Andrew Potter and Ebony Moffat share three things in common; an employer, a neurological condition, and a passion for raising awareness of multiple sclerosis and advocating for those living with MS.

On the Raw Nerve this week we sit down with two members of the MS Australia Advocacy team to discuss their work, MS Australia’s commitment to embedding and leveraging lived experience meaningfully and effectively, working with a disability, and the lessons they have both learnt along the way.

Dr Heidi Beadnall is a New South Wales-based neurologist (brain specialist) and researcher with special interests in multiple sclerosis (MS), neuroimmunology and general neurology. At the Brain and Mind Centre, the University of Sydney, Dr Beadnall works as part of the Royal Prince Alfred Multiple Sclerosis Clinic.

Almost seven years ago, Dr Beadnall first guided and supported broadcaster Phil O’Neil, newly diagnosed with MS, providing a tailored treatment and management plan and other essential advice. Dr Beadnall continues to treat, educate and support Phil and other people living with MS.

In this first of two episodes, The Raw Nerve host Phil O’Neil speaks to his neurologist – and MS researcher - Dr Heidi Beadnall about her work, how to prepare for your first visit(s), what to expect, questions to ask and other tips.

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Cassidy Krygger, is a young Australian actor, screenwriter and producer and the founder of viral Instagram account Hollywoodland Photos.

Diagnosed with MS in 2018, Cassidy is determined to live a full life with her disability, but to also educate, support and inspire other young people newly diagnosed with MS.

The Raw Nerve spoke to Cassidy, buoyed by the recent success of her short film Daisy. Written and produced by Cassidy who also stars in the film, Daisy has taken home Best International Short Film – GLIFF, Best Short Film- Athens Film and Art Festival and a Best Actress award for Cassidy at the Golden Film Awards, Italy.

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Caro Llewellyn, author, advocate, and business executive, discusses her journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) in an interview on The Raw Nerve podcast. Llewellyn talks about her upbringing in a creative environment, her career in publishing and her love of books, and the challenges she faced after being diagnosed with MS in 2009.

Lewellyn also discusses her father's experience with polio and how it influenced her own perspective on disability. She emphasises the importance of open and honest dialogue about the difficulties of living with MS. “I think the more honest we are, the more people understand about it. And…people who get MS will be able to not feel so alone.”

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On this special episode of The Raw Nerve podcast, recorded at the 2023 Progress in MS Research Conference in Perth, we take a deep dive into PLATYPUS, Australia's groundbreaking adaptive clinical trial for progressive MS.

Dr Julia Morahan, Head of Research at MS Australia, guides us through a captivating discussion with the brilliant minds steering PLATYPUS—Professor Jeremy Chataway of University College London, Chief Investigator of the UK's OCTOPUS trial, and Professor Simon Broadley from Griffith University, overseeing PLATYPUS.

Hear the fascinating story behind PLATYPUS's genesis and how it could reshape the future of progressive MS treatment. The discussion goes into the origins of PLATYPUS and the advantages of its innovative multi-arm, multi-stage trial design, along with the pivotal role played by the MS Community in shaping and overseeing the trial.

As we conclude, our guests share their ultimate dreams of what PLATYPUS and OCTOPUS could ultimately achieve.

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This National Carer’s Week (Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 October), we welcome Paul Koury and Briana Blackett – two passionate advocates for unpaid carers with first-hand but vastly different experience.

As we found out in part one, Paul Koury lives with multiple sclerosis (MS) and after being a carer for his mother and navigating the aged care system, founded the Australian Carers Guide – a publication to help others navigate the carer journey.

Paul balances the challenges of life with MS with the busy demands of publishing and is devoted to sharing his knowledge and experience of caring and that of others, with the Australian community. For Paul, knowledge is power and carers need helpful, practical information and to be able to care for themselves. In part two, Paul shares more about living with MS as a mostly invisible disease and how that impacts him.

Briana Blackett is a carer to her two sons who live with disability and complex needs. Briana has much to share about the challenges and complexities of being a carer as a solo parent, pros and cons, her tips and coping-strategies and the many rewards to be gained.

Briana openly shares the many lessons she has learnt about caring, what does and doesn’t work, the importance of self-care, asking for help, support networks and how to make your situation work for you. In part two, Briana also delves into inclusivity, adaptability and home modifications for disability, and why it is so important for carers to ask others for help.

On this special two-part episode of the Raw Nerve, host Phil O’Neil chats with Paul and Briana and finds out about the carer role and the importance of caring for the carers.

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This National Carer’s Week (Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 October), we welcome Paul Koury and Briana Blackett – two passionate advocates for unpaid carers with first-hand but vastly different experience.

In this special two-part episode of the Raw Nerve, host Phil O’Neil chats with Paul and Briana and finds out about the carer role and the importance of caring for the carers.

Paul Koury lives with multiple sclerosis (MS) and after being a carer for his mother and navigating the aged care system, he founded the Australian Carers Guide⁠ – a publication to help others navigate the carer journey.

Paul balances the challenges of life with MS with the busy demands of publishing and is devoted to sharing his knowledge and experience of caring and that of others, with the Australian community. For Paul, knowledge is power, and carers need helpful, practical information and to be able to care for themselves.

Briana Blackett is a carer to her two sons who live with disability and complex needs. Briana has much to share about the challenges and complexities of being a carer as a solo parent, pros and cons, her tips and coping-strategies and the many rewards to be gained.

Briana openly shares the many lessons she has learnt about caring, what does and doesn’t work, the importance of self-care, asking for help, support networks and how to make your situation work for you.

On this special two-part episode of the Raw Nerve, host Phil O’Neil chats with Paul and Briana and finds out about the carer role and the importance of caring for the carers.

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In this episode of "The Raw Nerve," CEO of MS Australia, Rohan Greenland and the Head of Research, Dr. Julia Morahan, discuss the upcoming Progress in MS Research conference, highlighting key themes, international and Australian speakers, and showcase groundbreaking research in areas such as health behaviour, myelin repair, and neuroimmunology.

This episode emphasises the conference's unique format, which includes opportunities for the MS community to actively participate. The title "Pioneering Progress: Insights into MS Australia's iconic Research Conference" perfectly captures the essence of the discussion.

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Diagnosed 13 years ago with MS, Justine Martin was told by her neurologist that she wouldn’t work again.

Undeterred Justine has found purpose in helping other people through telling her story and giving them hope. Along the way Justine has earned recognition and many awards, as an accomplished speaker, life coach, artist, author, publisher, teacher, and entrepreneur.

Now she’s combined all of those passions and skills to shed light on the resilience of other Australians, with her latest publishing venture; a new book that brings together the stories of 26 extraordinary authors who've bravely shared their unique experiences and journeys living with multiple sclerosis.

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Whispers Of Resilience: Our MS Stories

In August 2018 Cate Green experienced a painful back spasm while at a spa in Daylesford. By the following month Cate had been diagnosed with MS.  A particularly severe relapse that same month left Cate temporarily paralysed from the neck down. “So I lost both arms, legs bowel and bladder, and that put life in perspective for me.”

Today five, years on Cate is about to embark on her biggest challenge, tackling El Camino, a bike ride of over 700 kilometres which will see Cate cross the border between France and Spain, ride over the Pyrenees. and all the way to the Atlantic Ocean on the Northern Coast of Spain.

On this 16th episode of the Raw Nerve, we catch up with Cate in London, ahead of her grand adventure. We discuss the fine line between courage and insanity, the challenges of running a small business with MS, her personal motivations, and her message of hope for anyone facing adversity.

You can follow Cate Green’s progress on her Facebook page: The black cockatoo