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The Survivor Newsletter: Winter 2008

Inside this issue:

STAY WELL AND WARM
Avoid the Winter Blues and much more…

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HEAD OFFICE STAFF:

Tel: 01 8898920
Fax: 018898924
Website: www.ppsg.ie

CHIEF EXECUTIVE:

Eamonn Farrell
Email: ceo@ppsg.ie

SERVS/INFO CO-ORDINATOR:

Lillian McElvanny
Email: admin@ppsg.ie

BOOKKEEPER/ADMIN. ASSISTANT:

Ursula Treacy
Email: info@ppsg.ie

OUTREACH WORKER

Margaret McCarthy
Email: fsw@ppsg.ie

REGIONAL SUPPORT OFFICER

Ann Shanahan
Email: rso1@ppsg.ie

BOARD MEMBERS

Hugh Hamilton: (Chairman)
Tel/Fax: 01 289 4800
Mobile: 087 255 3012
Email: hamsalem@eircom.net

Joan Bradley: (Deputy Chairperson)
Tel/Fax: 01 454 9237
Email: amjbradley@eircom.net

Paula Lahiff: (Secretary)
Tel/Fax: 071 9164791
Mobile: 086 322 4402
Email: secretary@ppsg.ie

John McFarlane (Treasurer & Newsletter Editor)
Tel: 057-9353552
Fax: 057-9353558
Email: jmcfarlane1@iolfree.ie or
newsletter@ppsg.ie

Anne Burns (Board Member)
Tel: 01 453 4150
Email: boyneabu@eircom.net

Hugh Conlon: (Board Member)
Tel: 091 751 750 (H) Mobile: 086 803 6145
Email: hcon@eircom.net

Jim Costello (Board Member)
Tel/Fax: 01 260 0099 (H) Hos: 01 620 6154
Email: jjcos@indigo.ie

Clara Dunne (Board Member)
Tel: 01 672 1601 (W)
Fax: 01 672 1650
Tel: 01 833 5524 (H)
Mob: 087 227 6202
Email: clara.dunne@caceis.com

Bridie McMahon (Board Member)
Tel: 094 954 0285 Mob: 087 958 0567
Email: smcmahon70@eircom.net

Eamonn Porter (Board Member)
Tel: 01 8455827 (W)
Mobile: 086 225 3551
Email: eporter@aspire-wealth.com

Seamus O’Cinneide: (Board Member)
Tel: 01 496 1133 (H)
Email: seamus.ocinneide@nuim.ie

Evelyn Wainwright (Board Member)
Tel/Fax: 021 4847313 Mobile: 086 8829267
Email: evelyn99911@hotmail.com

Hugh Weir: (Board Member)
Tel: 061 927 030 Fax: 061 927 418
Email: hughweir@ballinakella.com

Comittees

Fund Allocation Committee
Joan Bradley (Chair), Hugh Conlon, Seamus O’Cinnéide, Róisín Nolan

Fundraising
Hugh Hamilton (Chair), Anne Burns, Evelyn Wainwright, Eamon Porter, James Kinahan

Governance and Nominations
Hugh Conlon (Chair), Jim Costello, John McFarlane, Seamus O Cinnéide, Hugh Weir

Social Support
Anne Burns (Chair), Paula Lahiff, Evelyn Wainwright, Hugh Weir, Barbara McDonagh, Tom Gallery, Bridie McMahon

Regional Reps
Paddy Fitzpatrick (HSE Midlands), Tom Clifford (HSE Mid West), Evelyn Wainwright (HSE South), Povl Thim (HSE South East), Barbara McDonagh (HSE West), Paula Lahiff (HSE North West), Jackie Minnock (HSE North East)

Social Support Convenors
Ann Barrett, Tom Clifford, Brian Crummy, Susan Dowling, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Nuala Harnett, John Mangan, Bridie McMahon, Paddy Moyles, Sean Mulligan, Charlie Smith, Povl Thim, Evelyn Wainwright

Ring Ring Phone Project Leaders
Peggy Brennan, Joan Bradley, Leo Dempsey, Muiris O Chriostóir, Anne Shanahan, Sheila O’Sullivan, Tom Gallery, Christina O’Connor, Susan Dowling, Shirley Martin

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FROM THE EDITOR

I am sitting here the day after the Budget looking out onto a dull, dank day and wondering what other “nasties” the world wide credit crunch will have in store for us all. As we all know life can be very unfair and the ones always to be hit the hardest will have amongst them the elderly and the disabled. I am sure that many of you reading this will wonder whether you will continue to have a medical card, whether you will be able to keep warm this winter, how you are going to manage in times of rising prices? Unfortunately, I do not have the panacea for all these worries but I can assure you that the Post Polio Support Group will do all in its power to help Polio Survivors. The Group is there to help, if you are not sure what to do when you receive letters about your medical card means test do not ignore it, ask for assistance from people who know. That could in your circle of family, a friend, other relatives or ring the office (01 889 8920). Everything discussed with members of our staff is strictly confidential, they are there to help, as are all the volunteers listed on the inside cover of each “Survivor” edition. At the end of the day if neither staff, nor volunteers have the answer to hand, they know people who do. You are never alone, so look forward to the Festive Season and celebrate it in what ever is your own way.

From us all have a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year or as the comedian Dave Allen said when finishing his show “May your God go with you”.

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NATIONAL PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DISABILITY DATABASE (NPSDD)

Do you want to contribute to the planning of services for yourself or a family member? If yes, then the Health Services Executive would like to invite you to register on the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database to help plan, develop and organise health and social services for people with a physical, vision or speech and language disability.

You are eligible to register if you:

• Have an ongoing physical , hearing, vision or speech and language disability ;
• May have more than one type of disability but where the main disability is physical or sensory;
• Are less that 66 years of age ; and
• Are currently receiving or need a specialist service that is related to your disability

It is important to register on the NPSDD as the numbers registered on the database determine the funding required for people with disabilities over the following five years To find out more about the database please complete the enclosed slip and return in the prepaid envelope enclosed in this magazine Remember better planning leads to better services !

Editor’s Note The Post Polio Support Group would encourage everyone with a disability to register on the NPSDD. In this way the needs of all Polio Survivors may be properly assessed and the Group can press for adequate funds so that our mission statement may be fulfilled The Post Polio Support Group is gratefully to the HSE for assistance in defraying the cost of distributing this information and the Autumn 2008 issue of “The SURVIVOR”

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COMINGS and GOINGS

Another busy period on the personnel front, both amongst volunteers and staff, with arrivals and departures After many years as a tireless volunteer in the West Bridie McMahon agreed to join the Board of the Group. Bridie is a native of Claremorris, Co. Mayo; contracting polio in 1950s, spending four years in hospital between the Cappagh and St. Mary’s in Baldoyle, Co. Dublin. A graduate of Maynooth NUI, she qualified as a Tutor/ Trainer in Adult/ Community Education and Rural and Community Development. She went on to work for the Dept of Education in a temporary capacity for a number of years and also with Great Southern Hotel Group in reception/reservations. Following her marriage to Seamus she worked in Bermuda for three years and was heavily involved in the Irish Association while there. They have three in family all grown up, one daughter married in New York and they recently became grandparents. Bridie worked as Community Development Worker and Arts Co-ordinator with I.R.D. Kiltimagh Ltd in the 90s and was responsible for the development of many innovative and creative Community Arts Projects. Being a fluent Irish speaker she spearheaded the Bord na Gaeilge funded Irish language Pilot Project ‘Using Irish in Development’. She was instrumental in securing the government funded ‘Community Development Programme’ for Kiltimagh and managed the Project for 9 years. Later she took up another challenging position as manager of Kilmovee Community Housing Project, and was actively involved in the development of the Bealtaine Festival and various Celtic Theme/Heritage Projects while there. Working closely with all Voluntary /State Agencies she also secured a ‘Family Resource Centre’ Programme. Bridie now works part-time in Mayo Abbey, near her home.

Bridie has always been involved in voluntary activity in her own community from Parish Council, Foroige Adult Leader to Heritage Committee. Apart from her new duties as a Director of the Group, she remains on the PPSG National Fundraising Committee, Social Support Group Committee and is Convenor for the Galway/Mayo meetings. The Board has been looking for some time to recruit volunteers from outside the “Polio Community” to bring a fresh perspective to the management and operation of the Group. Clara Dunne saw our profile and appeal on the “Boardmatch” web site and asked to meet us. After several meetings and discussions, Clara agreed to join and allow the Group to benefit from her wide-ranging skills honed in the finance sector. She is currently the Senior Country Officer for Caceis Bank Luxembourg, itself a subsidiary of a major French bank, Credit Agricole. A full profile of Clara will appear in a later edition.

The end of September saw the departure of Carol Robertson for pastures new. Carol had been working as part time Services and Information Co-ordinator and was a well known voice to many members. From all at the Group we wish her well in her future enterprises and thank her for all the hard work on behalf of Polio Survivors.

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M50 BARRIER FREE TOLLING

The barriers have disappeared on the M50, so helping to end some congestion. That is the good news, the bad news there are still tolls for using the M50 Dublin orbital motorway. Many members have Motorway Toll exemption Cards, issued by various bodies and have wondered what happens now.

If your vehicle is registered with the Motor Tax Office as tax exempt, in other words you have a Primary Medical Certificate, there is no need for a disabled driver / passenger to register with eFlow for a tag account, or pay after the event at a toll paypoint. The eFlow system will pick up on the vehicle registration number and that in turn will show the taxation situation and therefore no bill will be sent to you. However you will need to show your concessionary card on each journey on all other toll roads, i.e. M1, M4, M8 etc.

If you need any further information regarding barrier free tolling on the M50 call their telephone helpline number on 1890 501050

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PPSG MAKES PRESENTATION TO DÁIL COMMITTEE

Polio is still taking its toll of courageous people. This was the message brought on 22nd July 2008 to the Committee for Health at the Dáil by the Post Polio Support Group seeking increased Government assistance for polio survivors. In 1958, fifty years ago, effective vaccines against polio were starting to become available in Ireland. Even though it would take years to adequately protect the nation’s children this was a huge breakthrough in the fight against this scourge for those children and their parents. In 1958 the Department of Health was formally notified of 266 cases of polio. We now know that only a fraction of polio cases were reported officially. While some died the great majority survived: some 7,000 over the years. Following intensive rehabilitation and, often after many surgical procedures, they strove to live normal lives. This was not to be; new weakness was noticed by more than half the Polio Survivors many years later. These late effects of polio, known medically as Post Polio Syndrome, are a further challenge to a group of people who have fought so hard for their independence and dignity over so many years.

“We are indeed fortunate that effective vaccines are available to protect babies born today in Ireland”, said Hugh Hamilton, Chairman of the Post Polio Support Group. “However, as a nation we mustn’t forget those who still carry the scars of Polio and who are battling towards a quality of life and self sufficiency most Irish people are fortunate enough to be able to take for granted”.

The Post Polio Support Group focuses on maintaining the independence and dignity of Polio Survivors supporting them at work, in the home and otherwise. The Post Polio Support Group helps many members, and non members alike, by providing them with aids such as wheelchairs, appliances such as callipers and customised shoes and assistive technology-using computer based equipment-to make the tasks of daily life less difficult. Services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, respite care breaks and chiropody are provided to give some relief and make life easier for Polio Survivors.

The late effects of polio are characterised by some or all of the following and, frequently, by additional secondary medical problems

• Muscle and joint pain
• Lack of strength and increased muscle weakness
• Extreme fatigue
• Breathing problems often related to difficulty sleeping
• Swallowing problems
• Severe intolerance of cold
• Decline in ability to enjoy everyday activities such as walking

Polio survivors concerned about the late effects of polio should contact their doctors for advice. The Post Polio Support Group would like to see Government act to;

• Provide increased funding for the Post Polio Support Group so that it can provide more direct supports to Polio Survivors
• Increase the number of medical benefits available to Polio Survivors
• Establish neuromuscular multi-disciplinary centres of excellence in the diagnosis, management and treatment of the late effects of polio.

Footnote At the time of going to press PPSG had not received any news following the presentation. The Group, following the recent Budget announcement regarding Medical Cards will be monitoring the situation carefully and making all representations to protect members’ interests and benefits. It is determined to ensure that all Polio Survivors receive the care they need to maintain both their health and quality of life.

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A GOURMET CENTRE

by Joan Bradley.

This heading describes the town of Kinsale in Co Cork. Close to this town on the Kinsale to Clonakilty coast road is a centre that might be of interest to Polio survivors. Within the last year a new one has opened called Haven Bay Care and Village Centre. This caters for those who wish to retire to sheltered accommodation and for those wishing to take a holiday by the sea. It consists of chalets, one and two bed-roomed, from which access is available to the main building, which is a nursing home and centre of services. Physiotherapy, chiropody, hydrotherapy (the last being a bath type unit - no swimming pool) and a gym. There is clock golf and other activities. Residents can opt in or out of everything available at the centre.

The chalets are fully furnished and self catering if one wishes. There is a kitchen area with dish washer, washer-dryer, microwave oven, electric cooker etc. The chalets are very roomy with wide doors and a level shower unit. The kitchen units are not yet at wheelchair level, as they were prefabricated. Making them fully wheelchair assessable is on going. There is a call system and each chalet is checked each day to make sure the residents are safe.

This year the cost of a chalet is €300 per week plus cost of electricity. The services at the centre are reasonably priced. It is nice to get one’s own breakfast and go to the restaurant for lunch.

There are no shops near but shopping can be delivered free. The town of Kinsale is historic, consequently pavements and shops are not always dished, but it is made up for by the beauty of the whole east Cork area. To partake of a gourmet meal one need to check assess to it. I spend a week there in June and enjoyed it even though they couldn’t fix the weather. The Telephone number of the Haven Bay Centre is – 021 4777328.

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GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

In March of this year, the PPSG hosted a training weekend in Portlaoise for Social Support Convenors and Ring Ring Leaders. During its course, Sean Mulligan told a true story that demonstrates the art of lateral thinking.

The discussion was on difficulties with travelling; Matters raised were problems with trains, buses, taxi, aeroplanes, roads and footpaths. He recounted that one person had a particular problem and a novel way to overcome it. “The man in question had “bad talk” and people had difficulty in understanding him. He, now, had to travel to London to visit his sick father in a London Hospital. On his first visit, it was a nightmare for him to get anybody to know what he was saying, --Taxi men, police officers etc. and he had just as much difficulty knowing what the English were saying to him. The poor man had to think long and hard about how he would overcome these problems on his next trip.

He came up with a solution. On arriving at the train station in London, he put his plan into action and he had instant success. So what did he do? He put a notice on his back and front, as follows: “I’m dumb. I need to get to St. Thomas’s Hospital. Will you help me?” In a matter of minutes, he was on his way to the Hospital and never spoke a word! With thanks to Sean Mulligan.

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CORK CITY MARATHON 2008

by Ray Linehan

Twelve months ago, the Cork City Marathon was revived after lying dormant for over two decades. In fact, twenty-one years had slipped by since the last marathon runners pounded the elegant streets, roads and riverbanks of Cork’s beautiful city and suburbs. Sprint forward to 2007 and the Cork City marathon was resurrected to grace the southern capital of Ireland once more.

On 2 June 2008, the course again pointed to all points of the Cork compass. It meandered its way through the renovated city centre and stretched north, east, south and west along the leafy and historical surrounds of this fine city. The route ran through suburbs such as Blackpool, Blackrock, Ballyphehane and Bishopstown. It passed by many famous old Cork landmarks like Murphy’s Brewery, Blackrock Castle, the Lough, the Lee Fields, the Mardyke and also some new ones like the Jack Lynch tunnel. In fact, one of the highlights of the event for many of the participants was running “under the banks of our own lovely Lee”. The finishing line was in Cork’s main thoroughfare, Patrick Street, which proved a very welcoming sight to the many weary but jubilant competitors at the end of a ‘marathon’ effort.

This year two teams represented the Post Polio Support Group in the Marathon Relay event, each team comprising five contestants. The Relay event has proved to be an invaluable and innovative concept that undoubtedly contributes to the overwhelming success of the revitalized Cork City Marathon. Essentially two, three, four or five contestants make up a team and each member runs a pre-determined distance and passes the baton (a rubber wristband) on to the next team member at organised change over points. It enables people (who may not otherwise be able to do so) of all ability to compete in the marathon and feel part of this wonderful event. From the experienced athletes to the seasoned joggers and numerous dedicated walkers there is a stage to suit everyone.

Some teams are highly competitive while others participate for fun or as a fundraiser for a cause close to their heart. One can select one or more of five consecutive stages: 5.2 miles, 5.5 miles, 3.2 miles, 5.9 miles and 6.4 miles, which make up the total 26.2 mile distance. The two PPSG teams had a mix of some serious road runners like John Muckian, Rosaline Kelly and Kevin Coughlan and some fun joggers like John O’Halloran, Jimmy Hill and yours truly. There was very little between the two outfits and both finished in just over four hours. Incredibly only 21 seconds separated them at the finishing line. I would like to thank all the runners from the two teams, John Muckian, Martin Mulcahy, Colin O’Brien, John O’Halloran, Tony O’Donnell, Kevin Coughlan, Jimmy Hill and husband and wife Peter and Rosaline Kelly.

Overall, the event was a marvellous success with 1,338 individual runners and 833 teams completing the 26 mile 385 yards distance. The blue-sky day brought supporters and spectators out in their droves. The atmosphere at the finishing line was electric as crowds thronged the streets and quays all the way to the ‘tape’ at Patrick Street where huge cheers greeted them after the marathon distance was completed. The fundraising side of the event also ran smoothly and great credit is due to everyone who made a donation, filled a sponsorship card or who collected funds at the Cork University Hospital on behalf of the PPSG. Roll on 2009 and hopefully the event next year will prove to be another runaway success.

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TALKING POINTS

Many members do not know that the Group, like an octopus, has tentacles that spread far and wide in the Polio Survivor Community. Here is a flavour of some of those contacts.

SCOTLAND

The Scottish Post Polio Network has been working closely with the Post Polio Support Group over the last few years. This has become more important in recent years as more power becomes devolved from Westminster to Edinburgh and the Scots get more control in running their services. As part of the cooperation between the two the Group’s Chief Executive, Eamonn Farrell was invited to speak at their October conference in Glasgow.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Eamonn also spoke at the Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship conference in Dunmurray near Belfast earlier this year. There was great interest in our work for Polio Survivors. Many spoke to Eamonn during the conference and afterwards and he said he was surprised at how many were born south of the border but had lived most of their lives in the North. Information sharing is important as every group has the same aim but each has a slightly different way of supporting Polio Survivors- we will learn from each other.

CANADA

Polio Canada was established about 5 years ago in response to a growing need for Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) information. It has five main services, Polio Survivors Registry, Health Care Professionals Registry, Education and Information, Support Groups and Conferences. Polio Canada also provides comprehensive information packages on PPS, free subscription to it’s bi annual news letter, local newsletter and bulletins on news and events. (Ed.’s note – sound familiar?)

POLIO AUSTRALIA

A little over a year ago all the Polio support groups (except Victoria) came together in Sydney to form Polio Australia. It has an agreed constitution and comprises all Australian Polio Networks. It purpose to be able to better represent the needs of Polio Survivors at State and National level in asking for funds and to gain acknowledgement that Polio Survivors in Australia need help for deteriorating ability.

EUROPEAN POLIO UNION

Founded in 2003 the EPU, with Hugh Hamilton as the Vice Chair, was formed to bring the attention of the European Parliament and Commission to the needs of Polio Survivors with the now 27 member countries of the EU. There are thought to be over 250,000 million people in the EU with PPS and over 20 million worldwide. The EPU seeks to co-ordinate research on the diagnosis and treatment of PPS within the European Union and to work with others to gather statistics of its prevalence in Europe as a whole. The EPU has secured some small funding from its members, PPSG being one, but it realises that it will be a hard task to get officially recognised by all EU member states, but is determined to work towards that vision. The group is trying to expand it current membership from the “old” EDU member states to include newer EU entrants from Eastern Europe.

POLIO WORLD

Miami 2007 saw the Internationasl Polio Conference where Polio World came into existence. At that conference during leadership workshop sessions, PPS leaders from around the world expressed their interest in finding a means of communication so that PPS leaders and advocates could share ideas and successful endeavors to more quickly attain similar goals of more PPS awareness, education, and research. Polio World has been searching for some time to find the easiest means of communication to facilitate it’s goals of uniting the major polio and Post Polio global leaders and advocates so that they can speak as “One Loud Voice” and hopefully gain wider recognition. It was finally decided that a Yahoo bulletin board best serves the purpose for the time being, this in addition with a “chat Room” will assist in world wide communication on PPS and needs of Polio Survivors everywhere.

OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD

In addition to those above, the Group has regular contact with the following:

• Post Polio Network of Western Australia
• Post Polio Network of New South Wales, Australia
• Auckland Post Polio Support Group, New Zealand
• Boca Area Post Polio Group, Florida, USA
• Post Polio Health International, Missouri, USA

PUBLICATIONS GO WORLD WIDE

In 2007 The Group published a book, Post Polio Syndrome – Management and Treatment in Primary Care, targeted at those in the medical professions. Over 3000 were distributed in Ireland alone and it was published simultaneously on the Web. This lead to request that it been reprinted by other English speaking countries and to date, with the Group’s permission, it has been published in:

• Florida, USA
• Georgia, USA
• Canada
• New Zealand
• New South Wales, Australia

This is in addition to all the copies downloaded from the web site free.

The book, Polio & Us, telling the stories of Polio Survivors in Ireland has been a world wide hit. It too can be downloaded from the web free and the poignant tales it contains have touched the hearts of many and allowed others to talk of things they have kept secret for years. For such a small octopus, the PPSG has very long tentacles!

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DILLY & FRIENDS RAISE FUNDS

The picture on the wall in Doe’s Pizza in Moate caught my eye, it reminded me of the Northern comedian May Mc Fetridge and it was only on closer inspection I realised it was Jimmy Kinahan. Most people around Moate know Jimmy, a painter for many years and involved in many local groups. Like many others I knew Jimmy had suffered from Polio from a young age but until I saw the poster I had no idea that there was a Post Polio Support Group. Even then the significance of the group did not register. Looking deeper and reading phrases like Polio Survivors soon woke me up and gave me an awareness of a condition that I never knew existed. Looking at the Polio sufferers I knew – they all appeared to be coping well – but there is a sting in the tail for many sufferers.

It is estimated that there are approximately 4,000 survivors of polio living in the Republic of Ireland at present. Most of these people are middle aged or becoming elderly. The Post Polio Support Group is an organisation set up by Polio Survivors to assist their fellow survivors, particularly in relation to the Late Effects of Polio. Around 20 to 40 years after their original infection by Polio, many survivors are now experiencing new symptoms, which often require medical advice and treatment. This condition is known as the “Late Effects of Polio” or “Post Polio Syndrome”. These symptoms are not age related and usually appear in the form of pain in muscles and joints; lack of strength and endurance, with increased muscle weakness and fatigue; respiratory and swallowing difficulties, often with problems relating to sleep; severe intolerance of cold; decline in ability to carry out customary daily activities such as walking.

The Post Polio Support Group exists to offer a comprehensive system of supports to Polio Survivors. Fundraising is key to knitting these together. The proceeds raised are applied speedily and directly to meet a variety of Survivor needs. While there is no known cure, much can be done to alleviate the symptoms and enable the retention of an independent life, often requiring some modification of life style. It is for this cause that Dilly and friends participated in the recent Ladies Marathon and a week later than promised I have included the picture from their great day out. You can still support this effort by making your donation through Doe’s Pizza or through Jimmy Kinahan. Text and Picture Courtesy of the Westmeath Independent

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CARMEL’S STORY

by Carmel McGuire

It’s 1947 – June – a little before my eighth birthday. The weather is lovely – the school is closed, some epidemic or other -and I don’t feel well. My brother is in bed ill already and we are waiting for the doctor.

He came riding his horse – that was his mode of transport at that time. He examined my brother and said he would have to get to the fever hospital in Roscommon. My mother asked him to have a look at me as well. This he did and said, as a precaution, that I should go with my brother so they could isolate me and keep an eye on me.

The ambulance came and took the two of us to Roscommon Fever Hospital. The ambulance driver was a friend of our parents and he jollied us along until we arrived at the hospital where we were handed over to the nurses. Everyone was nice to us but we knew no one, we had never been away from home on our own before – my brother is younger than me – now we were miles away in a very frightening place. We had no idea what it was all about. As for being isolated, there were just more people coming all the time.

A few days passed, then I woke up one morning and could not move in the bed. This was scary. When the nurses discovered it, the doctor was called. There was a lot shaking of heads and sad sighs but no one told me anything except to say “Good girl, be brave!”. Then a sheet was tied to the bottom of the bed and put into my hands so I could pull myself up by the power of my hands. This power was poor but I was told to keep pulling, as the exercise was good for me.

My father came to visit. He had to cycle there and back home again – a distance of about twenty miles each way. I didn’t have many visitors. I was changed to another room and lost track of where my brother got to. He was coming along okay and was let home quite quickly. My mother and our parish priest came to visit. He had a car and was a good friend.

Meanwhile, I was lying in my bed, with no exercise or movement of any kind, apart from my arms that had some strength. The search was on for a bed in a hospital with physiotherapy. The hospital had no luck in placing me so my father started approaching people he knew. Eventually a friend of a friend told him about Cork Street Fever Hospital which was getting a physiotherapist and had a bed. So, the wheels were set in motion to get me there.

Our friend the ambulance driver was in action again, driving the ambulance. When he handed me over to the staff in Cork Street, I was really far from home, completely on my own and I didn’t know anyone in Dublin. However a most wonderful Dublin family promised my parents that they would visit me and this they did, they visited me regularly and wrote to my parents, reporting progress or otherwise. I am friends with this family for all these years and they have played a big part in my life, generally speaking. When I arrived in Cork Street, Dr. McSweeney was in charge. After some time Dr. Herlihy arrived. Sister McCarty was in charge and there was a Staff Nurse Dowling. Miss Keenan was the physio. Also, a Miss Toner came from time to time. By now, I was in a bad way, completely stiffened up, with loads of pain when I moved. I had forgotten how to walk so they had to try to teach me, and that wasn’t easy for them on two counts – I wasn’t too enthusiastic about all the exercise and the resultant pain. Also I kept picking up every disease in the place: measles, from which I got pneumonia: just over that and maybe making a bit of progress on the walking front and then it was chicken pox; that over and a little more progress with the exercise then mumps.

So, you get the picture of how difficult it was to get me standing up, putting one foot in front of the other. As things improved, I got more co-operative and we were eventually all progressing together.

I think I was there about two years. My Dublin friends visited twice a week. My father came before Christmas and my mother and father came in the summer. The only other visitors were local business people who knew our father and me, when they came to Dublin on business, they called to see me and brought news of my family and gifts. Sir Arthur Chance, who was attached to Dr. Steeven’s Hospital, came to Cork Street for consultations and I was one of the people he looked at. He recommended a special type of corset. As a result, I had a few visits to Steeven’s hospital.

Then it was time to go home. Father collected me and we went on the train. It was nearly like being with strangers again, I hardly knew my family. But in a few weeks that sorted itself out.

Now I was back home. Where we lived was quite remote – we just saw neighbours and friends. Nothing much to do, so I had little or no activity and put on weight. That did not help my already modest movements. After about six months, we moved to a farm about fifteen miles down the road. This was in a less remote area. We were near a village, with a school, church, post office etc. There was plenty of space for me to move around. Looking back, I don’t think I pushed myself too much – in fact, I’d say I was lazy. I read a lot and listened to the radio. Then my father started taking me to the local national school on the bar of his bicycle. I enjoyed the school very much and got on well. I acquired a walking stick from somewhere – I don’t recall where. There was no medical follow-up for ages and then I got a call from Dr. Steeven’s Hospital. I went back and was kept in for a few weeks. But I don’t recall any treatment or new exercises or anything at all. After that visit, a number of years elapsed before anything else happened on the polio medical front. And when it did happen, it was local! Twenty-five miles away, in Roscommon General Hospital Outpatients Clinic, an Orthopaedic Surgeon came once a month to take care of all the physical ailments of the county. Now in fairness to this Consultant - Dr. Little was his name - (and his height belied his name, he was over six feet tall!) - he was excellent. He ordered a polythene spinal jacket to keep me straight and it has worked ever since. I still wear one today – with all the advances in medicine nothing has been developed to replace this particular jacket. As for the man himself, he was different from any other doctor I had met before this. He chatted away, asked one’s opinion on things, told funny stories. This was something completely new to me. I saw him at the clinic for a number of years and then lost track of him completely.

When it came time to going to secondary school we came up against another problem – no boarding school wanted a young girl who walked badly and slowly, fell frequently etc. Looking back, I suppose I can’t blame them. They would have been worried about insurance cover and probably being sued if things went wrong – even though we had not reached our deep love of the “compo culture” at that time. At the time, however I was devastated. How was I going to do anything if I could not get an education? Was I to be isolated for the rest of my life? This was the middle of the 1950’s – no disability grants, pensions or assistance, no school buses and indeed, truth to tell, very few jobs for anyone - never mind me with all my physical problems.

Much discussion in the family concluded with my father buying a car - he was going to drive me to school everyday and bring me hope. He would also be able to drop some of my siblings at their schools, so it would work out not too expensive.

We found a small private school for me, which was a great place to get an education. People were at different stages in their education – some had leaving and Inter Certs – they just did commercial courses and left after a year. Others of us stayed many years and did many subjects with the commercial course. The Principle of the school was a truly remarkable lady – light years ahead of her time in her thinking on education. It is only in the recent past that many of the ways she used to teach us, way back then, have come into common use. Educated, certificates in hand - now to find work! All attempts to get a job locally failed – loads of sympathy but not one practical suggestion. I was getting very fed up – it seemed no matter what I did there was another mountain to climb. Then my wonderful Dublin family heard of the Rehab, which, at that time, was working out of premises over the Crowing Cock in Pearse Street. They made contact and the Rehab agreed to give me an interview. The interview went well and I was offered a place. Their idea was to give people with certain qualifications the experience of actually working in an office before helping to get them placed in a real job. This was a great practical way to make us fit to work in a real office. It boosted confidence and helped develop other skills like filing, handling the switchboard and dealing with telephone calls – something I would have had no experience of – there were so few phones in rural Ireland at that time. In the evenings, if you felt like it, there were various things to do – social gatherings, arts and crafts and drama sessions.

After a few months Miss Teresa Brady, who was in charge of everything, arranged an interview for me with a shoe manufacturing company, in Basin Lane. I went and was offered the job. It was as a debtors’ ledger clerk at £5 per week. I was delighted and started work the next Monday. Basin Lane was a good distance from where I was living so it meant taking 2 buses and walking a good bit as well. I was still quite slow at the walking so I had to be up and out very early Monday to Friday (I worked an extra half hour per day so I could have Saturday and Sunday off.). There were two big positives from this – the joy and personal sense of achievement at having got a job (very many didn’t) and all the walking and activity getting on and off the buses improved my physical condition greatly. My walking, while it would never be brilliant, became more fluid and I could cover distances in a more relaxed fashion. Initially, I was very tired each evening and it was bed, to work, to bed but it passed with time. I managed to build up a good social life – I went to the theatre (the gods), cinemas, concerts and I also visited friends.

My next job was also arranged by Rehab. The location was a legal cost accountants in Baggot Street. This was a lovely friendly place. There were just four of us (five if we were very busy). I was a Dictaphone typist and earned £6 per week. While this was near where I lived, I had to walk all the time since there was no bus route that would help me at all. So, this again was a good place for me, from a physical point of view. Also good socially.

I was there a couple of years when I saw an ad. In the Evening Press, seeking staff for Board Failte. I read the ad. several times – though the work would suit me – but would I be a suitable employee for a semi–State organisation? After much encouragement, I submitted my application (no CV’s in those days!). After some time I was asked to come for a test, typing, English, spelling, etc. Again, there was a time lapse before I was advised I had done well in the test and was invited to come for interview. I presumed I had got the interview when they said they would arrange a medical and would call me with the details. The medical was OK and I was asked to come in for another interview. At this meeting, the terms of employment, salary etc. were discussed and I was given a starting date.

I started as a Grade II Dictaphone typist in the typing pool and I retired 30 + years later as a Grade V Higher Executive! It was a very lively and dynamic company. We had loads of hard work but wonderful happy times as well. I learned to drive with the Wheelchair Association and drove all over Ireland during the holidays.

Physically I did very well for 10 to 15 years and then certain things started to annoy me. Elbows started to spasm. I took advice on this and they eased a bit. While this hardly ever happens now, I still have the odd twinge. Then there was the fact that I could not walk across an open space. Here were loads of things I used to be able to do that just seemed to desert me.

I fell and broke my left hip. I recovered pretty well but I was advised to get a wheelchair. This I did but I didn’t use it. It sat in the back of the car, while I went around work pushing an office chair in front of me to keep my balance. In the supermarket, I clung to the shopping trolley and the least tip would knock me off my feet. My friends were very concerned and tried to persuade me to use the wheelchair for my own safety and comfort. I ignored everyone and went on my way for some more time.

I started to use the chair eventually and now took it into work etc. While I had to admit that it made things much easier - I wasn’t as tired and I got more places with far less stress – but in my head, I wasn’t a happy person. For a time my basic good common sense seemed to desert me. Essentially, after much debate with myself, I got sorted. Now I wonder how I could have been so stupid, wasting all that energy instead of conserving it, and driving my family and friends round the bend.

I retired from Board Failte in 1995. The company was offering a retirement package so I decided to take it up. My sick leave was increasing and I was very tired. I had a big bash and left!

Things went well for some time. Then I fell and broke my right knee. It was taken care of and I was back to normal in about 4 months. At the end of 1999, I got very ill. My breathing stopped. I was in hospital until the middle of January 2000 and missed all the celebrations for the Millennium. When I came home, I was on oxygen, used a BiPap machine at night and was in a pretty poor physical condition. A nurse came every day and an occupational therapist several times a week. Within five weeks I was able to get up and down the stairs again (I have a stair chair) and could transfer to the wheelchair. I was then able to dress myself, come downstairs and look after myself, much as before my illness. On the advice of the O.T. I added a downstairs en suite bathroom. This was done with a grant from Fingal County Council and the lump sum I got on my retirement. This was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got and I will always be grateful to the O.T. who helped so much with the whole project.

All went well until 2005 – May - when once again the breathing acted up. The ambulance got me to the hospital and then I stopped breathing. I was in intensive care for five weeks and was thirteen weeks in the hospital overall.

When I got home, things had definitely changed and have remained so. I now have carers who come in 4 times a day and I have to be hoisted for getting up, going to bed and all things in between. My friend takes care of the nights and, if she is not there, a family member has to be on hand.

I could not transfer to my car so I had to get a converted van. That has been the way since 2005. I am in good form mostly. I want to be home in my own house and working things from there. I am lucky really – I have an excellent G.P., a very good consultant (chest), the carers are great, and friends and family wonderful.

We would like to publish more of your stories. If you have one why not send it in. Any photos will be carefully copied and returned to you.

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OSTEOPOROSIS – A PERSONAL ACCOUNT

Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bone’. It is a condition where you gradually lose bone material so that your bones become more fragile. As a result they are more likely to break even after a simple fall.

Everyone is at risk of developing osteoporosis as they get older, which is why elderly people are more likely to break bones when they fall. But there are some people who are more at risk of osteoporosis than others. These are some of the factors that can make a difference:

• Steroids. If you take steroids over a long period of time, it can lead to osteoporosis;
• Oestrogen deficiency. Women who have had an early menopause (before the age of 45), or a hysterectomy where one of both ovaries have been removed, are at greater risk.
• Lack of exercise. Moderate exercise keeps the bones strong during childhood and throughout adulthood. Anyone who does not exercise, or has an illness or disability which makes exercise difficult, will be more prone to losing calcium from the bones, and so more likely to develop osteoporosis.
• Poor diet. A diet which does not include enough calcium or vitamin D can make osteoporosis more likely.
• Heavy smoking. Tobacco lowers the oestrogen level in women and may cause early menopause. In men, smoking lowers testosterone activity and this can weaken the bones.
• Heavy drinking. A high alcohol intake reduces the ability of the body’s cells to make bone.
• Family history. Osteoporosis does run in families. This is probably because there are some inherited factors which affect the development of bone.

So, as you can see from this list, Polio survivors who may not be able to exercise to any great extent, and who also would have one or more of the other factors, would be at greater risk of developing osteoporosis. There are no obvious physical signs of osteoporosis because no one can see the bones getting ‘thinner’. As a result, osteoporosis can go unnoticed for years and quite often the first indication that someone has a problem is when s/he breaks a bone in what would normally have been a minor accident.

I was concerned that I might have osteoporosis as I had more than three of the factors which could lead to this condition, so I asked my doctor to send me for a DEXASCAN (this means Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry). He was not very helpful and he flippantly said that everyone over the age of 60 has osteoporosis, and it would just confirm what was probably the case anyway. However, I insisted, and he gave me a letter for the hospital – saying with a parting shot that it would probably be two to three years before I got an appointment. But, hey presto, within three weeks I got a call to go for the scan! I was told to wear loose-fitting clothes (no zips or under-wire bras), but I didn’t have to take off my clothes or shoes/callipers. I had to lie on a special table and the x-ray machine passes over your middle spine and hip area, and relays the information to a computer. It takes about 10 minutes and is no problem at all.

I was told immediately that while my spine was perfect, I had severe osteoporosis in my right hip (the other hip already has a hip replacement). The radiographer showed me the result on the computer screen, and it looked liked you could see right through the head of my hip bone (femur). Ouch! She said I must start on medication which may slow down the loss of bone or reduce the risk of fractures, and she was surprised that with my history I had not been on this medication years ago.

There are many different medications for the treatment of osteoporosis, but I was put on calcium and vitamin D (Calcichew) and alendronate (Fosavance). I was also warned that I was to do everything possible to minimise the risk of falling as I was in danger of breaking my hip if I did.

Well this was a bit of a wake up call, as I have been known to fall quite often! I did some research on how to avoid falls, and here is the list:

• Fit easy grip handrails on both sides of the stairs, and avoid/minimise climbing stairs if you do not feel safe climbing them.
• Keep stairs and living areas well lit. Keep a torch and a phone by the bed.
• Never leave objects which may be tripped over on stairs or in walking areas. Avoid flexs and cables crossing walking areas.
• Use non-slip rubber mats in the bath or shower. Fit a handrail near the bath and toilet. Avoid small rugs in the bathroom – or anywhere in fact.
• Replace worn rugs and carpets. Nail or tape down the edge of rugs to avoid slips and trips.
• Never venture out on icy external paths in winter weather.
• Minimise bending and climbing. Keep frequently used items on racks or in drawers at an easy level.
• Get up from chairs and bed slowly. Blood pressure falls as you get up and your body may take longer to adjust as you get older.
• Avoid poor fitting shoes, slippers and high heels. A good walking shoe is recommended in and out of the home.
• Have regular eye tests. Be careful if wearing bi-focals or vary-focal glasses when on stairs and steps.
• Avoid clothes which may cause you to trip such as trailing nightdresses. If you take off your shoes, when you are relaxing in the chair, always put them on again before you get up. Don’t walk around in stocking feet.
• Don’t rush to answer the telephone. Warn friends that it may take you longer to reach the phone.

 

So now I am very careful not to fall, I am still taking the medication, and will have to do so for the rest of my life, and with a little bit of luck, I will not break any bones. I would recommend that if you are concerned about osteoporosis you should consult your doctor, and ask for a DEXASCAN. The cost of the scan was, in my case, covered by medical card, but I am reliably informed that this is not the case in all HSE areas. Also, if you have private health insurance, I would enquire as to how you are covered for this expense.

References:

‘An Information Booklet – Osteoporosis.’ Arthritis Research Campaign, www.arc.org.uk ‘Bonewise – Simple Checks to Protect your Bones.’ Irish Osteoporosis Society, www.irishosteoporosis.ie Paula Lahiff

 

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STAY WARM – STAY WELL THIS WINTER

Winter draws on – or so the saying goes. The one thing that keeps appearing in enquiries at this time of year is how to stay warm. We all know that energy costs have risen dramatically in the past year, so keeping warm is costly. Polio Survivors feel the cold – FACT. So, here are a few explanations and tips to help you stay warm and hopefully well this winter. If you have, others let us know and we will pass them on.

Why do Polio Survivors feel so cold?

If you can understand why you feel so cold it may help you to manage it better. In a person of normal health the brain acts as a thermometer and when it registers that the body is in a cold state, it send messages out to the nerves that control the capillaries (the tiny blood vessels) just under the surface of the skin to contract and restrict the flow of blood. This reduces the area exposed to the cold and in doing so the amount of heat that is lost to the body’s surroundings. If you slow down heat loss, the body stays warmer longer. Problem is that in many Polio Survivors, this nerve mechanism may have been damaged by the virus. So the capillaries do not constrict quickly enough and body heat dissipates quicker than is ideal.

The cardio-vascular system, blood circulation, works on exactly the same principle as a boiler and radiators in a central heating system. The body controls its temperature by moving blood between the warmest places, the core of the body, to the coldest, your hands feet, head, etc. In the ideal, this keeps the whole body at more or less a stable and uniform temperature, by keeping the core temperature up by minimising heat lost from the extremities.

The main pump in the body is the heart, but other muscles also play their part in keeping blood circulating. Muscles contract, squeeze the blood vessels and helps the blood on its way. Polio Survivors may have weaker or wasted muscles, and this may be exacerbated by Post Polio Syndrome (PPS). So blood stays in the extremities longer, by the time it gets back to the core it is cooler than nature intended. We have all experienced it, cold hands and feet lose their power and dexterity when cold. Your hands and/or feet may have to work harder than usual to get things done, result tiredness and an increased risk of accidents such as falling. Some people may feel cold all over.

As well as feeling cold, the skin may feel cold to the touch and feet may even turn purple. Just remember that although it is easy to assume that your cold intolerance is caused by PPS it is worth checking with your doctor just to make sure there is nothing else lurking in the background, like a circulatory complaint, or an underactive thyroid. Better to be safe than sorry!

So What To Do?

You can achieve much by keeping your home warm. If you do not have it, think about central heating or double-glazing. There may be grants available from your County Council or through the Department of Social and Family Affairs subject to status. Remember to claim the Fuel Allowance. If in doubt ask, these grants if you qualify for them are not charity – they are your rights!

Small changes can do a lot, put draught excluders around doors and keep them shut so heat does not leak away into unused parts of the house. Close curtains over the windows as soon as the light goes, the thicker the curtains the better. Move your furniture about; do not sit in draughts, or near a door or window.

Clothing

If you have to go out try to avoid places you know are going to be cold, put on an extra layer of clothes. Remember layer upon layer is better than just heavy.

Layers are better as you can add, or shed them to allow for changes in temperature. Also, remember heavy clothes affect your mobility due to bulk. There are some things to remember about layering clothes: Base layer, next to the skin should cover as much of the body as possible. They may not be fashionable but long sleeved vests and long johns are ideal

Mid layers, should be thicker so trapping as much warm air next to the body as possible, many modern man made fibres are ideal, as they are both warm and light.

Outer layer, for use outdoors must be both windproof and waterproof. Unusually the more modern styles are more efficient than traditional garments as they keep heat in, moisture and wind out, and are light. And add as many in between layers as you can or want

About 20% of our body heat is lost through the scalp, more if you are a man and suffer male pattern baldness. Therefore, a hat is both a wise and good investment. Go for ones that are marked as thermal and if possible waterproof. A wet hat merely speeds up the cooling process. Wear a scarf, keeps the neck warm, and main blood vessels run just under the skin in the neck, so it helps to keep the whole body warmer. At night, wear warm nightclothes: if you have to get out of bed in the night have a warm dressing gown and slippers to hand. Conserve the body heat you have built up in bed. It will also help to keep you warmer if you are prone to falls, as it will keep you warm until you can get up or until help arrives.

Remember Granny, think about the way she dressed all those years ago – there was a method in her madness – and her generation did not have portable heaters, central heating and the like.

Other Tips

There are many bits of equipment out there that can help you stay warm. Christmas is coming; perhaps you could ask Santa for some. There are tiny hand warmers that can be tucked into gloves and then refreshed in a pan of water or microwave. How about an electric blanket, but as with all hot things be careful not to burn your skin by putting them straight against it without protective covers.

Then there are wheat bags – exactly what they say – bags full of wheat grain that you heat by putting them in the microwave (follow instructions at all times). Many prefer them to hot water bottles; there is no need to pour boiling water into a little hole, no leakage and no cap to screw into place. Usually find unscrewing it the next morning is the difficult part! Some are even scented with lavender.

If you can warm the bed before you get into it with a couple of wheat bags or hot water bottles. If you have an electric blanket use it, but never put hot water bottles into a bed with an electric blanket at any time. It is for your own safety. When you are sitting in your chair put your feet up, the old euphemism but there is a medical reason for it as well. If you raise your legs it helps the circulation, blood does not have to fight gravity to get back to heart from your feet. In addition, a light travel blanket over your lap may make a difference.

Last but not least, a warm drink is always a pleasant way to stay warm and soup is the best of all in helping to comfort and warm. STAY WARM and STAY WELL so we can all meet up at the annual PPSG Conference next spring in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin 8 – 9 May 2009

Parts originally published in Polio Bulletin, British Polio Fellowship, Winter 2007 p 21 – 24, with additional material by M. McFarlane, RGN

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REGIONAL ROUND-UP

Bray Group

Location: Bray
Area: South Dublin; North Wicklow.
Convenor: Nuala Harnett
Dep. Convenor: Maggie Gillespie (primary contact)
Tel: 01 2862859 or 086 8582406
E-mail: tonygarrow@eircom.net

Meetings: Meets at 8 pm on the first Tuesday of most months from March to October

On Tuesday, 1st July, we, the Bray Group, had our summer get-together and dinner in the Remada Hotel, Bray. We were joined by the Convenor of the Newbridge Group and the Convenor of the Enniscorthy Group. We were delighted also to welcome members of the Enniscorthy Group.

The meal was delicious and there was a very warm friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The evening was greatly enhanced by the entertainment provided by members of our own Bray Group. Therese O’Connor (Bray member) sings with a group called Serendipity, a Ladies’ Barber Shop Chorus, and she persuaded them to come along to sing for us. What a treat! I have never heard ladies perform this kind of music. They sang in four parts and, of course, without accompaniment. Their songs were light and ‘catchy’ and everyone was tapping their feet and feeling the rhythm. Serendipity are entering a big competition in the autumn, and we wish them every success. The next treat was a performance on the uileann pipes by our member, Joe Doyle. He is a seriously good professional player. He recently received a Gradam award for his service to the craft of piping. He played a few beautiful Irish tunes for us and explained their background. As has become custom, the ‘after dinner speech’ was given by our very own, Goodwin Furlong. Many thanks to Macrina Clancy for arranging a most successful and enjoyable evening.

(Since the July meeting Macrina Clancy has had to step down as Convenor for personal reasons, the thanks and best wishes of all go to Macrina. Nula Harnett, a name known to all as the editor of “Polio & Us” has stepped into the breach, with Maggie Gillespie, who will be the primary contact acting as Deputy Convenor. Full contact details are above.)

Clare Group

Location: Templegate Hotel, Ennis
Area: Co. Clare
Convenor: Tom Gallery
Tel/fax: 086 3251251
E-mail: tgallery@eircom.net

Meetings: Meets four to five times a year at 8 p.m.

A social evening with dinner and musical entertainment was held on June 16th at 7pm. This turned out to be a most enjoyable evening. A wonderful meal was followed by a typical Co. Clare evening of music, song and poetry. There is no lack of talent among our Clare members and so enjoyable was the evening that we could have stayed all night! A great time was had by all and we are looking forward to regular meetings in Ennis. Members who would like to attend this meeting in the future will be most welcome. The Group will be having their Xmas lunch on Saturday 6th December 1.30pm at the Abbey Tavern, Quin, Co Clare – contact Tom for more details.

Seated: Anne Leyden, Bridget Flanagan,
Frances Bailey, Mohammed Iqbal, Hugh Weir,
Tom Gallery, Noreen Cahir.

Standing: Teresa Joyce, Anne Shanahan,
Sazaiv Iqbal, Edwin Bailey, Tony Conroy,
Grania Weir, Marion Gallery, Mary Corey,
Sylvia Gaffney.

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Cork Group

Location: Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork.
Area: Cork; Kerry.
Convenor: Evelyn Wainwright
Tel/fax: 021 484 7313 or 086 882 9267
E-mail: evelyn99911@Hotmail.com

Meetings: Meets four to five times yearly on Wednesdays at 8 pm

Cork’s Chill-out Day

Sunday the 13th of July was our first PPSG chill out day where it did not rain. Evelyn had been doing novenas and her prayers were answered and the rain stayed mostly in Spain for our sea going adventure.

We met at the harbour in Cobh at 1.30pm for our harbour cruise, delighted to see a large cruise ship at anchor. This, we thought, was probably going a little too far, but still fair play to Evelyn for chartering such a big ship for our trip round the harbour!

At 2pm, and right on time, we began to board the actual boat that was to take us on the tour. It was a bit smaller than the cruise ship but we felt more at home on it and realised we wouldn’t leave such a large carbon footprint. Men and women from the Civil Defence were on hand to help us on board and did a terrific job. Once we were on board it was off out to sea with us. It was a lovely day, if a little breezy, and some of us retreated inside the boat. But the more adventurous and intrepid among us sat outside to better admire the views.

We sailed past the large cruise ship watched over by the impressive Cobh Cathedral, which dominates the town. As we circled the harbour, we passed many industrial sites, some no longer in operation. We had a trip through the Irish Navy’s site where a number of patrol vessels were at anchor, passed Spike Island and then returned to dry land. We spent an hour at sea and no one got sea sick, which only proves that we in the Cork PPSG are a tough crowd, ready to endure whatever the sea may throw at us.

Now we proceeded to our next adventure, which took us to the Cobh Heritage Centre. Here we saw the statue of Annie Moore forever gazing seaward towards America. She was the first person to be processed on Ellis Island, New York in January1892, having left Ireland with her two brothers in December 1891. There was no luxurious cruise ship for Annie to sail on, like the one anchored nearby. Instead she sailed on a steamship, travelling in steerage which my husband pointed out to me didn’t mean she was steering the ship and therefore up on the bridge, but rather was down below in the lower decks.

We had some welcome refreshments after our great adventure at sea and then visited the shops. Here Titanic memorabilia featured strongly along with souvenirs, Irish linen, clothes, knitwear, jewellery, CD’s and books. One could even buy leprechauns, but alas without the pot of gold.

Those who had not done the tour of the centre last time, which consists of a montage of scenes from the earliest times of transatlantic travel, a display relating to the Titanic and Lusitania and an audio/visual display, now were able to avail of that treat. There were also various craft displays to be enjoyed and the most intriguing was the jewellery made from coins. The old half crown, with the horse cut out, was simply amazing, as was the old threepenny bit depicting a portcullis. After a happy couple of hours at the centre, we made our way to the Vienna Woods hotel for dinner.

We must have been proving to be great clients of the hotel for they had extended the dining area so that we had more room than usual. We had a choice of dishes on the menu and when we’d made our choices tucked into some tasty, nutritious food, which quietened most of us for a good while.

After dinner we had a raffle with fine prizes to be won. Democratic as usual, it was arranged so that at least one from each table won a prize. After the raffle the music began. It was provided by Pat and what a fine singer and musician he proved to be. Needing to shed a few calories after our meal, quite a number of us got up and danced.

Then it was over to the singers. Joyce Smith gave a terrific rendition of For the Good Times and Maggie, her voice, as usual, stunning us with its quality. It was simply wonderful. Derry O’Connor followed this with a lovely rendition of Danny Boy and Tony, a new member, sang Edelweiss, while Peggy Brennan sang My Heart is in Rosario. George, who is in fact a lady, got up to recite The Rookie and then gave us a really funny parody of Galway Bay. Ray Linehan sang The Ring of Fire, Vincent sang The Bantry Girls’ Lament, while Finbarr took us off to Dublin with Molly Malone. And last, but by no means least, Evelyn sang Limerick, You’re a Lady, while we all joined in the chorus. Then Pat played us out and finished up with the National Anthem, a fitting end to a wonderful day.

As I look back over that lovely day I see the water of the Atlantic ocean at Cobh, Derry in Danny Boy, Austria in Edelweiss, Rosario in Argentina, Galway, in Galway Bay, Bantry in Vincent’s song and Dublin in Finbarr’s song. But the greatest of all is Limerick, my own city, in Evelyn’s song. We may have just gone to Cobh that day but we took in more places than all those people on that cruise ship. Thanks to Evelyn, we voyaged far and wide, even if only in our imaginations, and have been left with many fond memories of our chill-out day.

Joan McDonnell

Enniscorthy Group

Location: Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy
Area: South Wicklow; Wexford; Waterford.
Convenor: Povl Thim
Tel: 053 942 1857 or 086 810 7598
E-mail: povlthim@gmail.com

Meetings: Meets at 8 pm on the first Monday of most months

Kerry Group

Location: Killarney
Area: Kerry and surrounding counties
Convenor: Charlie Smith
Tel/fax: 066 9768530
E-mail: charlie12smith@eircom.net

Meetings: 6 times yearly at 3pm Sunday

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Kilkenny Group

Location: Days Hotel, Kilkenny
Area: Kilkenny, Waterford, Tipperary
Convenor: Susan Dowling
Tel: Contact PPSG Office for information: 01 889 8920
E-mail:
Meetings: TBA

Members of the PPSG who live in counties Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary were invited to a meeting on Monday 1st September 2008 in order to see if there was a need for a social support group in the area. The meeting was also publicised in local newspapers and on Kilkenny Carlow local radio. Much to the delight of the organisers, Anne Shanahan, Regional Support Officer with PPSG, and Susan Dowling, local Polio Survivor, 27 members and their families attended it.

Some people were already well acquainted while others met fellow polio survivors for the first time. There was plenty of general chat followed by a discussion on the possibility of forming a support group based in Kilkenny. Paddy Moyles, Convenor of the Newbridge group, was invited to give the benefit of his experience in forming and running such a group.

This was followed by tea/coffee and sandwiches that gave people an opportunity to chat to one another. Towards the end of the meeting, members were asked if they would like to form a group. The majority of those present were in favour of meeting from time to time and it was suggested that the next meeting could be for a Christmas meal in November. Susan agreed to organise this function and members will be contacted when arrangements have been made.

Another very important question was raised: - “have you got your ticket for the match?” Both Kilkenny and Waterford supporters expressed every confidence in their hurlers bringing home the McCarthy cup. This was a very enjoyable first meeting in Kilkenny. Members who would like to attend meetings in the future will be most welcome. Kilkenny Social Support Group are having a dinner at Day’s Hotel, Kilkenny on 3rd Novenber – contact Susan for more details

Front row: Muiris O’Criostoir, Helen Cavanagh, Marie Bennett, Jim Bennett, Mary McGrath, Joan Ryan;

Middle row: Anne Shanahan, Susan Dowling, Gay Finnan, Assumpta Barry, Margaret O’Mahony, Josephine Morrissey, Joan Naddy, Helen Nolan, Maureen O’Shea, Paddy Moyles;

Back row:Sean Bennett, Seamus Howley, Pat O’Shea, Seong Loh, Jim Flynn, Maureen Flynn, Colin O’Mahony.

Letterkenny Group

Location: Letterkenny
Areas: Donegal; Derry.
Convenor: John Mangan
Tel: 074 913 7465

Limerick Group

Location: Greenhills Hotel, Limerick
Areas: Limerick
Convenor: Marie Boland
Tel: 061 417928 or 086 8777400
E-mail:
Meetings: TBA

A meeting took place in the Greenhills Hotel, Ennis Rd. Limerick on Monday 22nd September. This was the first meeting for some time in the Limerick area. Marie Boland kindly agreed to help organise this event and both Marie and Anne Shanahan (Regional Support Officer) were delighted with the large numbers that attended including some family members and carers. Anne spoke about the Ring-Ring project and some people expressed an interest in being involved as leaders and others in receiving telephone calls from time to time. It was great to see old friends greet each other again and many new friendships were made. There was a lively friendly atmosphere and in fact, people were in no hurry to go home!

Tom Clifford who was the instigator of the first meetings in Limerick spoke about the benefits gained from meeting fellow polio survivors, especially in the areas of accessing entitlements and keeping up-to-date with the latest aids and appliances available. Tom Gallery told us about the Ennis group which is now up and going and all about the great social night they had in June. Hugh Weir talked a little about his own story and then gave a most interesting talk about the benefits of being involved in the work of the Post Polio Group and the fellowship and knowledge that is gained from participating in a local group. He encouraged everyone to avail of this meeting in Limerick to help us to understand and best manage our conditions.

It was agreed that we will meet again on Monday 1st December also at the Greenhills Hotel. Since it is near enough to Christmas, we will have a Christmas dinner with some musical entertainment. Members who would like to attend this meeting in the future will be most welcome.

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Midland Group

Location: Cregan Court Hotel, Athlone
Areas: Westmeath; Roscommon, East Galway.
Convenor: Sean Mulligan
Tel: 087 205 3821
Email: j2smulligan@eircom.net

Meetings: Meets twice yearly at 8 pm

The Group are having their Xmas party on 21 November at the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone – contact Sean for more details.

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Mayo Group

Location: The Courthouse Hotel
Area: Ballina; Belmullet;Westport.
Convenor: Bridie McMahon
Tel: 087 958 0567
E-mail: sbmcmahon70@eircom.net
Meetings: Meets twice yearly on Wednesdays at 8 pm

Newbridge Group

Location: Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge.
Area: Carlow; Kildare.
Convenor: Paddy Moyles
Tel: 059 914 1283 (Evenings)

Meetings: Meets two to three times yearly at 8 p m

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 8 p.m. at the Keadeen Hotel Newbridge. All are welcome.

Portlaoise Group

Location: Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.
Area: Offaly; Laois; Kilkenny.
Convenor: Paddy Fitzpatrick
Tel: 0505 46738
E-mail: paddyfitz@eircom.net

Meetings: Meets two to three times yearly at 8 p m

Portlaoise Social Support Group are having their Xmas party on 21st November, Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise at 7.30 p.m. – contact Paddy for more details

Sligo Group

Location:
Area:
Convenor: Brian Crummy
Tel:
Meetings:

West Region’s Day Out

A magical day out for the West Region Group took us to explore ‘ Brigit’s Garden ‘ in Roscahill, between Moycullen and Oughterard in Co. Galway. Everything was well organised with tea and homemade scones on arrival. I even organised the sun to shine for at least two hours!! It was fabulous. The visit to Brigit’s Garden took us on a journey through the sacred spiral of the season, heart of Celtic mythology, folklore and heritage. The four beautiful gardens are themed on the Celtic seasonal festivals and set within 11 acres of native woodland & wildflower meadows, featuring a nature trail, ogham trees, and an ancient ring fort. We were given a one hour interactive guided tour of the gardens and at the end we adjourned to the classroom to take on the task of making St. Brigit’s crosses reminding us of our rich heritage. Everyone succeeded. We had a lovely lunch, with everything on the menu grown & produced locally. I would like to thank PPSG for your support towards a lovely healthy day out.

Barbara McDonagh. - Regional Rep western region

Remember if you do not tell us what you have been doing or what is coming up in the future we cannot publish it to the ever increasing membership of the Group. For those who have access to the internet the PPSG web site has a diary of Group events and others that are of special interest to Polio Survivors.

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BOOK CLUB

with Anne Shanahan

BOOK TITLES FOR AUTUMN 2008

Title: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar

First published in 1998 and made into a film some years ago. This book is chosen by Therese O’Connor who says: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought it was an original little gem!. It got great reviews from the Guardian, The Times and The Independent on Sunday.”

Title: Kerrigan’s Copenhagen
Author: Thomas E. Kennedy

Subtitle: A Love Story

Published by Wynkin de Worde, PO Box 257, Tuam Road, Galway The setting is in Copenhagen, and like Joyce’s Strumpet City, there is a lot of ‘pub crawling’, where the various pubs are described in some detail through the characters drinking there, and through the history of the places etc. Povl Thim found this a very interesting read, as it gives an extremely accurate picture of life in the city of Copenhagen, the people and the places.

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson

Suspenseful mystery. A story of familial corruption, financial intrigue and a deeply troubled heroine.

Title: The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Author: Mohsin Hamid

This very interesting and highly readable book is recommended by Ciaran Nicholson. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2007. Penguin. The narrator is Changez, a charming and intelligent Pakistani, educated in the USA but now living in Lahore. He tells the story of his time in America and explains why he decided to give up his lucrative job and return to Pakistan.

BOOK REVIEW FORM

Please send your reviews/suggestions to: Anne Shanahan:

Email: annesh@eircom.net,

Fax: PPSG: 01-8898924.

Discussion Forum: www.ppsg.ie.

Tel: Anne 01-2953630

Letter: Anne Shanahan, 20 Wesley Heights, Dublin 16

When you have read a book, please send me your reviews/comments to be in time for the Summer issue of The Survivor.

BOOK TITLE:

How do you rate this book? 1-5 (1 poor: 5 excellent)

Did you enjoy this book?: Yes/No

Did you like the writing style?: Yes/No

Would you read more by this author?: Yes/No

Did you learn much from this book?: Yes/No

Was it: Heavy going/ A tear-jerker / A page-turner / Light and relaxing /  Emotionally draining

Great subject for discussion?: Yes/No

Can’t wait to tell my friend about it?: Yes/No

Your comments:

*Don’t forget:

Your name:

Telephone:

Email:

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PENMANSHIP

Edwin Bailey, the author of the poem below, which he recited at the Ennis Dinner in June, told of it’s inspiration in the following words:

"Fenloe Abbey is an ancient Christian site a few miles east of Newmarket-on-Fergus in county Clare dating back to about 500 AD. It is one of the earliest Christian sites in these islands. While researching information on local history, I was drawn to Fenloe Abbey by a family crypt which is inside the walls of the abbey. This family was connected to Granaghan Castle Farm close by. While there I was struck by the tranquillity and stillness of the area and decided to put pen to paper to record my feelings for the location. The poem is called “Tomfenloh” which is the old Gaelic name for Fenloe and means “The burial mound of the fair lake”. This ancient site in the mist of times past was a hive of activity with scholars from distant parts coming to live and study in the calm environs of the abbey which was founded by St. Luightighern.”

TOMFENLOH

Beyond calm waters of nestling swans
And yellow beaked black water hens,
St. Luightighern came and built a church.
A place devout above the verge of Fenloe,
Where long stemmed rushes crown the shallows
And Granahan spreads an evening shadow.
A place of learning,
Where scholars swamped through Celtic script
And tread beneath the shallow lintel
To kneel and harmonise their praise.
Exposed,
The nave now cradle to the rook and wren.
An open palm stretched out to grasp a shower
To weep within the ivy’d chancel.
Tall lancet tracery disperses light
Where bread and wine were offered once
To contrite hearts.
In solitude,
The balm of spirits past envelop,
And still the weary soul
In Christ’s eternal sanctuary.

E.R.Bailey

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THESE ARE MY BRACES

These are my braces,
They set me free,
These are my braces,
They are not me.
Without my braces,
I sit in my chair,
Without my braces,
Life is not fair.
But, put on my braces,
And I’m just like any other,
Put on my braces,
And I run like my brothers.
Well, not exactly,
I’ll have to admit, no.
Well, not exactly,
‘Cause I had polio

Editor’s Note: Braces are what Americans call callipers. This poignant poem was written in 1953 by a 10 year old Polio Survivor, and found in a boxed collection of Polio memorabilia. With grateful thanks for permission to reprint from Current Tides Newsletter, New Jersey, USA October 2006.

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CORK WORKSHOP ON NEUROLOGICAL SERVICES

Providers of services to people with disabilities are being invited to a regional workshop in Cork on November 11 that aims to highlight gaps in services and to discuss the recent review of neurological services. The seminar is being organised by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) which is also putting on a conference entitled “The Rehabilitation and Long Term Management of Neurological Conditions in the Community” in Dublin on December 2nd For more information contact the NAI on 01 873 4120 or email: naiireland@eircom.net

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

OUT WEST & DOWN UNDER

Dear Editor,
I loved your book of polio stories. That is what I set out to do 5 years ago. We got a Lotteries Grant to do it, the project has been expanded with several others that are co-authoring it with me, and it is turning into a proper (dry) history book that is taking years to do. What I really wanted to do was record people’s stories before they died! Unfortunately, a few have died in recent years and will never see their stories in print. I hope their relatives want the eventual book as a fitting memorial. Our book is with the editor now. It will be 500 (B5) pages long.

I am about to start on the next book which will just be the stories, mainly as people have written or dictated them. We have many that have been sent in and only about half have been used and then only small quotes here and there amongst the history. We looked at yours when I found it on the Internet and said - “That’s how we wanted to do ours.”

It sounds like you have a thriving well-run polio group in Ireland. What are your numbers? I am pretty much a 1-man-band here. We have a Management Committee of aging polios that oversee the running of our Network and I have a few younger volunteers who give a few hours a week to help me out in the office. I write the newsletter, see patients and do the research and fundraising. One of our volunteers does our website for us. We operate everything from one central site in Perth. Two-thirds of our members live in the metro area around Perth and one-third live in the country areas. I try to visit some country areas every few years and hold clinics there. Otherwise, we do a lot over the phone.

I look forward to communicating more with the Irish. My grandfather was born in Ireland. His family came out here when he was a boy, in the 1880s looking for gold. My maiden name was Philbin. I have never had the chance to visit Ireland unfortunately.

Cheers
Tessa Jupp Polio Clinic,
Western Australia

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THANK YOU BEAUMONT

Dear Editor,

On a visit to an outpatient’s clinic of Dr. R. Costello he suggested I should come and stay in the hospital for a few days, to get a complete examination for all my ailments, many of which are Post Polio related. I also visit Dr. Paul O’Connell and Dr. Orla Hardiman on a regular basis at their clinics.

Dr. Orla Hardiman organised a place for me in the Hospital, and I just have completed a period in the Hospital under Dr. Orla Hardiman, consultant Neurologist, however, all the Consultants were made aware of I being in the hospital. Let me first say a word of thanks to all for giving me the opportunity to avail of their excellent service. I got wonderful care and attention and thorough examinations, much more than I had expected.

The Consultants met and spoke with me along with their team of assistants. I felt the attention I received on a regular basis from teams of doctors on the Ward was just “par excellence” from people who are so busy. They explained what the medicines were for and I was well informed on the findings of all tests, scans, X-rays and samples taken, after the Consultants held their meetings.

I came away from Beaumont Hospital very pleased with my stay and I must express my very sincere thanks to Dr. Orla Hardiman and her team of Doctors on St. Brigid’s Ward Beaumont hospital. The nursing staff also falls into the category of wonderful people, full of care and attention to all patients. Indeed I must say all employers of this hospital from my observation, were great people no matter what their status.

A big thank you again to one and all.
Sean Mulligan.

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PHOTO OF CONFIRMATION CLASS 1958, COOLE HOSPITAL

Dear Editor,
The photograph was published in Vol 5, Issue 1 of Spring 2008. I read each issue of the magazine and was about to discard this issue on receipt of the Summer 2008 issue when I examined the photograph. I recognised myself in the 2nd row, 4th from the left with the curl on my forehead. I recognise the faces of at least half of the boys but I am unable to put names on any of them. I went to Coole at age 11 and spent 12 months there – from August 57 to August 58. I suffer from polio in my right leg and, during my period in Coole, was subject to physiotherapy, electrotherapy and substantial exercise in the gym. The purpose was to prepare me for an operation on my left knee to reduce my growth so that, at full height, both my legs would be of equal length. This was affected by inserting multiple staples in the growth centres of the knee. I became aware of this when a number of staples broke some 10 years later, caused some internal bleeding and the offending staples were removed in an orthopaedic hospital in Navan. I am now 5’10” rather than my natural height of 6’2”.

I have very good memories of my stay in Coole. I developed very good friendships with a number of the boys in the photograph. We played basketball, football, horseplay and the usual activities. I have no idea of the illnesses of the other boys since the majority appeared to be physically able although one had his leg amputated and could run at enormous speed with an artificial leg – known traditionally as a ‘peg leg’. Due to my visible physical disability (limp, drop foot) it was obvious that I had polio.

When I returned home, Coole became a distant memory. Over the years (in my twenties) I often thought of visiting the hospital to say ‘hello’ to the nuns – of whom I had very pleasant memories.

Much water has passed under the bridge since I was in Coole 50 years ago. Maybe it would be an idea to have any of the boys who can be contacted to give an account of their views of Coole at that time and their lives since. I believe that I have enough memories of my time there and events subsequently to fill a number of pages! Keep up the good work.

Regards,
Pat McGillion

Is there anything on which you want to have a say, make a comment, praise or rant? If so, forward your letter to: Editor, “The Survivor”, Post Polio Support Group, Unit 319, Capel Buildings, May’s Abbey, Dublin 7 By email to: newsletter@ppsg.ie or jmcfarlane1@iolfree.ie The Editor reserves the right of publication and may edit the contents to fit available space or for legal reasons.

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SPIRITUAL CORNER

Food for Thought

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the man by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. Slowly he strained to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall! The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’ The Moral of the Story:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money cannot buy.

‘Today is a gift that is why it is called The Present.’

ANON

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THE DUBLIN LADIES MINI MARATHON

Again, for this event, the weather was beautiful - sunny and warm, maybe too warm for some. Over 70 took part, on behalf of the Post Polio Support Group, and as far as can be ascertained all made it to the finishing line. The trees along the route gave welcome shade and the fire men at Donnybook Fire Station gave us all a squirt of water as we passed - very refreshing. Of course I was pushed in my manual chair, which was very relaxing, but I saw one wheelchair being pushed with nobody in it, what a waste! One of our participants had a photo taken with Paddy Cole. Yes, he was there!

I wonder how many noticed the ‘Cheer Leader’ in the straw hat, on the bridge at UCD. Joan Bradley

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PARKING CARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Parking Card for People with Disabilities, commonly known as the “Blue Badge” is issued on behalf of the Irish Government by the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland. Although recognized in all EU member states and certain other countries around the world, the concessions it brings vary from country to country, and sometimes even within a country. In Ireland Provision for the disabled parking card scheme is set down in Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and SI 182/1997 Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997.

To obtain a card you need to contact either issuing authority and ask for an application form. When received fill it in and then it will need to be endorsed by your GP and the local Garda station. You then return it, together with a passport size photo, a signature strip and the appropriate fee. It should take about 7 days to be issued. Disabled drivers and passengers may apply for a card, and it is not restricted to a vehicle. It gives concessions, according to signage, in publicly owned car parks, meter areas and other specified locations. It does not give exemption for toll fees on Irish Motorways – see elsewhere in this edition.

It must be remembered that the concessions granted are a privilege and abuse of these may lead to the card being withdrawn and / or prosecution. In no case should it be displayed on a vehicle when the person with a disability is not actually using it. It should not be used by a disabled driver or passenger to just sit in a car using a disabled parking space to make life “easier” for their able bodied companions. The Card has to be renewed every two years, the use of an expired card is treating in the same way as a vehicle displaying no card at all and occupying a disabled parking slot. The cards hold no legal status in private car parks, just discretionary.

Cards may be obtained by applying to either of the following:

Irish Wheelchair Association, Áras Chúchulainn, Blackheath Drive Clontarf, DUBLIN 3 Tel: 01 8186 400/Fax: 01 8333 873 Email: info@iwa.ie Web: www.iwa.ie

Or

Disabled Drivers’Association, Claremorris, BALLINDINE, Co. Mayo Tel: 094-9364054/094-9364266 Fax: 094-9364336 email: info@ddai.ie

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Post Polio Support Group, Unit 319 Capel Building, Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7, Ireland
Tel: +353 1 889 8920 Fax: +353 1 889 8924 Email: info@ppsg.ie