We are excited to be a part Giving Tuesday this year, which is a global day of generosity celebrated world-wide on 1 December.

The muscular dystrophy community has had a tough year

Our members with MD, many of whom have mobility challenges, have been extremely isolated at home during Covid-19 due to health risks and lack of safe transport. If you're a wheelchair or powerchair user, your transport options are extremely limited.

Our community of members have told us they’re ready to get out and about and make social and community connections once again, but they need your help

Our brand-new Community Access and Recreation Service (aka CARS) program will provide a person living with a neuromuscular condition with Covid-safe, accessible transport and support staff, so that they can get out into the community with their friends and live the life they choose! 

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to access the CARS program

Currently CARS is only available to those who have the funding from NDIS. But there is a way that you can change this by helping to cover unfunded costs, and that’s through the generosity and support of your donation. 

Your donation will make a big difference

You will be shaping the future of the CARS program by:  

• Helping give everyone access to CARS, regardless of their NDIS funding  
• Enabling us to run two CARS outings every week 
• Going towards funding a second van for the program 
• Introducing new elements to the program, opening it up to a suite of different experiences for all people, young and old 

Learn more about the
Community Access and Recreation Service (CARS)

After extensive community consultation, we’re currently developing three different elements of the CARS program, each with a unique experience and focus, and we’re trialing one of them with our members now!  

The ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ experience will help adults living with MD whose life outside home is limited due to mobility challenges. 

It provides up to three people with their own accessible van and support staff and gives them the freedom to go wherever they want to go (within metro Sydney and surrounds) with their friends for an entire day. 

• Keen to spot Home & Away celebs at Palm Beach? No worries! 
• Fancy taking in the awe-inspiring views of the Blue Mountains? You got it! 
• Want to meet a cheetah at Taronga Zoo? Why not! 

In the future, we’ll be introducing two additional elements to the CARS program that will open it up to new audiences and experiences. 

The ‘School Holiday’ experience will benefit our younger members and act as an alternative to our camps. It will give kids the chance to get out of home and go on special outings with their friends, while also giving parents that all-important break! 

The ‘Outing’ experience will allow participants, both young and old, to attend events from a community-nominated schedule, and enjoy outings like concerts, sports, exhibitions, beach trips and more! 

About GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday focuses on one simple thing: generosity. This year we join over 60 countries world-wide to celebrate this global day of generosity together on Tuesday 1 December.

For one day each year, individuals, communities and business come together to give their time, money, goods or voices to ensure healthy and happy communities in Australia.

What is 
Muscular Dystrophy ?

Muscular Dystrophy is a neuromuscular, genetic disorder which results in the progressive deterioration of muscle strength and function. Muscular Dystrophy is the name of one of many different neuromuscular conditions.

Neuromuscular conditions can affect people at different stages of their lives and onset of symptoms can occur from birth to adulthood, depending on the condition.

The rate of progression and pattern of inheritance also varies depending on the condition and the individual.

For more information about what we do and the services we provide for the muscular dystrophy community see out website mdnsw.org.au.