MS Australia established a Lived Experience Panel (LEEP) to provide expert advice on core areas of interest to MS Australia.

The LEEP provides a formal mechanism to facilitate advice from experts across the MS community and support the work of MS Australia by:  

Enhancing the MS Australia advocacy agenda through evidence and advice from the MS community

Ensuring the MS community has a strong voice into MS Australia’s governance, research, policy & advocacy, education & awareness

Terms of Reference: The purpose, structure and processes of the LEEP are outlined in full in the LEEP Terms of Reference which were approved the by MS Australia Board on 31 March 2023

Membership

Applications for the LEEP are currently open. 

The MS Australia Lived Experience Expert Panel was established in October 2023. It is made up of 22 people living with MS or carers of people with MS. The Panel brings a wide range of lived experience and expertise to the work of MS Australia. 

LEEP Members have professional experience in the disability sector, professional sports, allied health, medicine, nursing, policing, research, government and federal politics.  Members also have personal experience with inter-generational and familial MS, disability including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and aged care services, a wide range of treatments and medications and participation in research. LEEP members are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds including younger people, older people, culturally and linguistically diverse, parents including single parents, LGBTQI+ and people living in regional and rural locations.  Many LEEP members have previous experience with disability advocacy, speaking publicly about MS, running peer support groups and raising awareness by sharing their MS story on social media.

The LEEP members each bring their unique experience and insight to the advocacy work of MS Australia and ensure that it has a strong lived experience focus.

LEEP membership will be reviewed periodically.

If you are interested in more information about the LEEP please contact us at advocacy@msaustralia.org.au

Hannah Woolford

South Australia

Brigitte Sigl

New South Wales

Tayarra Smith

New South Wales

Janine Watson

Queensland

Lynn Ingram

New South Wales

Sienna Sullivan

Victoria

Julie Lonsdale- Light

Queensland

Amanda Grobbelaar

Queensland

Chloe Olsen

Tasmania

Nigel Caswell

Victoria

Brooke McGrath

New South Wales

Jo Beard

Victoria

Vanessa Fanning

Australian Capital Territory

Rowena Auchterlonie

Tasmania

Laura Birchall

Australian Capital Territory

Erin Brady

New South Wales

Mich de Waal

New South Wales

Alexandra Kitching

Temporarily living overseas

Sarah Flaim

Queensland

Kate Casey

Queensland

Jessica Worsley

South Australia

Rachel Fallis

New South Wales

Deanna Renee

victoria

Dr Amanda Kennedy

New South Wales

Susan Hyde

Western Australia

Join the LEEP

Are you passionate about driving positive change for Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS)? MS Australia is calling for expressions of interest to diversify our Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP), an initiative designed to gather expert insights from the MS community and ensure a strong, authentic voice guides our work in advocacy, research, policy, education, and awareness. 

Who Should Apply? MS Australia is seeking applications from qualified Australians with personal and professional experience relevant to living with MS or supporting someone with MS. We are especially interested in individuals who have experience in or identify as any of the following:

  • People living with progressive MS 
  • Older people living with MS (over 65) 
  • Carers of people living with MS 
  • First Nations people living with MS
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people living with MS
  • Rural and remote residents living with MS
  • LGBTIQA+ people living with MS

Successful applicants will be selected for their ability to help achieve the goals of the LEEP and contribute meaningful feedback on MS Australia’s policies, research, and communications. 

For More Information The LEEP’s Terms of Reference outlines the full purpose, structure, and processes of the panel. If you have any further questions, please email advocacy@msaustralia.org.au  

Make your voice heard and help shape the future for people living with MS. Applications close Friday 13 December 2024 

Application Form

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Lived Experience Expert Panel