2009 Tax appeal
Many people think of muscular dystrophy as a condition diagnosed in the early years of childhood but at 55 Sue found out that isn’t always the case. Sue knew that there was something wrong with her ever weakening muscles, but kept it secret from even her GP for fear of how it would affect her career as a university and TAFE lecturer. It was only when she couldn’t manage any more that she soughtmedical advice and was diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition. “After that first diagnosis of Mitochondrial Myopathy Cytopathy I didn’t know where to go,” says Sue. “So I sent an email to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of WA (MDA WA) and Lesley Murphy, Director of Community Services, suggested I come in to see her. Lesley sat down with me and talked about my diagnosis and really made me feel
much better and very, very welcome. She was wonderful. MDA WA let me know that if I needed help or wanted to ask anything, there was someone there. “Having contact with the MDA WA has made me quite a different person, a better person. I’ve learned to stop looking at my disabilities and instead appreciate life and make the most of the abilities I still have. I’ve met a lot of people with muscular dystrophy and I’ve realised just how lucky I’ve been, and how so many of them have used their ‘abilities’ to really contribute to life. “I would ask anyone to please donate to MDA WA and help the Association to continue to provide community support to Western Australians living with a neuromuscular condition, and support the imperative research that’s being carried out to find a cure” Sue Chia 58. MDA WA helps hundreds of children, adults and families in our community, living with muscular dystrophy or an allied neuromuscular condition. We help by providing information and services including counselling and access to equipment to help people with mobility, as well as the opportunity to meet others facing similar challenges. But we can’t do it without your help. Our funding to provide these vital services and the tireless work to find a cure relies totally on the donations we receive from people like you.