What is GBS

The disorder commonly called Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bar-ray) syndrome is a rare illness that affects the peripheral nerves of the body. It can cause weakness and paralysis, as well as abnormal sensations.

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What is CIDP

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Poly- neuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system but often can have central nervous system involvement.

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Guide for GP's

GBS is a clinical syndrome of progressive muscle weakness and respiratory paralysis associated with absent reflexes, which develops over a period of three to four weeks. CIDP is the chronic counterpart of GBS.

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Our Patron, Ursula Carlile


I am delighted to announce that Ursula has agreed to become Patron of The Guillain-Barré Syndrome Association of NSW. This is great news for those of us who know Ursula as she certainly is "one of us". She contracted GBS in '84 with a month in Intensive Care at North Shore followed by 6 months at Coorabel where she had to be isolated due to Golden Staph.

So what does one of Australia's leading swimming coaches do after that sort of set-back? She fights back! and in the process inspires all who know her. All this is not surprising when you discover she comes from famous pioneering stock in S.A. (her great grandfather named Ayer's Rock) and as a school girl she rode her horse to school where she had to canter to be on time as her Dad was the Headmaster at Morphet NSW.

These days Ursula's day starts at 4.am!! when she coaches the best of our swimming prospects (Shane Gould is a product of the Carlile school).

If all this sounds a bit formidable you will find by contrast, Ursula is the gentlest of ladies, modest to a fault, An Opera aficionado, and a constant visitor of recent GBS patients.

The writer has her to thank for friendship and inspiring motivation….D. Tolmie