Do something that matters
ACAP Psychological Science student, Tory Gill, is bringing awareness to a rare auto-immune condition in support of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month and her late father, Jeff Gill.
Working closely with the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Queensland, Tory organised to light the Story and Victoria Bridges in Brisbane in support of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month on Monday, June 7.
Tory also worked with Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and Rugby League Historian, Steve Haddan, to create a video about the rare condition and its effects on her father, Tory Gill, who was heavily involved in QRL.
Tory, who has been studying with ACAP since 2019 said that her coursework was a factor in inspiring her to raise awareness of the condition.
“Since doing the qualitative statistics unit at ACAP I began to reflect more broadly on the lived experiences of the many different conditions that affect various members of the community.
“I have personally observed, whilst living with my father, who was unfortunate to be afflicted with the condition Myasthenia Gravis in his later years of life the effects of this rare disease.
“After undertaking this unit, I decided to compose a video to raise awareness of the illness, lived experiences and symptoms of those afflicted,” Tory said.
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
The auto-immune condition is neurological and affects the transmission of messages between the nerve and the muscle fibre. Without this transmission, the muscle fails to respond.
The condition is fairly rare, very variable and isolating as it is hard for others to understand. It is not always obvious, yet the associated fatigue is debilitating at times.
It can affect everywhere in the body or just some parts sometimes. This includes the eyelids, vision, swallowing, chewing, talking, keeping the head up, smiling, breathing, standing, walking, lifting up arms and much more.
Raising awareness
The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Queensland was formed 30 years ago by a small group of people with this rare medical condition. Today, the Association remains fully volunteer-run by people familiar with the condition and aims to improve the quality of life for people with Myasthenia Gravis and their families.
“My aim for raising awareness for Myasthenia Gravis is just that. To spread the word that there is an extremely rare autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis and no-one should have to suffer in silence as there is support through the Myasthenia Gravis Association,” Tory said.
More information:
Find out more about the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Queensland
Watch Tory’s video about Jeff Gill and Myasthenia Gravis below:
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