A SOUTH West care advisor wants to share with the community the real reason why the online ice bucket challenge should be participated in.
The social media challenge involves filming the pouring of a bucket of ice over the head and was created with the intention to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neuron Disease.
According to Motor Neuron Disease WA South West care advisor Julie Craig-Smith the challenge had drawn a huge amount of attention to the very sad disease.
“It’s been an amazing and hectic few weeks for us with calls and people wanting support and advice,” Ms Craig-Smith said.
Motor Neuron Disease is a group of diseases which affect the nerve cells controlling the muscles which enable people to walk, speak, breathe and swallow.
These nerves begin to fail and a person has around 27 months to live after diagnosis.
Motor Neuron Disease WA is a charity and support organisation which works with people living with the disease as well as their families, friends and carers.
Ms Craig-Smith said the disease affected around 140 people in WA.
She said people were put to palliative care from day one of the diagnosis as it was a very fast moving disease which affected each person differently.
“One minute someone can be healthy and the next minute they may need a walking frame,” she said.
Ms Craig-Smith said the organisation offered an abundance of support and advice for people affected by the disease in the South West and encouraged anyone to contact them.
For more information on Motor Neuron Disease WA contact them on 9346 7355.
