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National MND training program launched

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Stephen Hawking was MND's most famous sufferer.
Camera IconStephen Hawking was MND's most famous sufferer. Credit: AP

Two Australians die each day as a result of motor neurone disease and another two are diagnosed.

It's a cruel and crippling condition which can affect anyone including otherwise healthy and active men and women. One in 300 people are at risk across their lifetime.

Its most famous sufferer was British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking.

In conjunction with global motor neurone disease awareness day, MND NSW is launching a bespoke national training program.

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Leading home care provider Home Instead will also join the initiative as a partner.

People with MND require progressively more care as their symptoms worsen, often first emerging in mild form in people in their 20s and 30s.

Day-to-day tasks and routine activities become challenging as muscles weaken - often leading to difficulty with breathing, movement and swallowing.

With that in mind, the two organisations are aiming to provide carers with quality education to support and enhance the lives of patients.

"We value the opportunity to work with organisations who are committed to providing quality care and building awareness in the community," MND NSW Graham Opie said.

"MND NSW is currently working with Home Instead to develop tailored training for their national team of caregivers to ensure people living with MND receive the care they need when they need it."

Founder of Home Instead Sarah Warner adds that the program aims to ensuring MND patients can live "as independently and safely as possible their own homes".

For Michele, 62, who lives with MND, that means in-home support to help with day-to-day tasks like vacuuming, bed-making and general cleaning which are too exhausting for her to complete.

"I'm so grateful to be able to continue to live at home as I love and feel comfortable in my own house. I feel safe and I know where everything is," she said.

Michele receives about 10 hours of home care per week.

Her caregivers also transport and accompany her to appointments and help her complete other errands and outings.

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