Robyn Leece

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) made sense of several seemingly unrelated symptoms which Robyn Leece had been experiencing for about 14 years. In fact her diagnosis in 2002 freed her, in that she was allowed to be tired, allowed to sleep late and allowed to have slurred speech without having to make excuses for things over which she had no control.

Living in her home town of Quirindi in northwest NSW, 52 year-old Robyn enjoys her work as a full-time registered nurse, specialising in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Diabetes Education. She believes it is a privilege to help people with a chronic illness just like herself who are motivated to be well and positive people! Many of these people are the parents and family members of many of her school friends and it is her belief that psychosocial health and well-being are closely tied to a sense of connectedness to one's community.

When Robyn was diagnosed with MS she received overwhelming support from the people in her community. It is for this reason that she now gives back to her community. She is a member of the Anglican Church Parish Council, a Rotarian, the staff representative of the local Health Advisory committee and now an MS Ambassador for MS Australia - ACT/ NSW/VIC.

In her limited spare time, Robyn, a mother of three children, a son aged 24 and 23 year-old twin daughters, enjoys reading and music, especially jazz and blues. While Robyn has begun "challenging" piano lessons, her son aspires to be a rock star; one daughter is studying to be a teacher and the other is on a working holiday "playing" in ski resorts around the globe.

"MS does impact my life but at this point my disability is minimal. I am thankful that today I feel as I did yesterday, able to live a very ordinary life, rich with people and activities."