Bequests making a difference

 

 

 

For Glenys Dixon, the decision to leave a bequest to the Institute was one of the easiest and most satisying she has ever made.

 

An employee at the Institute for more than 10 years, Glenys has seen first-hand the difference research can bring to individual lives.

 

A psychologist currently working in autism research, Glenys previously worked for more than seven years on the Institute's Newborn Encephalopathy (NE) Study. 

 

NE is a clinically-defined syndrome of disturbed neurological functioning (abnormal brain activity) in the earliest days of life in a term infant.  This may result in a baby that has problems breathing and feeding, has poor tone and reflexes and sometimes these babies may also have seizures.

 

"Some proportion of babies born with NE will die and among survivors, there will be some who go on to develop a range of problems including cerebral palsy, hearing and vision problems, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, autism, as well as various neurological, behavioural and learning difficulties," said Glenys.

 

A large amount of Glenys' time on the study involved clinical work, in particular visiting the study families.

 

"I see many of the 800+ families for assessments or I have contact with them via questionnaires and phone calls," said Glenys.

 

"Without the generous support of the families, we simply wouldn't be able to gather important information to help our research into the causes and long-term outcomes of NE."

 

Glenys says that while the enormity of the research can become overwhelming, she can see that it can make a difference.

 

"Knowing we can make a difference motivates not only me, but other committed staff, to continue in our endeavours.

 

"Being able to help and contribute in some small way has been very meaningful to me and is part of my work that I cherish.

 

"However, I am also aware that sometimes funds are just not available to meet research needs, which is ultimately detrimental to the community as a whole."

 

"When I reflect upon the fact that I have a healthy family and how much a small contribution can potentially translate into benefitting so many lives, I didn't hesitate to leave a bequest to the Institute," said Glenys.