Latest news with #MSWA
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Art Without Limits: Bunbury exhibition showcases talent of artists living with neurological conditions
Bunbury's Stirling Street Arts Centre has opened its doors to the rest of the State to showcase the talent of artists living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. Art Without Limits — which opened on May 29 — is an exhibition curated by MSWA aiming to highlight the unique perspectives, skills and passions of more than 50 artists from across Western Australia. Coinciding with World MS Day on May 30, the theme of this year's exhibition is 'expression of self', providing a platform for individuals to share their stories and demonstrate who they are, beyond their condition. The free exhibition also opened in Perth last week and featured a diverse collection of paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media. MSWA client Linda Beach was diagnosed with MS in 1986 after a career working as a nurse. She said the hardest part of living with the condition was its unpredictable nature. 'I think with MS, it's fear,' she said. 'A fear of not knowing what next way it's going to take you.' Ms Beach said she hoped the exhibition would 'wake the public up' to the condition and encourage people to be more compassionate. She recalled a day in the Bunbury town centre, when she fell into the gutter trying to get out of her car. 'Three women walked past me laughing. It was awful,' she said. 'Then a man on a Harley motorbike saw me, turned around, parked his bike, crossed the road and lifted me. He said 'I've got you Nana' and sat me down on the bench'.' Ms Beach's creative piece Frustration symbolises the anger and heartache of living with MS. 'It takes a lot of you away, your independence,' she said. According to MS Australia , two thirds of Australians living with MS face loneliness, often due to stigma, changes in work and the impact on relationships. MSWA chief executive Melanie Kiely said the exhibition was designed to show that people with neurological conditions can push their limits and use their condition as inspiration to achieve 'incredible things'. 'Living with MS and other neurological conditions often means carrying experiences the world can't see,' she said. MSWA community engagement officer Emily Ace said their clients had 'amazing stories, talent, hopes and dreams just like everybody else'. 'We're trying to showcase the people, not just the condition that they live with,' she said. '(We're) just trying to break down that barrier with the general public and show them another side of the amazing people behind those conditions and what they can really do.' The exhibition will run until Thursday June 5 and is open from 9am-4pm.
West Australian
07-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Albany swimmers dive in to raise $34,000 for MSWA in 13th annual eight-hour ALAC pool fundraising challenge
More than 100 swimmers took the plunge at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on May 3 to raise $34,000 for MSWA. The 13th MSWA annual Swim for a Cause fundraising challenge was an eight-hour marathon in aid of the charity which helps people affected by neurological conditions and disabilities. The Albany swim has now raised more than $300,000 for MSWA, formerly known as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA. Participants swam a combined total of 9900 laps of the 25m pool and MSWA community fundraising events officer Trish Watson said the event was always a highlight. 'Out of all the ones we do, this one really hits home,' she said. Nine teams took part with Great Southern Grammar swimming the most laps, working a roster that included students and staff. They managed an impressive 1489 laps. Team Marines, who support Marina Pietropaolo who has MS, were the biggest money raisers with a total of $11,400. Team Marines member Rechelle Wright was the individual who raised the most cash with her total of $3640. Ms Watson said Team Marines were long-time supporters of the event. 'Marina has been taking part since 2010 and a lot of her team have been supporting her since then,' she said. 'It's great that she jumps in with them. 'The event's success is testament to the ongoing generosity and dedication of the local community, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the future.'
