See beyond the disability

• About the booklet
• Queensland and disability
• Ethnicity, culture and disability
• Employment and disability
• Information and advice
  • Intellectual disability
  • Hearing impairments
  • Spinal injuries
  • Fluctuating conditions
  • Vision impairments
  • Complex communication needs
  • Psychiatric disability
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Acquired brain injury
  • Autism spectrum disorders
• Contacts

Fluctuating conditions (for example - multiple sclerosis)

Helen Emery is a former primary school teacher, and now works as a teacher's aide in Redcliffe. Her husband Graham is her full-time carer.

Helen is a former primary school teacher, and now works as a teacher's aide in Redcliffe. Her husband Graham is her full-time carer.

Helen's tips for including someone with multiple sclerosis in everyday life

"A flexible attitude is very important as some days can be worse than others for people with fluctuating conditions. Employers need to be aware of the impact of fatigue for people with conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS). When a person with a disability highlights a problem, it's important to listen to their suggestions. We've probably thought through the solution to the problem. Venues and service providers must be careful about saying they are 'fully accessible'. Always consult wheelchair users and others to ensure that areas really are accessible to all."

Managing fluctuating conditions - how you can help

• If the person is in a wheelchair, make an effort to speak to them on their level.
• It is important to remember that the severity of some conditions fluctuate. Someone may be able to perform tasks easily one day, but have difficulty the next. Flexibility and understanding is important.
• Occupational therapy can help people with conditions like multiple sclerosis to simplify work tasks.
• MS-related fatigue can be aggravated by heat and humidity. Try to ensure cool environments and be understanding about the individual needs of people.

"It's important for the children to see that I don't stop working just because I use a wheelchair."

Key facts about multiple sclerosis

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
• Twice as many women as men have MS, with the onset of symptoms occurring most often between the ages of 20 and 40.
• Approximately 15 000 Australians have MS.
• The majority of people with MS do not have a profound disability. Studies show that approximately 50 per cent of people with MS are still independently mobile after 15 years.