Marice
Despite having multiple sclerosis for many years, Marice is a strong-willed woman who lives an independent life. ‘People always say, “what do you have?”, and I say, “I have MS but it doesn’t have me!”’
The 70-year-old Frankston woman, who is an accomplished artist, has been connected to the Brotherhood of St Laurence for more than two decades; through lending support to others in need and receiving support herself.
‘Having MS, I can’t get a job because I have bad days – it affects my brain as well as my body. But I volunteer because it keeps my marbles going’, she says.
Marice has volunteered with the Brotherhood for more than 20 years in the Frankston area, including running the Bayside Shared Accommodation Register at the Brotherhood’s High Street Centre, which helps homeless people to find accommodation. She has also dedicated time to caring for disadvantaged young people in Frankston, where she was affectionately known by the youths as ‘Street Mum.’
Marice says she never stops in her efforts to improve the lives of others. ‘I’ve been able to see people down the street when I’m out in my wheelchair. I let them know all the help they can get from the Brotherhood, which classes they can join, how we can help’, she says.
For the most part Marice keeps on top of her MS, which she describes as unpredictable. ‘You might have a good day today. Tomorrow you might have the shakes and the convulsions, and the excruciating pain that goes with it.’
When her illness gets the upper hand she has the support of her carer, Pat, from the Brotherhood’s Community Care division. ‘I’ve got a carer who takes care of me in that I can ring her up any time and get advice on anything.’
Pat says Marice is a remarkable woman whose generosity astounds her. ‘She is interested in running art classes with some of the dementia patients at our Banksia Respite Centre. It’s an idea we definitely want to put into action.’
Marice has great pride in her Aboriginal heritage and creates paintings, tapestries and linocuts reflecting her culture. She attends a Community Kitchen program run at the Brotherhood’s Community Care and Respite Centre once a week, which allows her to connect with other members of the Koori community.
When she is not busy painting or volunteering, Maurice can be found at her local swimming pool, where she attends water aerobics classes through the Brotherhood’s Social Inclusion Program. ‘I wouldn’t miss it. When I started, I couldn’t move – three carers were holding me up. Now, I can walk right around the pool holding the bar’, she says, grinning proudly.
For more information about the support the Brotherhood offers to older people, please phone 1300 147 147 or email bacci@nullbsl.org.au.