The MS Readathon is a fantastic event. I took part in it as a child and have lots of nostalgic feelings from my experiences. I loved to read as a child so it was my favourite fundraising event.
As a teenager I had a teacher, Mrs Belcher (I think that’s right, its been 20 yrs), with Multiple Sclerosis. she was a bloody badass and total inspiration. She put up with zero shit. She was one of my absolute favourite teachers.
A few years ago my uncle was diagnosed and it completely changed his families life. He lived with us a lot while I was growing up and he and his wife mean the world to me. It is a cruel disease.
So this year in honour of my Uncle Mark, my kids are both taking part.
From the website –
Funds raised from the MS Readathon will help fund vital support services, like the special MS Family Camps. These camps provide an opportunity for kids who have a parent living with multiple sclerosis to spend quality time with their family, learn more about multiple sclerosis and bond with other kids who are sharing their journey. MS Family Camps are in huge demand, and to make sure everyone who needs them can go, your help is urgently needed!
What is MS – Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is characterised by sclerosis a Greek word meaning scars. These scars occur within the central nervous system and depending on where they develop, manifest into various symptoms.
MS affects over 25,600 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too. Roughly three times as many women have MS as men.
There is currently no known cure for MS however there are a number of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease
My daughter Erika is 15 and although she has a lot of books waiting for her (her 2 bookshelves are so full they have spilt to the floor), they are all pretty thick so I may have picked her up some extra options. She will be listing what she reads and doing mini reviews on her readathon page as she goes. I asked her what she might start with and these were some of them.
Logan is 7 and he was so excited to take part, the excitement did diminish a little when he realised he can’t keep the money though. He also got a couple of new books to add to his collection for the readathon. He is obsessed with comic style books at the moment. I asked him to pick a few that he would like to read first so I could highlight them here. He will also review them, which I’m pretty excited about.
Both kids have asked that I read with them, so here are a couple that I would love to get to this month.
For more information about MS head to the MS Australia website. For more information about the readathon and how to take part head to the MS Readathon website.
Erika’s fundraising page
Logan’s fundraising page
Maxine's Obsessions 