Greg’s journey with MS and OT

Greg is a 70-year-old gentleman living in a retirement village with his beloved cat Angel. He enjoys a colourful and social life, supported by his strong community of neighbours, friends and family.  

After his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), Greg found himself quite lost with his everyday tasks, not knowing why or how issues were happening or any solutions to help. The biggest impact Greg found was on time, efficiency and his sense of confidence whilst navigating everyday life. 

Greg’s journey with the MSWA Occupational Therapy team started nine years ago, where he attended a Fatigue Management Workshop hosted by them. Unbeknownst to him, this workshop would begin his longstanding relationship with MSWA OT team, and the fatigue management principles he learnt would become central to his symptom management and day to day life.  

For Greg, fatigue management allows him to remain as independent as possible with day-to-day tasks and helps him reserve his energy for activities which mean the most to him.  

Over the years, Greg and his OTs have worked together to find practical and individualised ways to adapt how he engages with everyday tasks to expand what he is able to do. This has meant making ongoing adjustments – adapting how tasks are approached, the tasks themselves, and the support Greg utilises to help.  

For Greg, all these modifications link back to the fundamental principle of fatigue management. Whilst some adjustments supported his mobility, others managed his thermoregulatory dysfunction or hand strength, they all linked back and contributed to reducing fatigue – allowing Greg to conserve his energy and focus on what is important.   

Greg’s top tips for fatigue management include: 

1. One (or two) things at a time 

Aim to accomplish one to two tasks a day, rather than trying to do too much and making little overall progress. For Greg, this can look different day-to-day. If his main activity for the day is to visit friends, he may ask for more assistance from carers for meal preparation, or if meal preparation is his goal for the day, perhaps carers assist more with transfers. This flexibility allows Greg to prioritise and complete key activities each day. 

2. Utilising assistive technology (AT)  

Assistive technology (AT) refers to any device, equipment, or software that helps overcome barriers in daily living, stay safe, and live more independently.  
 
One such example is the power assisted wheelchair Greg uses to move around his house, pop in to visit his neighbours and to navigate his local community independently. Greg also utilises transfer aids, like a Sara Stedy which assists him to transfer in a quick, efficient and safe manner. He also uses an electric lift and recliner chair, making it easier for him to sit, stand and relax. Smaller, hand-held assistive technology can also make a big difference to everyday tasks, such as adapted cutting boards, cutlery and plates.  

These AT items help Greg to complete tasks with less effort, maximise efficiency and safety, improve his confidence and overall reduce his fatigue. The use of AT has made a world of a difference to Greg’s life and significantly, his fatigue levels!  

3. Home modifications  

Home modifications are adjustments made to a home environment to improve safety, accessibility, independence and overall ability to complete everyday activities.  

Various minor home modifications, including the addition of grab rails, custom ramps and flooring changes, have taken place in Greg’s home. These allow him to access his house and all the activities within it with improved safety and ease.   

4. Savouring the ordinary 

As Greg shares, “These tasks sound very ordinary…but are a big step forward for me”. 

Visiting his friends, making a salad, even going to the toilet - though these everyday tasks may sound ordinary, Greg revels in the ability to live life with more independence and it is these everyday items that make all the difference to him.  

Implementing these changes completely changed Greg’s day-to-day life and help him continue to live his colourful and social life. He can now easily manoeuvre his wheelchair whilst opening a flyscreen door, open the pet food to feed his beloved cat, Angel and easily pop across the village to catch up with his friends!  

“Occupational Therapy has given me the attitude, skill and AT to move past the problem. I wouldn’t even give my previous problems a second thought now!” 

These practical solutions have also enabled Greg to conserve his energy to continue doing what he loves most: creating and connecting with others!  

He loves to write, paint and play the piano, all of which he now has the time and energy for (and conveniently, double as hand therapy practice)!  

He also regularly attends MSWA Connect (formerly known as Outreach) to paint, and he is currently working on a beautiful ocean-scape artwork.  

When asked if he had a message about MSWA OT and the changes the service has made to his life, Greg shared, “Do try OT and their services. You can be assured your ability to move will improve greatly and it will give you the confidence that you need to interact with physical things, with people around you.” 

Want to find out how MSWA Occupational Therapy services can help you live life, not limits? Get in touch with our team.