Supported to succeed: Cathy Watson

“I got diagnosed about six-seven years ago. Two days before school started, I came down with a massive headache and I got blurring in my right eye. Initially, I thought it was a normal migraine,” Cathy recalled.

“Two days later, I was told you have lesions on your brain and you have MS. It was quite a quick diagnosis.” Cathy was put into contact with Peta Flynn from MSWA Employment Support Services (ESS) team.

MSWA ESS team consists uniquely of qualified healthcare professionals that can provide both employment support and clinical advice for people living with neurological conditions.

“I’ve been with MSWA for seven years now and Peta has been a bit of a god send for the last two years. I touch base with her every Friday after work,” Cathy said.

Peta has consistently advocated for Cathy to receive the supports she needs, so she can continue to thrive in the workplace. Some ways Peta has helped Cathy includes, workplace assessments to help her access equipment to manage her MS symptoms and ensuring the classroom is tailored to Cathy, so she can conserve her energy for teaching.

Receiving essential support from employers can make all the difference for people navigating a neurological diagnosis and wanting to remain in the workforce. 

Mike Sinagra, Principal at Bunbury Senior High School shared, “Cathy is a very high performing teacher and she’s a valued member of staff. Some people only see the disability, but by providing the right support, people [living with a disability] can still contribute at a high level to the organisation.” 

Most importantly, through the collaborative efforts of Cathy, Peta and Bunbury Senior High School, Cathy was able to onboard a Care Support Worker that can work with her on schoolgrounds, funded through her NDIS plan. 

“My journey with Cathy has been a very rewarding opportunity. We’ve broken ground because we’ve worked to get some wonderful assistance in the workplace with her support worker, Tara,” Peta mentions.

Having the support of Tara has helped Cathy to continue to do what she loves most — teaching. Tara acts as her arms and legs around the school, helping retain Cathy’s energy, physically and cognitively; as fatigue is a common symptom experienced by people living with MS. 

“The deputies and the executives really helped to push through the process to get support in the school, if not I would have quit,” Cathy shared. 

The importance of having [MSWA] Employment Support Services for me is that it kept me working. If I can do this for me, hopefully it will help other people.”