Network - Summer 2012

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

Network

5 Our people 11 Research 12 MS Society volunteers 13 Beat the Heat this Summer!

20 News

Will you cool your home efficiently this summer?

Go Global Travel Peer support update Workplace Solutions Client story MS Choice Awards Spotlight

The magazine of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT |

23 24 26 28 29 33 33

www.ms.asn.au

In this issue

In this issue From the Editor................................................................ 3 CEO report............................................................................. 4

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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

MS Head Office PO Box 377 Salisbury South DC SA 5106 P (08) 7002 6500 Toll Free 1800 812 311 F (08) 7002 6599 E ms@ms.asn.au MS Northern Territory PO Box 867, Nightcliff NT 0814 P (08) 8948 5300 F (08) 8948 5344 E nt@ms.asn.au www.ms.asn.au MS Society Privacy Policy: 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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MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

From the Editor

From the Editor 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) 8271 0026 or email info@ggtravel.com.au. Read about their services on page 24.

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13 Hello everyone,

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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!

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!!

Renee Meredith Editor Network MS Society of SA & NT Inc feedback@ms.asn.au

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.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

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CEO report

CEO report 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.

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.

Graeme participated in the ‘Chief Mudder’ race in the Bernie Lewis MS Mud Run. You can see him in action on our front cover!

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MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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.

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) 7002 6504.

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!

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

News Along with all other charitable and notfor-profit organisations, we are currently reviewing a discussion paper issued by the Federal Government’s “Notfor-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!

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.

Graeme Warnock Chief Executive Officer MS Society of SA & NT Inc

Christmas Closure 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.

Useful numbers over the holiday period Disability Services After-hours service: 08 8372 1414 Lifeline If you feel that you might need phone counselling, you can call 131 114 about anything that might be troubling you.

Crisis Care assists people in crisis. Opening hours: 4:00pm to 9:00am weekdays, 24-hours on weekends and public hoidays.

Call 131 611

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News

News continued

Do you live in Hove or Semaphore?

Needs Analysis of People with MS

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

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

If you would be interested in attending these classes, please email info@ms.asn.au or call (08) 7002 6500.

Gentle Yoga The Gentle Yoga Class held on Tuesdays at 9:30am–10:30am run by Maria Merlino has moved back to the Enfield Community Centre which is located at 540 Regency Road, Enfield and is at Bus Stop 18 on the 100 Circle Line.

2808 People with MS (PwMS) completed the survey which found the top areas of need for PwMS were: n

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Contact Maria for more information (08) 8269 5210 or 0411 384 486. n

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Education/Information – about MS, symptom management, benefits, etc Psycho-social needs – peer support, counselling Environmental needs – transport, equipment, home modifications Employment/Financial needs – vocational support, flexible work hours, government assistance

MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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) 7002 6500.

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

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.

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Legal Assistance

There are lots of different designs and colours to choose from at www. musmate.co.uk/canecover/index.htm

News

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

Marion exercise group

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Reynella exercise group

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Klemzig hydrotherapy (Wednesday & Friday) Elizabeth circuit class 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: If the forecast states that it is going to be 38 degrees or over on the 8:00am news the morning of the program, it will be cancelled for that day.

Oral Medication Aubagio approved by the TGA 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-registersteriflunomide People living with MS who require further information should contact their MS nurse or their treating Neurologist.

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News

News continued Mighty Swim – Join now!

TEAM MS 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) 8360 0800.

TEAM MS (Staff and friends) 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) 8360 0800.

Annual General Meeting and Renee Thonard Award 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 emailing feedback@ms.asn.au or call Renee on (08) 7002 6516.

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MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

The Renee Thonard Award is 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.

Lap swimming 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

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

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News

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Our people

Our people What’s your favourite food?

Hmm, I have a few favourites – at the moment it’s salt and pepper squid.

When you’re not working at the Society, what do you do?

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.

Lyn Blackmore Staff Job Title: Personal Assistant But what do you do?

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!

How long have you worked at the MS Society? Nearly 17 years.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Being a part of a team in which our main focus is trying to achieve better outcomes for people with MS. Describe yourself in 3 words: Short, quirky, patient.

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.

How long have you worked at the MS Society? Since 2002.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

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!

Describe yourself in 3 words: Practical, optimistic, organised (mostly).

Margot Strelan Staff Job Title: Physiotherapist But what do you do?

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.

What’s your favourite food?

Baked cheesecake. (Or any other dessert with custard or chocolate).

But even better with a quiet cup of tea.

When you’re not working at the Society, what do you do?

Mummy duties – looking after my 4-year-old daughter and 15-month-old son.

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Our people | Research

Our people continued Research

Paul Colquist Volunteer What do you do at the Society?

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. How long have volunteered at the MS Society? 2 Years.

Why did you become a volunteer?

To help fellow sufferers, it’s a way that I am able to give back.

Describe yourself in 3 words: Passionate, kind and funny.

What’s your favourite food?

Anything of good quality – I used to be a chef, so I’m not that fond of cooking!

When you’re not volunteering, what do you do?

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!

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PhD student in the Neuropsychology 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.

Benefits to your taking part: 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 at amynortham@gmail.com

Page heading 1 | Page heading 2 | MS Page Society heading volunteers 3 | etc

MS Society volunteers Getting dirty for a good cause!

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.

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 kalderson@ms.asn.au or phone (08) 7002 6500

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

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MS Mud Run

“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

A special thanks to our wonderful

MC Joel Scalzi

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MS Mud Run

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

“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

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MS Mud Run

“T HANK YOU so much to the amazing (and abundant volunteers,

you guys were amazing & made the day run smoothly with lots of fun!” ~ Lisa

That’s our

CEO, Graeme

Warnock! What a champ!!!

“Great day - Well organised - Heaps of Fun -

Fantastic Weather ... T HANKS HEAPS - from the SUDDEN COMFORT gang .. Next year will be even Bigger and Better !!!” ~ Tony

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MS Mud Run

“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

ughes arr ison H H : r e d d Top Mu draiser: Top Fun 0 s – $329 m a li il W Peter er: Fundrais m a e T Top $4401 unnies – B d u M T he r(s): er winne d d u m f and T he chie Estate) o im r P ( h Van Rut Richard of Unley) r o y a M ( lyne Lachlan C

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 17

MS Mud Run

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 18 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

MS Mud Run

The The MSMS Society Society of of SASA & NT & NT is incredibly is incredibly grateful grateful forfor thethe support support from from thethe corporate corporate community. community.

Together Together wewe areare all all helping helping make make a difference a difference in the in the lives lives of of people people living living with with Multiple Multiple Sclerosis.

Sclerosis.

Proudly ProudlySponsored SponsoredBy By Naming Naming rights rights sponsor sponsor

Major Major sponsor sponsor

EVENT EVENTPARTNERS PARTNERS

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

Rotary.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 19

Beat the Heat this Summer!

Beat the Heat this Summer!

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.

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,

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

n

n

Do I feel more fatigued in the hotter weather?

Do I feel more fatigued after doing the dishes with my hands in hot water?

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 & physical activity 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.

These can include: n

n

20 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

Avoid exercising in the middle of the day; instead, try mornings and evenings.

Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated at all times.

Beat the Heat this Summer!

n

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Exercise in the shade or places with air conditioning.

Try water based exercise like hydrotherapy.

Activities such as swimming, tai chi and yoga are more suitable for warmer weather.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Cool down and rest after exercise (i.e. have a cool shower).

Use cooling collars and vests and/or have a water spray bottle handy while exercising.

Pace yourself during exercise so the body is not getting overheated.

Consult with your physiotherapist about the best exercise regime for you.

Stay hydrated Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost through perspiration and evaporation.

Plan ahead 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.

Venturing outdoors 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.

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.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 21

Beat the Heat this Summer!

Beat the Heat this Summer! continued Keep your body cool 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.

The following websites have more information on these products: 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

22 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

Your suggestions Multiple Solutions may also be able to assist with some of these products through the Workplace Support program. See page 28 for more details.

Here are some extra suggestions sent in by people with MS on how they ‘beat the heat’: n

Seek support

Keep your feet cool by rolling a frozen bottle of water backwards and forwards under your feet.

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.

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Financial Assistance

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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-andCooling-Concession.aspx or call the concession hotline on 1800 307 758.

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Avoid hot, heavy food. Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.

Make sure you have various sizes of cooler bags and bricks, suitable for all occasions.

Personal misting fans are useful, as is a spray bottle.

Have a cool shower in the hottest part of the day and another one just before you go to bed.

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.

Watch a movie set in a cold climate, such as Alaska or Antarctica.

Have insulation installed.

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

Will you cool your home efficiently this summer?

Will you cool your home efficiently this summer?

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

Tips for using your air-conditioner efficiently: n

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.

Set the thermostat of your airconditioner 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.

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Only cool the rooms you need to.

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Clean the filters of your air-conditioner.

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Ensure you have appropriate insulation in your ceiling, and, if possible, walls.

During summer, shade your windows on the northern, western and eastern sides of your home.

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 energyefficient 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

If you’re thinking of purchasing a new air-conditioner, it pays to get an energy-efficient system.

This article is courtesy of the South Australian Government’s Energy Advisory Service.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 23

Go Global Travel

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.

Some of the products that we can assist you with include: n

Flights including mobility assistance

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Accessible hotel rooms

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Lifters and equipment Hire (help source)

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Cruises including accessible cabins

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Tours

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Chauffeured motorhomes

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Trike tours

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24 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

Wheelchair accessible airport and hotel transfers

Wheelchair accessible vehicle rentals

Our aim is to get to know your individual needs to create the holiday of a lifetime!

Go Global Travel 41 Goodwood Road, Wayville SA 5034 P: (08) 8271 0026 F: (08) 8271 0046 E: info@ggtravel.com.au W: www.ggtravel.com.au Travel Agent License TTA 242280

Go Global Travel

Main heading

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Peer support update

Peer support update 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 Groups meet in the following areas: Location

Day/Time

Venue

Group Coordinator

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

Hard Yakkas (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

Port Lincoln

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

Tailem Bend

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

Upper South East

Times to be advised

Venue to be advised

Samantha Loechel 0427 662 156

Family members and carers are welcome 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.

26 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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) 7002 6500 to be connected to a peer mentor.

Online support 115 members and counting!

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.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 27

Workplace Solutions

Workplace Solutions Checklist for when you may need workplace support n

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Employed or self-employed for at least 8 hours per week.

Experiencing fatigue and/or heat intolerance.

You want information about disclosure, discrimination, industrial legislation or education for employers and co-workers.

There are concerns about your mobility, balance or workplace safety.

You need equipment or modifications to make working easier.

You feel stressed/anxious about your ability to continue working.

You cannot maintain productivity levels or meet KPIs. You cannot meet the physical demands of your current role.

You are needing support with personal care for meals and/or bathroom needs at the workplace, or help to just get around.

Any one 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.

Did you know?

Contact South Michele Watts Tel: (08) 8198 1400 E: mwatts@ms.asn.au North Mary-Anne Edge Tel: (08) 8203 6600 E: medge@ms.asn.au 28 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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Multiple Solutions can purchase cooling vests, cooling collars or devices to keep you cool while you work?

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

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) 8203 6600 to find out more.

Client story

Client story

Paul Colquist My Day of Choice 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.

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.

‘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.’

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!

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.

Friday 28 September was 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.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 29

Client story

Client story continued 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.

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â€˜â€ŚI 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.’

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.

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.

12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine 31

Client story

Client story continued 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.

‘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.’

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.

32 MS Network Magazine 12 | 2012

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.

Paul’s Travelling Tips n

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.

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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.

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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.

Thanks once again

Paul Colquist

Ask for your Travel Agent to arrange

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Plan rest periods in your day, especially when you’re travelling in hotter places.

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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 feedback@ms.asn.au or phone (08) 7002 6500.

MS Choice Awards | Spotlight

MS Choice Awards

Spotlight

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.au or contact Sonya (08) 7002 6500 Applications close: Tuesday 30 April 2013

Amber Averay 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!

‘I actually couldn’t read a word until I was ten years old – I could write, but not read.

Normal, totally! …By the age of eleven I was reading thousand-odd page books, and started building a collection that now numbers in the thousands!’

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.

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Spotlight

Spotlight continued 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’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…’

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…

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Book Launch Saturday 23 October 2010 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.

‘…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.’

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.

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.

1800 812 311 www.ms.asn.au

Spotlight

‘…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.’

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 longtime dream to reality, I’m also helping to raise funds and spread awareness of an illness that can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime…

Enchantment’s Deception

By Amber Averay About The Book: 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 themselves 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.’

‘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…’

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12 | 2012 MS Network Magazine

Patti – Call Centre Operator.

Locations Head Office/Mawson Lakes

Christies Beach

Greenacres

Endeavour House Technology Park Module 6E 11–15 Fourth Avenue Mawson Lakes SA 5095 PO Box 377 Salisbury South DC SA 5106

Level 1, 111 Beach Road Christies Beach SA 5165 PO Box 885 Noarlunga Centre SA 5168

19 Fosters Road Greenacres SA 5086 PO Box 525 Modbury SA 5092

P (08) 8392 0100 F (08) 8392 0199

P (08) 8360 0800 F (08) 8203 6699

P (08) 7002 6500 F (08) 7002 6599

Darwin

Modbury

Nightcliff Community Centre 11/18 Bauhinia Street Nightcliff NT 0810 PO Box 867 Nightcliff NT 0814

31–33 Smart Road Modbury SA 5092 PO Box 525 Modbury SA 5092

Brighton 7A Sturt Road Brighton SA 5048 PO Box 275 Brighton SA 5048 P (08) 8198 1400 F (08) 8377 0711

P (08) 8948 5300 F (08) 8948 5344

P (08) 8203 6600 F (08) 8203 6699

Woodville Elizabeth South Shop 6, 183 Philip Highway Elizabeth South SA 5112 PO Box 4104 Elizabeth South SA 5112 P (08) 8256 3700 F (08) 8255 5796

www.facebook.com/MSSocietyofSANT www.twitter.com/MS_SA_NT

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

51 Woodville Road Woodville SA 5011 PO Box 16 Woodville SA 5011 P (08) 8345 8700 F (08) 8268 4224