Gawler multiple sclerosis sufferers Kaylene Baker (left), Suzanne Young and Helen Hoppmann, with the help of Mallalaphotographer Jessica Hayhurst (standing), have posed for a new calendar to help support newly-diagnosed MS sufferers.
A GROUP of Gawler women have banded together to show the community that living with multiple sclerosis (MS) doesn’t mean you can’t do what you love.
Support group the MSchievious Bunch, founded by Gawler East resident Helen Hoppmann in 2014, has created a calendar depicting MS sufferers doing what they love, in spite of their condition.
The calendar features three Gawler locals, Mrs Hoppmann,
Gawler West resident Suzanne Young and Evanston resident
Kaylene Baker and was shot by Mallala photographer Jessica
Hayhurst.
Proceeds from the sale of the ‘Love, Peace, Strength’ alendars,
which can be purchased for $20, will help the MSchievious
Bunch create support packages for newly diagnosed patients.
Ms Hoppmann, who has MS, said finding support networks
when sufferers are first diagnosed can be tough.
“At the moment, when you’re diagnosed it’s all very medical,
you get handed a whole heap of information about MS and the available drugs, and that’s it,” she said.
“You’re left on your own.
“Inside the pack we want to put things like cooling collars, stress balls and a notebook you can write questions in to ask your doctors.
“People go into doctor’s appointments and are really overwhelmed, and often can’t remember what they were going to ask.”
MS is a condition of the central nervous system where the
body’s immune system mistakenly destroys the tissue surrounding nerves in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
The symptoms vary and no two sufferers experience the same
symptoms, which include the loss of motor function control,
fatigue, vision impairment and impaired cognitive function.
Mrs Hoppmann was first diagnosed with the disease when she
was 25-years-old and was told she would be wheelchair-bound
for the rest of her life.
She said she “wasn’t the type” to be told she couldn’t do something.
“I had three young kids at the time and they needed me and
I just pushed myself to walk again,” Mrs Hoppmann said.
“I stunned the doctors, who were amazed.
“I just have this determination in me where I’m not going to let this disease beat me.”
The MSchievious Bunch is holding a launch for the calendar
at the Kingsford Hotel on August 11 from 10am-2pm.
Calendars can be purchased from the Just Desserts Café on
Murray Street, at Member for Light Tony Piccolo’s office, or
by contacting Jessica Hayhurst on 0413 767 077 or by emailing jessesphotography@hotmail.com
