Thinking big for Mikala

Money raised from a market in Horsham next week will help a Wimmera mother battling a debilitating chronic autoimmune disease.

Horsham’s Mikala Tyler was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE, three years ago.

The disease is incurable, but treatment can help with symptoms, which include fatigue, rashes and severe joint pain.

Mrs Tyler has been approved for treatment, however, it is not subsidised by the government.

Mrs Tyler’s friend, Felicity Williams, has decided to host a market to help raise money to fund the treatment.

Mrs Williams said it was difficult to watch her friend endure such a tough time.

“I was introduced to Mikala some 25 years ago,” she said.

“She has always been a young woman with a zest for life, a wicked laugh and a positive focus.

“Over the past three years, Mikala’s life has changed.

“Days have become long and at times unbearable due to pain.

“She has an invisible illness many of us, most of us, just don’t understand.

“In all honesty – I don’t. All I know is the young woman that stood before me three years ago isn’t the same woman today.

“Yes, the wicked twinkle appears in her eye from time to time, but the strength that once filled her body just doesn’t seem to be there now.”

Call for help

Mrs Williams said Mrs Tyler recently confided she needed help.

“The front she had been keeping up broke,” she said.

“Mikala revealed to us just where she was, what she needed and she finally cried for help.

“There is a treatment that can give her back her quality of life, give her children – all six of them – back the mum and stepmum they deserve and give her husband a healthy wife at his side.

“But, the treatment is expensive – so that’s where we all come in.”

Mrs Williams said Mrs Tyler had already received significant support from the Horsham community via a gofundme page, an outdoor broadcast at Wimmera Outdoors-surf One and fundraising tins.

“Initially I was going to donate my commission from my Yayme business from a party towards Mikala’s treatment, but it didn’t seem enough,” she said.

“I organise the Party Planners markets, so I decided to think bigger.”

The result, a market in Mrs Tyler’s honour at Horsham’s Up Tempo Café on April 9.

All site fees will go directly to Mrs Tyler, with stall-holders also donating an item for a raffle.

“The raffle will not be for just one prize, but many,” Mrs Williams said.

“One major prize is a photography package kindly donated by Bella Madre Photography, valued at $390.

“Tickets will sell for $1 each or six for $5 and are available at Up Tempo Café.

“There will also be a spot door prize each half hour.”

Mrs Williams said she hoped for 30 stalls on the day.

“The response has been amazing,” she said.

“I’m hoping to raise $1000 for Mikala.

“It’s not much in the big picture of things, but every dollar counts.” The market starts at 10am. Mrs Williams said people who could not attend the market but wanted to make a donation could visit https://www. gofundme.com/give-mikalaher-life-back.

She said people could search Mikala’s Market on Facebook for more information about the event.