MND Australia

30/08/2026

🏆 Congratulations to the finalists for the MND Allied Health Professional Award!

The MND Allied Health Professional Award recognises professionals who demonstrate excellence in person-centred care, multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation, while making a meaningful difference to people living with MND and their families.

We’re delighted to announce this year’s finalists:
⭐ Emily Farrugia, Northern Health
⭐ Peta Hardy, Coast Rehab
⭐ Bronwyn Makris, MND Queensland
⭐ Dr Nicole Sheers, Institute for Breathing and Sleep

Congratulations to all four finalists, and thank you for your outstanding commitment to the MND community.

The winner will be announced at the MND Gala Dinner in Adelaide on 10 September: https://mnd-national-conference-2026.eventsairsite.com/gala-dinner

Please join us in congratulating our finalists!

28/08/2026

Eye-gaze is one way to access and control a communication device when speech is limited.

Someone using eye-gaze can think, hear, and understand.

Stacey Ebben, who lives with MND and uses eye-gaze, and MND Australia ambassador Jane Simpson have generously shared tips for carers on how to talk with someone who uses eye-gaze.

Follow these tips to keep communication familiar, warm, and meaningful.

Do:
▪ sit or stand in clear view
▪ treat it like any other conversation
▪ look at the person
▪ be patient – responses take time
▪ let them finish

Don’t:
▪ stand behind the device
▪ ask multiple questions at once
▪ interrupt while they are replying
▪ read the screen, unless asked to
▪ guess their words

Remember, patience and respect make it work!

To see more tips for carers, download:

▪ MND Australia’s Carer guide: Staying connected without speech:https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/getmedia/12f0f0e6-b57e-42d7-aa51-e42dc3fd3bcd/carer-staying-connected-without-speech-guide.pdf

▪ MND Australia’s Communication tools and technology (AAC) guide to find out more about staying connected when speech gets harder:https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/getmedia/e6783cdd-9dbd-417b-8c90-803ad4249c97/communication-tools-and-tech-AAC-guide.pdf

These guides are part of a new series developed with MND Queensland, people living with MND, and their carers to help prepare for and adjust to speech changes, get support, and stay connected.

To find out more visit mndaustralia.org.au/speech

This project and MND Australia received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

27/08/2026

Congratulations to Peter Chambers, who's latest film has made the 2026 Focus on Ability Short Film Festival.

You can watch and vote for Cranky Pete's film here: https://focusonability.com.au/films/2026/cranky-pete-12206

Voting closes tomorrow!

26/08/2026

The recording of our Navigating the NDIS webinar is now available to watch.

Developed around questions and priorities raised by people with lived experience of MND, the webinar brought together experts from MND Australia, MND Victoria, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, and the NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme Agency to share practical information to help you better understand and navigate the NDIS.

Thank you to all of the speakers for joining the discussion with Clare Sullivan.

▶️ Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/j73RACX8EQM
Please share with anyone in the MND community who may find it helpful.

Navigating the NDIS can be complex, particularly when you are livin...

26/08/2026

MND can affect a person’s speech. This is called dysarthria.

With dysarthria, speech may be less clear, slurred or slower than usual.

This can lead to misunderstandings. For example, people may hear slurring and think a person with dysarthria is drunk.

There are ways to communicate, share needs and stay part of conversations, even when speech gets harder.

One simple way to stay connected is with an ‘I have MND’ wallet card.

This handy tool comes in a business-card size and fits easily in a purse or wallet. There is also an ‘I have MND’ phone wallpaper.

Download 'I have MND':

💼 Wallet card : https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/getmedia/ed671cea-287f-4bf5-aea5-b77e2efd827c/i-have-mnd-wallet.jpg

📲 Phone wallpaper: https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/getmedia/62ff15aa-2bad-459a-8850-92f7e72866f8/i-have-mnd-phone.jpg

These tools are part of a new series developed with Queensland, people living with MND, and their carers to help prepare for and adjust to speech changes, get support, and stay connected.

To find out more visit mndaustralia.org.au/speech

This project and MND Australia received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

25/08/2026

What does a level five Support at Home package actually provide to someone living with MND?

Alicia Edwards, Director of Care Servives at MND Queensland breaks down the numbers revealing a level 5 package might not provide enough support to shower everyday.

24/08/2026

Did you know that 80% of people living with MND have changes to speech?

This is because MND can affect the nerves and muscles used for speaking.

Voice and message banking tools allow people to keep their voice in conversations, even as speech changes.

Voice and message banking are similar, but not the same:
🔘 With voice banking you record short phrases so a computer can create a voice that sounds like you.
🔘 With message banking, you record meaningful phrases in your real voice.

Starting early gives you more options and better results.

👉 To learn more, download MND Australia’s Voice and message banking guide:https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/getmedia/b877e619-d875-4bac-9ac5-0f04db666faf/voice-and-message-banking-guide.pdf

This guide is part of a new series developed with MND Queensland, people living with MND, and their carers to help prepare for and adjust to speech changes, get support, and stay connected.

To find out more visit mndaustralia.org.au/speech



This project and MND Australia received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

MND Queensland

21/08/2026

The MND Australia Shop is open! You can now purchase MNDA hoodies, caps and drink bottles to support your fundraising activity/event, or to help raise vital awareness!

Shop online at donate.mndaustralia.org.au/shop

20/08/2026

Small acts of self-care can make a big difference when living with MND. Looking after your mental wellbeing can also support your physical health and help you feel better each day.

💙 Learn more about caring for your wellbeing: mndaustralia.org.au/mentalhealth

19/08/2026

We love hearing from the incredible people behind MND fundraisers, like 11-year-old Sofia who hosted a community bake stall on the weekend 🧁

Sofia made and handed out flyers, baked (and baked and baked some more!), then sold her products to her neighbours, raising $200.

Thank you Sofia for your wonderful support 💙

Feeling inspired? Set up a fundraiser using our easy online platform: https://donate.mndaustralia.org.au/fundraising