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The Survivor Newsletter: Spring 2007

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Since the autumn edition of The Survivor, we had another excellent day in Cork. Noel Magnier arranged for the Lord Mayor to have a reception for us in the City Hall and this was most enjoyable and well attended. We then went to St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital where the majority of Cork polio patients were treated in the 40s, 50s and 60s. We had arranged for a plaque to be inscribed denoting the 50 year anniversary since the polio outbreak in Cork in 1956 and Councillor Bermingham kindly unveiled the plaque and afterwards we were well looked after by matron and other hospital staff.

Belinda Redmond has stepped down from the Board and I thank her for her contribution and wish her well in the future. I am delighted to be able to tell you that Evelyn Wainwright has accepted an invitation to join the board of PPSG. For those of you who don’t know Evelyn, she has been doing Trojan work for us in Cork for many years, and we very much look forward to her contribution as a director.

You will have received notification of the AGM on Saturday 5 May at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin. It promises to be a very interesting and enjoyable day as we are launching the book ‘Polio and us’ and Keelin O’Reilly will also be addressing everybody and hoping to get the views of members on how we are running the group and hopefully receiving suggestions on how things can be improved. If you are intending to stay at the Clarion that weekend, please fill in the booking form and return it to the office as soon as possible, as the favourable terms which we have agreed with the hotel will lapse after April€

We had 82 new members in 2006, but we still have less than 20% of Polio Survivors so keep spreading the word so we can help as many survivors as possible.

Hugh Hamilton

‘Polio and Us’ – to be launched at the AGM

I am glad to report that our book of Polio stories – Polio and Us – is currently with the printer and will be launched at the AGM.  It is a very readable book, with the stories going through a gamut of emotions from sadness to joy, from adversity to courage, and above all, survival! Great thanks is due to Nuala Harnett for all her hard work in collecting the stories and editing this book, and we look forward to meeting her again at the AGM. Every member will get a copy in due course and while there will be no charge for the book, if you wish to make a donation to the PPSG, it will be much appreciated.

Changes of staff at head office

As Karen goes on maternity leave, I am sure I speak for all our members when I wish her all the best with her upcoming happy event! It goes without saying that we will miss her expert advice, good information and the efficiency with which she deals with all our queries and our needs regarding aids, appliances and services.

In the meantime, we would like to welcome Carol Robinson who is covering Karen’s maternity leave and who also brings a wealth of experience to the position. She has worked for many years in the provision of various social services and has an understanding of disability. She is really looking forward to working with Polio Survivors.

Carol has combined a busy working life with raising her family. She ran the full Dublin Marathon in 2005. Now there’s a talent we might find a home for!

She started work with the Group on the 25th January, and while we all might find it a bit confusing at first, as we will be talking with ‘Carol and not ‘Karen’, no doubt she will soon get used to us, if you wish to contact Carol you will find her contact details on page 2.

From the Editor

Well I hope you have all settled down after the excesses of Christmas – and I hope you had LOTS of excesses and enjoyed them! Many thanks for your Christmas and New Year Greetings from all over Ireland and from as far away as Italy and the USA.

I hope you like the new design concept of this edition of The Survivor. There are lots of interesting and informative articles inside, such as how occupational therapy can be of assistance to Polio Survivors (Page 8), the main changes in the budget which affect our members (Page 4-5), and why Polio Survivors should not smoke (Page 10-11). There is also news of the AGM which takes place this year on 5th May at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley. If you wish to stay the night – there is a special rate for members - please let the office know as soon as possible. I do hope you will make a special effort to attend the AGM, which promises to be an interesting and informative event.

If you wish to nominate someone for the Board of the PPSG, it is important to have your nomination in by 30th March 2007. See proposal form enclosed.

A big welcome to our new member of staff Carol Robinson, who is covering for Karen while she is on maternity leave (Page 3). Enough from me, enjoy the newsletter!

Paula Lahiff
Editor

BUDGET 2007

On 6 December 2006 the Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen, TD for Laois/Offaly, rose in the Dáil to deliver his third budget. It was, as was expected, one looking forward to a general election by May 2007. That said, he did not spend the complete war chest at his disposal but rather held back from a “give away” due to the expected further increases in interest rates from the European Central Bank, ECB, increased inflation within the economy and the need for a soft economic landing should the Celtic Tiger stops its roaring and just “purr” like a domestic “moggie”.

The main provisions on income tax rates, and other general personal finances, have been well covered in the general media. However, what escaped the general coverage are the important changes and relaxations that have been, or are to be brought into force and affect the elderly, disabled and carers. It is those on which we shall concentrate.

Non Means Tested Respite Care Grant

Introduced in 2005 it is exactly what is says – Non Means Tested. In 2005 it was worth E1,000, in 2006 this was increased to E1,200, and this will be further increased to E1,500 for 2007. One Respite Care Grant only is paid for each person needing full-time care and attention (i.e. if you are caring for more than one person and fulfil the conditions below, the grant is paid per person in your care). The Grant is payable only where the 6 month period of care includes the first Thursday in June.

You do not qualify for the Respite Care Grant if:

Even if you have not claimed for 2005 or 2006 it is not too late to put in a claim now. It is not charity but your right. You can get the Form (RCG 1 (a)) from your local Social Welfare Office, Citizens Information Centre (CIC), on the internet at www.welfare.ie, from the LoCall Leaflet Request Line on 1890 20 23 25 or from Respite Care Grant Section, telephone (01) 673 2222.

Alternatively the PPSG office (01 889 8920) has a supply and can send you a copy. Just fill it in, get it endorsed by your Doctor and send it off to the address shown. All its going to take is a little time and a stamp.

Carer’s Allowance

It has been an underlying principle in the Irish Welfare System that you could only claim one state benefit at a time. Finally the State is beginning to recognise that being a carer is not a “benefit” and that the work that carers do actually saves the state money, estimated to be around E14,000 per carer per year. From September 2007 a new additional means tested payment equivalent to up to half the Carers Allowance will be payable to people who are in receipt of other Social Welfare entitlements. The full details have not been announced, so watch this space, but it could be worth up to €€109 per week.

In addition there will be a relaxation in the earnings rules from April 2007. This will mean, dependent upon other circumstances those who earn, or have income, of up to €320 per week can still claim

Carer’s Allowance

Other Changes include:

Retired and older People

From the beginning of January 2007 the following increases will be paid. If you are receipt of any of these, you do not need to apply, they will be paid automatically. However note that some will not be received as cash in hand or money in bank until late February, but they will be back dated.

Increase of E16 to over E209 per week for the following pensioners:

Increase of E18 to E200 per week for:

General:

Social Welfare Benefits

Fuel Allowance doubled in two years to E18 per week.

Full Disability Allowance extended to all resident in institutions.

All Other Social Insurance Benefits to be increased by E16 – 20 per week

Schedule for Increase

January

Increases for recipients of Jobseeker’s Benefit/Allowance, Illness/Maternity Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment, Family Income Supplement, Farm Assist and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

February

Recipients of certain long-term payments such as Widow(er)s, Carers and Invalidity will receive their increase in mid-February backdated to January along with their new payable order books. Increases for certain other long-term payments such as State pensions and Disability Allowance will be paid by a special once-off payment in mid-February to cover 12 weeks payment to end March when new payable order books will be issued.

As in everything the “devil is in the detail”. Due to space constraints it is impossible to cover all aspects in such a short space. But remember Social Welfare and Insurance payments, where you qualify, are your RIGHT – not charity. If you do not claim it, it merely gets frittered away on another scheme, such as electronic voting. The Forms can look intimidating but get help from your local Citizens Information Centre, that is what they are there for, and its confidential. You never know if you claim all you are entitled to it might just be a much better 2007 than last year. But also remember even if you do get extra help from the State, the PPSG is still there to help you, not just to get your rights but also in getting aids / appliances, services etc that can make quality of life better for you and all around you.

REGIONAL ROUND-UP

CORK

Convenor: Evelyn Wainwright
Tel: 021 4847313
Email: evelyn99911@hotmail.com

“Our social on 17th Jan. was the first one for 2007. Twenty seven of us enjoyed all the information we received from Denis Corbett from MABS. The night was so good we forgot the time. We could not believe the night was over with so many people asking questions. We just got carried away!

Members came up with ideas for the next few meetings: to have a sales man from a car dealer to speak on changing your car; to have a music night with a sing along; physiotherapy to show ways one might keep fit; someone to talk on house insurance; and to get information on Credit Union membership.

It was decided to do the Marathon on 4 June with perhaps five of us in scooters each of us doing approx. five miles. We are talking about approaching some schools to ask if they would do the Marathon for PPSG.

Next meeting is on 14th March, speaker Dorothy Phelan on “Ways to stay Healthy”

Evelyn Wainwright.

THE WEST

Convenor: Bridie McMahon
Tel: 094 9540285
Email: sbmcmahon70@eircom.net

The West’s Christmas Party was held at the Greyhound Track again this year. It was a very enjoyable evening with a few small bets lost and won! The next Galway social support meeting will be on 7th March in the Menlo Hotel, and the next Ballina meeting will be held on 14th March – venue to be arranged.

BRAY

Convenor: Macrina Clancy
Tel: 01 2853561, 086 8386555
Email: macrinaclancy@gmail.com

We offer our grateful thanks for all her hard work to Belinda Redmond, who has stepped down as convenor and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. We welcome Macrina as the new convenor. We thank her for taking on the position. Macrina will already be known to most of the Bray Group “regulars”.

The first meeting of the Group for 2007 takes place on 6th March at 8.00pm, (venue to be confirmed).

ATHLONE

Convenor: Sean Mulligan
Tel: 090 6439046
Email: j2smulligan@eircom.net

The next meeting will take place on 9th March in the Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone. The speaker will be Nicola Ryan, Natural Health Consultant.

PORTLAOISE:

Convenor: Paddy Fitzpatrick
Tel: 0505 46738
Email: paddyfitz3@eircom.net

ENNISCORTHY:

Convenor: Anne O’Kelly Guerin
Tel: 053 32633
Email: aguerin914@hotmail.com

NEWBRIDGE:

Convenor: Paddy Moyles
Tel: 059 9141283

LIMERICK:

Convenor: Tom Clifford
Tel: 061 375115
Email: tomclifford1@eircom.net

DONEGAL

Convenor: John Mangan
Tel: 074 9137465

FUNDRAISING NEWS

The Fundraising Committee thank you all for your generous support in 2006. The funds raised are used mainly towards the cost of aids and appliances and services for the benefit of our members. This fundraising effort is necessary again this year in order to continue to provide these much needed grants.

Once again the PPSG plans to participate in the various Marathons being organised around the country in 2007, which sponsorship in 2006 generated much needed funds. The first major events in which the Group will be involved, both of which coincidently take place on the June Bank Holiday Monday, 4th June, are, in Dublin the “2007 Flora Wmen’s Mini Marathon” and, in Cork the “Cork City Marathon”. sponsorship cards and free PPSG T-shirts will be available for both events on request. Please encourage family members and friends to take part or by using the sponsorship card to raise sponsorship for the PPSG. If you are not in a position to raise sponsorship any contribution (no matter how small), will still be gratefully appreciated.

DUBLIN

As you are probably aware participants for the PPSG have enjoyed their involvement in the “Flora Wmen’s Mini Marathon” in the past. The 10k event commences in Fitwilliam Sq., at 3.00pm.

Entry forms will as usual appear in the “Evening Herald” on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 1st March, 2007. the closing date for receipt of (original official entries forms from the newspaper) is Tuesday 24th April, or earlier if the maximum no. of entries (40,000) has been received. Participants are therefore recommended to send in their entries early to the Marathon Office, (details below). Entries can also be made on-line from 2nd March, 2007, (www.florawomensminimarathon.ie). While on-line entries cost an extra 1 euro such entrants do not also have to purchase the “Evening Herald”! Entry fees are 22 euro for participants who elect to wear a timing chip. For other entrants the fee is 15 euro.

Participants must be 14 years of age on 4th June, 2007.

The organisers have stipulated that the event is strictly for females only.

For more details you can contact: Anne Burns, 01 4534150, Email: boyneabu@eircom.net , PPSG Office tel. 01 8898920, Email: info@ppsg.ie and Mini Marathon Office, 01 2930884, Email: womensminimarathon@eircom.ie

Website: www.florawomensminimarathon.ie Address: The Women’s Mini Marathon Ltd., 27 Sandyford Office Park, Sandyford Industrial Estate, DUBLIN 18.

CORK

Cork City is reviving the full marathon (26 miles and 385 yards – 42.195km), last held in 1986, and intends that it be an annual event. It is envisaged 5,000 entrants will take part in the marathon. The organisers’ ingenuity allows for participation (where a participant might find the distance too arduous), as part of a TEAM RELAY, in which teams of between two and five can in relay complete the course. Individual entry is 50 euro and team 80 euro. Details are limited as we go to press.

For more information contact Evelyn Wainwright, Tel./Fax 021 4847313 mobile 086 8829267, Email: evelyn999111@hotmail.com , PPSG Office, (details under “Dublin aboe), Marathon Office, Cork City Marathon, City Hall, Cork, email: info@corkcitymarathon.ie , web: www.corkcitymarathon.ie

PPSG sponsorship cards can also be drawn up for local fundraising events, i.e. “swimathon”, “readathon” or other event on request.

More details on fundraising activities will appear in the next “Survivor”.

Membership Subs are now due

Membership subs for 2007 are now due. The subscription remains at ?10 per person, but if you cannot afford that much, then give what you can. Of course, if you wish to give more than ?10, then you can be assured it will be put to good use. Please use the Freepost envelope enclosed with this newsletter to post your subscription and contact details (no cash please) to the PPSG office.

Many thanks

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy promotes and restores independence, health and wellbeing in people of all ages through using purposeful occupation as part of rehabilitation. Occupation is the meaningful use of activities, skills and life roles which enable people to function purposefully in their life.

Occupational Therapy enables people to explore, achieve and maintain balance in the daily living tasks and roles of Personal and Domestic care, and in the areas of Leisure and Work. For us, a healthy person is one who has a balanced lifestyle and is able to perform their daily occupations to a satisfying (for that person) and effective level.

When we become unwell there can be a disruption in our ability to perform effectively within these areas and in our everyday roles or routines.

An Occupational Therapist focuses on improving our ability to function within areas. Occupational Therapists provide support for people to make us of their own capacity and potential.

The Occupational Therapist uses activities as a therapeutic tool to assist with improving a person’s skills. They focus on the person’s strengths and abilities in order to assist with overcoming particular problems; they also take into account the environment in which daily occupations are performed.

The Occupational Therapist provides support for people to make use of their own capacity and potential. They work closely with members of the Multidisciplinary Team, the individual and their family.

Occupational Therapists work in the following areas:

Assessment & Interventions

The Occupational Therapist undertakes an initial assessment with the individual to help with highlighting both the person’s strengths and particular difficulties.

Following this an intervention plan is formulated in conjunction with the client.

Occupational Therapy in Community Mental Health places emphasis on the client carrying out the goals and activities within the home and community environment.

Interventions include

For the person who is experiencing the symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome the Occupational Therapist may have a lot to offer. When attending your Neurologist, a referral to the OT can be requested. In experiencing the early effects of PPS advice from the OT in the area of Energy Conservation and the use of labour saving devices can be beneficial in controlling the effects of fatigue which can exacerbate the condition leading to deterioration. The GP can send a referral to the Community OT Service for assessment and prescription of equipment if required. Advice from the OT can be obtained if an accessible bedroom or bathroom is required to meet the mobility or safety needs of the Person with PPS. The OT is well placed to assist with adjustment to the different challenges that may occur and with advice on adapting to best serve your needs, while maintaining the optimal level of independence

Esther Crowe Mullins,
 Occupational Therapist

Do you know about the Household Benefits Package?

With the ever increasing cost of gas and electricity charges, it’s a good idea to check whether you qualify for the Household Benefits Package.

What is it?

The Household Benefits Package is made up of benefits including:

Rules

You may qualify if:

As well as the above conditions, you must also satisfy three conditions:

  1. You must be permanently living (that is, year-round) at the address to which you wish the allowances to be applied. In general, the allowances do not apply if you live in a Nursing or Retirement Home. However, if you are aged 70 or over and you live in a Nursing or Retirement Home and have your own telephone account, you may get a Telephone Allowance,
  2. You must be the only person in your household who gets the allowances.
  3. You must be the registered consumer of electricity or gas if you are applying for an Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance and the registered telephone account holder if you are applying for the Telephone Allowance.

For more information contact:
Free Schemes Section
Pension Services Office
FREEPOST
College Road
Sligo
LoCall: 1890 50 0000 ext 8371
E-mail: freeschemes@welfare.ie
Taken from: http://www.oasis.gov.ie/

POST POLIO SUPPORT GROUP

AGM and CONFERENCE 2007

Saturday 5th May
Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Palmerstown, Dublin.

Programme:
11.00 a.m. Developing a Strategy for the PPSG
12.00 noon: Launch of ‘Polio and Us’
12.45 p.m. Complimentary soup and sandwiches
2.00 p.m. Annual General Meeting
3.00 p.m. Consultation with the Group
4.00 p.m. Tea/coffee and biscuits
4.30 p.m.  Feedback from group sessions
5.30 p.m. End of programme

If you wish to reserve accommodation at the hotel, please return the booking form with your payment to the PPSG office as soon as possible, as rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Ring Ring Phone Project

An Update

The RRPP, which is part funded by Vodafone, has proved to be a very successful project with over 30 members taking part in four pilot projects around the country. The leaders in each project undertake to phone the participants in each network at least once a month and with their permission put them in contact with each other. It is good to know that new friendships are being built up among our members, with great sharing of tips and information, and just to chat with someone else who knows what you are talking about is a good thing. The leaders will be holding a follow-up training day on 21st April in Portlaoise to evaluate the project to date and have discussions as how to improve and encourage it into the future. The members who have agreed to be leaders in this project are: Peggy Brennan, Tom Callary, Muiris OCroistoir, Anne Shanahan, Leo Dempsey, Joe Flynn, Joan Bradley and Christina O’Connor. Maureen O’Sullivan’s group in Cork is also going well and we have to say a big thank you to everyone concerned for giving of their time and energy to make this project a success. If you would like to take part in the future, please give your name to Carol in the office and we will put your name on the waiting list.

SMOKING & THE LATE EFFECTS OF POLIO

Part I – Smoking & Its Effects

Another year, another resolution, how many managed to carry that one through – I’ll give up smoking. Or how many emulated the song by Sheila Wilcox, the wife of the late John Thaw (Insp. Morse) – “I’ll give it up, I’ll give it up yet, When I’ve had just ONE more cigarette!”.

Smoking is a personal and difficult – some say impossible – habit to quit. There are not only the physical addictions to be dealt with but the psychological ones as well, i.e. dependency, what to do with your hands. This article is going to look at why people with late effects of polio, who smoke, have increased risk of heart disease, strokes and cancer. In the next edition we shall look at the mechanism for giving up and staying that way. However the overwhelming reason to stop smoking is because YOU want to do so.

HEALTH RISKS FROM SMOKING

Smoking is the cause of 3 major diseases – lung cancer, heart disease and bronchitis/emphysema. It has been found that smoking in Ireland is a direct cause of:

90% of Lung Cancer deaths
25% of Heart Disease deaths
75% of Bronchitis/Emphysema deaths

Breathing

The miracle that keeps us going! In any one day a healthy human’s lungs will take in 8,000 – 9,000 litres of air and exchange the oxygen in contains with some 8,000 – 10,000 litres of blood that the heart will pump around to remove waste from our systems and then replenish it with fresh oxygen. We are constantly exposed to the environment around us, dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria and all sorts of toxins spewed out by cars, buses and the like. As research has shown in Ireland many of us are exposed to unseen hazards in our own home such as radon. Add to this cocktail cigarette smoke (or even second hand smoke or passive smoking as its also known) together with the Late Effects of Polio (LEP) and you might begin to understand the magnitude of harm that can be done.

What can smoking or passive smoking do to a person with LEP? Well it further reduces the lung’s capacity, probably already decreased by the initial onset of paralytic polio all those years ago and now under further attack from LEP. This can lead to a build up of mucus and other secretions in the lungs; these provide a fertile breeding ground for all sorts of infections. Smoking also decreases the elasticity in the lungs and the muscles in the chest wall, leading to further loss of capacity.

Skin

Decreased lung capacity leads to lower amounts of oxygen in the bloodstream. This has a direct effect on the body’s capacity to heal itself. The body’s largest organ is the one we ignore the most – the skin. Skin needs plentiful supplies of oxygen to stay healthy. Many people with LEP spend large parts of their day sitting, maybe in a chair or wheelchair, some lying in bed. Lack of oxygen in the bloodstream combined with a decrease in its capacity to carry away “wastes” provides the almost perfect scenario for developing pressure sores. Add to that lack of movement, weight shifting, tight clothing, etc and the chances multiply alarmingly.

Smoking and ill health is well known and researched. Not so well known is the fact that smoking makes the healing process from any injury longer and it appears from recent studies in the USA that smoking not only impairs the healing process for pressure sores but also helps to produce them in the first place.

Bones

People with LEP fall – FACT! Inactivity caused by LEP is a contributory factor in the loss of bone density. Apart from the normal risks of osteoporosis in women, men with LEP have a higher risk of developing it too! (For every 20 women with osteoporosis, there is normally one man.) Cigarette smoke impairs body’s capacity to absorb calcium; this can lead to or accelerate bone loss.

What to do?

Smoking affects your lungs, skin, digestive system, bones, makes you more open to infections that are all around us; causes not just lung cancer but can affect other organs such as the bladder, bowel, etc.

But it’s your choice – or is it? What about other members of your family that may be affected by your smoking, your loved one, children, grandchildren (very young children are especially vulnerable to passive smoking and there is a proven link to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).) Have you the right to control or contribute to their future through smoking.

You have had a bout of paralytic polio, that’s why you are reading this, or one of your family has been affected by polio at some time in their life. So find out everything you can about the harmful effects of smoking, including passive smoking. Ultimately it’s your decision whether to quit or not. But at least know the facts and make that decision from knowledge about what its doing to you and others.

Sources

PN News P 30 – 32, Veterans Adminstration, Chicago January 2006
Irish Cancer Society Information Pack
Department of Health && Children, Hawkins House, Dublin
An Post Health Education Pack
Authors
John R McFarlane, PhD, FWCIT, FIMS, MBIM
Mary McFarlane, BSc (Hons), Dip OH, OHNC, RGN

Advocacy - What does it mean anyway?

Yes, Advocacy is the new buzz word in disability circles these days, and it causes a certain amount of confusion as to what it actually means.

The word ‘Advocacy’ means “taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes inclusion, equality and social justice’.

Paula Lahiff, with the support of the PPSG, is undertaking a Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies, and as part of her final year has undertaken to set up a pilot advocacy programme for the Group in order to identify the needs of our members in relation to services, aids/appliances, home adaptations and social support and any other needs not previously known to us. This pilot programme is taking place in the North West, with 10 of our members agreeing to take part. The information obtained will assist the Group in meeting the needs of our members and in identifying any other areas where we could be of assistance.

Demystifying counselling

Just what is counselling all about? What can you expect from it? Why go to counselling? What happens in the sessions?

An awful lot of mystery surrounds the practice of counselling. Sometimes referred to as ‘therapy’, the process involves a counsellor/therapist and one or more clients. According to the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a counsellor is trained to listen carefully to a client’s problems and to support them while they find their own solutions. The relationship between a counsellor and a client is confidential and is based on respect and trust.

Most people tend to feel worried or down at some stage in their lives and it can help to have someone to talk to. Although friends and family can be supportive, it can be difficult to turn to them if they have their own problems or if the problem is of a particularly intimate nature.

People see counsellors for a wide range of reasons – stress, anxiety, insomnia, family conflict, relationship problems, bereavement etc. When it gets to the point that sorrow, pain, rejection, confusion or anger is interfering with our daily lives, it can make sense to talk to a counsellor to make sense of these overwhelming emotions.

Counselling should enable you to take control of your life and to understand the reasons why you feel the way you do. This may help you to handle these feelings in the future. You may also learn different ways of communicating with others or you may just feel more at peace with yourself. Often it is only when we talk to someone unconnected with our lives that we begin to hear what we are really saying and feeling. Counselling may offer someone this opportunity.

Deciding on which counsellor to go to is a personal choice. Research shows that the key factors in counselling are the skill of the counsellor, the motivation of the client and whether the client feels comfortable with the counsellor.

A good practitioner will expect you to ask questions about the counselling process and will be happy to answer them. Remember that as a consumer you have rights of choice. Some questions you might think of asking your counsellor include:

How long you attend counseling depends on the client, the counsellor and the problem. Often half a dozen sessions will resolve the problem: sometimes you may see a counsellor for several months or more. Fees may vary per session, they can be around E50 for an hour-long session, and some counsellors offer a sliding scale depending on your ability to pay.

If you are interested in seeing a counsellor, please ring Carol at the PPSG office in the strictest confidence on01-889 8920. We have a directory of accredited counsellors throughout Ireland and counselling grants are available to members of PPSG.

Source: http://www.irish-counselling.ie

Spiritual Corner

THE GREY STONE WALL

A weight of stillness seeped into heart and mind
Sunday morning in early summer, going to church.
Noise and stress of everyday was stilled.
Behind drawn curtains people slept.
A calm had come that could be felt.
The early sun easing the aches of life.
The clack of my shoes the only sound
except for ‘the click’.
The click of a tricycle as she rocked it
back and forth,
back and forth, a few inches from a wall.
She was intent, gazing into the stonework.
An old wall built with grey stones.
Our eyes met in silence then:-
‘Have you seen MY stone?’ she asked.
Stooping down I saw it,
a piece of quartz sparkling in the sun.
It spoke of happy things, diamonds, stars, joy in God.
I had not found it, never would, I was too tall.
Her stone, a gem, in a grey stone wall.
‘It’s beautiful’, I said.
I went on my way,
our brief encounter over, she cycled away.
The clack of my shoes,
and the click of her tricycle blending,
our lives enriched.

by Joan Bradley

Plaque unveiled to commemorate 50th anniversary of Polio epidemic in Cork

The final part of year-long commemorative events to mark the 50th anniversary of the last outbreak of Polio in Cork took place on 13th November last as a special plaque was unveiled at St. Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital, where many children were treated during the epidemic. The plaque was unveiled by Brian Bermingham, whose father, John Bermingham founded the Cork Polio Aftercare Association in 1956, which later developed into the COPE Foundation. The was preceded by a civic reception at Cork City Hall, given by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael Ahern, and attended by members of the Post Polio Support Group. Our front page photo shows our Chairman, Hugh Hamilton, signing the Visitors Book, with the Lord Mayor and Evelyn Wainwright, PPSG Board Member, looking on.

These commemorative events for Cork City and County were an initiative of the Cork Social Support Group and were a result, in particular, of the work of Noel Magnier. We would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this event a success, especially the Mayor of Cork and the management of St. Mary’s Hospital. Well done Evelyn and Noel!

Persons with Disabilities Value Added Tax Refund Claims – Change of Address

With effect from 1 January 2007 all claims for refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on aids and appliances for use by People with Disabilities under the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No.15) Order 1981, should be forwarded to the Central Repayments Office, Revenue Commissioners, FREEPOST, Coolshannagh, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan. Claim Forms (Form 61A) are available from the website at www.revenue.ie or from the address above. Tel. 047-81425/81486, email: croman@revenue.ie. Claims for refund of VAT or VRT exemption and refund of excise duty on road vehicle fuel use remain unaltered.”

Also, for those members with a Primary Medical Certificate who are applying for a refund on the VAT on petrol, it is no longer necessary to include the actual receipts with your application, but you must keep them for 7 years, in the event of an audit. (There’s always a catch, isn’t there?)

The National Physical and Sensory Disability Database (NPSDD)

A National Physical and Sensory Disability Database has been up and running since early 2002 and the HSE is renewing an invitation to persons with an on-going physical, hearing or visual disability to contact the service and register on the database.  You are eligible for registration on the NPSDD if you have:

According to Caroline Gallagher, Database Manager HSE West, there are many benefits in being registered on the database including appropriate referrals for support services which have resulted in the provision of keyworkers, aids and appliances, community workers, therapy services, advice and support services.  A number of initiatives have been established or provided as a result of identified need highlighted through the database, and people have also been provided with information on the Motorised Transport Grants, Mobility Allowances, Long Term Illness Cards and Medical Cards.

The database provides a snapshot of the services provided to those with a physical and sensory disability and informs service providers and planners of future needs to enable more effective planning and funding of services.

A dedicated team was established with responsibility for the NPSDD and an important role of the Database Team is to raise awareness of the database and the benefits of being registered on it.  The team works closely with local voluntary agencies that provide services to people with disabilities to determine whether their members are eligible and to give them an opportunity to register on the database.

If you are not already registered on the NPSDD, it is very important that you do so, as this is what is used to determine the funding required for people with disabilities over the next five years.

The phone number of the Disability Databases Team in your area can be obtained from HSE Information Line 1850 636 313.

My Storyby Brian Crummy

(An Extract)

On the l5th December, l953 I was looking forward to the Christmas Holidays in the Carmelite College, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork and in the meantime was ear-marked to take part in a sketch as Sir John Drinkwater. At this point, I contracted Polio. and this wasn’t a Contract I entered into with any great enthusiasm! I was very ill and moved very quickly by ambulance into St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork.

I was in a small ward with one other patient who had polio in one leg. He happened to be an undertaker from Cobh and he either had a brilliant sense of humour or else, he was the first of the great entrepreneurs. In the midst of my pain, he would say across to me “Brian, will you give me the contract (for my funeral!)”. I would have to laugh even though I was very sick but nevertheless would reply “No, Mickey Beirne in Sligo is getting it”. As far as I can remember, he was discharged in about six weeks but he sent me his undertaker’s card with a photo of himself paddling in the sea at Ballycotton. I called to see him many years later and he was genuinely delighted that I had cheated him!

I spent three months in the Fever Hospital in Cork, six weeks of which was spent in a war of attrition between Sligo Co. Council (Health Section) and Cork Co. Council (Health Section), fighting to see who would pay for the ambulance to bring me back to Sligo, my home town. A compromise was reached, and Cork brought me as far as Athlone and Sligo took me the rest of the way to the hospital in Sligo. It was good to be back in my home town, but unfortunately, no progress was being made with my rehabilitation and it looked as if nothing was going to be done for me. I was six months in Sligo, sitting in an armchair from ten in the morning until ten at night and no one seemed to know anything about polio. Eventually, I was sent to the Central Remedial Clinic, which was then in Goatstown, Dublin. I spent each day in the clinic for five days a week and I was very happy there for nearly two years. The staff were excellent, under the able guidance of Kathleen O’Rourke, co-founder of the Clinic with Lady Valerie Goulding who was a lady in the best sense of the word. John Boyd Dunlop who was Honorary Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon to the Clinic wanted to operate on my legs straightaway but the physios. disagreed and wanted to see if stretching could relieve the contractures. They worked very hard to achieve this result; two of them would hold me down and two more would stretch my legs. I suppose it would equate to being stretched on the rack, as was done by the Spanish Inquisition but without malice! In the end, however, Mr. Dunlop had to operate on my two knees and hips and this enabled me to get back on my feet on callipers.

The Central Remedial Clinic at that time was a very homely place; it was in it’s infancy then; Lady Goulding and Kathleen O’Rourke made sure that we enjoyed our time in Dublin. Perhaps it was the first signs of the social model of disability; they had a holistic approach. I have many happy memories of my time in Dublin and was sorry to leave. I was a very fit young fellow when I was discharged, able to negotiate quite a lot of obstacles and able to scorn the problems of access. I could move very quickly on my elbow crutches; could hop onto a Double-decker bus and stand at the end of the bus holding on precariously to a railing. I felt able to face the big world outside!

When I returned to Sligo after being discharged from the Clinic, I had to think very seriously about my future education and training for a job. I attended a commercial college in Sligo for over a year and armed with a number of Certificates, felt ready to take a job. I was offered a job at about half the going rate and accepted it even though I felt like refusing. I guess the attitude was “beggars can’t be choosers”. However, I got a 50% rise after eight months and continued to get regular increases for about four years. After that things appear to go downhill wage-wise and after seventeen years, I decided to call it a day. I was fortunate to get a job with the North Western Health Board where I worked for over twenty-seven years. I didn’t have to fight for increases in wages but promotion was difficult enough to achieve over the years.

I was married in 1973 and Dolores and myself have been happily married for 33 years. Well, she hasn’t kicked me out yet! We have one daughter, Rena.

I have lived a very active life since I contracted polio. I sing quite a lot and have been in a number of choirs over the years; I also am involved in a number of voluntary organisations, which has kept me very busy since I retired four years ago. I feel a lot of work needs to be done on behalf of disabled people and good volunteers are needed to advocate on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves. I suppose I would have been classified as an activist on behalf of people with disabilities. I took part in a number of campaigns over the years. During my time as Chairperson of the Disabled Drivers’ Association, we had to fight a very tough battle with the Government of the day to retain the Disabled Drivers/Passengers Concessions on VRT/VAT, which the Government wanted to replace with a Grant of £300. I leave it to the readers imagination to visualise how much that grant would be worth to-day if that piece of legislation had gone through the Dail. The late Martin Donoghue, General Secretary of the Disabled Driver’s Association spear-headed that campaign which culminated in a ‘March’ on the Dail.

In retrospect, even though I was left without the use of my legs, I am happy to say that I have enjoyed life to the full and got good mileage out of whatever muscles I have in situ; there is a considerable amount of wear and tear and I have to use the wheelchair a lot now but it’s safer than crutches; Its unlikely I’ll fall out of it unless I get inebriated and I’ll try to refrain from that!

I suppose now I should be taking a rest from many of my pursuits. I am happy to be associated with the Post Polio Support Group and commend the Group for their work on behalf of Polio Survivors. Ad Multos Annos.

Mission Statement:

POST POLIO SUPPORT GROUP

To create awareness and provide information regarding the Late Effects of Polio among Polio Survivors, statutory agencies and the wider medical profession, and to work to ensure that Polio Survivors have all needs relating to their condition met.

St. Mary’s Abbey - How Apt?

by Joan Bradley

In the last Newsletter Eamonn pointed out how apt it is that our new office should be located on the site of the infirmary of the Cistercian Abbey of St Mary. It is good that services for a disability group should continue to be provided on that exact spot. However, there is a big quantum leap between what was available to sick and disabled citizens then and now. Who would want to go back?

The Cistercian order was founded in France in 1098; St Mary’s was built in 1139. The order got its name from a Benedictian monastery at Citeaux in France, built as a reaction to an affluence and laxity that had reduced their spirituality elsewhere. St Bernard, one for strict rules and order and a life of poverty, entered Citeaux in 1111 bringing 30, mostly noblemen, with him. They brought wealth and the order was called Cistercian. By 1147 strict rule was established, but what about spirituality? Even St Bernard’s self inflicted deprivation of his body, ending in ill health and early death, was not enough. What would St Bernard say to the Celtic tiger?

St Mary’s Abbey was one of the largest of the medieval monasteries in Ireland. That they provided a medical service to the poor of Dublin is commendable, but it would seem they also kept what one might call a ‘good table’. The river, being literally on their door step meant easy access for trade and fishing. They built Bullock castle to better control fishing rights. They also owned and farmed some 17,000 acres of land providing milk, meat and grain for their use. It is said that they were not beyond poaching a few deer in the mountain up near Glencree! One doubts that venison was served in the infirmary at St. Mary’s! Then there is no record that St Bernard ever visited St Mary’s, or in fact Ireland.

PLANS FOR EXPANSION OFSOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK

It is intended shortly to invite polio survivors, relatives and friends to informal “get-togethers” in two areas not already covered by the existing network of social support meetings, namely Dublin (north of the River Liffey) and north east Leinster, with a view to new Social Support Groups being established in these areas. If you live in either of these areas you are urged to come along and also notify other polio survivors of the event. The “informal” occasion will allow for information to be obtained from the PPSG and will give ample time for you to meet and chat to other polio survivors. Details of the events will be given in the local media. You will also be notified by post. Please let us know on receipt of our notification if you have special dietary requirements and your special needs if transport to the venue were to be provided.

DUBLIN NORTH

The Marine Hotel, Sutton Dublin 13 will be the venue on 15 February 4.30pm – 7.30pm. A light tea (assorted sandwiches) will be provided.

NORTH EAST LEINSTER

It is planned to hold this “get-together” in early March in the new City North Hotel, Stamullen, Co. Meath, (off the M1 at the Drogheda South- Julianstown exit), probably also from 4.30pm-7.30pm. This gathering will be aimed for survivors residing in Counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan as well as part of north County Dublin i.e. Balbriggan and Skerries.

 

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