Welcome to our April issue of Talking Point!

I hope you and your families had an enjoyable Easter break. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown and that we’re already in the middle of Autumn!

We have a few exciting events in store at MDNSW. In Peer Connect, we have a few InfoShare sessions coming up including our group trip to the ATSA expo on 22 May. Read on below for more! If you haven’t already heard, we also have our upcoming Young Adults Retreat 31 May – 3 June for young adults who want the freedom to plan their own weekend.

Our team have also been working hard behind the scenes on the Big Red Roll & Stroll which will take place on 23 June. This one’s not to be missed! And lastly (but not least!) we’re also counting down until Adventure Camp which will take place 17 – 21 July.

There’s something for everybody at MDNSW and I’m so proud of the team for all the events and programs we’ve hosted in the first quarter of the year so far. I’ve especially loved hearing such positive feedback from our community after each event! At MDNSW, we are committed to providing you with the best in quality and care.

As always, we truly value your support and I look forward to seeing you and your families at one of our many events to come.

Yours sincerely,

Charlotte Sangster, (she/her)
CEO, MDNSW

Peer Connect Easter Lunch Celebrations 🐰

“Thanks for a great lunch. The kids had a good time and it was nice to connect with others within the MDNSW community.”

– Chris, Peer Connect Easter lunch participant

Upcoming Peer Connect Events

InfoShare: Accessible Healthcare, Wednesday 10 April

At MDNSW, we understand how vitally important accessible healthcare is. Let’s chat about finding the right clinics, specialists, GPs, hospitals, dental, women’s health and self-advocacy within the healthcare system.

Join us on Wednesday, 10 April from 7-9pm online so you can get the best experience possible in your healthcare journey! Register at info@mdnsw.org.au or call (02) 9888 5711. See you there!

Our Peer Connect Retreat in Newcastle is now booked out!

Thank you to all those who registered. We can't wait to see you all soon. If you want to stay in touch to find out about latest programs and events, download our calendar!

It was Easter Eggs all round on Sunday, 24 March at our Peers Easter Lunch at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club! 16 community members joined together to share lunch and laughs, connecting with other families in our community. The kids loved playing together in the Kids Room, and the adults enjoyed a relaxing afternoon together chatting over delicious food!

It was wonderful to see so much connection over topics like accessible travel, health matters and getting the right supports. We look forward to celebrating more special holidays with you all soon!

InfoShare: ATSA Expo, Wednesday 22 May

Come and join the Peer Connect team as we take a trip to the Assistive Technology, Rehabilitation and Aged Care Equipment (ATSA) Expo on Wednesday 22 May, 2024 at 11am. The ATSA Expo is one of the most comprehensive events in the country for people living with disability. Join us at this FREE event to learn, explore and discover the latest products and services together!

Contact our team on info@mdnsw.org.au or call (02) 9888 5711 to register!

📢 Last chance to complete our Client Survey! 📢

We want to hear from you!

Complete our 2024 Clients, Families and Friends Survey to have your say. You'll be in the draw to WIN a $500 gift card! And if you're in the first 100 participants, you'll receive a $25 gift card upon completion. Win, win!

Young Adults Retreat, Friday, 31 May - Monday, 3 June

We still have a few places left for our Young Adults Retreat! Don’t miss out on all the fun and register now.

WHEN: Friday 31 May – Monday 3 June⁠
WHERE: Sydney Academy of Sport & Recreation, Narrabeen⁠

Contact our friendly team on info@mdnsw.org.au or phone (02) 9888 5711 to register.

The Big Red Roll & Stroll 2024 is around the corner!

Family, Friends, Fitness and Fundraising, the Big Red Roll & Stroll is back on the 23 June at Parramatta Park.

Join the MDNSW community for a day of fun, and roll or stroll around Parramatta Park to create awareness for people living with MD. There will be live entertainment on the day, delicious food and drinks, and prizes to be won!

Grab your family, friends and colleagues and register your interest now! We can't wait to cheer you across the finish line!

Tune into Able Chat featuring our Senior Community Support Specialist Carolyn Campbell-McLean!

On 08/04, our very own Senior Community Support Specialist Carolyn Campbell-McLean had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Sandy and the Able Chat radio team to chat about neuromuscular conditions and how people can get involved with supporting MDNSW’s programs and events.

Live every Monday from 89.3fm 2glf, Able Chat explores all things NDIS and community services for people living with a disability.

Proposed NDIS Updates

The government has recently introduced a bill to make the following changes with the NDIS:

• The move towards a needs-based assessment to enter the scheme vs. one that focuses on diagnosis.
• Participants to be given longer plans of up to five years with the ability to spend more flexibly.
• The revision of the definition of what constitutes as “NDIS support”
• The agency that runs the NDIS to have greater ability to take control over someone’s account.
• The powers of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to be expanded.

NDIS Provider & Worker Registration Taskforce

After recommendation 17 of the NDIS Review (which you can read here) that all NDIS providers and workers should be registered, there have been concerns from the community about the value of non-registered providers and workers. The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce has been established to hear the concerns, make recommendations and advice to Minister Bill Shorten about the registration of NDIS providers and how mandatory registration will look.

To tune into our episode click the below link and listen to the 8 April 2024 episode!

These changes aim to address some of the recommendations that were discovered during the review. MDNSW will continue to monitor these changes closely.

They are calling for people living with a disability and carers/ family members to make a submission to the Taskforce by 28 April.

The taskforce want to know how mandatory registration would impact you, why this would be difficult and any solutions that would work for you.

Watch this great video HERE to learn more about the Taskforce. To have your say, click the below.