2009 NSW Go For Gold Winners
Home Improvement |
 Mark Priede Mark was diagnosed with MS in 2002, which has created challenges in his life such as fatigue and short-term memory problems, as well as difficulty mobilising and transferring. Mark is also very heat sensitive, which has been difficult for him as he loves the sun and has worked in outback Australia. He works hard to manage his symptoms, but this is not always easy. Mark's spare time is now of necessity spent watching TV, reading and listening to music, as the limitations on his physical ability mean he cannot participate in more active pastimes. Purchasing an electric recliner with his Go for Gold Scholarship will enable Mark to get up easily, will help to manage the swelling in his legs and will give him somewhere comfortable to sit and relax. |
 Stephen Lambert Stephen was diagnosed with MS in 2004 and is as a result of the disease is now blind and confined to a wheelchair. He lives with his wife Sharon and 13 year old daughter Cassie. The family's toilet was not suitable for wheelchair access, and the shower was in the bathtub. This made every day basic functions extremely challenging and unsafe for both Stephen and his helpers, and resulted in Stephen taking several nasty falls. With the assistance of his Go for Gold Scholarship, Stephen was able to arrange bathroom modifications to achieve a safe environment for showering and toileting, and to enable him to have some independence and dignity. |
 Joanna Kalambogias Joanna is 33 years of age and was first diagnosed with MS in 1998. She also suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Despite her health challenges Joanna is very positive about her future. Joanna attempts to manage both conditions by living a healthy lifestyle and by exercising as much as she is able to. She suffers from knee stiffness, weakness, inflammation and pain which does not allow her to stand for long or to sit comfortably. She needs assistance from her husband or parents (who live next door) to stand from a seated position, and sitting is uncomfortable. The Go for Gold Scholarship will enable Joanna to purchase an electric reclining armchair which will allow her to sit comfortably, stretch her legs and give her the peace of mind that she will be able to get up independently. |
 Kristine Glazbrook Kristine was diagnosed with MS in 2003, and since her symptoms have increased she has had more difficulty getting around and being able to socialize. She also suffers from a degenerative knee problem. Kristine needs to use a walking frame at all times because of balance difficulties, but sometimes this is difficult because of a lack of energy. She also finds it difficult to sit in and get out of her existing lounge chair, which is quite old, and increases her risk of falling. With her Go for Gold Scholarship Kristine plans to purchase an electric reclining armchair, which will improve both her comfort and safety. |
The Arts |
 John Helbig John was diagnosed with MS in 2000 and lives in Spalding with his partner, Lyn. John took a little while to adjust to his changed circumstances, and was looking for reasons – why me? John is now a valued volunteer within the Spalding community and is actively involved in a number of community groups such as the CFS, the Spalding History Group and the Spalding Golf Club. John's chosen artistic field is pyrography which involves burning portraits, animals, scenery etc. into timber using a hot wire. He generally gives his work away or donates it for charitable fundraising. To date he has raised two thousand dollars for charity through auctioning his work. John says it's a great feeling to have people bid for your work. The Spalding Community Management Committee acknowledges John’s artistic expertise by seeking his advice on future projects, varying from town entrance signage to designing a school bus shelter and landscaping. With the money available through his Go for Gold Scholarship John will update his current wood-burning tool and purchase a sliding compound saw, which will save him time and frustration and give a more professional finish. John no longer questions why – instead, he says 'why not?' |
Travel |
 Sheryl Patman In April 2000 Sheryl was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS. Her symptoms have resulted in painful spasms, a deterioration in her mobility, difficulties with transfers, and frequent falls. She currently uses a four-wheeled walker and is only able to walk short distances indoors. This has resulted in Sheryl having difficulty in taking part in any activities which require significant amounts of walking such as shopping or going on outings with her husband. With her Go for Gold Scholarship Sheryl plans to purchase a foldable electric scooter which will allow her to travel independently to the local shops and local community. As it can be transported in the boot of the car it will also allow Sheryl and her husband to go on outings together or with their grandchildren. This is also one step forwards in being able to holiday together away from home. |
 Sue Hobbs Sue has been a paraplegic since an accident in 1976 when aged 19, however she was also diagnosed with MS in 1999 which presented her with a new challenge. Her symptoms made it difficult for her to continue with full time work and with sport as a paralympian, affecting her feelings of self-worth. Sue has filled her life with many short term interests, hobbies and passions, two of which include her volunteer work and her nieces who live in Canberra. Not having a partner or children of her own, Sue's relationship with her nieces has meant a great deal to her. Sue has purchased a small caravan for travelling, and plans to drive to Canberra to attend her niece, Zoe’s wedding in November and to assist Zoe in any way she can while she is there. To see her niece marry and to taste the open road again with her caravan give Sue energy and self worth above anything else she does. Sue will use her Go for Gold Scholarship to assist with her travel costs. |
 Samantha Loechel Samantha first experienced MS symptoms when she was 18 years old, and since that time her health and mobility have deteriorated to the point where she can no longer walk far or stand for long periods. Samantha is married to a very supportive husband, Frazer, and has a young daughter, Abbigail. The family lives in Lucindale. Living in a rural location means that Samantha has large distances to travel to shop, take her daughter to playgroup, visit the doctor, collect the mail, etc. Public transport locally is non-existent. Samantha is now at the point where she needs to have hand-controls fitted to her vehicle in order to continue to drive safely, and she needs to purchase vehicle ramps or a lifter to enable her to load her scooter into the vehicle. The Go for Gold Scholarship will enable Samantha to make these modifications. Samantha has recently joined other MS sufferers in the district to form a support group to chat about various issues, and they plan to lobby their local political candidate to express their concern at the lack of funding available to people such as them. |
Sport |
 Judith Munro Judy Munro has been living with MS for nearly 20 years and lives in Naracoorte. The MS affects particularly her left leg making it very heavy to lift, and causing a problem with her shoes. Due to the inability to exercise her leg, Judy's foot swells so one shoe is always tight, and shoes with rubber soles create a drag which further compromises her walking. Judy's dream was to purchase a pair of custom made shoes with a leather sole which would slide when she walks. This dream can now be realised. |