History

Mrs Marjorie Harrap is a founding member of MND NSW, having been actively involved in the Association since 1981. She is now a life member, and continues to work at the MND NSW Centre, Gladesville, one day per week as a volunteer. This article was published in the December 2007 edition of Forum, the newsletter of MND NSW.

"I think the organisation began in much the same way as other similar organisations have begun - a family member, relative or friend is diagnosed as having a rare or uncommon disease - information and literature is very difficult, almost impossible, to obtain - and the need for a support group becomes obvious.

In 1981, my husband Bill was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common motor neurone disease, by Dr Brian Somerville at the Neurological Centre, Westmead. Bill was eager for information and, after answering some of his questions, Dr Somerville gave us some literature he had recently obtained from the ALS Society of America.