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Understanding MS through art
This week (1-7 June 2009) is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week and Hunter New England Health is working to raise community understanding and support for people with the disease.
Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition in young adults. It can affect vision, fine motor skills, mobility, balance and memory.
Staff Specialist in Neurology at John Hunter Hospital Dr Jeannette Lechner-Scott said often the most difficult thing for people with MS is the unpredictable nature of the disease.
“MS is a chronic disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of the disease cannot be predicted,” Dr. Lechner-Scott said.
“Sometimes you might have an attack, from which you recover and then remain symptom free for years. At other times a severe attack might confine you to a wheelchair. “
The MS clinic at the Royal Newcastle Centre cares for about 300 people with MS.
“At the MS clinic we try to combine support and best evidence treatment with clinical and basic research. Our aim is to further our understanding about the disease to hopefully one day prevent the damage it can cause to the brain,” Dr Lechner-Scott said.
To help raise community awareness of the disease, staff from the MS clinic and
“30 per cent of newly diagnosed patients are not able to follow their career after four years. It is therefore immensely impressive for these artists to achieve such outstanding artwork as presented in the exhibition,”
The exhibition features the work of artists Jane Gilchrist, Robyn Selem and Kathy Dowling and will be officially opened on Wednesday 3 June at 11am in the foyer of the Royal Newcastle Centre.
Media opportunity: Artist Kathy Dowling will be available for interviews about her artwork and her experiences with MS. Please contact Sharna McCarthy to arrange an interview.
Contact: Sharna McCarthy
Phone: 02 4921 4501
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