Hi there,

At MSWA, we have said a fond farewell to our CEO of 19 years, Marcus Stafford, and are looking forward to welcoming Melanie Kiely into the role in February.

Meantime, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to write this introduction to the spring edition of Nerve Centre to tell you just how grateful I am for all that MSWA has done for me. Ever since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1988, MSWA has been there for me in multiple ways – providing me with physiotherapy regularly, occupational therapy when needed, nursing advice and outreach groups so I can make friends and join with others in a similar situation to mine.

MSWA also provides accommodation facilities for many who need them. I am extremely proud to have been chosen as the President of MSWA’s Board, bringing to the role my life experience as a woman who lives with MS.

I encourage all of you to continue your support of MSWA and, if you live with a neurological condition, to seek out its services. You won’t be disappointed.

MSWA knows neuro and they are here to help.

Thank you to all those who continue to take part in our events, fundraise in the community, buy raffle tickets and Mega Home Lottery tickets, volunteer, or make a donation – you make all these services possible.

Yours sincerely

Ros Harman
President

Have you seen our new campaign?

MSWA makes such a positive impact on the lives of Western Australians living with neuro conditions – from delivering direct care and support across the state, through to funding vital neuro research locally, nationally and globally.

All of us live in a world filled with organisations saying they can make a difference. And we know that people more and more want to find and support those organisations that can truly demonstrate the real difference they make in their community. 

So, this is our new campaign. It aims to showcase what we do and who helps us to do it – our people, our Clients, the researchers we fund and everyone who supports our fundraising efforts. That’s you. 

On behalf of everyone at MSWA, thank you.

Paul Cavanagh
General Manager Brand, Marketing & Sales

Improving communication after stroke using NARNIA

Associate Professor Anne Whitworth is investigating communication interventions to help people who have had a stroke and are experiencing a breakdown in understanding language, speaking, reading and/or writing.

Teaming up with MSWA Speech Pathologists and computer scientists, Anne’s research team is developing and testing an app that allows therapy sessions to take place remotely. The ‘NARNIA Communication App’ is one of the newly funded projects benefitting from our record-breaking $10 million research contribution.

Teeing up for a new life in Albany

“I’d raced motocross for 11 years, had a state title for BMX, I played off a 4 handicap at golf. I was very sporty,” recalls Kim Graham. “So to suddenly discover I had this thing called MS was a kick in the guts.”

Self-described country bloke Kim lives in the small Wheatbelt town of Kondinin and is on the waitlist for one of the 10 high-support accommodation units MSWA is currently building in Albany.

An incredible career of pastoral care and generosity of spirit

MSWA Client and long-serving volunteer, Margaret Wells, reflects on the two things that have kept her positive over the years: keeping busy (with hobbies and volunteering) and caring for others. 

“It’s been my way of paying it forward. I don’t know when I’ll need a bit more help along the way.”

Did you know we celebrated World Physiotherapy Day with a ‘Chair Ping’ tournament?

‘Chair Ping’ is the new trend taking place in our Outreach Centres and is an example of the value the MSWA Physiotherapy teams place on Client engagement – working around what Clients enjoy and their own specific goals to make sessions fun, interactive and meaningful.

In this instance, MSWA Client Bob Masek was looking for a more enjoyable and unconventional form of therapy.