The community has come to the rescue of Griffith's only motor neurone disease support group, which was on the brink of collapse due to lack of members.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Motor Neurone Griffith and District Support Group saw a renewed groundswell of interest after The Area News wrote about the group's predicament.
The resurgence of public interest and the addition of more committee members has allowed the support group to stay up and running.
They've also recently received a sudden windfall of donations from community groups and well-wishers, and all the money going to support local MND sufferers.
The group's newly appointed president Margaret Moore is encouraging local MND sufferers reach out to the support group.
"We want to get the message out there that there is a support group in town, and help is available," she said.
READ MORE
The group buys equipment for MND sufferers and helps out on the financial side of things, but they're also a pillar of emotional support for the patients and their families.
Michelle Vearing is the new patient liaison officer, and she knows all-too-well how MND can devastate entire families.
Her grandfather and mother were killed by the disease, and her sister has been diagnosed with it.
It's hereditary, and doctors have told her there's a 50 per cent chance that people in her family carry the gene responsible for it.
Mrs Vearing doesn't know whether or not she carries the gene, and she says she doesn't see much point in getting tested for it.
"It's horrific but there's nothing we can do; there's no cure, there's no treatment for us," Mrs Vearing said.
However Mrs Vearing still has hope that one day scientists will discover a cure, and in the meantime she wants to make sure MND sufferers can have the best quality of life possible.
The support group meets every second Monday of the month at 6pm at the Southside Leagues Club.
Those interested in joining can call Michelle Vearing on 0447 111 965.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
