Local M.S. services most advanced in country

Press, 16 August 1989, Page 29

Local M.S. services most advanced in country

Multiple sclerosis sufferers in Canterbury have services available which are the envy of most other areas of New Zealand, thanks to the dedicated and hardworking team employed by the society here. The society employs a director, Mr Barry Hawkins, a trained physiotherapist who has made a particular study of M.S., Mrs Diana Jackson; a part-time co-ordi-nator of exercise and relaxation programmes, Mrs Rachael Drace; and two part-time social work assistants, Mrs Margaret Allworthy and Mrs Jenny Boyer. Mrs Jackson is nationally recognised as an expert on the subject and is in demand to speak at seminars throughout the country. She is in charge of the society’s STEP (Support Through Education) programme, which involves considerable research effort in the production of

quarterly bulletins for the members, interpreting often complex and technical papers. These are now also being received by all 17 M.S. societies in the country as well as by many health professionals. As well as organising seminars and education days, Mrs Jackson is responsible for the assessment of each new sufferer as they are referred and will offer reassurance and work out some sort of plan for them, tailored to their individual needs. The REST (Relaxation, Exercise and Stress Management) programme is the responsibility of Rachael Drace, which incorporates exercise programmes with lifestyle programmes. One of the social work assistants has the job of identifying those of the society’s members who are most at risk, for example living on their own or in bad relation-

ships and making sure they are getting the help they are entitled to. She aiso keeps in touch with people in hospital where possible. The other social work assistant is employed to help people through the “bureaucratic maze.” Her job is to ensure people are getting the full amount of benefits they are entitled to and if necessary filling out the forms for them. She also gives advice on what is available in the way of assistance, for example with home loans for those who need to shift, obtaining car modifications or microwave ovens for people who can no longer manage conventional ones. The society itself does not fund these, but they see themselves as facilitators and catalysts, making sure the system is working for people and that they get what help is appropriate for them.