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UNSUNG HEROES Search your parks in all your cities, you’ll find no statues to committees! This does not mean they are not worth their weight in gold – they are!! In our case we have committee members who have been doing a sterling job for a great number of years and feel compelled to keep going despite not getting any younger and all that that entails as there are no new contenders coming forward to assist in running the centre. Our AGM is on Monday 27th April 2009 and all nominations for chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary and committee members should be made before then. We desperately need people on the committee who are physically able to undertake certain tasks and/or who have useful professional experience or skills and the desire, commitment and drive to assist in the successful running of our centre. Do you know anyone who fits the bill and who might be prepared to be nominated? Perhaps a friend or family member! The committee meets monthly - excluding December and April (AGM) – and although attendance at all ten meetings per annum is desirable it is not essential and not a lot to ask!! Before being nominated, consider this, as put out by The M S Society many years ago! Would you be an active member, the kind who would be missed? Or be just contented that your name would be on the list? Would you take an active part to help the work along? Or be simply satisfied to be seen to belong? Would you assist at meetings and help to make them tick? Or leave the work to just a few then talk about the clique? Think about it carefully, think very hard and long, Would you be an active member or merely you just belong? |
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CHAIN OF COMMAND The Centre is managed by the Committee. Certain Committee members have specific responsibilities and details of such will be displayed in the Centre after election. Aileen Anderson has responsibility for all Clinical Services and Personnel and reports to the Committee. Alwyn Vaughan has responsibility for all aspects of and Personnel involved in operating the chamber and reports to the Committee. Carole Morrison has responsibility for all administration within the Centre, is first port of call for volunteers and reports to the Committee. |
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CHOO, CHOO! Disabled Person Protection Policy Scotrail are committed to improving their service(s) for disabled people and have produced a leaflet setting out what is now available and how to access this.
EYE, EYE! Vision and visual processing problems in MS Recent research and anecdotal evidence suggests that many people with MS may benefit from specialist optometric interventions. Whilst effects vary from person to person and it is impossible to predict the responses before assessment, it is worthwhile for everyone to examine the effects of visual processing on their MS. The results of these interventions vary from minimal, to life changing. Visual processing problems impact on many aspects of life that are not obvious. Movement, pain and information processing may be affected, posture and gait can be modified and integration of sensory inputs can be changed. The best thing is – if there is going to be an improvement, unlike with drugs, you will experience it during the tests, so you know whether there is a beneficial effect. Side effects are believed to be nil or minimal, so there is no risk. Visual processing interventions can be complimentary to all other treatments. The assessment begins with a comprehensive eye examination, following this, a detailed visual processing and sensory history will be taken. A number of tests will be performed and treatment will be decided upon depending on degree of improvement seen. The NHS pay for an eye examination and, when appropriate, supplementary visual tests. Specialised lenses may be available through the NHS when there is an optometric need, but even when they are not available through the NHS costs are comparable to normal optometrists. We have the only instruments in Scotland that can perform some of the tests. If there is sufficient interest Ian Jordan has offered to come to the Centre to give a talk or if you wish to make an appointment contact: Jordans, 5 Newmarket Street, Ayr KA7 1LL – tel 01292 284555. |
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HEAR, HEAR! A gentleman was convinced his wife was going deaf but did not want to upset her by wrongly suggesting this. He spoke to his GP who recommended choosing a time when his wife was engrossed in some task and not facing him, then starting from a fair distance away ask a simple question. If there was no reply keep moving a few steps closer until a reply is received. That way the gentleman would be able to gauge the severity or otherwise of his wife’s hearing. The following day the wife was pegging out her washing so the gentleman started his experiment and from the other end of the garden asked ‘What is for dinner dear?’ No reply, he moves a few feet closer and asks again ‘What is for dinner dear?’ No reply, he moves a few feet closer and asks again ‘What is for dinner dear?’ No reply, he moves a few feet closer and asks again ‘What is for dinner dear?’ No reply, he moves a few feet closer and asks again and this time the wife replies ‘For the fifth time – chicken!’ |
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BENEFIT INFORMATION From 27 October 2008, the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaced Incapacity benefit and Income Support claimed on the grounds of incapacity for new customers. The new system will consider what the individual is capable of, and what help and support they need to manage their condition and return to work. Between 2010 and 2013 existing claimants will be brought into the new system. Existing benefits will continue in payment up until that point. For further details visit www.mssociety.org.uk Go to the ‘About MS’ section and select ‘Benefits and Grants’ from the left hand menu. If you have specific concerns about how it may affect you, you may want to ring the MS Helpline on 08088008000.
MONEY AND GOODWILL MAKE THE CENTRE GO ROUND! Thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Raffle – both by buying/selling tickets and by donating prizes, we raised a magnificent £1880! Throughout 2008 we were also delighted to have received £411 from the Smarties tubes; £1341 from the collection cans; £2253 donations with subs payments, £17586 from donations and innumerable hours of voluntary input! All of this support is much appreciated and allows the Centre to continue to function! Well done and thank you to everyone involved. |
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TWIST & TURN The new jar opener by Culinare is a labour saving piece of kitchen equipment, in fact a must have ! It has one touch operating. Just place on top of a jar and press the button. It grips and twists the lid off saving you a lot of effort. Cost is approx £16 and available from Lakeland and from the internet. Its counterpart, the one touch tin opener works on the same basis. Place on top of a tin and press the button. Great inventions ! |
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LET US PRAY! The following statements have been written by children and have not been retouched or corrected! Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah’s wife was Joan of Ark. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt during the day and a ball of fire at night. The Jews were a proud people who had trouble with unsympathetic genitals. The seventh commandment is ‘thou shalt not admit adultery’ Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus she sang the Magna Carta. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption. The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibals. The epistles were the wives of the Apostles. Christians have only one spouse – this is called monotony. |
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FUNDRAISING A big big ‘thank you’ to anyone involved in any fundraising for your unit. Whether it be a donation, collecting in cans, raffles, events or the Supporters club. Without such efforts we would find it very difficult to provide the service to our members that we presently do. Our expression of thanks does of course include our loyal group of volunteers. |
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BIRDS OF A FEATHER ! Mick, from Dublin , appeared on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and towards the end of the program had already won £500,000. 'You've done very well so far,' said, Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter, 'but for a million pounds you've only got one life-line left - phone a friend. Everything is riding on this question......will you go for it?'
'Sure,' said
Mick. 'I'll have a go!'
a) Sparrow, b)
Thrush, c) Magpie, d) Cuckoo?' 'Dat's simple......it's a cuckoo.' cried Paddy 'Are you sure?'
'I'm sure.' 'Is that your final answer?' asked Chris 'Dat it is, Sir.' There was a long, long pause, and then the presenter screamed,
'Cuckoo is the
correct answer! Mick, you've won 1 million pounds!' 'Tell me, Paddy? How in Heaven's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't build its own nest?' 'Because he lives in a clock!' |
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LOW DOWN BUM! You may have noticed that due to popular demand we have had the grab-rails in the ‘inside’ loo in Unit 12B lowered. However, we have retained the ones in the ‘outside’ loo at their original height so that you can use whichever you prefer – at your own ‘convenience’! |
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DON’T ASK!! Physiotherapy is very specialised and Sunita can only treat and advise members who are formally receiving therapy from her. She does not know enough about anyone else to give a professional opinion, so if you have any aches and pains please do not ask her for advice as this puts her in an awkward position – and she may be on a much-needed break if not in the physio room!! |
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POINTS OF VIEW The Points Of View box on the table in the Centre is there to enable anyone with a suggestion or a gripe regarding how the Centre is run to formally put their point in writing in order that this may be addressed by the Committee. This is the only way to constructively have your say – please use it – all ideas welcome! |
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FILTHY LUCRE We are in the throes of appealing against a proposed rent increase of £5000 over a five year period. This is far greater than any increase in the past. Our lease is renewed every five years so this increase takes us neatly up to the next review – and it is, as you may imagine, highly unlikely that there will not be a further increase at that point! Realising that dependant on the result of this appeal, we may have to take steps to increase our income we undertook an evaluation of our circumstances. When we started off 27 years ago there was an agreed minimum donation for HBO of £4 and a charge for physiotherapy of £2.50, now it is £6 for HBO and £5 for physiotherapy, whereas the average house price 27 years ago was £23,644 now it is £194,362; a pint of beer was 58p, now it is £2.80; a pint of milk was 20p, now it is 36p; a loaf of bread was 37p, now it is 85p; 20 cigarettes were £1.02, now they are £5.98 and a Manchester United season ticket was £64, now it is £437!!! A survey of other M S Therapy Centres revealed that the Lothian Centre in Edinburgh has a minimum donation for HBO of £9 and a charge for physiotherapy of £9; the Inverness Centre has a minimum donation for HBO of £10 and a charge for physiotherapy of £10; the Grampian Centre in Aberdeen has a minimum donation for HBO of £8 for members with MS and £12 for members without MS. (Although non-MS do get their first 20 sessions for £160) Physiotherapy in Grampian is provided by the local M S Society. Using 2007 figures it was calculated that we are subsidising every HBO session by 30% of the cost and physiotherapy sessions by a massive 60% of the cost. As we look at ways and means to be able to maintain these high subsidies you can all help by ensuring you cancel any appointments as soon as possible, so that someone else may be able to take your vacated slot - an empty chair in the chamber or an unused physio room means loss of precious income!! |
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POINTS TO PONDER The Centre is fast becoming a victim of its own success in as much as there is a waiting list for HBO – and this waiting list includes four people with MS! Please be aware that in order to accommodate new members’ first 20 sessions it may be necessary to ask other members to change their appointment times either temporarily or permanently. We are an M S Therapy Centre, therefore, priority will always be given to members with MS! To assist with the technicalities of trying to fit a quart into a pint pot, please ensure when you leave the Centre that your next appointment has been booked, this is your sole responsibility, and note that while we are struggling to fit everyone in you can only book one week/session in advance. We will do everything possible to avoid disruption but should you be affected please remember that you too will have had an initial 20 sessions and be understanding. Thank you. |
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CAN’T HEAR YOU !! The newsletter is printed twice a year, Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter. We try to include a variety of items: informative and amusing. Have you an article you would like included e.g. a place worth a visit, a happy event, useful equipment, an amusing incident, anything will be considered (but keep it clean )! This is one way of getting involved in your unit. Your input will be appreciated. |
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THE THREE BEARS A far more accurate account of the events of that fateful morning... Baby bear goes downstairs, sits in his small chair at the table. He looks into his small bowl. It is empty. 'Who's been eating my Porridge?' he squeaks. Daddy Bear arrives at the big table and sits in his big chair. He looks into his big bowl and it is also empty. 'Who's been eating my porridge?!?' he roars.
Mummy Bear puts her head through the serving hatch from
the kitchen and yells, 'For God's sake, how many times do I have to go
through this with you idiots? It was Mummy Bear who got up first. It was
Mummy Bear who woke everyone in the house. It was Mummy Bear who made
the coffee. It was Mummy Bear who unloaded the dishwasher from last
night and put everything away. It was Mummy Bear who swept the floor in
the kitchen. And now that you've decided to drag your lazy selves downstairs and grace Mummy Bear with your grumpy presence, listen carefully, because I'm only going to say this once....
'I HAVEN'T MADE THE ******* PORRIDGE YET!!!' |
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Views expressed in this Newsletter are individual and cannot necessarily be endorsed by M S Therapy (Tayside)Ltd |