People with MS from many parts of Queensland took part in the conference on the 5-6 August. Most attended in person at the BTP Conference Centre in Brisbane, in Cairns and Rockhampton with the web-cast of events going live to many other places.

The theme was “Living with MS – Personal and Public Power”. The personal , family and community aspects of this were explored energetically and resourcefully by presenters drawn from people with MS, local MS staff and visiting professionals and researchers. Advocacy was big!  For more information on the relevant powerpoint presentations follow the links below:

Applied Research MSQ (file size 70Kb)

Recent Developments in MS Medicines (file size 329Kb)

MS QADA (file size 3.4Mb)

Diet MS (file size 3Mb)

The two keynote speakers informed and challenged us. Assoc. Prof. Anne Louise Ponsonby, Senior Research Fellow with the National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, ANU, Canberra gave a comprehensive presentation on current research towards the causes of MS. To download a copy of this presentation click here (file size 420Kb).

Dr Bronwyn Morkham from Melbourne, Executive Officer with Young People in Nursing Homes Project gave a compelling account of progress being made in gathering community support for major changes in government policy and practice in the support of independent living for younger people with a disability. To download a copy of this presentation click here (file size 1Mb).

The Conference Dinner was a well attended celebratory event. It featured the presentation of Annual Awards, which were presented by the Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce.

In all the conference was well appreciated by all who participated. The organisers know that this type of event does not suit many people who can more easily attend alternative ways of providing the wide range of information and education sought by clients and their families from the Society. For this reason, a questionnaire is now available – seeking fresh thinking from all concerned about how to offer the best to the most people in all parts of Queensland. Get your copy of the questionnaire by phoning 1800 177 591 or emailing val.kellett@msqld.org.au

MS Queensland 2003 Conference Papers

Seeking the Other within the Self By: - Adrian Hellwig

With a palatable dose of psychology theory, a dash of philosophy, a garnish of theology and a liberal sprinkling of stimulus material and participation, this session looks to examine why we have a need to seek the other, how some feel they have found it, and the importance of the quest.
Click here to access file

Adrian Hellwig (M.Commn, BTheol, Grad Dip Counselling, MCCA, CMACA) began his working life as an officer in military intelligence. On leaving the armed services he studied for the Catholic priesthood and before being ordained completed his Bachelor of Theology, majoring in Philosophy and Theology. He has lectured in comparative religions at the Institute of Faith Education and been a member of the executive committee of the Catholic Commission for Ecumenism. Having left the priesthood he now works as a counsellor in a large private boy's school.

Personal Leadership By: -John Guy

This workshop is about pausing and examining what it is that we really want out of being on this planet. Happiness or morale is the measure of sound leadership and so, in this seminar, we ponder the issue of self-leadership and our effect on the rest of humanity and the environment.

Click here to access file

John Guy‘s focus on leadership training, based on over thirty years of practical and professional experience, has led him to develop some unique and empowering techniques for personal development based on the conclusion that effective and good leaders are men and women of courage, honour and service. He has spent extensive periods working and studying in other countries such as Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Cyprus, U.K., Denmark, Pakistan and Nepal. He served in the Australian Army for 21 years earning the coveted Sword of Honour and New Zealand Army Board Leadership Prize, and with the Special Air Service Regiment in Vietnam, the Pacific Islands Regiment, 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Gurkha Rifles and in the Royal Australian Regiment. He has been presented to Her Majesty the Queen for his achievements. John has worked with executives from organisations such as Q Rail, Westpac, and sporting teams such as the Brisbane Broncos.

Loss & MS: Understanding loss in the Challenge of living in the face of MS By: - Dr Judith Murray

Chronic conditions such as those associated with MS involve loss from the time of suspicion of illness, to diagnosis, to living with illness. Many affected people and their families are challenged by these losses. This workshop will explore losses associated with chronic conditions such as MS and identify the means by which the knowledge of loss can be used to enhance both the understanding of this condition and the ability to cope. Click here to access file

Dr Judith Murray is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health at The University of Qld. She is both a qualified psychologist and secondary school teacher. She is Director of the Loss and Grief Unit in the Centre for Primary Health Care based at The Princess Alexandra Hospital. She is also academic coordinator of a postgraduate, multidisciplinary health program that is offered both nationally and internationally.

Informed and up to date: Accessing quality health information on the internet By: - Andrew Heath

This session will highlight the wealth of quality health information sources that are available to users of the internet. Discussion will include issues relating to the quality and validity of web-based information to ensure users access the best available evidence. Click here to access file

Andrew Heath
Andrew is currently acting as the Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Queensland Library. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies and Masters In Librarianship. Andrew has been an internet user since 1994.

Current research into the causes, curtailment and cure of MS By: - Dr Judith Greer

Research into MS falls into 3 broad categories – looking for the causes of MS, trying to slow or stop the disease once it has started, and repairing the damage. With insights and technologies there are new ways of thinking about what might be causing MS, and how to slow disease progress. In the last couple of years there has been a huge expansion in research into ways of repairing the damage caused by MS.

Click here to access file

Dr Judith Greer is a neuroimmunologist and a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Medicine, the University of Queensland. Her main research interests are in autoimmune reactivity in the nervous system, particularly in MS, and in myelin biology. She completed post-doctoral training in the neuroimmunology field at Harvard University in the USA before returning to Australia (with the help of the Elizabeth Albiez Research Fellowship from MS Australia) to commence immunological studies in MS.

Research: Helping people live with MS By: - Dr Judy Wollin

Research has played an important role in the history of MS since the earliest days. The two arms of the research have been “finding the cure” and “living with MS”. This session will present recent research developments in the MS world looking at how research can improve the daily lives of people with MS and their families. Click here to access file

Dr Judy Wollin has been a lecturer at QUT for 12 years with particular interest in disability. She has completed research addressing information needs of people with MS, carer burden, the impact of incontinence on the lives of people with MS. Dr Wollin has completed research working with MSQ, MS Support Groups and the Blue Care Specialist Clinic. Judy is secretary of MS Nurses Australia Inc., a support and education group for nurses working with people with MS.

Is your world spinning around? Vertigo, dizziness and disequilibrium in MS By: - Urszula Dolecka

This session explores vertigo, dizziness and disequilibrium by clarifying the terms, examining common causes, and discussing the effects of MS on these symptoms. Click here to access file

Urszula Dolecka was born in Poland where she obtained a Masters degree in Kinetic Rehabilitation followed up by seven years experience as a university lecturer in Human Anatomy and Biomechanics. Urszula came to Australia in 1992. She graduated from the University of Qld with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 1997 and has worked for the MS Society since then, with special interests in balance and mobility re-education, vestibular rehabilitation and falls prevention.

Maximising Work and Future Options for PwMS By: - Nina Williams & Rod Hodgson

This is a two-part presentation. Nina Williams will begin by opening up the main workplace issues that confront many people who are dealing with symptoms of MS. She will deal with questions such as when to disclose; whether to disclose; job adaptability and workplace accommodations; working for a win-win situation between employer and employee; practical help and advice available to both employer and employee from the MS Society.

Rod Hodgson is a senior partner with law firm, Maurice Blackburn Cashman. Rod's field of expertise is insurance and superannuation law. He and his firm have given valuable honorary advice to people with MS in recent years, concerning legal problems in accessing superannuation entitlements. He will give an outline of what legal advice and support his firm can offer if required.

Click here to access file - Nina Williams

Click here to access file - Rod Hodgson

Nina Williams joined the MS Society as Vocational Support Counsellor in May 2003. Her tertiary studies in rehabilitation counselling were completed in Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. She is a full member of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors and has served on that society's national executive. Nina has worked as a disability services officer with tertiary students; a rehabilitation counsellor and case manager with the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service and private service providers; and a rehabilitation/vocational consultant in private practice. Nina is committed to assisting people with MS in their employment issues as well as working constructively with relevant managers and employers, giving advice and support.

Rod Hodgson is a partner in the National Plaintiff Personal Injuries Law Firm, Maurice Blackburn Cashman that has provided guidance on superannuation and disability insurance entitlements to people with MS in Victoria over a number of years. Rod has been practising law for 14 years and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws, and specialises in personal injuries law.