"I think MePACS is a necessity for people with MS."
From classic rock bands to old cars and motorcycles, our client Leon has a passion for anything vintage and has a happy-go-lucky attitude to life. Leon lives with secondary-progressive Multiple Sclerosis and chose a MePACS home and mobile alarm bundle to help him maintain his independence at home and in his local community.
"I live on my own and I have limited mobility due to MS, so I walk around the house with a walking frame and I've got a wheelchair for when I go out. I can still do things quite safely, but having both a MePACS home and mobile alarm means I've got someone to call on immediately if I have a fall, no matter where I am - that's a big reassurance," said Leon.
For Leon, being able to call for help quickly and easily was an important consideration "The best thing is probably that it's so simple to use. All you have to do is press one button and you know you've called the right people to help."
Prioritising Safety
Leon is an NDIS participant and uses some of his NDIS funding to cover the cost of the MePACS alarms. His safety is always a priority. "Even if I haven't had a fall for a while, it doesn't mean it's not going to happen again, so I just want to be prepared," he said. "It's about being aware of my condition and how it impacts certain aspects of my life. Having the MePACS response team there for me 24/7 really gives you a great sense of calm."
Leon says his friends agree that MePACS is an "excellent idea" for him. "MePACS just gives everyone the peace of mind that I'm in good hands if I have a medical emergency. I can do the things I enjoy without extra worry."
Support for People Living with Disability
As a former social worker, Leon knows the benefits of personalised care and commitment all too well. "I think MePACS is a necessity for people with MS. I would encourage anyone living with a disability like myself to have a MePACS alarm because you just don't want to take the risk if you are prone to falls," he said.
Leon agrees that for people like him, who live alone and have issues with mobility, falls can be a serious concern. "You don't want to be lying on the floor for hours because you can't get up by yourself or don't have a phone on you. That's a scary situation that you would want to prevent by all means. It doesn't matter if you wear the MePACS alarm around your neck or on your wrist, it's very convenient and exactly where you need it to be", he said.
Enjoying a Fulfilling Life
These days Leon spends less time on motorcycles and more in front of an easel. He paints with watercolours in his spare time; even selling a few at local exhibitions. "Art therapy and motorcycle therapy have a few things in common", he says with a smile - "the devil is in the details".
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