Debbie Vassiliou is a much loved wife, mum, nanna, sister, friend and so much more. She is only 59 years old and over the past year our family has watched a cruel neurological disease completely ruin her life.

Debbie was diagnosed with PSP in 2025.

Realistically we’ve watched her battle for years and years with this terminal illness, which was always put down to ‘stress’ and ‘menopause’

We knew better. We knew something was wrong and we didn’t stop until we found a specialist who made a diagnosis, within minutes actually.

Only to be told there is absolutely nothing we can do. No treatment, no cure and ultimately a horrible painful end of life.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Is a rare, aggressive and incurable neurological condition that progressively affects a persons movement, balance, swallowing, speech and independence.

Nothing could have prepared us for how quickly her condition would deteriorate.

In a little over a year, we’ve watched her go from being able to walk unaided to relying on a wheelchair. She has suffered countless potentially fatal falls, serious head injuries requiring stitches and staples, a fractured vertebra and more hospital visits than we can count.

Her swallowing has become affected, her mobility has deteriorated significantly and even the simplest everyday activities have become impossible.

Every fall brings the fear of another serious injury. Every hospital visit is a reminder of just how vulnerable she has become. We live with the terrifying thought that the next fall or head injury could be the one she doesn’t survive.

But beyond the physical effects of PSP, there’s the emotional toll of watching someone you love slowly lose the life they once knew.

She should still have so many years ahead of her. Years to enjoy with her husband, children, grandchildren and the people who love her.

Instead, she’s living with a disease that continues to take more from her, with no known cure and no treatment proven to stop its progression.

We are not giving up without a fight.

A message from Ange:

My name is Ange and I’m Debbie’s husband.

I’ve spent countless hours researching PSP, desperately searching for something, anything, that might offer her some relief or improve her quality of life.

Through that research, I have found an experimental treatment that gives some hope to those who are suffering from brain diseases.

This involves non-invasive brain stimulation, with treatment plans designed around each patient’s individual neurological condition.

We are hoping to travel to Melbourne in early 2027 for treatment.

We want to be completely transparent. It is experimental for PSP. It is not a cure and there is no guarantee that it will improve her condition, but it has for others and we need to hold on to some hope because honestly what is the alternative? To give up hope, to accept our family will need to spend the rest of our lives without her beautiful smile. Absolutely not. If there is even a slight chance this will help her, we will do everything we can to make it happen.

Unfortunately, the treatment comes at a significant cost.

We have been quoted $26,000 for the treatment package alone.

On top of this, Deb will need to travel from Adelaide to Melbourne with both a family member and a professional support worker. Because of her condition, we will need accessible accommodation, flights, suitable transport and assistance throughout the trip.

Our family is hoping to raise approximately $35,000 to help cover:

* The $26,000 experimental treatment package.

* Return flights for Deb and the two people accompanying her.

* Accessible accommodation in Melbourne.

* Accessible transport to and from treatment.

* Other necessary travel expenses and associated costs.

Asking for help isn’t easy, but this is something we simply cannot make happen on our own.

We know that no amount of money can take away Deb’s diagnosis. We know there are no guarantees and we understand that her condition may continue to progress.

But we also know how precious time is.

We don’t want to look back and wonder whether there was something more we could have explored to make her life a little easier.

We’re asking for a chance to try and a chance for Deb to have more comfortable days.

A chance to hold on to some independence.

A chance to continue making memories with the people who love her.

And most importantly, a chance to give her the best quality of life possible, for as long as possible.

If you’re in a position to donate, no matter how small, our entire family would be incredibly grateful.

If donating isn’t possible, simply sharing her story would mean just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Deb and for giving our family a little hope during an incredibly difficult time.

With love and gratitude,

Ange, Amber and Deb’s whole family.