Working in partnership with Aboriginal &
Torres Strait Islander Australians living with MJD and SCA7

Mission Statement

The MJD Foundation partners with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities to support families living with Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) by providing specialised knowledge and supports. We collaborate to conduct research, providing hope for the future, and use our influence for change so people living with MJD and SCA7 live stronger for longer. 

20141215-_DSF1817 (1) (1)

Gayangwa’s Story

Gayangwa is a Warnindilyakwa woman of Groote Eylandt. She is 80 years old, and Machado-Joseph Disease has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Her father developed the disease when he was an older man, and all 6 of her brothers and sisters were affected by their 40s. She was the primary carer for two of her sisters’ children for over 15 years. Now the third generation of her family is sick  her 21 year old niece passed away in 2014, and she has nieces, nephews and grandchildren with the disease. Few people have the insight and experiences living with the disease that Gayangwa has, and she brings to her role within the MJD Foundation a fierce determination to improve life for her family. Her journey through ‘shame’ and ‘blame’ to proud champion is an encouragement to the many people she meets, and her quiet dignity and perseverance for them is an inspiration.

Facebook Feed

MJD Foundation

1 day 1 hour ago

MJD Foundation

1 week 17 hours ago

Today is International Ataxia Awareness Day. MJD and SCA7 are both genetic Ataxia conditions. Please support our expanding research program here www.givenow.com.au/mjdfoundation

MJD Foundation

1 week 5 days ago

Great to see acknowledgement of the high prevalence of MJD in our Aboriginal communities, plus our connection with Portugal recognised by Australian Ambassador to Portugal,

MJD Foundation

2 weeks 16 hours ago

Are you an OT looking for rewarding work that is broader that just the NDIS, and is working with inspiring and beautiful families? Come and

MJD Foundation

2 weeks 1 day ago

A reminder that applications close Monday 18th Sept. We're recruiting for our new CEO. Visit here to download our full CEO position pack. mjd.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Job-Package-CEO-Sept-2023.pdf

MJD Foundation

4 weeks 20 hours ago

Great news! MJDF has been recognised and accredited by the National Ataxia Foundation (USA) as an Ataxia Centre of Excellence. NAF’s Ataxia Centres of Excellence

MJD Foundation

4 weeks 21 hours ago

Are you a Speech Pathologist that wants a special role working more broadly than the NDIS and as part of a multidisciplinary team? Come and

MJD Foundation

1 month 1 week ago

With Bakala's permission, we're sharing this stunning footage from years ago. Thanks to Zakpage and Browndog Productions.

MJD Foundation

1 month 1 week ago

Bec is gearing up for a 2024 event. Get in touch if you’re keen to help out.

MJD Foundation

1 month 3 weeks ago

Our association with GEMCO Community (South32) on Groote has deep roots. This 1991 photo is of Gayangwa Lalara (second from left) receiving a GEMCO scholarship

Become a Supporter

Make a one-off donation or become a regular monthly supporter. As the MJD Foundation is an endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Find out more about MJD Foundation Programs

My name is Gayangwa Lalara and this is my community.

I am a Warnindilyakwa woman.

Names are important to Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal people have names for everything, because it is important to identify and understand.

When this sickness came to our community many years ago, we didn’t know its name or what it was or how to stop it.

We didn’t know how to care for our sick people.

This sickness did not respect my family and took away 2 of my sisters and a 2 of my brothers. I have, for 15 years, cared for 2 of my sister’s children, and now I see younger ones in my family are sick. My 14-year-old niece is now in a wheelchair.

No one was interested in helping my people, especially my family, because their needs were so great.

I felt shame and we blamed ourselves.

I now know the disease has a name  Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD).

Knowing the name of this disease has not stopped it affecting my family and others, but has helped us understand it a little better, and now people are helping.

We have wheelchairs and ramps in many of our homes, and our community has built this aged care centre. Here, those with a disability and those who care are given respite. When people finish up, they don’t have to be in Darwin and away from their country and family. They are supported when they die here in Angurugu.

But we don’t want our people to suffer from MJD and die unnecessarily.

I am pleased people now see the problem and want to help my people who are suffering and find out how to help those who have the disease and those who will get the sickness in the future.

I am pleased that there is help from not only inside my community but people from the outside, even from overseas.

I don’t feel shame and we don’t blame ourselves anymore.

I feel proud to be part of a mob of people trying to make a difference for my people.

Before we didn’t know what this disease was, we struggled to care, there was no hope for the future and we felt shame.

Now we know what the disease is, it is a little easier to care  there is hope for the future.

And we are proud in our care, and in fighting this disease, and proud of the MJD Foundation.

We not only know the name of the disease, but we know the names of all the people who are joining with aboriginal people to make a difference for those with MJD, those who care for them.

Libby Morgan grew up on this island, and she wanted to do something to help those with MJD. She has worked from the start on setting up this Foundation.

She has done so much and left her family to come back here to help us.

To Libby, and all those people who have and are helping us, we say:

THANK YOU

Search