Susan Finlay: Social Butterfly
“I get involved in everything, make friends, and have a go.”
For Susan, MSWA is more than just a service provider – it's her second home. Diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a hereditary condition affecting her balance, speech, and vision, Susan interacts with MSWA almost every day of the week to manage her symptoms and maintain her independence.
"At MSWA, there are half a dozen of us or more with the condition, and there are still more people coming in with it. They still don’t know enough about it, so we are still learning," Susan said. Her team of allied health professionals and care support workers ensures she is supported holistically – with services to look after her physical, mental, and social well-being.
“MSWA can have as little or as much impact on your life as you choose it to be,” she said. “Every one of my MSWA workers is just wonderful; they care very much for me. I love their personalities, I love their friendliness – they cannot do enough for me. My life would be so different without MSWA in it – I don’t even want to think about it.”
Outreach has become a place close to Susan’s heart, where she has bonded with new friends over shared experiences. “I get involved in everything, make friends, and have a go,” she said. “You can talk about your condition, how you are feeling – if you are having a good day or a bad day – you can talk about what you are going through. You always find something new, always get invited to new things, new special days, and different speakers come along to visit. It is also an opportunity to learn about the new services available, such as lymphedema management – we can see where new training has been put in for our benefit.”
It is also through social outreach and community support that Susan has forged a special connection with care support worker, Hawa Jalloh. “MSWA is just like a big family,” Ms. Jalloh said. “You feel involved, you aren’t just a number – you are a person who is noticed.”
“All of my clients, just like Susan, are amazing, and I learn so much from them as well. They have given me an appreciation for every little thing in life – despite their neurological conditions, our clients are happy and have a sense of fulfillment. Personally, I don’t consider them as clients – they are my friends, and it is wonderful to come to work for them.”
When it is time to get away from the stresses of everyday life, Susan finds great comfort in visiting MSWA respite accommodation Margaret Doody House, located in City Beach. “You walk in the place, and you are just welcomed,” she said. “I know them all, they know what I do and don’t do, what I like and don’t like – I love going there.
