Your Local MS society branch is
back on track
+++++GET TOGETHER EVERY
MONTH+++++
Aston-Martin slams her foot down to live dream
The Salford MS Society Committee
The eagle has landed! Well, the Salford MS Society at least.
Following a spell of inactivity, the Salford branch was
re-launched in October.
The MS Society asked for volunteers to come together in the
region to help MS
sufferers and their helpers to cope with the effects of the
illness and keep them informed of any developments.
The official launch took place at The Worsley Court House,
Barton Road on Wed-nesday, October 13.
A poster campaign and written invitations ensured a bumper
audience of around 100.
And they were not disappointed by what they saw.
Consultant neurologist, Dr Paul Talbot, spoke about
symptoms, possible causes and treatments for MS.
He then answered a lot of questions from the audience.
Leo Brightley, from the MS Society, then introduced everyone
to the new committee that he has worked hard to assemble.He also answered any
questions.
On the third Tuesday of every month, there is a get together
for MS sufferers and interested people.
The event is held at 7.30pm at the St George’s Day Centre,
Douglas Green, Salford. It is a wheelchair friendly building and there’s a
raffle, bar, singer/artist.
Entry is only 50p and MS Society members get in free.
The MS Society does a superb job for sufferers.
And here’s the latest info on what came in and what went
out.
How we raised each £1
1 Donations 42p
2 Fees 12p
3 Grants 2p
4 Legacies 29p
5 Sale of assets 5p
6 Other 1p
7 Investments 4p
8 Subscriptions 1p
9 Merchandise 4p
How we spent each £1
1 Income generation 14p
2 Gov, Mgmt, Admin 3p
3 Public awareness 4p
4 Research 16p
5 MS Specialists 5p
6 MS National Services 14p
7 Respite care 23p
8 Local services 21p
The new What Is MS? publication is now available.
This comprehensive guide to MS provides the latest
information on:
MS diagnosis
The various symptoms it may cause
Current treatment and management options
Suggestions for managing life with MS
All content has been updated following the publication of
NICE Guideline For MS and the latest research findings.
Combining the three former titles - What Is MS?, Making The
Most Of Life With MS, and Sources Of Support, has decreased production and
distribution costs.
Please ensure you recycle all copies of What Is MS?, Making
The Most Of Life With MS, and Sources Of Support.
In addition, change any standard induction packs to include
the new title rather than former ones. Any that you order will come in the new
format.
Includes practical information for people considering the
drugs, which have been shown to reduce relapse rate by around a third and
reduce the severity of relapses.
Sets out criteria for NHS prescription of the beta
interferons or glatiramer acetate and how to manage common side effects.
Explains how the bladder works and the reasons there can be
problems in MS.
Included are details of the ‘first-line’ treatment route,
which is effective for most people with less severe MS, as well as options for
those severely affected.
Copies are available at the MSNC info centre at
webinfoenquiries
@mssociety.org.uk or 020 8438 0799 (10am to 3pm).
For bulk orders use the existing order form or order online
at www.mssociety.org.uk
Do not hesitate to contact Chloe Neild
(cneild@mssociety.org.uk) or James Bailey (jbailey@mssociety.org.uk) if you
have any further queries.
TIMES have changed since women with MS were advised by their
doctors not to start a family. Many women with MS have families and, although
it was not easy, many feel it was worthwhile.
Many women with MS describe their pregnancy as the healthiest
they have felt in years.
Some women also report a relapse and return of symptoms in
the early months after the child is born.
The PRIMS research trial evidence has shown that there is no
change overall in relapse rate if a person with MS is pregnant.
During pregnancy, especially in the three months prior to
birth, there is a reduction in relapse rates but in the first three months
following birth there is an increased relapse rate.
Once a woman with MS becomes pregnant it is important to
liase with both her neurologist and obstetrician so that they can chart her
progress and both be involved and support her.
Your MS Nurse can also play a supportive role alongside the midwife
to help ensure all involved are aware of MS.
It is important that the woman plans ahead in case a relapse
occurs - setting up a support network of family, friends and other mums to be.
It is particularly important that the family is prepared for
the fact that a relapse may happen so they too can provide extra support if it
is needed.
Paternity leave is now more widely available, so any partner
can find out in advance what additional work leave may be available.
Social Services may be able to provide extra support at this
time with either care or help with housework etc.
NEVER give up. That’s the lesson to learn from Kate
Aston-Martin and the Calvert Trust.
Brave Kate faces severe physical problems with her strain of
MS - Primary Progressive.
This means she is confined to a wheelchair and, as a result,
is limited physically.
This is frustrating for Kate but, thanks to the Calvert
Trust in Keswick, she has been able to do what she has wanted to do since
diagnosis 14 years ago.
The base of her spinal cord is too weak to sit upright so
she needs some back
support. This disability meant Kate had to give up horse
riding.
She loves the pastime so much and as she told me: "I
thought I’d never do it again."
But the Calvert Trust made her dream a possibility.
"I had two helpers and they used a hoist to lift me on
to the
saddle. They left the hoist on to maintain my posture and I
had a helper, to look after me, on either side as the horse walked.I held the
reins and knew how to hold them - that impressed them. They told me to keep my
head up to help my balance and I did it. I rode a horse!"
Kate’s boyfriend, John Gresty, joined her to get involved.
They sailed a boat, despite Kate’s original fears about
staying steady.
To put her mind at ease, one of the helpers virtually danced
in the boat to show the stability of the vessel.The trip was a great success.
And there are plenty of other actvities YOU can do.
Courses include: sailing, canoeing, horseriding, trap
driving, hill walking, orienteering, climbing, abseiling, archery and lots more!
The Calvert Trust has bases in Keswick (north west), Kielder
(north) and Exmoor (south west).
The Trust helps visitors achieve the level of attainment
they want to.
It focuses on ability rather than disability.
Full prices and details are available by calling (017687)
72255 or writing to The Calvert Trust, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4QD.
A NEW website, www.yourlevelbest.com, lists pubs and
restaurants with disabled facilities (including toilet).
It is free to the user and the listee and has 4000 venues
throughout the UK although the founder, wheelchair-user Mary Dixon, wants more
suggestions from local people like you.
Phone 0208 355 4328 or email info@yourlevelbest.com
It is now possible to choose the most disabled-friendly
areas in the UK.
PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON.
PLENTY of stars are giving their support to a new initiative
to raise awareness and funds in the fight against MS.
The latest star to back the MyShoes celebrity shoe auction
is rock musician Bryan Adams.
Other backers include ER actress Alex Kingston, TV presenter
Davina McCall, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and Harry Potter star Zoe Wanamaker.
All have donated pairs of shoes which will be auctioned in
what will be one of the largest celebrity shoe auctions ever.
The auction will be held on the Ebay website in February
2005.
The money raised will go to the two major charities
dedicated to helping those with MS in the UK - the MS Society and the MS Trust.
For more information about the MyShoes Campaign to Fight MS
visit www.myshoes.org.uk
THE MS Society has worked with the insurance industry to
devise some general insurance policies for people with MS, their carers and
supporters.
As a result of talking with insurers, there are a number of
products now available specially designed for those living with MS including:
Home insurance
Travel insurance
Motor insurance
Life assurance
Term Life Assurance
The new tailored insurance products and financial services
are not just for people with MS - anybody can take advantage of the service and
contribute much-needed funds to the work of the MS Society.
For an instant quote call 0800 7833 157.
Position Name
Secretary Roz
Fox
Welfare Team Angela
Kilcullen,
Tracey McGill, Judy Whitwood.
Treasurer Linda
Bell
Fundraiser David
Wilson
Salford Branch phoneline
0161 789 3192
Free MS Helpline
0808 800 8000
Log on to www.mssociety.org.uk
This MS newsletter is published by the Salford District
Branch of the MS Society.
We give regular updates about MS and what is happening
locally in the MS community.
All the views expressed in the publication are individual
and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.
Charity number 207495.