Myositis month presented an opportunity to reflect
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Myositis month presented an opportunity to reflect

LAST month was dedicated to raising awareness of a progressive, currently incurable and poorly treated group of rare conditions commonly known as Myositis. Myositis is the term used to describe inflammation of the muscles, and has a number of different forms. The majority suffer from Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) for which there is no cure…

Living the Research: Exploring What Truly matters to Myositis Patients
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Living the Research: Exploring What Truly matters to Myositis Patients

This is a three-part series of articles from Dr. Kevin Austin, Adjunct Professor in the Health Futures Institute’s Personalized Medicine Centre in Murdoch University, Australia. Kevin lives with IBM and conducted this patient-led research study to understand the priorities of those living with myositis and their care partners. This research and survey were partly funded…

Trish Brown, ‘How to Build Our Resilience so that when Life gets Tough, we have reserves to draw on’
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Trish Brown, ‘How to Build Our Resilience so that when Life gets Tough, we have reserves to draw on’

Trish has a counselling background having worked as a social worker in hospitals and community health for 40 years. Her work included counselling for anxiety, depression, trauma and loss and grief both with individuals and with families. Trish is also our NSW Coordinator. Much of her experience in hospital settings was with people who had…

Support group offers hope for those living with myositis
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Support group offers hope for those living with myositis

Published in Shepparton News June 14, 2024 With incurable diseases such as myositis, taking care of one’s mind is most important. Having a solid support system of people who have been through something similar, who understand and can help you prepare, is a massive part of that. Myositis is a rare disease where the body’s…

‘Dame’ Val takes the challenge of myositis head on
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‘Dame’ Val takes the challenge of myositis head on

Val Dempsey… “Somebody will walk over to you and say: ‘How are you today, Val?’ And likely if you tell them, they don’t ask again.” Photo: Katarina Lloyd Jones. Myositis refers to a group of rare, incurable and progressive conditions that sees the body’s immune system turn against itself, destroying healthy muscle in the process….

Ann’s Story
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Ann’s Story

Ann Reynolds has a remarkably practical and positive approach to her recent diagnosis of myositis and is now doing all she can to learn about it and share her story. “It’s what I’ve been dealt with, I can’t I do anything about it, but knowing there is support helps;’ she said. Ann had been having…

A movie called Father Stu
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A movie called Father Stu

A movie called Father Stu was released in Australia on 12 May 2022.  Check out this link: The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver and is directed by Mel Gibson‘s partner Rosalind Ross. The film follows the true life of Father Stuart Long, a boxer turned Catholic priest suffering from IBM.  Please spread the word…

MAY IS MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH
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MAY IS MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH

May 2022 was a very busy month of gatherings, Online educational sessions, Media releases and Myositis advocacy work. Check out our roundup in the May/June Keeping In Touch Newsletter on our Resources page. National Meetings for Members on Zoom May 2022 – date in first week to be confirmed. Our patron Prof Allan Sturgess, Rheumatologist will focus…

Where are the treatments for the two million Australians with a rare disease?
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Where are the treatments for the two million Australians with a rare disease?

Sunday Extra with Julian Morrow It took Christine six years and many doctors visits before being diagnosed with Myositis – a rare muscle disease. Is genetic testing helping in the diagnosis of rare diseases? And what more can be done to develop therapies when the economic incentive for pharmaceutical companies is low?   Christine Lowe –…