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You'll see from Helen's letter how important it is for us to be available when we're needed. Please take the time to read her words, it really is unbelievable how much pain and suffering she’s had to endure. Helen's Story This is Helen's story, in her own words. Always My Daughter, Forever My Friend My daughter Jodie was someone you always wanted to have around. To know her was to love her. She was full of life and laughter. She was a very devoted daughter and a very devoted mother to her son Edward. You see, there were only three of us left in our family, Jodie, Edward and me. In 2007 Jodie was with me at Flinders Medical Centre when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I endured 12 months of chemo and Jodie was with me all the way. I couldn't have asked for more love and support from my beautiful daughter. By now she had married and had bought a house two minutes from me. Jodie wanted to be close by because of my health. On my final post-op check up my specialist asked why I was walking with a stick. "I fall over all the time" I said with a giggle. Any weakness and leg pain seemed to point to my ongoing back problems. However, I had an MRI and the diagnosis of MS was confirmed. "That's OK" I said to Jodie, "We'll just get on with it". Jodie always found a way of laughing in adversity to cheer someone up and we shared that attitude after all, what else could we do? By now, Jodie was with me every day (now as my carer) to assist me more at home as I was having such difficulty carrying out daily chores. Every barrier was broken down with laughter and positivity. On February 20th 2010, Edward stayed with me while his Mother and step father of 2 years went out for dinner to celebrate Jodie's 40th birthday. At 8:30am on February 21st the doorbell rang but instead of Jodie being there, we were confronted with police detectives. This was serious. Jodie had been brutally murdered by her husband. Jodie had a broken neck, had been choked and had 13 stab wounds. He had taken our most precious gift in life deprived a little boy of a mother so loved. How could we go on with our lives without Jodie. The enormity and devastation was hard to comprehend. There had been no domestic violence. I was numb. Shock set in for several weeks. 350 people packed Centennial Park as we farewelled a beautiful life. Jodie was so loved by so many and even now many people are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened. About a week after Jodie died one of my friends asked if anyone had contacted the MS Society. "I don't know" I said. Then I remember asking "Why would they, what would they be able to do?" My friend thought it necessary and went ahead and made contact. Someone immediately came to visit me. That someone was from the MS Society. As my disease progressed, the MS Society ensured that home facilities were provided to make my life a little easier. When it all seemed beyond my capabilities to go on, the encouragement from the people at the Society gave me the strength I needed. Edward has just had his 13th birthday and it's so hard to see him talking to his mothers' urn. He adored his mother and whilst I'm still grieving, so too is a little boy who will never have those special cuddles from his mum again. It's a tough gig keeping up with his schooling and sporting activities and by dinner time I'm really struggling. Often Edward will come up to me "I've got your bed ready Nanna, and I want you to go and rest now while I do the dishes." Edward has been asked to do things way beyond his years. He testified twice in court and he has had to give numerous statements all of which have impacted on his emotions. The MS Society has also been instrumental in providing two new companions in my life. First there was "Dolly Walker" and then came "Gloria Gopher" for which I am most grateful. Everyone that I have encountered in the MS Society has been lovely and most helpful and I am truly grateful. To anyone that has donated to the MS Society, you help fund a vital service to people like me and my gratitude and appreciation is difficult to put into words, you truly touch the hearts of people like me. Knowing that you are there for the betterment of people with MS is a kind of security. My heart is full of love for you all, Love and blessings to you. Helen The MS Society needs to raise $103,500 by Christmas so we can provide an additional 65 people like Helen with counselling support, and provide respite care for children like Edward, who need freedom from the responsibilities of caring for loved ones with MS at such a young age.
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