AGM 2011

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 25th April at 7pm and all Members are invited to attend. The Committee, prepared to undertake all that is required in ensuring the Centre is run efficiently and properly while complying with all relevant legislation and striving to keep our head above water financially, will be elected. Your support would be greatly appreciated! Last year we only just achieved the quorum of 13 people and hope that this year things will be different. A cheese and wine will take place immediately after the business has been concluded!!

THE ‘F’ WORD – FUNDRAISING 

As you are all aware the MS Centre is a working charity that exists solely for the benefit of the members, primarily for those who have MS, but also for those with other conditions.

A pre-requisite of our charity is that we raise our own funds from members’ donations and from fundraising, which is traditionally done by members, their family, friends and outside agencies.

The current annual accounts for the centre indicate that we raised around £8,500 directly from fundraising, which equates to roughly £28 per member. Given the difficult economic climate that is liable to prevail for some time, fundraising is likely to become more difficult in future. More charities are competing for a diminishing pot of money, and acquiring funds from outwith the centre will be in direct competition from other deserving causes. 

To this end the centre has started a fundraising committee. Members need to be aware that it is not solely the function of this committee to carry out all or most of the fundraising. The preferred purpose is to gather and input ideas for members who want to become involved in fundraising in the area where they live, and to maintain a diary of fundraising activities. This will allow everyone to know what is taking place in their area and to promote awareness of the centre.

It is vital that everybody connected with the Centre gives consideration to the subject of fundraising, and that the burden should not fall to the same people year after year. If each member were to raise a modest £100 annually the centre could potentially benefit from an extra £30,000, which would be an almost 400% increase on our current total.

The knock-on effect of better funding is better and more modern equipment and surroundings, the long term sustainability of low price levels for oxygen therapy and other treatments and - most importantly - that we can remain operational!

To paraphrase the words of John F. Kennedy at his inauguration speech

“ask not what the MS Centre can do for you,

ask what you can do for the MS Centre”.

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My CCSVI Journey

Sitting in the chamber at the end of 2009 I read the New Pathways magazine (No 57) and saw Ash11ton Embrys article on CCSVI. In its basic form this said, that in persons with multiple sclerosis, the veins draining the blood from the head back to heart were narrowed and in some cases even blocked. This causes reflux (blood flowing backwards towards the brain) and may result in iron deposits (long known in MS lesions).

This article sends adrenalin coursing through me, this must be why I get so much good from Hyperbaric Oxygen, I cant wait to get home and get on Google to learn more.

I spend hundreds of hours reading papers, some as early as 1839 talking about MS lesions showing altered vasculature, an experimental study in dogs published in 1935 claiming that when the cerebral veins were artificially blocked, lesions developed that were strikingly similar to MS lesions.

I find dozens of testimonies from people who have had the simple Angioplasty to their Jugular and Azygos veins and have mostly found some relief of their symptoms.

I must have this treatment. I find that it can only be done privately and find excellent facilities are available in many countries around the world. I sign up for the treatment package through the Essential Health Clinic in Glasgow (the only place in the UK at the time). I go for CCSVI screening (non-invasive Doppler ultrasound scan) and am found to have faulty Jugular valves which are causing blood reflux and malformations of my Jugulars veins. I need to have a simple Angioplasty to correct this.

The procedure was to be carried out on the 15th December. We meet Mr Reid the vascular surgeon the day before, and he talks us through the procedure, then I have cognition tests (to be repeated 6 months later). I receive a small amount of sedative and local anaesthetic and away they go. The surgeon tells you what is happening at all times and I did not feel a thing when he inserted the balloon catheter, until it reached the Jugular vein valve on the right side. When he inflated the balloon I felt a very small pin prick type pain behind my ear and a popping as if you had just cleared your eardrums in an airplane, as quick as that the Jugular gets good blood flow. The left does not clear as easily and he uses a cutting balloon to cut a slice off the valve, again popping and tiny pin prick pain lasting milliseconds and again job done. On to the Azygos vein, no pain, simple expansion of vein and good blood flow all round. On the table for approx 70 minutes and back into recovery for an hour.

Results are fantastic.

I can close my hand that I could not close before, less fatigue, all the feeling back in my feet, legs and hands. Much better eyesight, no more intolerance to light, much better bladder and bowel control and now very little indigestion and I have had no problems swallowing (trouble for a couple of years — very frightening).

If the plumbing is blocked get a plumber to sort it out.

Any questions please ring me Philip Santer 01674 810 735 happy to chat for hours

APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

If we can streamline the appointment system as much as possible this could help significantly with our ever-present waiting-lists. We appreciate there are circumstances when you cannot give much notice of cancellation but a recent review revealed that in one week there were 39 short-notice cancellations for the chamber. Physiotherapy also suffers from this and results in downtime for Sunita. In both instances it would be greatly appreciated if you can give as much notice as you possibly can and/or do not forward book if you are unsure of being able to meet the commitment. Thank-you.

MAKING ENDS MEET

As the people having physiotherapy will know we have had to increase the charge from £5 to £7 from 1^st April. This remains heavily subsidised and well below the going rate for a forty-minute session of physiotherapy. The suggested minimum donation for HBO is to be reviewed and a figure decided upon at the AGM – again we remain about the cheapest Centre and hope we can continue to be so, but needs must to accommodate ever-increasing overheads. At the AGM we could also discuss whether a small annual increase would be more appropriate as opposed to a larger one every few years.

SNOW FUNNY!

As you all know we were beaten by the weather this year – as was our premises when the canopy over the back door was ‘grounded’ by heavy snow and managed to pull down a chunk of wall with it. Thankfully this damage was the responsibility of the council to put right. At time of writing, the wall damage has been addressed but the new canopy still to be erected. The council have stated that the new canopy must be on supporting stanchions. This may or may not have an effect on vehicular access but unfortunately this is outwith our control so please be aware of this and don’t drive into them!!

EASY FUNDRAISING

You’re internet shopping using ‘easy fundraising’ is paying dividends ! We have recently received a cheque for £83, being our ‘share’ for the last 3 months. Thanks to everyone who used this facility which allows us to benefit from your purchases.

NOTICE THIS!

Could we (the committee) ask members to communicate with Carole or Steve before placing a notice within the unit. We need to be sure that there is space and that the content is appropriate/relevant to you, as members. If assent is not given then an explanation can be given to you as to why.

UNION!!

At present, your Centre is part of a steering group of 10 Scottish Therapy Centres known as M.S Therapy Centres Scotland, MSTCS. We have been invited to unite with our sister centres south of the border, M.S National Therapy Centres, MSNTC, a group of approx 30 centres plus one in Gibraltar. Discussions are ongoing at present by your committee as to whether benefits could be gained by joining ‘National’. Whether we do or do not, the daily running of the centre will not change for you, our members. A decision regarding this ‘union’ should be made before the AGM when you will be given an update. Meantime, should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself (Judy Murray), Steve or Carole. Rest assured that at all times the committee acts

with the best interest of the Centre at heart.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - VOLUNTEERS NIGHT

This year our volunteers night will be held here at the Centre on Wednesday 8th June at 7pm to coincide with Volunteers Week and to acknowledge the huge part our volunteers play in the running of the Centre. Professor Philip James has agreed to speak as has Terrill Dobson from the Angus Herbal Medicine Clinic – add to that wine, nibbles and a chance to meet and socialise with other volunteers and hopefully we can produce an enjoyable experience all round.

 Evening all!

I have now been in post at the Centre since 9 November, 2010, and I would like to record my thanks to you all for making me feel so welcome here. I was the beat ‘bobbie’ in 1982 when the Centre opened and I recall being instructed by my Sergeant to be aware that the Lord Provost would be in attendance to open the new premises. I had no idea of the work that has gone on here all these years and the help it has given to many hundreds of people.

The last three months have been very interesting as well as great fun, meeting the members and learning about the processes which make the MS Centre successful. I am often asked by former colleagues and friends about my role here. I tell them that I find it inspirational how members face the adversity of dealing with MS, as well as the many other ailments that we treat, and the benefits that oxygen therapy can make to people’s lives.

The MS Centre is not so different from the police service in the sense that there are problems to be solved and obstacles to be surmounted. When the outside wall and canopy collapsed after my first few days in post I harboured thoughts of emigrating. With the help of Carole and Alwyn we got over this mini crisis and all repairs have now been carried out and the canopy is due to be replaced soon.

I hope in the fullness of time we can take the MS Centre forward by improving our administration procedures and continuing to work as a close knit team for the benefit of the members.  

Cheers, Steve

And Finally……………

I was so disappointed that I was unable to see you all before I left due to the inclement weather etc. I would like to reiterate again my sincere thanks and appreciation for the very generous gift to me on my retirement. I was completely overwhelmed by your generosity.

 As I said in my card I have been so fortunate to have worked in such a unique centre , amongst so many remarkable people and to do a job which I loved. Words failed me on the day of the presentation as there were so many people I wanted to thank: Philip, Petra, staff (past and present) ,committee members, volunteers and members all of whom gave me so much support during my 25 years at Peddie Street.

 The mutual support and looking out for each other has given the Centre it's strength and success throughout the years. I shall miss this so much but have been told that coffee and chocolate biscuits (Cadburys) are still on offer !!!!

 I wish you all continuing success in the future and I am confident I have left you in Steve’s capable hands.

 All the best,  Aileen

Views expressed in this Newsletter are individual and cannot necessarily be endorsed by M S Therapy (Tayside)Ltd