The Big Care Debate - Have Your Say!

The Government is working to create a new National Care Service for England that is fair, simple and affordable. How should it be structured and paid for?

Although it has been announced that DLA will not be affected for the under 65's, the case for over 65's is undecided. If you are interested in campaigning for over 65's please visit the Age Concern website http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/quality-care-big-q.asp

Tell the government what you think of the options for reform in the Big Care Debate which ends on the 13th November.

See http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/

Updated Info on Swine Flu & MS

Latest information sheet on Swine Flu and MS avaialble from the MS Trust Website:

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/article.jsp?id=3308

Oxygen Therapy Assessment Results

Our friends at the new Merlin Project, Cornwall MS Therapy Centre have recently conducted an assessment on their patients attending for Oxygen Therapy.

The summary results are very encouraging

• Wellbeing: 94% of patients indicated an improvement in wellbeing after 15 sessions.
• Fatigue: 87% of patients indicated an improvement in fatigue levels after 15 sessions.
• Sleep: 81% of patients indicated an improvement with sleep patterns after 15 sessions.
• Legs: 77% of patients indicated an improvement in their legs after 15 sessions.
• Walking: 70% of patients indicated an improvement in their ability to walk after 15 sessions.
• Balance: 66% of patients indicated an improvement in balance after 15 sessions.
• Bladder Frequency: 64% of patients indicated an improvement in bladder frequency after 15 sessions.
• Circulation: 64% of patients indicated an improvement in circulation after 15 sessions.
• Concentration: 60% of patients indicated an improvement in concentration after 15 sessions.
• Coordination: 58% of patients indicated an improvement in coordination after 15 sessions.
• Bladder Urgency: 53% of patients indicated an improvement in bladder urgency after 15 sessions.
• Arms: 51% of patients indicated an improvement in their arms after 15 sessions.
Overall, more than 50% of the patients recorded an improvement in 12 of the 20 symptoms assessed. This is not a conclusive result and carries no clinical evidence to support its findings.
For their full report an information on their centre see:

http://www.merlinproject.org.uk

Disability Living Allowance Saved!

There has been a significant victory in the campaign to save Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance for the under 65's.

Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, announced yesterday that Disability Living Allowance will not be scrapped and the money used to fund the proposed national care service.

Many thanks to all those who showed their support for this campaign by signing the online petition online petition that we told you about in a previous blog. You should be very proud of your involvement as you have made a real difference to the lives of disabled people who depend on Disability Living Allowance to live their lives in the way they want.

But we cannot hang out the victory bunting just yet as the future of Attendance Allowance still hangs in the balance. Please continue to show your support of this campaign and help us to ensure that Attendance Allowance stays.

If you haven’t already, please sign the petition! sign the petition! and write to your local MP asking them to convey your concerns to the secretary of State for Health. Read the Disability Charities Consortium (DCC) statement. Read the Disability Charities Consortium (DCC) statement.

Don't let the campaign stop here - please pass this on to any of your friends or contacts that may wish to know.

enABLE 2009 - 6 -7th November 09

Date: 6 November 2009 to 7 November 2009
Location: Ricoh Arena, Coventry

The enABLE show focuses on helping people with disabilities or limited mobility to lead an active, independent and full life.

From advice on getting the right benefits, information on dedicated holidays and sports, education, employment to the latest gadgets and products to make like easier around the home - you’ll find it all under one roof at enABLE09.

There’s also the chance to meet the leading charities and associations as well as gaining expert one to one advice on benefit entitlements and even adapting your home. Plus the opportunity to gain inspiration at the popular seminars led by professionals, role models and everyday people.

Visit: http://www.enableshow.co.uk/

LDN Awareness Week 19 - 26th October

This week has been designated as LDN Awareness Week. The MS Trust supports more research for LDN, see their website at:

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/article.jsp?id=3286

Are You Interested in a Discounted Gym Membership?

Our Volunteer Fitness Instructor is in the process of negotiating special discounted gym memberships around the Reading area, if you are interested and would like further information please contact Vanessa on 07515 682554 of email fitnutstherapy@yahoo.co.uk

New! - 6 week Circuit Training with Vanessa Davis

This new weekly class will start on Tuesday 3rd November from 5.45pm to 6.30 p.m. and will run for 6 sessions.

The class will include a series of cardiovascular, toning and flexibility moves and would suit members who are able to stand unaided and are able to raise themselves up and down off the floor. Please come along and give it a try! Contact Vanessa on 07515 682554 or email fitnutstherapy@yahoo.co.uk if you have any queries or just come along and join in on the class.

Christmas Fayre - Saturday 21st November 2009

Our Link Group have been very busy organising the annual Christmas Fayre. For full details of this event and ways in which you can help please click on the link below:

http://www.bmstc.org/Events/Christmas-Fayre---Saturday-21st-November-2009.aspx

New! 8.00 a.m and 1.00 pm Regular 33' Oxygen Therapy

Due to popular demand, we will be introducing 2 new 33' Oxygen Therapy regular weekly sessions commencing:

• 8.00 a.m.from Monday 26th October
• 1.00 p.m. from Friday 30th October

Please book at reception or call 0118 901 6000.

If you would like to book this as your regular weekly session please speak to Pip or Tracy to enter on the booking sheets.

We will continue to monitor availability and add more sessions as we are able to. We are reliant on volunteers and always seeking more people interested in Training as Oxygen Therapy Operators, please speak to Pip if you are interested. The more operators we have the more sessions we can provide! Thanks :0)x

New! Henley MS Support Group

An exciting new collaboration between the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, The Henley & Districts MS Society and Headway Thames Valley has been developed to extend their respective services to reach more people.

The new Henley MS Support Group, a partnership between the Henley & District Branch of the MS Society and the Reading based MS Therapy Centre will be based at Headway Thames Valley, Brunner Hall, Greys Rd, on a Thursday and launched in early 2010.

Initially a MS specialist Neuro-Physiotherapy and Counselling service will be offered with the intention to extend the service to include other therapies such Chiropody and Massage. There will also be a social area available for people with MS, their friends and family in which to socialise and exchange ideas and information.

Headway Thames Valley provides a range of practical therapies to improve physical and cognitive functioning for people with brain injury in Reading every Monday using a dedicated room at the Reading based MS Therapy Centre.

For further details regarding the Henley MS Support Group contact Pippa Vincent-Cooke on 0118 901 6000 or email pippa@bmstc.org.

For information regarding Headway Thames Valley contact: Brian Pyle on 07881 955 388 or email hwthamesvalley@aol.com

New! 33' Oxygen Therapy Sessions

A few people have requested trying a 33’ Oxygen Therapy Session.

We have put on a couple of sessions for people to try. If there is sufficient interest we will make this a regular session.

1.00 pm Friday 9th October and 1.00 pm Friday 23rd October

If you are interested please book at reception or call 0118 901 6000.

Thank you!