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A Civic Reception, was hosted by the Lord Provost of Dundee in the City Chambers on Tuesday 25th September 2007 to mark our 25th Anniversary and to acknowledge the tremendous amount of voluntary input and support, which has made this milestone possible. |
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MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!! Many new Members are under the impression that we are connected to and part-funded by the NHS. To set the record straight we are a totally independent, autonomous, local, self-funding, self-help group receiving no statutory funding whatsoever. This fact alone, makes our 25th Anniversary, and all that has been achieved along the way, well worth celebrating!! |
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SMARTY-PANTS, JAMMY DODGERS AND ALL ROUND GOOD-EGGS!! We continue to be extremely grateful to everyone who supports us, either by freely giving their time and expertise or by raising funds in a huge variety of ways. This includes all our volunteers and the ongoing efforts of those who save their ‘dross’ in Smarties tubes and the wonderful ladies who keep our jam/marmalade shelves stocked to meet the huge demand! All of those wonderful people certainly have a steady and amazingly positive effect both on our service provision and our bank balance and on behalf of all those who benefit from this – A HUGE THANK-YOU! |
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TIME AND TIDE…. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why it is called the present! |
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TRAVEL INSURANCE It is possible to get travel insurance to cover pre-existing medical problems. Contact details for 24DrTravel Insurance Services Limited, an appointed representative of Rock Insurance Services Ltd, a company successfully used by one of our members are as follows: 24DrTravel.com/rockpolicy.pdf Telephone 01444 811700. |
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HOLY SMOKE! Despite the fact that all the oxygen masks in the chamber are thoroughly cleaned with sterilising wipes before each session, we have received a number of complaints from members who are suffering from the after-effects of a smoker using the mask before them. The residue of smell/taste of smoke lingering within the mask and tubes can prove to be both upsetting and offensive. If you are a smoker, could you please refrain from smoking for at least an hour before your HBO session to avoid this happening. Thank you. |
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CARS AND COMPUTERS If your car behaved like your computer you may experience the following:
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DANGER…ICE! As most people have a fair number of names stored in their mobile phones with no real clue as to the identity of each person, the Emergency Services are requesting that your next of kin(s)/people you would want contacted in an emergency be listed as ICE 1, ICE 2, ICE 3 etc. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency and using this system would ensure your nearest and dearest were contacted as soon as possible! |
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GET A GRIP! The ‘Super Strong Safety Handle’ is a portable hand-rail (approximately 1 foot long and made of plastic), which works by suction, with no separate fixings of any kind. With the simple flick of a couple of small levers on each end of the handle, anybody can quickly, conveniently and easily attach the handle securely to a smooth, e.g. tiled, surface, It is extremely light and easy to carry around and ideal for holidays, family visits etc so you can feel safe absolutely anywhere. These are available for £8.95 + £2.95 p&p = £11.90 or buy 2 for £18.80 post paid and save £5 from Home Shopping Selections, (Dept G22STSY), Euro House, Cramers Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3US; speed phone ordering service 08717843000 or visit the website www.hss.uk.net/advert |
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MEMBERSHIP To comply with Insurance requirements only current paid-up members can participate in services and/or therapies provided by the Centre. There does seem to be a bit of confusion over what this involves and hopefully the following explanations will help clear things up:
A version of this article will appear in every Newsletter for the benefit of new members. |
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POINTS OF VIEW People at the Centre often make comments to one another – both good and bad – about how things are run, but are reluctant to let the committee hear their point of view. To provide the best possible service we really do need to know how YOU, as a service-user, feel. To make this easy we have introduced a ‘Points Of View’ box for all suggestions, compliments, clipes and gripes, which can be anonymous if desired. The contents of the ‘Points Of View’ box will be considered at the monthly committee meeting and relevant issues addressed – so don’t be shy, the Committee do want to hear from you!! |
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ADVICE TO ‘BENEFIT’ FROM! The claim form for Disability Living Allowance has recently been increased from 39 pages to 47. Whether you are making a claim for the first time, asking for an increase, or applying to have your DLA renewed, you will need to complete this new form. There are additional questions, and some of the pages are more difficult to complete. Although there are lots of ‘tick boxes’, please do not think you just have to tick a few boxes to get the allowance – this is far from the case. We strongly recommend that your contact Disablement Income Group Scotland, 5 Quayside Street, Edinburgh EH6 6EJ Tel: 0845 1232366, before attempting it. If you are already on DLA, and are asking for an increase, please note that the Social Security will carry out a full review of your existing DLA – in other words they will assess your entitlement to what you are already receiving, as well as whether you are entitled to more. |
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TAXING SITUATIONS Many people on low incomes don’t realise that their bank or building society is required by law to take 20% tax off their interest before any payment is made. This can particularly affect pensioners, schoolchildren, students and unemployed people. If a person does not require to pay income tax, they should inform their bank/building society by completing form R85 to register their account(s). Once registered, interest will be paid without tax deduction. If they should have registered previously and have not done so, they can claim back some of their interest by completing a repayment form R40. Savers can claim tax back for up to six years. Some people on slightly higher incomes can also claim back some of their tax which has been deducted automatically, for example, if they should only have paid 10% tax on their savings. For information about registering an account call 0845 9800645. To ask about claiming tax back call 0845 3667850 or access www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxback WHAT A RELIEF The H.M. Revenue and Customs booklet 707/1 outlines the rules on claiming VAT relief on home alterations and items of equipment. Call 0845 0109000 for a copy, or more information. |
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WAIT NO MORE Although Carol Walford has retired, a Continence Advisor can be contacted and is willing to come to the Centre to see people. See Aileen to arrange this. If you have a medical condition which results in you having to access a toilet quickly, you can apply for a card from the Continence Foundation, call 0845 3450165. You would be able to produce this card in an emergency and ask for priority. |
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Following the previous article…….. a little light relief ……….. BOVINE BREAK Ten cows in a field, which one is on holiday? The one with a wee calf! HELP
I went
to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman: "Where's the self-help
section?" WHO'S THE DADDY?
Did you
hear about the morning-after pill for men Chop chop I was chopping up carrots with the Grim Reaper the other day. Yes, I was dicing with death!
RING RING RING CAN YOU DO BETTER? THEN LET US HAVE YOUR FUNNIES, WE ALL NEED TO LAUGH |
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TALK ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT ….. One thing always commented on in a positive way is the camaraderie an friendships that are formed within the unit. One such ‘gang’ visit the DCA on birthdays, have a bite of lunch and see a film, choice of film is up to the birthday person (the others take their chance as to what it is )!!! When birthdays are complete then any excuse seems good….. no boundaries, going on hols-coming back from hols, found that new dress, cat had kittens, you get the idea? DCA film theatres are different from the norm as the seating for wheelchair users is at the back over looking everyone else instead of right at the front, if you’ve been to other picture houses then you will know what I mean. Toilet facilities probably 3 out of 5 but are being renovated. What does your group do/visit ? Share with us your outings, eating places or anywhere you’ve visited. |
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DROPPED FOOT STIMULATOR (DFS) Sunita, one of our physiotherapists is now one of only three physiotherapists in Scotland fully trained to assess for and fit a dropped foot stimulator and to access this service please discuss your situation with Sunita or Aileen our Nurse/Counsellor. There is a waiting list and a referral from your G.P. is recommended. Aileen has the relevant form to be taken to your G.P. for this purpose. The units cost £285, however, we can bulk order for a 10% discount on each unit, which will reduce the initial amount to £256.50 + VAT = £301.38. (The electrodes and switches will need to be replaced periodically – probably annually - and the electrodes cost £10 and the switches £20 approx) When you are initially fitted with a DFS you will benefit from a trial period and then your individual situation reviewed. Before the DFS can be taken from the Centre on a trial basis a deposit of £100 will be levied. This amount will be refunded if you decide not to go ahead or deducted from the £301.38 initial cost if you do. The preliminary assessment and fitting will cost £20 and each follow up review £10 – which is in keeping with the other Centre in Scotland. This system provides a comprehensive professionally supervised opportunity to try something which may be of considerable benefit to you at a discounted price. It may be that there is funding around to assist with the cost and we have forms to apply to the M S Society for this or you could ask your GP for any information/assistance |
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Views expressed in this Newsletter are individual and cannot necessarily be endorsed by M S Therapy (Tayside)Ltd |