HSA Committee

Having recently retired and returned from an extended overseas visit, I was looking for a cause and/or volunteer work so I could contribute to the community. I also felt it would be more satisfying than the years of working 10 hour days, 6 – 7 days a week in the corporate world.

Unexpectedly, in February 2016 mother nature identified the cause for me when I was diagnosed with normal hydrocephalus. On being diagnosed, I was disturbed to learn:

• the cause of normal hydrocephalus is unknown
• there is no cure for hydrocephalus
• the condition can be managed by the implantation of a shunt and valve mechanism but this solution has the highest failure rate of any implant procedure.

I felt joining HSA would help me understand more about this condition, learn firsthand from other members about the challenges they face plus, possibly, provide me with an opportunity to assist in some way to raise awareness and funding for the Shunt Registry.

The data collected and analysed via the Shunt Registry will assist in identifying the causes for such a high failure rate in the shunt implant. Once the reason(s) for the failures is identified, research can be directed to resolve the issue(s) and also, hopefully, lead to the identification of a cure.

While, like a lot of people, I have heroes amongst the famous my real heroes are the unsung people who do great things every day such as parents, foster parents, carers, charity workers, etc just by being who they are and doing what they do.

These days I am appreciating and adjusting to the freedom that retirement offers in how I spend my time and who with. It’s great to not have to do things like hang out the washing at 5:00am and I am enjoying having the time to chat to people when I bump into them rather than needing to rush off.