MSWA is centred around providing vital support and services to people living with neurological conditions in Western Australia. This includes people living with multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease, and acquired brain injury, to name a few.
Today, MSWA has a team of 1000 staff who all work passionately to provide the best possible care to people across the metro area and regional centres. The tribe of experienced nursing and allied health professionals provide information and a range of support from the time of diagnosis. In addition to direct care services, MSWA funds vital, life-saving research projects into neurological conditions.
Last financial year, MSWA was able to provide 856,000 hours of service support to more than 2,200 clients. Even more impressively, over the past decade, the support of West Aussies through donations and lottery tickets has allowed MSWA to commit more than $38 million to life-changing research.
Real Stories
Listening to stories from people whose lives have been positively affected by the work of MSWA really highlights the importance of its initiatives.
Susan Finlay — a Social Butterfly living with Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Susan Finlay is a Social Butterfly living with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. The condition means she experiences the absence of voluntary muscle coordination and loss of movement control which affects gait stability, eye movement, and speech. Services such as social outreach, counselling, hydrotherapy and respite, allow Susan to live her version of best.
“You walk in the place [respite], and you are just welcomed. I know them all, they know what I do and don’t do, what I like and don’t like — I love going there.”
“MSWA can have as little or as much impact on your life as you choose. Everyone is just wonderful; they care very much for me. I love their personalities; I love their friendliness — they cannot do enough for me.”
“My life would be so different without MSWA in it — I don’t even want to think about it.”
Hayley — began experiencing Multiple sclerosis symptoms at age 16
Hayley began experiencing MS symptoms at just 16 years of age. After countless appointments, she was diagnosed with MS ten years on, allowing her to begin the journey of caring for her physical and mental wellbeing, supported along the way by MSWA.
“MSWA has been there for me since the beginning — I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s really important to remember you aren’t MS. MS is part of your life, but it isn’t your life.”
Chris McEncroe — a Thrill Seeker living with Guillain-Barré Syndrome
In a seven-year journey of relentless dedication, self-belief, and hard work, Chris McEncroe went from lying in a hospital bed on a ventilator to bringing home two medals for Australia at the 2023 Ambilympics held in Metz, France.
After feeling weakness in his arms and legs, Chris went to bed one night and never walked again. He was quickly diagnosed with Guillain-Barré, a syndrome that affects the peripheral nervous system — the network of nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord.
From the beginning, doctors told Chris about the possibility of never fully recovering, citing people living with Guillain-Barré rarely made significant recoveries past the two-year mark. But giving up was never an option.
Chris said MSWA had been his partner in care from the beginning, when he relied on care support workers for getting out of bed, showering and dressing — but thankfully, these services are no longer needed thanks to his commitment to rehabilitation.
“I don’t use them as much for my personal care anymore, because I don’t need it — which is amazing. As I have gotten stronger, I found my own ways of being able to look after myself more. But they were there from the start,” he said.
When you support MSWA, you’re making a world of difference to West Aussies living with neurological conditions.
Make a tax-deductible donation today and help someone live life, not limits.
