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The Toowoomba & District MS Support Group
MS&PND Messenger
CHILL&CHAT MONTHLY SOCIAL LUNCH Contact Cathy on 4634 5281 or 0402 143 826 for more info. Come along for a purely social and very informative gathering every month talking about whatever is on your mind! All welcome!
SOCIAL NIGHT CATCH UP Are you interested? Let us know so we can help create a support network that suits best for those people at night (or a Saturday once a month? Do you know of one and want to promote?
TUESDAY, APRIL 16 FREE MONTHLY COLORPLAST CARE INCONTINENCE CLINIC Contact NeuroAssist 1800 177 591 or Irene on 0423 422 31.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 SUPPORT GROUP GUEST SPEAKER, BRIS-BANE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AART SIMONS with years of experi-ence in working with MS and entertaining and educating groups.
THURSDAY, MAY 23 PITTSWORTH HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO 9am-3pm. MSQ and our support group will be again holding an awareness info dis-play. If you would like to help to man the display as well as having the chance to gain more info from Janice and the many other health related companies present on the day please call us or just come out and enjoy the day and we will see you there! THURSDAY, MAY 30 WORLD MS DAY INFO & AWARENESS DAY TBA
GUEST SPEAKERS We welcome back MS QLD Community Events Manager & Advocate Natalie Walsh as well as Toowoomba’s Advocate for people with Disabilities and other organisations and co founder of our support group, Judy James. PLEASE BRING a plate to share and stay for lunch!
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Clive Berghofer
Recreational Centre
BAKER ST
X
WEST ST PLATZ ST
Steele
Rudd
College Ste
ele
Ru
dd
Dr
NELSON ST
CAR PARK
WHERE DO WE MEET?
Toilets
NB Steele Rudd Dr is not on your GPS .
Taxi destination “Steele Rudd College”
MS Dance Hall
Next Meeting is on Wed, April 17, 10am Cuppa & Chat with a 10.30am start
April 2019
Research has found that fear of a fall causes many people with mobility challenges to
limit their activity level. Limiting movements causes reduced mobility, balance and
physical ability – actually leading to more falls, and also introducing anxiety and de-
pression to many people’s lives. The EMS medical alert system provides confidence
and peace of mind to the mobility challenged, and their families. This sense of securi-
ty leads to a fuller, more active, and happier life for mobility challenged people.
Main features
-Uses the full Telstra mobile network – not Aldi. Covers 99% of Australia’s population.
-Calls up to 5 friends or family (can call 000) until someone answers.
-Has 2-way “hands-free” voice communication with high quality, easy to hear audio.
-Automatic fall detection. Sends “fall alert” text with location & calls up to 5 contacts.
-Uses GPS and Google maps to send your location to your contacts immediately.
-Family & friends can call the pendant. Pendant can call out to nominated contacts.
-Price includes SIM card, setup and delivery. Completely ready to go out of the box.
-Pendant is water proof, comfortable and weighs the same as three 20c pieces.
-No contracts or monitoring fees.
Darrell says….We agree the decision to purchase a fall detector pendant was easy.
Peace of mind for me and protection for my wife. We investigated five different suppli-
ers. There was only two that had back to base monitoring with all having an ongoing
cost. The actual purchase cost of the unit was similar in each case. With all having
similar features including GPS/Satellite tracking, call button and registered phone
numbers for contacts etc.
The difference was:-
• The ongoing cost. This cost and provider for the network used for the service
varied in each case. In the case of the EMS Medical Alert they offer an option at
an additional cost to have 24/7 response for life with no additional ongoing fees.
• The monitoring. Only two of the suppliers we reviewed had a back to base moni-
toring service. In the other systems they rely on the contacts programmed in the
device to respond to a call.
The device and future monitoring was $1480 with no ongoing fees. We approached
and were unsuccessful in gaining Myaged Care and MAAHS for funding. Tunstall was
a close second option for value and support.
Sue’s experience...
I went through a period of having frequent falls. Some needed medical attention. All
falls carry the risk of severe injury. My Aunt at Coolum has the "SafeTwear" device
which suits her well as she takes walks away from her home and family are not al-
ways nearby. I also am out and about on my own, so decided the alarm would suit me
too. The alarm has a GPS/satellite tracking, so can find me
anywhere in Australia, has a mobile SIM card, so family can
call me if I'm not answering any other phone. I can press the
SOS button for help, the operator will, depending on my re-
sponse (or not), call an ambulance or any one of the regis-
tered numbers to come. I have used this when I fell on my
driveway late last year, not hurt, just couldn't get up. It can
also detect falls. It's recommended to wear the device
around the neck to enhance the capacity to do this.
The cost varies depending on your age it appears, but ask.
Seniors had a good deal at the time (see advertised in the
Seniors newspaper). Mine cost about $1,400 which included
the cost of the alarm itself, about $500 and lifetime operat-
ing cost. The alarm is a low risk item and can be claimed on
NDIS. My Aunt has never had an account but has received
an upgraded alarm once or twice. I have the habit now of putting it on every morning.
We thank Emergency Medical Services for kindly sponsoring
the costs of the April newsletter production and delivery!
For More Info Phone: 1300 699 159 Email: [email protected] Web: www.emsas.com.au
Getting access to public
facilities 24/7 Many people with MS can experience symptoms,
such as bladder and bowel issues, and motor con-
trol issues which can leave people feeling vulnera-
ble when out in public. People with a disability are able to purchase an MLAK
master key which will open all toilets, playgrounds and other facilities which
are fitted with this specially designed lock.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is restricted to people who have a disability or who have written authority
from one of the following: A doctor, a disability organisation like MS Queensland or
local council or community health centre and centre management or the owner of a
building with an MLAK-enabled facility on site.
How do I purchase a MLAK?
People living with a disability are able to purchase this key for $20 from business
members of the Master Locksmith Association of Australasia.
Find your local Master Locksmith or Download the MLAK order form https://
mlaa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ORDER-FORM-MLAK-Master-
Locksmiths-Access-Key-NOV2018.pdf *The MLAK is a project of The Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia.
Nat Walsh
Nat started at MS Queensland ten years ago and some great out-
comes have been achieved that have brought improvements to the
lives for people living with MS. However, none of this can be
achieved without the great support of our community sharing their
stories and meeting with their politicians. In the case of Toowoom-
ba, it is Judy James who has led your community and achieved
more exceptional results for refusing to take no from Government.
As shared by the amazing Judy, Advocacy is long and requires con-
sistent commitment to support the important issues. MS Queens-
land shares the great leadership from MS Australia, but no one
knows the community needs and opportunities like people who live
in their own community. It may seem overwhelming when you look
at all that Judy has achieved, but if you have time and commitment
more great outcomes will the achieved and the voice of the Too-
woomba community will continue to be heard.
Together with Judy’s extremely humbling resume, pls share in some of the
work that Nat Walsh has undertaken with MS Queensland.
2009/2010 Queensland Medical Cooling and
Heating Rebate campaign. Working together with
MS Australia, Nat led a Queensland campaign ral-
lying support across MS Queensland clients and
particularly Support Groups, to meet and or write
to their State politician to share the reality of how
the heat affects them because of their MS and the
impact and cost of their energy bill.
2011 National Disability Insurance Scheme cam-
paign commenced together with Advocacy commencing by MS Queensland to Feder-
al Government.
2013 National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill passed, ongoing Government submis-
sions to Government to share the issues of importance for people living with MS.
2016 Employment Retention roundtable for people living with Progressive Neurologi-
cal Disease hosted by MS Queensland with Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Alistair McEwin; NDIA, Employment Director; Federal Government and Queensland
State Government representatives including Grace Grace Minister for Employment.
2018 Every Australian Counts campaign continues joining meetings in Brisbane,
Townsville and Cairns to share experiences of people living with MS and the issues
people were experiencing with the introduction of the scheme.
MS QLD Community Engagement Manager
I NTERESTING DISABILITY
ADVOCACY TRAINING
AVAILABLE Approaching my 80th birthday in November, as well as handling
the long terms effects of MS on my sight and spine, I feel that
my 27 years of service to the disability sector will come to an
end and I will close my office at that time. As I have been a Foundation member of
this MS Group, long serving Committee member and MS Disability Advocate for the
disabled across our large area of south-west Qld., plus my other disability organisa-
tions, including service as a Life Member of MS Qld., raising monies for them, my of-
fice has handled a big log of work over the years.
Anyone in the MS Support Group Community who may be interested in taking up the
MS Advocacy office position could think about the following requirements:-
• Counselling Accreditation...this is a big help in dealing with newly diagnosed
people with MS who are lost in the management issues. (I have been a trained
Counsellor for 37 years.)
• Be able to keep complex files on clients, all areas serviced, and all levels of gov-
ernment websites and officials of various departments.(Helps to have disabled
organisations in Canberra to know ahead of time what good or bad things are
proposed for people with disabilities which may affect us all.)
• Have an interest in the MS disabled and being able to field en-
quiries from our large south-west region country people with
our disabilities...ie:- for news about doctors, available treat-
ments, travel requirements, local traffic and parking, disabled
toilets, respite for Carers, and disabled accommodation. (The
last is difficult to find and for years I have given those in need
bed and breakfast, as my home is all disabled access.)
• Have experience in sourcing information online to be able to
handle all enquiries about government departments, finding
and sending out the required information for country MS peo-
ple who do not have computers, or mobile phones and out in
the country are reliant on their landlines.
• Be able to write Government Submissions (State and Federal) in all areas con-
cerning people with MS disability and their lack of disabled accessibility and ser-
vices through our large area.
• Have interest in handling the Political scene, to get things done for those with
disabilities and make sure that all governmental departments, be it local, State
or Federal, do not remove the benefits for which we have fought for so many
years. An interest in politics has helped me deal with all levels of government, for
the benefit of those with disabilities who cannot speak for themselves...my brief
President Sue 4632 3053 email [email protected]
Vice President Darryl 4636 0406 email [email protected]
Secretary Manda 0435 185 435 email [email protected]
PwMS Contact Trish 0422 361 622 email [email protected]
PwMS Contact Sam 0419 972 171 email [email protected]
Newsletter Joanna 4635 3281 email [email protected]
Chill & Chat Social Meet Cathy 0402 143 826 email [email protected]
Facebook Sam 0419 972 171 email [email protected]
SMAC Twmba Carers Rep Jon 4635 5481 email [email protected]
Services, Management & Advisory Committee “A conduit between MSQ management and people
with MS, their families and carers.“
On the Web search “MS Toowoomba”
FACEBOOK “MS Support Group Toowoomba”
Toowoomba MS Wellness Centre
Easternwell Building, 8-10 Russell St, Toowoomba
MS QLD Neuro Physiotherapy Mondays with Tom Crouch
Colorplast Care Incontinence Clinic visiting monthly
Phone Irene on 0423 422 318
MS QLD/Neuro Assist Appointments and Infoline 1800 177 591
www.msqld.org.au
Spark NeuroCare Regional Service Co-ordinators
Janice Wheeler P 1800 875 244 or M 0408 186 690
Andrea Meehan P 1800 875 244 or M 0439 484 148
being “Always start at the top!” and don't stop until the required result is
achieved.
The work of an MS Disability Advocate is a most rewarding one because of the peo-
ple one meets in person as well as over the phone, and there is satisfaction from
good outcomes, not just for those with MS with so many in need in our large country
area. If a MS group member would like to take on this advocacy work I am happy to
give as much training, help and information as possible over the coming months, with
the exception of my counselling files which remain confidential. Judy James,
Toowoomba MS Support Group,
Life member MS Qld.,
Women With Disabilities Aus.,
People With Disabilities Aus.,
Disabled People's Organisation Aus.
Physical Disability Council Australia
P 07 4634 3059
TOOWOOMBA MS SUPPORT GROUP CONTACTS
Meet, thank, learn self advocacy skills and be inspired by our wonderful
advocates, Nat and Judy at our Wednesday, April 17 meeting!
