Marie, the cool one, utilizes her skills to support various charitable organizations.
Cool Marie, a resilient individual residing in Sydney, stands as a testament to strength and community spirit, despite living with multiple disabilities and enduring numerous surgeries. Marie, affectionately known as Cool, lives independently with occasional support and is a vibrant contributor to her local community.
Accomplishments include raising thousands of dollars for Parkinson's NSW and various charities through sponsored 12-kilometer walks, voluntary work for Meals on Wheels, and offering motivational speeches about her endeavors. Her love for the Sydney Children's Hospital, having undergone significant surgeries there as a child, is evident.
Recalling her younger years, Marie's mother, Santina, recounts that Marie, out of her own accord, navigated two buses to deliver her savings to the hospital during its Channel 9 Gold Telethon fundraiser. This selfless act garnered attention on the television channel's Facebook page, sparking numerous supportive comments.
Further demonstrating her commitment to supporting the hospital, Marie established "Santa's Workshop," where she designs and sells crafted toys and gifts at pop-up Christmas markets and the hospital itself, with profits directed towards the cause. The products are branded as "Made by Cool Marie" and are also available on her personal website.
Crafting became Marie's creative outlet during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she embraced the opportunity to create and contribute. Increasingly aware of the need for exercise, Marie focuses on improving her physical health, particularly for her father, John, who lives with Parkinson's disease.
Diagnosed at age 69, John's battle with Parkinson's led to several hospitalizations due to a ruptured appendix and related infections. Despite his struggles with balance, tremors, chronic pain, and mobility, John continues to find joy in family outings and cherishes the support from his daughters, Marie and Natalie, both of whom have become co-carers and cheerleaders.
Natalie, Marie's younger sister, has always been a source of love, support, and mentorship for Marie. Their close bond extends to pursuits such as exercise and fundraising projects.
As John and Santina continue to navigate the challenges of Parkinson's, they remain optimistic about forging a brighter future. Their search for information and resources led them to attend a Parkinson's NSW Information Seminar, where they discovered support groups designed to provide emotional, educational, and social support tailored to the unique challenges of the disease.
Support groups thus serve as essential resources, offering a safe space for sharing, learning, and connecting with peers facing similar challenges. These groups also provide educational resources, empower participants with knowledge, and incorporate holistic therapies to support physical and mental well-being.
[1] National Parkinson Foundation. (2020). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Support-Caregivers/Support-Groups[2] American Parkinson Foundation. (2021). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.apda.org/Community-Resource-Finder/Programs/Support-Groups[3] Michael J. Fox Foundation. (2021). Parkinson's Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/pdpcc/pd-support-groups.php[4] American Parkinson Disease Association. (2021). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.apdaparkinson.org/[5] Parkinson's NSW. (2021). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/support-groups/
- Cool Marie's resilience and community spirit are a testament to strength, despite her living with multiple disabilities and undergoing numerous surgeries.
- Marie has raised thousands of dollars for Parkinson's NSW and various charities through sponsored walks, volunteering, and motivational speeches.
- Her love for the Sydney Children's Hospital, where she underwent significant surgeries as a child, is evident.
- Marie established "Santa's Workshop," designing and selling crafted toys and gifts, with profits directed towards the hospital cause.
- Crafting became Marie's creative outlet during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she focused on improving her physical health.
- John, Marie's father, lives with Parkinson's disease and has faced challenges such as hospitalizations, balance issues, tremors, chronic pain, and mobility problems.
- Despite his struggles, John finds joy in family outings and is supported by his daughters, Marie and Natalie.
- Natalie, Marie's younger sister, has always been a source of love, support, and mentorship for Marie.
- The family turned to support groups for emotional, educational, and social support tailored to the unique challenges of Parkinson's disease.
- Support groups offer a safe space for sharing, learning, and connecting with peers facing similar challenges.
- These groups provide educational resources, empower participants with knowledge, and incorporate holistic therapies to support physical and mental well-being.
- Resources for Parkinson's disease can be found on websites like the National Parkinson Foundation, the American Parkinson Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association, and Parkinson's NSW.
- Support groups serve as essential resources for those living with chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, cancer, and various respiratory and digestive health conditions.
- Eye health, hearing, and mental health are also important aspects of health and wellness that can benefit from support groups.
- Fitness and exercise play a crucial role in managing chronic diseases and maintaining overall health, particularly for those living with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
- Family health is also crucial, with parents needing support in raising children and managing their own health, as demonstrated by Marie's role as a co-carer and cheerleader for her father, John.
- Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders can significantly impact family dynamics and require special support and resources.
- The manufacturing industry can contribute to renewable energy solutions, reducing its carbon footprint and aiding in the prevention and management of chronic diseases caused by pollution and climate change.
- Entrepreneurship, transportation, leadership, and diversity and inclusion are essential in creating supportive environments for various industries, including health and wellness, finance, real estate, business, and automotive.
- Small businesses play a significant role in offering support and resources to their local communities, as demonstrated by Marie's "Santa's Workshop" and her fundraising efforts.
- Investing in research, technology, and innovation can help advance the medical industry, leading to new treatments and improved care for those living with chronic diseases.
- Personal finance, banking, and insurance are critical aspects of health and wellness, particularly for individuals living with chronic diseases and their families.
- Fintech and venture capital can enable financial access and support for small businesses and individuals within the health and wellness sector.
- The housing market and real estate industry must consider the needs of individuals with disabilities, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
- Aviation, an essential part of transportation, can contribute to medical emergencies' timely response, providing crucial resources and support for individuals with chronic diseases.
- Career opportunities in the health and wellness sector extend beyond healthcare providers to include researchers, educators, innovators, advocates, and support staff.
- Migraines, cardiovascular diseases, and skin conditions are other chronic health conditions for which support groups can provide valuable resources and support.
- Overall lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress, can help prevent and manage chronic diseases, promoting health and wellness throughout one's life.
