Joan worked for State Farm for 22 years until 2003. That is the year she developed cerebellar atropy. Prior to 2003, Joan was very active, we both enjoyed hiking and backpacking.

Joan enjoys swimming and gardening. Joan was an avid reader. She also loves animals, especially dogs and horses. Joan loves music, especially the oldies, she enjoys singing and playing the piano. When Joan developed ataxia, all of the things she enjoyed became either impossible or so difficult to do. Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Rouse Hill Times

VISION-IMPAIRED sisters Moana and Leilani Faasisila have returned from China where they had therapy to improve their sight – with promising results.

The Quakers Hill girls, aged seven and five, were born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis – while they were still in the womb their retinas were already deteriorating due to a missing protein.

Leilani has no depth perception and can only see colours that are vibrant.

Moana can only see bright light and shadow.

Their only hope of improving their sight was stem cell therapy in China – at a cost of $38,000.

Through the support of the Rouse Hill Renegades rugby union team and the Ettamogah Hotel, the community dug deep at a cocktail fundraiser in February and in March the family of six travelled to China so the girls could receive treatment.

The girls’ treatment consisted of three intravenous injections, three spinal injections of donated cord blood, acupuncture, acupressure and electrowave therapy.

Mum Honi Faasisila said: “While we were there we noticed very subtle differences in Leilani’s vision. Read the rest of this entry »