'Joost gives MND a face'

[caption id="attachment_36645" align="alignright" width="306"] GAYNOR BISHOP[/caption]

THE Eastern Cape wing of the Motor Neuron Disease Association of South Africa (MNDA SA) is running an awareness campaign educating people about the debilitating disorder, in line with a global awareness day on Saturday.

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a neurological disorder which has devastating effects and has robbed families worldwide of their loved ones.

June 21 is set aside internationally to raise awareness of the disease, which has no known cause.

It has been thought that exposure to pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers are possible risk-factors for developing MND.

According to the International Alliance of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neurone Disease (ALS/MND) Associations' website, more than 350000 people across the globe are affected and about 100000 people die from the disease every year.

"We need to educate families and communities on how to support those affected, because a sad reality is that following diagnosis, some patients may only live for between one and five years," Eastern Cape MNDA SA branch manager and professional nurse Gaynor Bishop said.

Bishop said in the two years she had worked with the charitable association, she had seen more than 55 patients who were referred to her by local neurologists.

"I counsel them together with their families, organise physiotherapy, emotional and spiritual support, as well as palliative care."

MNDA SA holds support group meetings at the Old Grey Club in Mount Croix on the first Tuesday of every month.

Despite MND eating away at patients' mobility, Bishop said it should not strip them of their "humanness".

"While they have breath, they have life ... and while they are alive, they need to know they are still valuable and significant."

She said it was a myth that the disease only affected white people.

"It also not only affects older citizens in their 60s. Young 30-year-olds can also suffer."

Bishop said people such as former Springbok player Joost van der Westhuizen had given a face to MND.

"Being the famous figure that he is, more people have come to know about MND," she said.

Van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with the illness in 2011.

"Though most sufferers are men, it really does affect people of all ages and sexes," Bishop said.

MND sufferers can join the MNDA SA at an annual fee of R100. - Balisa Ntloko

For further information contact Bishop on 079-591-2148 or e-mail