to James intently

soaking up all of his knowledge and

thinking how amazing that a town

like Vegas is built in a desert when

we approached our first important

landmark, Hoover Dam.

It was amazing to see the area in which

the dam was built and I pitied the people

who had to build the dam in such

conditions. I felt my head constantly

moving taking in all the sights and being

totally surprised at the constant differing

land and terrain and then after about

45 minutes there it was.

As we rose 6500 feet to the south

western rim of the Grand Canyon it

was a weird sensation as I knew I was

going to see something special but

once we got our first look, it was far

more special than I had ever imagined.

The Grand Canyon, all 277 miles long

and up to 29 miles wide as well as

being over a mile deep, is truly an

amazing sight the first time your eyes

see it. As we flew further into the

Canyon it was truly mind blowing and

I had no doubt why it was one of the

seven natural wonders of the world.


Client story

This was something I did not want to

do as it was the fastest hour of my life.

It was a 55-minute trip back as we had

to stop for fuel half way as they never

fly with full fuel loads in the Canyon in

case of an accident. We sat in the back

on way back to give the family of 4 a

turn in the front. This was a good thing

as the sun was in our eyes until we

re-fuelled but we saw some amazing

sights as we weaved along the river

and out of the Canyon.

As the sun went down our thoughts

turned to the strip in Vegas and what

it would look like from above. As

soon as we got a first view of the

strip I could not wait to get closer.

I love Las Vegas and at night I think

it is an amazing scene.

As we got closer it was crazy to

see we were in a line of 27 or more

helicopters all doing the same thing.


Client story

Client story continued

Paul’sTravellingTips

n Ask for your Travel Agent to arrange

for a wheelchair at airports and

places where you might be required

to do a lot of walking. Some of the

airports in America are over 18km in

diameter! You may not always need

it, but it’s there if you do and means

no lining up to board the plane,

which saves energy.

n Get fit before you travel. I attend

physio sessions every week at the

MS Society to help me with my

walking. This helped me so much

with my endurance and strength.

n Check that your accommodation

has fridge/freezer facilities if you

carry medication that needs to be

refrigerated. We used ice buckets

when there was no other option.

n The nurses at the MS Society

arranged for a sharps cutter for me

to take on my trip so I didn’t need to

take a sharps container with me.

n Plan rest periods in your day,

especially when you’re travelling

in hotter places.

n Don’t let MS stop you from travelling

– I had the trip of a lifetime and I

can’t wait to go back!

By contributing your story to Network,

you can inspire others to be positive

and active whilst living with MS.

If you’d like to provide your story,

please email [email protected]

or phone (08)70026500.

As we made our way back to the

airport I was feeling very lucky that

I had been given the chance to

experience this. We eventually landed

safely – what an amazing time. As

we all thanked James (with a tip) and

left the helicopter there was a rush of

excitement as all eight of us relived

our trip together.

This was one of the best things I have

experienced in my life to this stage and

I encourage everyone that has not been

there to try to get there at least once in

their life, you will not be disappointed.

I must now say a heartfelt thank you to

the organisers of the MS Choice Awards

and the MS Society for choosing me

to be a worthy recipient. I feel that the

work put in by these people is a gift

to people like me and I could never

express enough the gratitude I have for

them. I wish also to thank my wife Sally

and Russell for experiencing this with

me and most of all thank you to James

and Maverick Helicopter Tours for a

safe helicopter trip.

Thanks once again

PaulColquist

‘ThiswasoneofthebestthingsIhaveexperiencedinmylifetothisstageandIencourageeveryonethathasnotbeentheretotrytogetthereatleastonceintheirlife,youwillnotbedisappointed.’James was pumping us full of

knowledge as we flew over old

Vegas and turned left down the strip.

To see the size and attractions of

some of the Casinos is something

words can never do justice to but

a life time dream was being lived.

The strip seemed to be over in a flash,

given there was so much to see and

the glitz of the strip was truly amazing.


MS Choice Awards | Spotlight

AmberAveray

Amber, a client of Multiple Solutions recently shared the story of getting her book published and the fundraiser she held for the MS Society at the book launch.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve

always wanted to be a writer. A couple

of years ago I found the first-ever

story I wrote: it was 1987, I was 5

years old, and it was a pink fish who

had an obsession with lipstick. In the

traditional style of a child, it ran along

the lines of: ‘There was a fish. She was

pink. She had lots of lipstick. She liked

it. The End.’

I actually couldn’t read a word

until I was ten years old – I could

write, but not read. Normal, totally!

In Year 5 my teacher sent home flash

cards the Reception kids were using,

and something clicked. By the age of

eleven I was reading thousand-odd

page books, and started building

a collection that now numbers in

the thousands!

‘Iactuallycouldn’treadaworduntilIwastenyearsold–Icouldwrite,butnotread.Normal,totally!…BytheageofelevenIwasreadingthousand-oddpagebooks,andstartedbuildingacollectionthatnownumbersinthethousands!’Enchantment’s Deception was begun

when I should have been studying

for Year 12 exams – but instead of

doing what was right I chose to work

on what was fun, and it started life as

a handwritten 93 page story called

‘Enchanted World’.

I was delighted with it – until, 6 months

later, I took it out of storage and read

it…and hated it! E.W. was shockingly

bad, so I took it apart and reworked

it. I started with what, I think, became

page 425, then went to the middle of

the book, worked on the end, created

the Prologue…and so it goes on.

My younger sister has been an

incredible help to me. She’s my ruthless

editor: when I asked that she read the

manuscript and tell me honestly what

she thought, she did so with relish! If

she liked a chapter she would tell me

so; when she didn’t like something, she

was equally blunt: “This is really boring”;

“Amber, this is actually putting me to

sleep”; “It’s ok, but you can do better –

it seems rushed”, and so on.

Applications for the MS Choice Awards are now open!

Funds raised from the Bernie Lewis

MS Mud Run and the MS Mighty Swim

support the MS Choice Awards.

MS Choice Awards are given to people

living with Multiple Sclerosis, to enable

them to follow a dream or something

that may change their lives, the choice

is theirs.

For an application form visit

www.ms.asn.auor contact

Sonya (08)70026500

Applicationsclose:

Tuesday 30 April 2013

MS Choice Awards

Spotlight


On launch day, one of my nieces and

my nephew came with me early to the

shop, and we put posters in the most

prominent places – particularly the

largest one, KISS GOODBYE TO MS,

in the shop window that looked

directly out onto Foodland.

We set up our table for the book

signing where we would get the traffic

from the supermarket and the deli

directly across the mall, and spread

the provided balloons throughout

the shop.

My niece and nephew would take

turns throughout the day to stand at

my side holding the collection box,

and when an adult gave us a donation

we would give them an envelope

with the information on MS, telling

them that we appreciated their

generosity and that ‘this’ was what

they were donating money for. When

a child gave us money, we would give

them an envelope for their parents,

and a little ‘goodie bag’ to the child –

to say thank you for being so generous

and helping us out.

BookLaunchSaturday23October2010

At this time I worked for Angus and

Robertson in Munno Para, and my

manager was wonderful enough to

let me have my book launch there.

I was excited, and wanted to make it

a special day – it’s not often dreams

come true, and I wanted everyone

to be as delighted as I was.

But I also wanted to use the

opportunity to raise money and

awareness for Multiple Sclerosis,

so I contacted the MS Society and

explained what the situation was.

The lady I spoke to was brilliant, and

the next afternoon I had boxes of

posters, balloons, stickers, envelopes

and pages of information about

Multiple Sclerosis.

‘…IalsowantedtousetheopportunitytoraisemoneyandawarenessforMultipleSclerosis,soIcontactedtheMSSocietyandexplainedwhatthesituationwas.’In the weeks (perhaps two months

before Launch, even) every time I had

some spare money I would buy little

gift bags from the Reject Shop, and

little novelty items from there or Ned’s

at Elizabeth City Centre – rubber

pencils that bend, roller stamps, tiny

pots of glitter paint, and the like –

and filled a large box full of these

little giveaways.

Then, when my book – newly titled

Enchantment’s Deception – was

published, she worked so hard to help

me market and promote it. Together

we made bookmarks, fliers, posters,

pamphlets, and she would hand them

out all over the place while sharing

some detail about the author and the

book itself.

‘There’snothingbetterthantosinkintoanotherworld,anotherplace,time,era,andgoonthegreatestofadventures.Especiallywhentherealworldgetstootough…’I come from a big family; most of us are

readers. We’re forever sharing books,

recommending authors, dissecting

plots and discussing characters’

personality traits; this love for the

literary comes from my mother. There’s

nothing better than to sink into another

world, another place, time, era, and

go on the greatest of adventures.

Especially when the real world gets

too tough…

When, a few years ago, my oldest

brother was diagnosed with MS, we

all looked at each other blankly and

started muttering: ‘What’s that?’ We’d

heard of it, but really knew nothing

about it. So I went onto the internet

and starting looking it up – and,

perhaps ignorantly – decided that if

we, a group of prolific readers, didn’t

know much, then maybe others were

just as ignorant as we were…

Spotlight continued

Spotlight

1800 812 311 www.ms.asn.au


‘Perhapsselfishly,itmakesmefeelgoodtothinkthatwhileI’mbringingalong-timedreamtoreality,I’malsohelpingtoraisefundsandspreadawarenessofanillnessthatcanstrikeanyone,anywhere,anytime…’

Enchantment’s Deception ByAmberAveray

AboutTheBook:Zircondia

A world where bedtime fables tell

of trolls kidnapping witches to feed

to the creatures in the Maze,

and legends abound of ferocious

dragons in nests of scorching flame.

A planet governed by mighty

stone heads who seek to control

every realm, from the gentle

merfolk to the fiery unicorns.

A jewel of the Universe, fought

over by ruthless alien races

wanting to claim it for them-

selves despite the efforts of

those who strive to thwart them.

It is a place of secrets and

sorcery, lies and legends, wars

and wickedness; and a witch,

caught between the wrongs of the past and deceptions of the

present, seeks to discover the truth upon this world of mystery and magic.’

‘…peoplewhocametolookatmybookdonated,andthosewhocameovertodonatelearnedaboutmybook.Someevenboughtit,whichwasanicebonus.’Everyone who bought a copy of my

book and had it signed was given a

sticker with the informative envelope

when they donated, and by the end of

the day we had children coming up to

give us money just so they could get a

goodie bag! It was quite incredible, and

even when a little boy gave us twenty

cents from his ‘very own pocket money’

we told him he was such a kind little

thing, and we gave him a goodie bag for

him and one for his sister…any little bit

helps, and he was so proud of himself!

We also gave away every balloon –

some on sticks and some tied with

glittery ribbon – and the day turned

out to be a success all round: people

who came to look at my book donated,

and those who came over to donate

learned about my book. Some even

bought it, which was a nice bonus.

If ever I am able to have another book

signing event (or hopefully many

more!) doing the same again to raise

money and awareness for MS would

be just as important as the selling and

signing of the book itself. Perhaps

selfishly, it makes me feel good to

think that while I’m bringing a long-

time dream to reality, I’m also helping

to raise funds and spread awareness

of an illness that can strike anyone,

anywhere, anytime…

SpotlightSpotlight

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

www.ms.asn.au|The magazine of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT

Greenacres19 Fosters Road

Greenacres SA 5086

PO Box 525

Modbury SA 5092

P (08) 8360 0800

F (08) 8203 6699

Modbury31–33 Smart Road

Modbury SA 5092

PO Box 525

Modbury SA 5092

P (08) 8203 6600

F (08) 8203 6699

Woodville51 Woodville Road

Woodville SA 5011

PO Box 16

Woodville SA 5011

P (08) 8345 8700

F (08) 8268 4224

ChristiesBeachLevel 1, 111 Beach Road

Christies Beach SA 5165

PO Box 885

Noarlunga Centre SA 5168

P (08) 8392 0100

F (08) 8392 0199

DarwinNightcliff Community Centre

11/18 Bauhinia Street

Nightcliff NT 0810

PO Box 867

Nightcliff NT 0814

P (08) 8948 5300

F (08) 8948 5344

ElizabethSouthShop 6, 183 Philip Highway

Elizabeth South SA 5112

PO Box 4104

Elizabeth South SA 5112

P (08) 8256 3700

F (08) 8255 5796

HeadOffice/MawsonLakesEndeavour House

Technology Park

Module 6E

11–15 Fourth Avenue

Mawson Lakes SA 5095

PO Box 377

Salisbury South DC SA 5106

P (08) 7002 6500

F (08) 7002 6599

Brighton7A Sturt Road

Brighton SA 5048

PO Box 275

Brighton SA 5048

P (08) 8198 1400

F (08) 8377 0711

www.facebook.com/MSSocietyofSANT

www.twitter.com/MS_SA_NT

LocationsPatti – Call Centre Operator.

Network - Summer 2012

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Transcript of Network - Summer 2012