Cathy has been living with multiple sclerosis for 30 years, but she has not let this stop her from being, as she describes herself, “a very busy person”.

In addition to teaching Early Childhood at Bankstown TAFE, she is also a Justice of the Peace, serving as President of the Liverpool branch of the Justices Association. Outside of work, she enjoys watching films and musical theatre, and spending time with her friends.

“I just know people, they think that if the person has a disability and if they’re in a wheelchair, they don’t do anything,” Cathy says. “Well, no. That’s not me.”

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis or MS is a chronic disease affecting the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath called myelin that covers nerve fibers. Myelin protects the nerve fibres and helps them send signals from the brain to the rest of the body quickly and efficiently. Damage to the myelin causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. (You can read more in our article.)

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but there are treatments available to manage symptoms. Symptoms vary widely from person to person as it depends on the location of the nerve damage. In Cathy’s case, MS affected her mobility. “I can still stand, but I can no longer walk,” she explains.

Last year delivered another challenge to her health: she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, after surgery and a six-month chemotherapy regime, she is now cancer-free.

Support from Afea

“Afea is in my life twice a day, every day,” Cathy shares. Her support workers arrive in the morning to help her get ready for work. They return in the evening to assist her in getting ready for bed.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do during the day. I wouldn’t be able to go to work, I wouldn’t be able to be a Justice of the Peace. I wouldn’t be able to do shopping, theatre, I wouldn’t be able to do any of that.”

Teaching Early Childhood

She continues to enjoy her long and successful career in Early Childhood Education, a field she has worked in for 35 years.

Before she became a wheelchair user, she worked in an early childhood centre for the Parramatta Council. Now, she teaches at Bankstown TAFE.

“Love it,” she says. “Obviously, I’ve been doing it all my life, and I can’t think of doing anything else.”

‘Just keep going’

Given her full and fulfilling social and professional life, we ask Cathy about her future goals. “I have no idea,” she says in jest.

Later, she replies, “MS is one of those things, you don’t know. I’m also blessed with the MS, that all it’s really done to me is take away my mobility. Everything else is working just perfectly. Is that going to go on forever? Nobody knows that.”

So, her future goal is to “just keep going”. “Even though I’m in this,” she says, touching the armrest of her electric wheelchair, “is this a barrier? No, not really.

“If there’s something to do, somewhere to go, just do it.”

Find experienced support workers with Afea Care Services

Our amazing support workers will provide you with compassionate care at home and in the community to help you live more independently, achieve your goals and get the most out of life! 

In addition to our compassionate Core support services—

• Afea’s Support Coordinators are committed to helping you achieve your goals, develop your skills and access the best services suited to your needs. Reduce the stress and time spent on implementing NDIS plans with the help of our amazing Support Coordinators!
• Our Plan Management team is your financial champion, ensuring your funding is used to its fullest potential.

Contact us now to begin receiving care.

You can also email us via hello@afea.com.au or call 1300 65 11 33.