Starlight recipient-turned-volunteer 'pays it forward'
During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face.
"It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP.
"As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair'
"But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'."
Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward".
Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations.
But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't.
"I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said.
"I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference."
The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce.
Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said.
"It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said.
The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time.
People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said.
But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said.
Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures.
It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged.
"But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added.
"Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself."
Ms Norris concurs.
"Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
18 hours ago
- West Australian
World-first study could provide MS breakthrough
A world-first study aims to identify a person's genetic risk of developing multiple sclerosis by using their DNA. The research will investigate why some people develop MS and others don't, even if they are exposed to the same common virus. University of South Australia's David Stacey told AAP the pilot study would involve an innovative approach, called "recall by genotype", which has never been used in MS research. "It's like studying the immune system's blueprint before the disease starts," said Dr Stacey, who leads the study. As the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, MS impacts more than 33,000 Australians. Symptoms can include loss of motor function, loss of sensation, pain, vision changes and changes to thinking and memory. While there is no cure or single known cause for MS, many genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its development. Dr Stacey says the study will select two groups of participants based on whether they have a high or low genetic risk of MS. By comparing the groups, researchers hope to understand how their immune systems respond to the Epstein-Barr virus, a disease that causes glandular fever and has been strongly linked to MS. While most people get infected with Epstein-Barr virus, only a small number develop MS. Researchers believe differences in how a person's immune system reacts to the virus might explain why some people get MS and others don't. "It could also help identify early biological markers that show when MS might be starting to develop. This may lead to earlier detection, new treatments or even prevention," Dr Stacey said. "We want to take learnings from this to help inform a larger, more scaled-up version of this study." The research is funded through MS Australia's latest Incubator Grant round, which supports ideas aimed at opening new directions in MS research. "Our mission is to accelerate research and improve outcomes for every person living with MS," chief executive Rohan Greenland said.
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Perth Now
World-first study could provide MS breakthrough
A world-first study aims to identify a person's genetic risk of developing multiple sclerosis by using their DNA. The research will investigate why some people develop MS and others don't, even if they are exposed to the same common virus. University of South Australia's David Stacey told AAP the pilot study would involve an innovative approach, called "recall by genotype", which has never been used in MS research. "It's like studying the immune system's blueprint before the disease starts," said Dr Stacey, who leads the study. As the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, MS impacts more than 33,000 Australians. Symptoms can include loss of motor function, loss of sensation, pain, vision changes and changes to thinking and memory. While there is no cure or single known cause for MS, many genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its development. Dr Stacey says the study will select two groups of participants based on whether they have a high or low genetic risk of MS. By comparing the groups, researchers hope to understand how their immune systems respond to the Epstein-Barr virus, a disease that causes glandular fever and has been strongly linked to MS. While most people get infected with Epstein-Barr virus, only a small number develop MS. Researchers believe differences in how a person's immune system reacts to the virus might explain why some people get MS and others don't. "It could also help identify early biological markers that show when MS might be starting to develop. This may lead to earlier detection, new treatments or even prevention," Dr Stacey said. "We want to take learnings from this to help inform a larger, more scaled-up version of this study." The research is funded through MS Australia's latest Incubator Grant round, which supports ideas aimed at opening new directions in MS research. "Our mission is to accelerate research and improve outcomes for every person living with MS," chief executive Rohan Greenland said.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Calls to make low-cost IVF more accessible in Australia
Vikki Mai Murphy always knew she wanted to be a mum but after months of negative pregnancy tests she and her partner Sean realised they would need some extra help. Following a round of intrauterine insemination (IUI), where prepared sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus, Ms Murphy was thrilled to finally see a positive result for the first time. But almost eight weeks later, she discovered the pregnancy was ectopic and would have to be removed. In the resulting surgery she lost one of her fallopian tubes and doctors told her she would need to undergo IVF in order to successfully fall pregnant in future. "I just bawled and kept asking if I could still have my babies ... it just crushed me," Ms Murphy told AAP. The couple began to explore their IVF options and quickly realised the cost per round would be between $10,000 and $15,000. "We both just decided we wanted to throw everything at it and worry about the costs later," Ms Murphy said. For many people hoping to become parents, cost-of-living pressures are deterring them from fertility treatment. With Australia posting a record-low fertility rate in 2024, experts say low-cost IVF options will be crucial to addressing the decline in births. The average number of children born per woman was 1.51 in 2024, well below the 1.8 in 2014. In 2022, almost 109,000 IVF cycles were performed resulting in the birth of 20,058 babies. Almost half of Australians surveyed by Connect IVF said fertility services were not affordable. Connect IVF was one of the few affordable clinics in an industry that had been driven by a wave of corporatisation, director Brendan Ayres said. "(Our clinics) see a broad section of Australians and we get a disproportionate number of people from lower socioeconomic groups who need fertility treatment," he said. "We also have a number of patients who have been to other clinics and paid tens of thousands of dollars without success and are at their financial wits' end." Ms Murphy discovered Connect IVF by a chance internet search and the clinic was able to accommodate her for her next menstrual cycle. "The cost was substantially lower than other clinics because they bulk-billed the IVF cycle," she said. "It also allowed us to pay for a private obstetrician during my pregnancy, which we wouldn't have been able to afford if we'd had to pay up to $15,000 for the IVF." Ms Murphy ended up with four embryos from the round, which led to her three-year-old son Beau and one-year-old daughter Maia. "I love being a mum. It was such a journey and if I could have just looked into the future and seen my babies it would have made such a difference," she said. "People might think if they pay more money there might be more chance of having a baby, but I have friends who have paid thousands more than us with no success." While the Australian government supports parts of IVF through Medicare, it was not linked to the consumer price index, meaning the gap increased over time, Mr Ayres said. "Australia is a world leader in the technology of IVF but the funding hasn't followed," he said. "There also needs to be additions to Medicare item numbers to expand to all areas such as donor IVF which currently isn't covered." Vikki Mai Murphy always knew she wanted to be a mum but after months of negative pregnancy tests she and her partner Sean realised they would need some extra help. Following a round of intrauterine insemination (IUI), where prepared sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus, Ms Murphy was thrilled to finally see a positive result for the first time. But almost eight weeks later, she discovered the pregnancy was ectopic and would have to be removed. In the resulting surgery she lost one of her fallopian tubes and doctors told her she would need to undergo IVF in order to successfully fall pregnant in future. "I just bawled and kept asking if I could still have my babies ... it just crushed me," Ms Murphy told AAP. The couple began to explore their IVF options and quickly realised the cost per round would be between $10,000 and $15,000. "We both just decided we wanted to throw everything at it and worry about the costs later," Ms Murphy said. For many people hoping to become parents, cost-of-living pressures are deterring them from fertility treatment. With Australia posting a record-low fertility rate in 2024, experts say low-cost IVF options will be crucial to addressing the decline in births. The average number of children born per woman was 1.51 in 2024, well below the 1.8 in 2014. In 2022, almost 109,000 IVF cycles were performed resulting in the birth of 20,058 babies. Almost half of Australians surveyed by Connect IVF said fertility services were not affordable. Connect IVF was one of the few affordable clinics in an industry that had been driven by a wave of corporatisation, director Brendan Ayres said. "(Our clinics) see a broad section of Australians and we get a disproportionate number of people from lower socioeconomic groups who need fertility treatment," he said. "We also have a number of patients who have been to other clinics and paid tens of thousands of dollars without success and are at their financial wits' end." Ms Murphy discovered Connect IVF by a chance internet search and the clinic was able to accommodate her for her next menstrual cycle. "The cost was substantially lower than other clinics because they bulk-billed the IVF cycle," she said. "It also allowed us to pay for a private obstetrician during my pregnancy, which we wouldn't have been able to afford if we'd had to pay up to $15,000 for the IVF." Ms Murphy ended up with four embryos from the round, which led to her three-year-old son Beau and one-year-old daughter Maia. "I love being a mum. It was such a journey and if I could have just looked into the future and seen my babies it would have made such a difference," she said. "People might think if they pay more money there might be more chance of having a baby, but I have friends who have paid thousands more than us with no success." While the Australian government supports parts of IVF through Medicare, it was not linked to the consumer price index, meaning the gap increased over time, Mr Ayres said. "Australia is a world leader in the technology of IVF but the funding hasn't followed," he said. "There also needs to be additions to Medicare item numbers to expand to all areas such as donor IVF which currently isn't covered." Vikki Mai Murphy always knew she wanted to be a mum but after months of negative pregnancy tests she and her partner Sean realised they would need some extra help. Following a round of intrauterine insemination (IUI), where prepared sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus, Ms Murphy was thrilled to finally see a positive result for the first time. But almost eight weeks later, she discovered the pregnancy was ectopic and would have to be removed. In the resulting surgery she lost one of her fallopian tubes and doctors told her she would need to undergo IVF in order to successfully fall pregnant in future. "I just bawled and kept asking if I could still have my babies ... it just crushed me," Ms Murphy told AAP. The couple began to explore their IVF options and quickly realised the cost per round would be between $10,000 and $15,000. "We both just decided we wanted to throw everything at it and worry about the costs later," Ms Murphy said. For many people hoping to become parents, cost-of-living pressures are deterring them from fertility treatment. With Australia posting a record-low fertility rate in 2024, experts say low-cost IVF options will be crucial to addressing the decline in births. The average number of children born per woman was 1.51 in 2024, well below the 1.8 in 2014. In 2022, almost 109,000 IVF cycles were performed resulting in the birth of 20,058 babies. Almost half of Australians surveyed by Connect IVF said fertility services were not affordable. Connect IVF was one of the few affordable clinics in an industry that had been driven by a wave of corporatisation, director Brendan Ayres said. "(Our clinics) see a broad section of Australians and we get a disproportionate number of people from lower socioeconomic groups who need fertility treatment," he said. "We also have a number of patients who have been to other clinics and paid tens of thousands of dollars without success and are at their financial wits' end." Ms Murphy discovered Connect IVF by a chance internet search and the clinic was able to accommodate her for her next menstrual cycle. "The cost was substantially lower than other clinics because they bulk-billed the IVF cycle," she said. "It also allowed us to pay for a private obstetrician during my pregnancy, which we wouldn't have been able to afford if we'd had to pay up to $15,000 for the IVF." Ms Murphy ended up with four embryos from the round, which led to her three-year-old son Beau and one-year-old daughter Maia. "I love being a mum. It was such a journey and if I could have just looked into the future and seen my babies it would have made such a difference," she said. "People might think if they pay more money there might be more chance of having a baby, but I have friends who have paid thousands more than us with no success." While the Australian government supports parts of IVF through Medicare, it was not linked to the consumer price index, meaning the gap increased over time, Mr Ayres said. "Australia is a world leader in the technology of IVF but the funding hasn't followed," he said. "There also needs to be additions to Medicare item numbers to expand to all areas such as donor IVF which currently isn't covered." Vikki Mai Murphy always knew she wanted to be a mum but after months of negative pregnancy tests she and her partner Sean realised they would need some extra help. Following a round of intrauterine insemination (IUI), where prepared sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus, Ms Murphy was thrilled to finally see a positive result for the first time. But almost eight weeks later, she discovered the pregnancy was ectopic and would have to be removed. In the resulting surgery she lost one of her fallopian tubes and doctors told her she would need to undergo IVF in order to successfully fall pregnant in future. "I just bawled and kept asking if I could still have my babies ... it just crushed me," Ms Murphy told AAP. The couple began to explore their IVF options and quickly realised the cost per round would be between $10,000 and $15,000. "We both just decided we wanted to throw everything at it and worry about the costs later," Ms Murphy said. For many people hoping to become parents, cost-of-living pressures are deterring them from fertility treatment. With Australia posting a record-low fertility rate in 2024, experts say low-cost IVF options will be crucial to addressing the decline in births. The average number of children born per woman was 1.51 in 2024, well below the 1.8 in 2014. In 2022, almost 109,000 IVF cycles were performed resulting in the birth of 20,058 babies. Almost half of Australians surveyed by Connect IVF said fertility services were not affordable. Connect IVF was one of the few affordable clinics in an industry that had been driven by a wave of corporatisation, director Brendan Ayres said. "(Our clinics) see a broad section of Australians and we get a disproportionate number of people from lower socioeconomic groups who need fertility treatment," he said. "We also have a number of patients who have been to other clinics and paid tens of thousands of dollars without success and are at their financial wits' end." Ms Murphy discovered Connect IVF by a chance internet search and the clinic was able to accommodate her for her next menstrual cycle. "The cost was substantially lower than other clinics because they bulk-billed the IVF cycle," she said. "It also allowed us to pay for a private obstetrician during my pregnancy, which we wouldn't have been able to afford if we'd had to pay up to $15,000 for the IVF." Ms Murphy ended up with four embryos from the round, which led to her three-year-old son Beau and one-year-old daughter Maia. "I love being a mum. It was such a journey and if I could have just looked into the future and seen my babies it would have made such a difference," she said. "People might think if they pay more money there might be more chance of having a baby, but I have friends who have paid thousands more than us with no success." While the Australian government supports parts of IVF through Medicare, it was not linked to the consumer price index, meaning the gap increased over time, Mr Ayres said. "Australia is a world leader in the technology of IVF but the funding hasn't followed," he said. "There also needs to be additions to Medicare item numbers to expand to all areas such as donor IVF which currently isn't covered."
