Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

How we can help support you:

• MND Advisor Service - expert knowledge,  support  and guidance to help manage MND
• Support Coordination and access to the NDIS
• Information Sessions - for newly diagnosed
• Equipment (Loan) Service - at no cost to you
• Group programs - to connect with others
• Support for Carers
• Volunteer Services - skilled volunteers who provide hand/foot massage, social contact services and more

For more information, phone (03) 9830 2122 or email info@mnd.org.au

NDIS/My Aged Care:

Under 65 -  You may be eligible for benefits from the government via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples aged 50 and over are eligible for My Aged Care funding.

We will provide the same service at no cost to you no matter your age.

Register with us:

If you would like to register by phone or email, feel free to contact our friendly team directly.

Freecall: 1800 777 175
Phone: (03) 9830 2122
Email: info@mnd.org.au

MND Victoria runs an equipment loan library, where you can borrow equipment to help you live safer, more engaged and independently within your community.

Who it is for?

All Victorians living with MND can access Assistive Technology (AT) from our Equipment Service.

How it helps?

• Assistive Technology/Equipment is provided following a request from an Allied Health Professional (AHP).
• The MND Victoria Equipment Service operates on a loan library model and can provide a range of Assistive Technology (AT).
• People with MND must be registered with MND Victoria and be a Victorian resident.
• Equipment may be provided for as long as required at no direct cost to you.

For more information: P: (03) 9830 2122 or email info@mnd.org.au

MND Victoria will provide a dedicated person to meet with you and your family to offer guidance, support and information. Ongoing support is offered as your needs change.

Providing care and support to someone diagnosed with MND can be physically, emotionally and psychologically difficult. We want to support you as well as supporting the person diagnosed with MND.

If you are supporting someone with MND, join us at our regular kitchen table conversations via Zoom to meet others. 

We also run Carer Wellness Programs for family members and friends. We will let you know when they are on through emails and newsletters.

MND Victoria works with Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers and other community members.

Find other people who understand what it is like to live with MND. Meet others and their families to share stories and tips and know that you are not alone.

We welcome people with MND and Kennedy's Disease and their loved ones at our webinar events.  BYO coffee.

Get involved in our community events. 

For more information: P: (03) 9830 2122 or email info@mnd.org.au

We provide information about MND that you can trust.  Having the right information at the right time can help with making decisions about your care/treatment and can also help to manage some MND symptoms. 

Our information line is available for people diagnosed with MND, their families and friends, health professionals and support workers. 

We can provide information about:

• Supports, services and equipment for people with MND and their community
• MND symptoms and treatments
• Support for carers
• Living with MND
• MND research
• MND that runs in families (familial MND) 

Contact us Monday-Friday on P: (03) 9830 2122 or at info@mnd.org.au

For detailed written information, visit MND Connect.

We run regular information sessions for people who are newly diagnosed with MND and their families and friends.

You can also learn about MND and meet others at our Living with MND groups.

For more information, contact us on P: (03) 9830 2122 or at info@mnd.org.au or visit our events page. 

For people living in aged care accommodation we can provide education to the staff to help them to understand MND and care needs.

For health professionals click here.

Talking with children and young adults about motor neurone disease (MND) isn’t easy. Often, they realise something is wrong without being told, and without the facts, they may be guided by their imagination and become worried or anxious about things that are not true. 

Many experts who work with children and young adults believe that young people are better able to cope with situations if they know what is happening and feel comfortable asking questions.

Resources:

Children and young people need:

Information that is honest and appropriate to their age:

8 - 12 years old: Download this booklet

11 - 18 years old: Head to MND Association's website

There are a number of options for support available to children and young adults when someone they love has MND.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800 at any time for any reason. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason. They also provide support for parents and carers.

ReachOut is an online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. ReachOut provides practical support, tools and tips to help young people deal with everyday issues and tough times, and information for parents so they can support their teenagers, too.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement helps individuals and families who need help after the death of someone close to them. The Centre is based in Victoria and provides a range of bereavement support programs for both children and adults, including face to face, telephone or counselling and support groups. There may be a cost for those accessing support from the Centre outside Victoria. Call 1800 642 066

Hope Loves Company is a US based ALS/MND organisation focused on supporting children and young adults. They have a range of resources available online.

We have connections with a range of community health services. We can link you in with health workers who can help you to meet your emotional and physical wellbeing needs.

MND affects everyone in the community, and everyone deals with MND in their own way. Connection to community, land, sea, culture and family are important and can impact our wellbeing.

If someone in your mob has been diagnosed with MND, they can also receive support from local community services.

MND Victoria partners with Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers and other community members to try to provide the best care possible. We will work to make sure the best support we can in your community with dignity.

Having MND or knowing someone who does can make you feel very sad. This can happen any time during the disease, and when the person with MND dies.

It is important to get support for your grief and for Sorry Business.

You can talk to your palliative care service, your MND advisor or your doctor about finding someone to talk to about these feelings.