Moncrieff Media
Local brain disease sufferer desperate for medical assistance
31 October 2008
A 34 year-old Gold Coast resident has been forced to seek medical treatment for his brain disease, dystonia, in New South Wales, due to a lack of awareness of his medical condition.
Austin Canty has been battling the disease since the age of 16, and has called upon his local MP Steven Ciobo to lobby the State and Federal Government’s for greater medical assistance.
“A lack of medical awareness of dystonia in Queensland has forced Austin to travel back and forth to New South Wales for treatment,” Mr Ciobo said.
“He has a debilitating disease and is suffering from excruciating pain, which is why I am determined to help Austin and other dystonia sufferers in their plight for better resources.
“Anna Bligh and Kevin Rudd need to provide better medical resources to help improve Austin’s quality of life, despite how rare his disease may be. He deserves government assistance.
“Austin wrote to me seeking government assistance, and support in establishing a website to help raise awareness of the disease, dystonia.
“Those with any sincerity would feel a deep pain for Austin. I was first touched when I read a letter he’d written to me desperate for help from a government level.
“Austin also sent similar letters to the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Queensland Health Minister Stephen Robertson. I have also followed up my concerns with Mr Rudd.
“Both of Austin’s parents are aged pensioners, doing it tough in this current economic environment, yet they continue to motivate the 34 year-old and do what they can to attend to his every need.”
The Benowa resident was born with cerebral palsy which affects his speech and fine motor control, making daily tasks a challenge.
Austin was once able to work part-time, play golf and study at the Tafe College.
He now relies on the disability pension and has been on priority one level with Queensland Disability Services for almost four years.
“I’ve often felt like a guinea pig when doctors attempted to find me a cure, mainly due to the lack of medical awareness of dystonia,” Mr Canty said.
“During my years as a battling dystonia sufferer I’ve been able to educate quite a few doctors regarding my illness.
“My life has become a rollercoaster ride since the dystonia hit me with unbelievable pain which is difficult to control.
“Without the great support of my ageing parents and a few special friends, I would be lost in the system. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for my parents to cope.
“I desperately need government assistance to improve my quality of life, raise awareness of the disease, and raise funds for research. There must be a cure out there somewhere.”