APAC 2017 Australian Enterprise Awards

50 APAC / Australian Enterprise Awards 2017 , AE170053 Best Adhesive Arachnoidids Information Platform 2017 The Australian Arachnoiditis Sufferers Association, Inc (AASQA) is a small charity based in Glenwood which aims to raise awareness on Arachnoiditis Syndrome, a debilitating disease. We profile the organisation to explore the vital work it undertakes. Arachnoiditis is a condition which begins with the inflammation of the Arachnoid Membrane covering the spinal canal and brain, this can cause a gradual build-up of fibrotic scar tissue which disrupts the flow of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) around the nerves and deprives them of nutrition. Early symptoms can include severe low back and leg pain, numbness and chronic pain in leg(s) and feet, burning sensation, especially in the legs and feet, bladder and bowel dysfunction and severe headaches. Many patients with this condition complain of the feeling of walking on broken glass. Often there are no outward signs of the condition and the sufferers look deceptively normal; as the condition progress’s the symptoms may increase and become more permanent. Some patients use wheel chairs, and most patients with Arachnoiditis have to give up work completely which leads to a feeling of uselessness and loneliness at also losing the strength to keep up a social life. Known causes of the condition are the following: Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Spinal Tumour’s, Abscesses, Spinal Surgery or Trauma but by far the largest single cause: is medical intervention such as Myelograms using Myodil Dye, even water based Myelograms are now know not to be safe, Radiculargrams, Epidurals (Steroids) and Lumbar Punctures and Cortisone Injections into the spinal canal. The aim of AASQA, which was established by Peter Groves, is to raise awareness and to obtain more recognition for Arachnoiditis. He lobbied the Australian Government and the disease was passed into law, and provided the disease with a medical code. Peter, who describes this as the `Worst Medical Scandal of the 20th Century`, wants to raise awareness on the life changing affects this disease, which currently has no cure, can have. Looking ahead, Peter remains dedicated to continuing this vital work and ensuring that he and his members gain the recognition they deserve. Company: Australian Arachnoiditis Sufferers Association, Inc Contact: Peter J Groves Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 46 Malvern Road, Glenwood, NSW, 2768, Australia Phone: 006107 55356655