MS - ACT/NSW/VIC
MS AUSTRALIA | ACT/NSW/VIC | QLD | SA & NT | TAS | WA  

Trish Mifsud

"Fear can be more paralyzing than the disease itself"

This year 2007 Trish will have lived with multiple sclerosis for longer than she hasn't. At only forty three years of age, a wife and mother of a fourteen year old and Co-ordinator MS Australia - ACT/ NSW/VIC's Ambassador Program she is dedicated to raising awareness about multiple sclerosis.

MS, a disease that can turn your abilities into disabilities overnight, as Trish found, at nineteen being denied temporarily, the ability to walk, see, feel and use her hands. Trish saw MS as a serial auto-immune pest, but always believes there is a positive. Having participated in many public speaking engagements over the last seven years, Trish will inspire and motivate you to look at the big picture, and share with you, her battle to retrieve back possessions that we all have, and rarely utilize. Trish found that fear could be more paralyzing, than the disease it's self.

In 1995/6 Trish lobbied the Federal Government to allow access to treatment for people diagnosed with MS, and looked far and wide for a mentor. She eventually found one, in her own back yard - her active pre-schooler - who never gives in and never gives up, and Multi-Skilled to achieve in spite of the odds.

Trish has spoken at numerous Rotary District Assemblies, and in excess of 50 Rotary & Probus Clubs around Melbourne. Rotary District 9800 MS Committee also enlisted Trish's assistance as a public speaker, in their endeavor to fund research into MS at a national level.

The Rotary Shine On Awards Committee also utilize Trish's talents to motivate fellow Rotarians to support this program.

Call backs to address RMIT and Swinburn University of TAFE nursing students demonstrates this enthusiastic and effective ambassador's commitment to raising awareness about MS. Trish efficiently transfers textbook curriculum into real life in often confronting reality, for those who care for people with MS often in their darkest hour. As a community we will all benefit.

Awards:

  • 1998 - Trish was nominated for the Rotary "Shine on Award", for outstanding community service by people with disabilities. 2001 brings about a re-nomination for these awards for her dedication, insight and determination to bring the MS Ambassador Program into a successful reality.
  • 2001 - Trish was awarded a "Shine On Award" for her role as an MS Ambassador and also had the honour of also receiving a "Rotary International Pride of Workmanship Award" by the Rotary Club of Keilor East.

What they said:

1999 Rotary District Assembly - Bendigo:
(Speaker following Trish)
"Well how do you follow that?!"

1999 Premiere of "Hillary & Jackie":
(Audience member)
"What a truly amazing Ambassador!"

1999 RMIT nursing student
"I think every nurse should experience this type of presentation at least once!"

1996 Rotary Club of Broadmeadows:
Rotarian thanking speaker - (Retired Barrister & Solicitor)
"You could have heard a pin drop - what a gifted speaker - I have never been speechless like I am today!"

Other achievements:

Stories/Articles ran in:

  • A Current Affair
  • Channel 10 News - Melbourne
  • Editorial & article - The Sun - Melbourne
  • The Australian
  • Channel 9 News
  • Briefed Advertising Agency that created "Turn a life sentence into a life" Campaign

Awards:

1998

Trish was nominated for the Rotary "Shine on Award"", for outstanding community service by people with disabilities. 2001 brings about a re-nomination for these awards for her dedication, insight and determination to bring the MS Ambassador Program into a successful reality.

2001

Trish was awarded a "Shine On Award" for her role as an MS Ambassador and also had the honour of also receiving a "Rotary International Pride of Workmanship Award" by the Rotary Club of Keilor East.

Author:

While currently in remission, Trish has written a children's book titled "The Adventures of Whillee the Wheelchair", with the aim in mind to educate, and encourage tolerance and understanding about people with disabilities, amongst our littlest Australians.

Trish's book is yet unpublished, and so be it, if it never is - she knows it's the quality of the journey that is more important. Share Trish's articulate and up front journey. You will see life a little differently after meeting an ordinary, yet extraordinary young Australian.

For more information

If you would like to book an MS Ambassador call (03) 9845 - 2700 or email ambassadors-vic@msaustralia.org.au