Did You Know

Ferdinand Schießl

Click on the link to read the fascinating story of a German Polio Survivor - so many parallels - remind you of anybody in PPSG.  Click here for "The Ferdinand Schießl stor"

"The Iron Lung"

The Iron Lung became a stereotypical image linked to Polio in the 1940's and 50's, and although used less and less there are still some in constant use even in 2010.

The following link brings you to the British Science Museum website where there is an introduction to the Iron Lung. The page is interactive and you can look at an Iron Lung from different angles and see how it works. If you click on "Patient experiences", you can then click on either Jim Costello or Jim Costello's video and you can read about Jim, a Director of the PPSG, or see him using the Iron Lung - he still uses it most days. Website link: www.sciencemuseum.twofourstaging.net/iron_lung/02/

 

Medical Alert Card

Would you know how to explain your Post Polio condition if in another country, on holiday or work, where you are not fluent in the language? Would you know how to explain that the Polio you had makes you liable to respiratory problems if you need anaesthesia following an accident or illness when away from home; or that certain drugs have contra indicators to Post Polio Syndrome? How about the fact that you may be unconscious or unable to communicate?

Many people carry medical alert bracelets or cards for conditions such as diabetes, until now there has been nothing to deal with Post Polio Syndrome. The European Polio Union, with the kind help and co-operation of Dr. Peter Brauer, M.D., has devised a set of cards that you can print off in MS Word or Adobe Reader. Just fill in your name, forename and date of birth and carry one for the country you are going to visit or even your own homeland. You never know when it may be needed.

The cards are internationally recognized as all bear the Medical alert symbol in the bottom right corner together with the EPU web site address for further information.

Please note that further cards will be added in the future until all European Council countries are covered. If the country you need does not appear at present you are advised to carry a card in French or English.  To find out more, or download a card, visit the EPU web site by clicking here.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU TRAVEL?

In July 2008 the European Union directive concerning the rights of those with disabilities when they travel on a flight originating or terminating in an EU country came into force.  Do you know what your rights are, and the your responsibilities that go alongside them?  To find out more read or download New Horizons- Information for the Air Traveller with a Disability (PDF - 212KB)

HELPFUL HINTS ON ENERGY SAVING

Energy prices may have fallen since oil prices rocketed to over $130 a barrel; electricity may have fallen in the short term but is bound to increase again with the promise of a carbon tax, affecting all hydrocarbon fuels, in the next Budget (8 December 2009). So some of the following tips may go a little way to alleviating the situation, both in your pocket as well as your personal welfare:-

Lighting:
• Always turn off the lights when you leave a room
• Wherever possible replace bulbs as they fail with the energy saving types (CFL’s). These use about a quarter of the electricity of a conventional (incandescent) bulb and last some 12 times longer. HOWEVER, be careful most energy saving bulbs cannot be used if there is a dimmer switch involved.

Cooking:
• Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking. They heat up quicker and retain their heat longer.
• If using the oven try to make full use of it by cooking a couple of meals at a time.
• Make sure you use the right size of pot for the amount of food and ensure that the base covers just the gas or electric ring. Too small and you are heating the air, too big and it takes longer than need be.

Appliances:
• Defrost the fridge and freezer regularly. Even frost-free need attention especially if the little drain hole at the back blocks – the fridge then works nearly continuously wasting energy.
• When buying new appliances check the energy rating sticker – wherever you can buy ones rated “A” or “AA” – they will save you money in the end.
• Always fill your washing machine full or use the economy wash button.
• Always wring clothes out or spin them as dry as possible before putting them in the tumble dryer.
• If you use a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load before turning it on. If washing up by hand do not wash every item at time of use, it drains down the hot water quicker and you use more energy – wait until you have a basin full to do.
• If you can do not leave things like TV’s, stereo’s on stand by – that’s where the red light stays on. Switch them off at the wall. A TV on stand by uses a staggering 80% of the power that it consumes when showing a picture!
• If you have a day / night electricity meter think about fitting your washing machine, dishwasher, etc with a time clock. Electricity on the night time rate is about 1/3 of the charge during the day. The rates apply from 11 p.m. – 8 a.m. (GMT) during the winter and midnight to 9 a.m. (BST) during the summer. It may pay you to get the ESB to fit a day / night meter.

Water:
• Only boil the amount of water you need in the electric kettle, but do make sure that the element is covered.
• Dripping taps not only waste water – they waste energy as a surprising amount of hot water (that you have paid to heat) can be lost through a dripping tap – up to 2 gallons a day. Fix those drips.
• If you can shower rather than bath. A shower uses around a fifth of the hot water it takes for a bath.
• Make sure the hot water tank is well insulated.

The strange thing in energy conservation and saving is that quite often you have to spend a little to save over the long term, as they say, “You have to speculate to accumulate”.

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE TO PAY DIRT TAX!

It is said, that there are two inevitable consequences of being born. The first is death, hopefully after a long and fulfilled life. The second is paying tax, but at least you can do something about that by ensuring legally you do not pay more than you have to.

If you have savings in a bank, credit union, building society or other financial institution, you may well be paying Deposit Investment Retention Tax (DIRT) on any interest earned. What is not so well known is that, depending on meeting certain criteria, people over 65 may not have to, and those under 65 who are severely incapacitated may well be in the same boat.

The Revenue Commissioners’ website states “DIRT is deducted from a customer’s deposit interest regardless of whether or not the customer is actually liable to tax. At the end of the year some account holders, provided they meet certain conditions, are entitled to claim a refund from Revenue of any DIRT deducted during the year”

Additionally in 2007, the Finance Act allowed interest to be paid gross, i.e. without the deduction of DIRT if you met certain conditions. If you satisfy these conditions, you can apply to the Revenue, via the financial institution to have the interest paid gross.

What are these conditions? Firstly, if under 65, you have to complete a declaration form stating that you or your spouse, if married meets the following:-

Then comes the sting in the form of a means test – your total income in 2008 must not exceed €19,000 for a single person or €38,000 for a married couple. The exemption limits may be increased, if you have dependent children. Further details can be obtained by ringing the Revenue Commission line in LoCall 1890 306 706, open 24 hours a day.

If you are over 65, the incapacity test does not apply but the means tested figure does.

Alternatively click here and you will be taken to the Revenue Commission website where you can download more information and forms.

Look carefully at any saving accounts you have, most financial institutions will deduct DIRT regardless as they say they do not know your age or medical condition. If you are over 65, or permanently incapacitated, go and talk to them, ring the Revenue Commission, fill out the forms, and if appropriate apply for any rebate of tax that you might be due.

It is not charity, it is your money!

INCOME TAX RETURN - Medical Expenses

If you are filing in your tax return for 2007 onwards, or just claiming for a rebate for allowable medical expenses remember that you no longer have to deduct €125 for a single person or €250 for a couple or family from the total.  All medical expenses within the defiined categories are fully tax deductable.  For more information and to download the Med1 Form for general medical expenses and Med2 for dental expenses click here for the Revenue Commissioners website.  (Thanks to member Michael Keegan for this useful bit of information.)

Also remember that if you have not reclaim rebates or allowances for previous years you can only go back 4 (four) years.

 

GUIDE FOR RAIL PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES

Published by Iarnrod Eireann it can be collecterd from most railway stations or ring 1980 202 325 and have it sent by post.  It is packed with a host of useful information to help the passenger with a disability get the most out of the revamped rail network.

 

More coming soon ...