The Winner of the 1997 International Person with MS of the Year was Linda Dunne of Australia

Linda Dunne

Linda Dunne moved to Australia from Scotland in 1986 when her daughters were 7 and 9 years of age. Within 12 months she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

During her second attack Linda had to struggle with devastatingly severe symptoms and try to come to terms with being told she had an incurable disease while watching her daughters try to maintain some normality in their home.

With Linda's gradual improvement came an increased contact with the MS Society and she became a volunteer for outings and day centre activities. When a part-time position as a personal care assistant became available, Linda applied for the work and was appointed to the position. Her role at that time was to assist very disabled people with MS with their personal care when they attended recreational activities organised by the Society.

A little later, one of the recreation officers resigned and Linda was appointed into that position. This involved more individual client work as well as organising recreational activities for the region. Linda also developed extensive resource material for accessible travel, transport and holiday accommodation for people with MS. She started a local, gentle water aerobics group which is still running and has been expanded to serve other people with disabilities.

Linda decided to study for the Welfare Work Certificate at a local college outside her work commitments and when she had gained her certificate the MS Society of New South Wales recognised that Linda's skills would be a valuable asset and she was offered the position of welfare officer, working with the outreach staff.

Over the past eight years since her first contact with the MS Society of NSW, Linda has provided endless support and empathy to people with MS, individually and their partners, families and carers. With her many community contacts she has accessed and arranged free social activities for people with MS and their families. This enables them to participate in more activities then they might otherwise, because of disability or financial constraints.

Linda's motto is "there is life after MS" and she is proof that it is so.