TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
GROWING PAINS
inside
ISTANBUL ESCAPE
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LET’STALK ABOUT SEX
F R to ta EE ke h om e
April/May 2013 D Issue 17
BATTLING MALNUTRITION HOW NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP
PARKINSON'S DISEASE IDENTIFYINGTHE CAUSES OF THE INCURABLE DISORDER
THEPETEFFECT
WWW.WAITINGROOM.IE
THE SANCTUARY IN CORK THAT OFFERS A CHANCETO ADOPT A DONKEY
From Magician to Mentalist K ei t h B a r r y talks about the risks he has taken in his career and hypnotising Hollywood
PL U S C O L O U R I N G P U Z Z L E S C O M P E T I T I O N S NOT E B O OK
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TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
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“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
likely to agree The words of W.B Yeats, which Keith Barry is elf to create with, considering his mantra is challenging hims t shows us talis the impossible. Ireland’s award winning men , even if it how nothing will get in the way of a trick touch on the sometimes borders on danger. Elsewhere we much the harsh reality of malnutrition in Ireland, how ded. Parents elderly are at risk and how it can be avoi up whether meanwhile will make their own minds we investigate daughters are harder to raise than sons, as debate. The the stance being taken by teachers in this advice on how awkward issue of sex is also tackled with r teenagers. parents should approach this topic with thei around the And just to remind us that summer is only all its Middle corner, we look at the city of Istanbul and break in the t shor Eastern temptations as the option of a sun.
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C r eORed Kar e n EDIT
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inside April/May 2013 8 Keith Barry Interview
How he never runs out of ideas but does get the brain drain from hypnosis and the time spent researching for his shows
10 Turkish Delights
You could say Istanbul is a city break that offers two for the price of one,with it straddling both Europe and Asia
14 Nutritional Supplements
Why they are needed to combat the rising problem of malnutrition in Ireland
16 Growing Pains
Do you agree with teachers that daughters are more difficult to raise than sons?They want to help parents with their guide to bringing up girls
22 Little Donkey
The passion of one man and his family that has led to the country's most successful donkey sanctuary
16 Feb / March 2013 Winners The winner of last issues Cross Reference is Kathleen Hales, Bandon, Co Cork The winner of last issues Word Search is Geraldine McGovern, Dublin 11 The winner of last issues Crossword is Colette Connolly, Kinsale, Co Cork The winner of a VeraTemp Thermometer is Geraldine McNally, Westport, Co Mayo YOUR FREE COPY
28 Competition
Your chance to win two nights B&B and one evening meal for two at the County Arms Hotel (one of Select Hotels) with this issue's crossword
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notebook HEALTH
Amazing Anatomy
SPARKING A CHILD’S INTEREST IN HEALTH AND THE HUMAN BODY CAN BE EASILY DONE IF YOU CHOOSE AN INTERESTING WAY. You could grab your child’s attention with this compilation of fascinating facts about the human body. Then test them a few days later to see how many facts they remember.
THE WAITING ROOM MAGAZINE is produced and printed in Ireland EDITOR Karen Creed E: info@waitingroom.ie PRODUCTION/DESIGN Colm Geoghegan E: colmgeoghegan@gmail.com ADVERTISING Ingrid Lyons (Sales Manager) E: ingrid@waitingroom.ie T: 01 5240995 CONTRIBUTORS Alison Cashel, Corrina Ray, Dr Peadar McGing PUBLISHER Danstone Ltd.
CONTACT US The Waiting Room Magazine The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin T: 01 2960000 | info@waitingroom.ie Discover more at www.waitingroom.ie
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The Waiting Room Magazine will not be responsible for, nor will it return, unsolicited manuscripts. The views expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Waiting Room Magazine. The entire contents of the magazine are the copyright of The Waiting Room Magazine and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publishers.
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• The heart is the strongest muscle in the body while the largest muscle in your body is located in your rear end. • The human neck has the same number of vertebrae as a giraffe’s neck. • There are 22 bones in the human skull and it contains 80% water. • Your heart is just a bit bigger than your fist and the heart pumps 36,000 gallons of blood a day. • The smallest bone in the body is in your ear and the femur (thigh bone) is the biggest bone in the body. • The average human will shed 40 pounds of skin in a lifetime. • The average person loses about 80-100 hairs a day. • Your nose and ears never stop growing. • Women blink nearly twice as much as men. • The air released from a sneeze can exceed 100mph and it’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open • From the age of thirty humans gradually begin to shrink in size. • At rest a normal person breathes 10-15 times a minute. A baby takes about 40-50 breaths a minute. • Like a fingerprint, every person has a unique tongue print. • Every time you step forward, you use fifty-four muscles. • Food stays in your stomach for 2 to 4 hours. • Your funny bone isn’t bone at all. It’s a nerve that runs just under your skin in each elbow.
Shh...don’t mention men’s health IT IS NO MAJOR SURPRISE THAT FEWER MEN VISIT THE DOCTOR THAN WOMEN, ALTHOUGH MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO END UP IN HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEY DELAY FOR SO LONG. Studies have shown men don’t get regular health checks because they are scared it will lead to a hospital visit, are embarrassed to discuss their health issues, and sometimes just can’t be bothered making an appointment. Some men don’t want to bother a doctor with trivial or potentially embarrassing problems so they just keep putting it off. Don’t bury your head in the sand as delaying treatment or ignoring symptoms can allow serious and preventable conditions to develop. It is proven that men who eat well, exercise regularly, keep track of their health and get prompt treatment for health problems have a better chance
THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
of a healthy and long life than men who don’t. Health screenings can catch problems early enough to effectively treat them. Health care at home is also an important way to keep safe. Things you can do at home include: Skin checks – you should check your skin for unusual moles or freckles. See your doctor if you notice anything unusual. Men at high risk (for example, those who work outdoors) need a yearly examination by their doctor or dermatologist. Dental care – you can reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss if you clean your teeth regularly and eat a low-sugar diet.
Visit the dentist at least once a year for a dental examination and a professional cleaning. Testicle checks – from puberty onwards, you should check regularly for unusual thickenings or lumps in the testicles. See your doctor if you are concerned. What doctors recommend 1. Men should see their doctor for regular medical check-ups. 2. Screening tests help doctors to detect many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers in their early stages. 3. A man at high risk of a particular disease should be regularly tested regardless of his age. YOUR FREE COPY
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notebook HEALTH
Know when food is a friend or foe
MANY OF US THINK WE ARE EXPERTS WHEN IT COMES TO KNOWING WHAT IS GOOD OR BAD FOR US. BUT THERE ARE SOME FOODS AND HERBS THAT WE SHOULD BE WARY OF AND OTHERS WE SHOULD BE ADDING MORE OF INTO OUR DIET, DEPENDING ON OUR STATE OF HEALTH. 1. Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems. When eating bananas, choose the greener ones as once they have turned totally yellow, the starch inside has broken down and is no longer resistant to digestion. 2. Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange and has almost as much calcium as whole milk. This calcium is also better absorbed. 3. Cilantro may be useful to treat urinary tract infections and both the leaves and seeds aid digestion, and relieve intestinal gas and pain. 4. Dandelion is used to treat and prevent breast and lung tumours and
premenstrual bloating. A healthy dandelion soup is one way to include this into your diet. 5. When eating onions, to obtain the maximum nutritional benefits they should be eaten raw or lightly steamed.
6. Parsley is not just great for adding to vegetables or soup. For a natural breath freshener chew on a fresh sprig of it. 7. A hardboiled egg makes a great snack with staying power, and has only around 70 calories. Just beware
fattening companions that often accompany eggs, such as butter and bacon. 8. Courgettes can grow as large as hurley sticks but have little flavour when they reach this size. 9. Coconut oil is demonised by dieters. Because it is calorie dense (about 120 calories per tablespoon) you still want to watch how much you down or add to dishes. 10. Peanut butter sandwiches have often been shunned as high-fat and high-calorie but the fat it contains is in fact the heart-healthy, monounsaturated kind. It is also believed to help with appetite regulation without you even trying.
Giving carers a helping hand
FROM THIS JUNE CARERS WILL BE ABLE TO RELY ON THE CARER’S COMPANION.
The user friendly guide offers a detailed A to Z of the numerous issues concerning carers and to help highlight the invaluable work Ireland’s carers do on a day to day basis .The Carers Companion will cover all the relevant topics, written by experts in each field and relevant to carers nationwide. Topics such as what being a carer means, care skills, benefits of homecare, adapting the home, personal care, nutrition and diet, mobility, hygiene and infection prevention, respite care and rights and entitlements. It will also include a national directory of contacts and information broken down on a county by county basis so each carer can access a full list of local services. The handbook will be launched during National Carers Week (June 10th – 16th 2013) and distributed to all Carers Association Centres around the country and made widely available to individual carers. It will also be available online at www.guerinmedia.ie and www.carersireland.com.
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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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notebook HEALTH
A child’s speech FROM THE TIME THEY ARE BORN, CHILDREN START COMMUNICATING AND VERY EARLY IN THEIR LIVES, THEY LEARN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND TO MAKE SOUNDS OF THEIR OWN. Communication skills are critical to your child's future success. Unfortunately there are many kinds of speech and language disorders and many reasons why they happen. If you think that your child is having problems developing language, it's important to get help right away. If speech and language development is not addressed before starting school it causes difficulties for literacy and learning. When attending an assessment with a Speech & Language Therapist the most important thing is to be relaxed and prepared for the session. The way in which the assessment is carried out will depend on your child’s age and abilities. For younger children the assessment will be carried out though playing with different toys such as dolls, teddies, tea sets, blocks,
etc. The therapist may observe the child playing alone or with you or their sibling initially and then become more involved in the play themselves. For younger children in particular, a part of the assessment may involve a parental questionnaire, which is a structured interview involving questions about your child’s skills. By bringing your child for a speech and language assessment you are taking a positive step towards helping them to reach their potential; so do not worry about the outcomes, think of it as the first step towards helping them. Also the therapist may be able to answer any questions or address your queries by phone before the assessment session. For more information visit www.iaslt.ie.
Travelling without insurance is not worth the risk It’s a sad fact that too many Irish holidaymakers still choose to travel abroad without any travel insurance in place, as the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mentality causes them to throw common sense out of the window. It’s a short-sighted move as the short-term financial gain is by far outweighed by the huge amount they’ll be out of pocket should they be unlucky enough to need to put in a claim. Should a holidaymaker fall ill there will be expensive medical bills to contend with. Another factor to consider is how much it would cost to
replace lost or stolen personal possessions if you travel without insurance: Tourists are often targeted by local gangs of pickpockets and thieves so it’s always best to be covered. Insurance can also cover delayed flights, usually offering a fixed amount per person to compensate for extra expenses incurred, such as food and drink whilst you are waiting for your flight. If your flight is delayed for 24 hours or more you may also get the option to abandon your trip and make a claim for the full cost of the holiday.
Similarly, luggage can be included on travel insurance policies so that people are covered should they find that their checked-in bags go missing between home and their destination. There’s a saying that goes: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. The reality is that travel insurance is relatively cheap, especially if you know to look for the best deal. Annual travel insurance can be purchased for as little as €19.99 with a provider like www.multitrip.com. Shop around online and it needn’t be a chore with the best deals often
available online. Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that all travel insurance policies are pretty much the same; there are differences so seek out the one that best suits your needs. Always read the fine print – and if you aren’t sure about something, don’t just assume it’ll be okay. Pick up the phone and call your insurance provider. It’ll give you peace of mind and help you avoid a costly mistake if you end up having to make a claim. You don’t want to find out too late that you aren’t covered for all eventualities.
VeraTemp
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Pinewood would be delighted to extend a special offer for readers of The Waiting Room Magazine who are interested in purchasing a Veratemp Non Contact Thermometer . You can get it delivered for the all inclusive price of €52 inc p&p. Call us on 01 456 91213 or email us at Veratemp@pinewood.ie for more information.
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THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
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THE TRUTH BEHIND YOUR BLOOD TESTS HEALTH
THE TRUTH BEHIND YOUR BLOOD TESTS There is a high chance you have had a blood test done in the past, or maybe have one soon. Yet despite the fact that so many people have these tests, few people know much about them writes Dr P e a d a r M c G i n g The idea of testing what is in blood, rather than just visually inspecting it, was first proposed over four centuries ago. The man often credited with being the first to propose using the composition of blood for disease diagnosis was the eminent Waterford-born scientist Robert Boyle. He set out his plan for clinical blood testing in his 1684 book ‘Memoirs for the natural history of Humane Blood, especially the spirit of that liquor’. It was, however, a long time before such testing was applied to patients. In fact it is only really in the latter part of this century that technological developments by clinical scientists have allowed widespread use of blood testing. One question you may ask is why are blood tests so valuable? The answer lies in what part of the body fluid flows to; Blood flows to your kidney, your heart, your pancreas, absolutely everywhere. Without blood your tissues would die. The good (for example your liver) and the bad (for example a cancer) all depend on blood flow or they will die. That blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and it brings stimulants (such as hormones or drugs) there too. Blood carries away from tissues what the cell makes and also waste products from cells. In the clinical laboratory we measure them all. Testing those ‘waste products’ could save your life. To illustrate this let us take a look at one vital organ which your GP may often request blood tests for, the liver. When the liver is damaged more liver cells die at the same time and everything that was in the cells gets taken into the blood for disposal. Because blood flows all around the body, when a blood sample is taken from your arm that blood has previously passed through the liver. If your liver is damaged, that blood will contain much more liver waste than normal. We in the lab can measure those compounds and tell the doctor that the liver is damaged. Not only that, but depending on the ratio of different liver compounds and particularly how high the levels are we can help work out YOUR FREE COPY
what exact problem is in the liver. In a different scenario, it could be that you’re tired all the time. In that case blood tests can also be very valuable. Usually the doctor will first check if you are low on iron by ordering tests; It could be that you can’t make enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen around your body and that can leave you tired, or even breathless. Joe (not his real name) was an elderly man who was finally persuaded to visit his GP because he was extremely breathless. She sent his bloods to us and we found not only was he very iron deficient, but also his haemoglobin was dangerously low. He was taken to hospital where he was given a transfusion and further investigations were carried out to find the cause of his anaemia. Emer (not her real name) was a young girl doing her Leaving Certificate. She felt a bit tired, but then what else would you expect with all that study. However, when her dentist told her she might be anaemic it was clear a visit to the local GP was required. He took bloods and they were sent to our lab. Her haemoglobin was a little low and she was quite iron deficient. For her an iron tablet twice a day for a few months was all that was needed to make her right as rain again. Finally, a word on the blood taking process itself, Phlebotomy, one of the world’s oldest medical procedures. The word ‘phlebotomy’ literally means to ‘cut into a vein’. Originally it was called bloodletting and used a barbaric array of instruments to remove ‘bad blood’ from the body. Perhaps the best known victim of this medical intervention was George Washington who died after having nine pints (4 litres) of blood removed to ‘cure’ a sore throat. Today’s patients needn’t worry as we mostly take blood for diagnostic purposes and we don’t make a big cut in your vein but just insert a fine needle into it. Having skilled and experienced people taking your blood is important not only for your comfort but also to ensure a good quality sample in the correct type of blood bottle
for each specific test your doctor has requested. Then the blood is delivered to the lab for blood tests. If your results worry us we will discuss them with your GP; So next time you need to have a blood test done, remember the few small bottles of blood taken from your arm can tell so much about why you may be feeling unwell.
“ Perhaps the best known victim of this medical intervention was George Washington who died after having nine pints of blood removed to ‘cure’ a sore throat.”
APRIL / MAY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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PROVING THE POWER OF MAGIC
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INTERVIEW KEITH BARRY
D r i v i n g b li n d f ol d ed i n L A or m a k i n g h i s h e ar t s to p - j u st so m e o f t h e ri sk s K e it h B a r r y h a s t a k e n t o s u c c e e d in his c areer. But just ho w much i s hi s j o b ba se d o n n at u r a l t a l e n t o r is i t a l l d ow n t o g e n u i n e har d work? We talk t o t h e a w a r d w i n n in g s t a r a b ou t h i s c u r r e n t p r o je c ts , r e s o r t in g t o t h e d a r k s i d e a n d i f h i s fi r s t f o r ay i n to m o v i e s c o u l d le a d t o H o l l y w o od c a ll i n g
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KEITH BARRY INTERVIEW So Keith, are you a mentalist or magician? For now I am mainly a mentalist as I don’t really do tricks anymore. In fact I haven’t touched a deck of cards in years. I made the transition to mentalism which is magic of the mind. It’s a little bit more important. Sometimes people come to my shows thinking they will see a magic show. My shows are certainly not that. It is all about planting ideas in peoples’ heads.
person on stage doing a stripogram as he had hypnotised me. The reason that was his last show ever was because he and his wife were in a car crash after and he never performed again. We became good friends before he died.
You have also had a taste of the movie world? Yes the movie I worked on recently is called ‘Now you see me’ and it stars Morgan Freeman, Michael Cain, and Woody Harrelson. I worked a lot in helping the screenwriter with the development of the movie. It is a mentalist heist film. All the characters are mentalists, and I was hired as a consultant on the set. They then rehired me to work with Woody Harrelson as he plays a hypnotist in the movie. I had to teach him how to hypnotise so they were flying me back and forth to LA. I also ended up getting a cameo role in the movie. I am not sure yet if my piece will stay in or end up on the cutting room floor.
It must be taxing on the brain? It is so draining at times, like the hypnosis where you are trying it on so many people. I don’t want an abreaction either which is basically a panic attack. I have to be really careful when I am manipulating peoples’ minds. I randomise the whole show. For example in my latest show, The Dark Side, anybody at any time can land on stage and how they arrive there is random. I get people to sign guest books when they enter and get others to browse through the guest book and pick a name during the show. So it means I have no choice in who comes on stage.
You have been involved in magic for over a decade. Do you ever get bored of it? No never. Just 15 minutes ago I was in a coffee shop on Stephen’s Green and the girls in there looked a bit down in the dumps. I did two tricks on their minds to cheer them up. I am researching palm reading so I did a routine on them. I told one who her first kiss was, a guy called Raphael. I like making people’s days. I put on twitter the other day that I am always happy to do something for anyone, be it a trick or a mind game.
Do you ever fear running out of tricks or new ideas? My problem is the opposite, trying to concentrate on one of the thousands of ideas. Currently I am testing out palm reading. I am constantly researching. I research so much, my brain is scattered. I have a huge library to refer to with books on psychology, hypnosis, and selfhelp: I read all of those. I also look on YouTube for ideas. The other night I was looking at pyrokinesis techniques. This is where guys like monks start fire with the power of mind, simply staring at newspapers. I also started watching the TV series like Fringe simply because it was all about teleportation and telepathy. I take inspiration from all that.
Your new show is called The Dark Side? Is it as the name suggests? Yes I want people to experience what it is like to have a spirit or demon in your body. Through hypnosis, I can make them think there is a demon in their body. You should see some, frothing at the mouth and speaking in foreign tongue. One even jumped off stage and tried to attack people in the audience. That is why it is called The Dark Side. Another moment in the show I contact dead people, who are attached to those in the audience. I am a mentalist but I don’t claim any paranormal activities. But for the purpose of show I am going to pretend. They hear the voices of their dead ones. Although there are dark elements, there are also moments of hilarity, with people making fools of themselves. I get people to think of taboos. It usually means them resorting to extreme ones of YOUR FREE COPY
You have spent a lot of time in the US. Is the reaction to magic different there? Yes as they are far more willing and open to believe there, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Especially in Vegas, where it is very easy to entertain, as they are enthusiastic. In Ireland the audience is less forgiving and for the first 20 minutes or so it is up to you to grasp their attention. That is ok though as I am also a cynic and a sceptic so I can only expect the same from my audience.
sexual or violent nature. I like to hack into their minds.
Has having children changed your attitude to your magic? I don’t think it has altered what I do. I am more aware of the dangerous stuff though. I always think of my kids and try not to go too crazy. Regardless of what people think there is always an element of danger. Things have gone wrong multiple times. A very well known magician Steve Cohen was doing a bullet catch recently and got hit by a pane of glass which could have killed him. So accidents do happen. At the end of my tour ‘8 Deadly Sins’ I ended up with rope burns. It was an act whereby I was tied up with ropes and had to get out of them in less time than it took for them to tie me up, and all this with cling film wrapped around my head. One night they had tied me up so well I could not get out and passed out on stage. You have to anticipate these things. One of my assistants rescued me. I knew that over the course of 45 shows it might go wrong once.
What magicians do you admire? I get asked this quite a bit. I really admire those from the past. There is one guy here in Ireland in his 70’s or 80’s called Dock Shields who took the famous photo of the Lough Ness monster. Dock would be a bit of a mentor of mine. He is a hypnotist, surrealistic artist and is also a bit of a pagan and into witchcraft. Paul Golden is another one I admire. People wouldn’t realise that the last ever stage performance Paul gave was in Waterford. I was 14 and I was the last
Does it annoy you that many don’t realise your talent is down to hard work? I suppose my job is to make it all look easy. So I don’t get annoyed at all. I find it fascinating that some think I fell out of the sky and I am just a natural mentalist or magician. I have done everything to get to here from doing kids magic to make ends meet, and working many years in the States without earning a penny. And even now when I start creating a show I tell my wife I am going to go on the 20 hour days. That means I am locked away researching.
What advice would have you for those keen to pursue a career as a magician or mentalist? For me I have learned everything from books and just practice, practice, practice. The formula hasn’t changed much. What wasn’t around in my time as a teenager much that is now is the internet. I suppose you can learn a lot. The only problem is that they can all become a one trick pony. Learn from books and don’t be afraid of failure. When I was in the coffee shop earlier one of the girls said I was 100 percent accurate and the other was not so convinced. That is ok. Finally what is your all time favourite magic trick to play on people? I suppose the main one is the blindfold drive and I have done it a lot. I still get a kick out of it. For the celebrities who get in the car with me it never dawns on them what I am about to do. The other one is just when I am out and about I do try hack into peoples brains to tell them about a dead loved one or their first kiss. Keith Barry will be performing his latest show ‘The Dark Side’ at the Olympia from July 10th 2013. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.ie or visit his website www.keithbarry.com
APRIL / MAY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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LIFESTYLE TRAVEL
TURKISH DELIGHTS A long weekend is enough time to take in all the typical traditions and tastes of Istanbul, while also discovering some of your own writes C o r i n n a R a y
A
wake up call of a burly masseuse waiting for you in a hamam is not for everyone, but if you are keen to start the day revived and have your skin restored to baby soft, then this is how to begin your Istanbul break. Luckily for me I was not in a public hamam, baring my modesty to all fellow bathers, but in a stunning private one tucked away in our boutique hotel on the Bosphorus. At Sumahan on the Water the ethos is heavily swayed towards feeling relaxed so after having every molecule of dead skin scrubbed from my body, a massage restored my body’s energy and my skin glistened pink. Any guide book will tell you a hamam is just one of the many Turkish traditions that tourists should test for themselves when visiting this cosmopolitan city. Armed with my to-do list, I had three days to tick everything. The morning session of a hamam marked the start of it, as well as an end to our whistle-stop stay on the Asian side of the city. We had arrived late the night before, wined and dined at the hotel’s riverside restaurant before waking up to the most spectacular daylight view. Most tourists focus their attention on the European part of Istanbul which is more bustling and offers more in the way of famous sights. The Bosphorus River separates it from the Asian side. The river itself has its own charm, lending itself to many a romantic dinner cruise, where those on board can boast the claim of being in two continents at once. Intrigued by the more low key residential area of the Asian quarter, we had booked one night there before taking the short ferry crossing to its European counterpart. Here the maze of guide books recommended we rest our heads in the bustling streets of Taksim, the quaint Galata or trendy Beyoglu. But after much research we chose to book into a hotel in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet instead, so we could see the famous sites at our leisure. Sultanahmet has become famous from several films like James Bond with its landmark buildings widely featured. Yet despite its
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familiar and captivating surroundings prices to stay here can be cheaper than the modern streets of Taksim. Our Hypnos Design Hotel didn’t just lure us because of its individually themed rooms, but rather its prime location, just a stone’s throw from the sites. It meant we could return to our hotel several times during the day just to revive ourselves, have a Turkish tea, a beer or a homemade brownie before heading out again on to the bustling streets. Like any city break, some things thrilled more than others. My expectations of the Grand Bazaar proved to be underwhelming. The once traditional souk flanked by rows of jewellery stores and carpet shops is now filled with modern shops like Mac, which somehow takes away from its original appeal. We soon found out that prices here were also above what we were being quoted on the streets. Even a short stroll away from the Grand Bazaar we found a myriad of individual stores that were selling some of the finest wares and where I haggled a great price for two of my favourite souvenirs – jewellery and ceramics. After our shopping spree it was time to turn our attention to the fascinating history of the city. The process of entering the Blue Mosque was not as complex or as long as it was to enter the Topaki Palace, which can take the best part of a day to explore in-depth. The mosque has set times for visitors to enter, in between prayers, but we soon realised it is best captured outside at sunrise or sunset. The mosque happened to be right next to one of the city’s many carpet stores whose enigmatic owner Mehmed lured us in to see if he could tempt us into purchasing one of his silken wonders. One hour later we left feeling like quite the experts on how Turkish carpets are made by hand, but having to refuse his “generous offer” of a blue silk carpet for €2,200 instead of the €3000 price tag. As I expected the food was by far the most memorable aspect of my time in Istanbul. From early morning breakfasts to late night feasts,
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there was not nearly enough time nor belly space to squeeze in all the Turkish delights. I tried my best though and what I could not eat more of, I purchased to bring home. Turkish cheese and tea were staples of my diet for the few days while a few kebabs and mezze also went down a treat. We tried a traditional Turkish fare in the hidden gem of Medusa one night, washed down with some delicious local wine. This was then followed by Turkish coffee, which is not for the fainthearted. The city is not short of trendy places for brunch or lunch either and one well known hangout is Mezze by Lemon Tree. We were just as keen to find our own places to write home about and struck lucky for Sunday brunch as we paid less than €20 for freshly baked Turkish pizzas and fruit juices directly across from Galata Tower. The only irritating moments during our weekend were negotiating fares with several taxi drivers who we knew were trying to rip us off with tourist prices. After a while we realised the easiest option was to use the efficient and cheap tram system, and we walked as much as we could, which meant the more calories burnt off, the additional Turkish food we could indulge in later on. Aside from a few disingenuous taxi drivers, the general friendliness of the Turkish people topped off the list of our reasons to return. Their hospitality is not spoken of much in the guide books, but it should be put down as another reason to visit this remarkable city. How to get there: Turkish Airlines fly direct from Dublin to Istanbul from €179per person return. Visit www.turkishairlines.com
Where to stay: On the Asian side of the city, check out the special offers at Sumahan on the Water www.sumahan.com while on the European side, Hypnos Design Hotel is priced from €99 a night. www.hypnoshotelistanbul.com YOUR FREE COPY
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LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
FEATURE LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
If you feel that you should be talking to your teenager about relationships and sex, but don’t know where to start, fear not, there is help at hand.
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oung people receive a lot of information about relationships and sex through their friends and the media, particularly television, film and magazines. The problem is this information can be misleading and may give an incorrect impression of what healthy relationships involve. As a parent, you have the primary influence on your child and you can play an important role in influencing their thinking about relationships and the right circumstances in which to have sex for the first time. Talking to teenagers about friendships, relationships, their values and feelings can prepare them and protect them from pressures that they may feel to fit in. The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme developed B4uDecide.ie after talking to over 200 young people. Here are some of the things young people admitted:
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There is a lot of focus on sex but very little focus on relationships, pressures, worries, breaking up and difficult situations young people find themselves in. Both girls and boys said there is a lot of information about sex on TV and on the internet but it’s hard to know what information to trust. It was very common for teenagers, especially boys, to exaggerate about their level of sexual experience. Pressure to have sex can be unspoken or spoken and can come from friends or other people in their group who may have had sex themselves. Girls and boys often have sex to fit in with their friends or to please a partner and said that they were unsure of the right time to have sex. Girls and boys say they are made to feel like all teenagers are sexually active (many large scale
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research studies confirm that the vast majority of young people wait until they are aged between 17-19 before they have sex for the first time) In some schools young people said there was pressure to have sex at age 15, in other schools, pressure to have sex did not start until 5th year or 6th year. In some schools young people said there was no pressure at all. Many boys and girls who said they had first sexual intercourse before age 17 said they wished they had waited longer and it wasn’t the right time for them.
What information you can find on B4uDecide.ie? The “Relationships” section provides information on building healthy friendships and relationships, how to deal with peer pressure, breaking up with someone and
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LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX FEATURE feeling good about yourself. A section on the website, called “The Facts” deals with the age of consent, contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy. Visitors to the website can also view interviews with professionals who work in the fields of sexual health, youth work, and counselling. The section targeted at parents provides tips for talking to teenagers about relationships and sex, outlines what relationships and sex education should be provided in school and outlines what resources and training are available to parents. If you would like more information on the Relationships & Sexuality Education (RSE) programme in your child’s school, talk to the principal or the SPHE co-ordinator.
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WHEN A NUTRITIONAL BOOST IS NECESSARY
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LIFESTYLE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Ireland’s rate of malnutrition may be generally low, but it is a common health problem among older patients. Many of those in hospitals or nursing homes are considered high risk. So how can this disease be avoided and treated?
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e may think of our ageing population as relatively healthy but the harsh reality is that at least 1 in 10 patients in a hospital environment are malnourished, with many others ending up in a similar predicament. Findings also show that most malnutrition exists among the elderly living in their own homes and long term residential care. Because of this nutrition has to be recognised as a vital component in the care of older people. Malnutrition is essentially a condition in which a person’s diet is inadequate to meet minimum daily requirements of proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. Being malnourished does not always mean that you are thin or underweight. It is possible to eat a diet high in calories but one that contains few vitamins and minerals. This means you can become malnourished, even though you might be overweight or even obese. An insufficient diet often means paying a high price in health, such as an increased risk of infection, increased morbidity, and sometimes death. Fortunately it is possible to reduce the chance of contracting malnutrition with proper care in place. The healthcare company, Fresenius Kabi has pioneered the development of hospital and community nutrition support worldwide and here in Ireland. With its expertise in the field of clinical nutrition its mission is to improve the lives of sick patients. The company focuses on the therapy and care of critically and chronically ill patients in both community and hospital settings. How to fight malnutrition When a patient is identified as being malnourished, a high energy diet is recommended that is high in protein and high in energy. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS)
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are also recommended, specifically designed to provide a patient with sufficient energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. These supplements are prescribed by a health professional to those who need to increase their nutritional intake for medical reasons. ONS can also help patients speed up recovery. It must be noted, however, to implement these nutritional supplements, roles and responsibilities of staff need to be clearly identified and training delivered.
What supplements are best? There are a number of proprietary products (manufactured products used to fortify foods) and supplements available. The Fresubin brand has been trialled and tested with healthcare professionals and it has come out on top of the leader board among competitors on the Irish market. The Fresubin brand has also been voted the top spot after been tested on patients. With good taste being important for patient compliance, results confirmed that compared to other nutritional supplements on the market patients preferred the taste of Fresubin. Independent taste tests have also confirmed that Fresubin is rated better than competitor oral nutritional supplements.
Knowing when to prescribe In nursing homes oral nutritional supplements are often used as a treatment for malnutrition. However, they should not be used as a sole treatment and should always be given in combination with dietary advice and advice on food fortification. They must not replace meals. The time when nutritional supplements are offered to a patient is essential. Offering too near a mealtime may disrupt a person’s natural eating pattern due to feeling full from ONS. On the contrary offering these
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supplements too soon after a meal may result in poor compliance, as the patient may be full from their meal. It is also important to assess what nutritional needs the patient is suffering from. This information should be gathered from the screening log provided to healthcare professionals. For example, if the patient is suffering with leg ulcers, they should be prescribed Fresubin Protein Energy (high in protein). People’s requirements for nutritional drinks can differ significantly. As a guide, two bottles of Fresubin Energy per day will boost your nutritional intake. However, it is important that you follow the advice given by your doctor, dietician or nurse. A health professional will decide how long a patient should take Fresubin Energy for. In most cases a patient only needs them while they are having difficulty with their normal diet or until they have gained a certain amount of weight.
Checking for malnutrition As research statistics indicate, not only is malnutrition prevalent in the elderly, it is also frequently unrecognised. It is essential that health care professionals provide proper screening or assessment of malnutrition in the elderly. Various nutritional screening tools are available to healthcare staff that can readily assist them in assessing the nutritional status of their patients. In the US researchers examined the efficacy of conducting nutritional screening interventions and applying appropriate interventions. Nutrition screening was found to increase the detection of malnutrition, increase the awareness among nurses as to the incidence of malnutrition, increase the number of referrals to dieticians and occupational therapists, and increase patient satisfaction.
Those in the know Each pharmacy has received a screening tool book in order to screen patients currently taking oral nutritional supplements and identify new patients that should be taking oral nutritional supplements. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was developed for use in both hospital and community settings. It uses factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), rate of weight loss and presence of acute disease factors to detect disease related malnutrition. See www.bapen.org.uk for more information
Playing your part For those keen to address the issue of nutrition at their healthcare facility a team approach is vital, with roles and responsibilities clearly identified to improve the nutrition in the home. You may want to consider establishing a nutrition team with representation from catering staff, management, nursing, attendants, residents, family members and allied health professionals (e.g. Dietician). A sample aim of a nutrition team is to examine menus putting a balanced, adequate 3-week cycle in place, incorporating therapeutic and
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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS LIFESTYLE modified consistency diets, and including a resident’s likes and dislikes. The latter allows for inclusion of favourite foods, addressing timing of meals, challenges faced at meal times, and the overall dining environment. SYMPTOMS OF MALNUTRITION Unplanned weight loss Lack of strength or energy to undertake routine activities, or poor physical performance Disinterest in food Lack of energy and breathlessness Low mood An increase in illnesses or infections
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HOW TO FORTIFY YOUR FOOD INTAKE Use full-fat milk or cream and add sugar or honey to cereals and puddings • Put butter on bread and biscuits • Have small frequent meals e.g. sandwiches, cheese and crackers or scones with jam and cream, and a glass of milk • Choose nutrient-rich breakfast cereals e.g. porridge made with full-fat milk • Fortify soups by adding full-fat milk or cream • Add full-fat milk, butter or cream to vegetables and potatoes • Add milk-based sauces to meals, e.g. cheese sauce, white sauce or white wine sauce • Have a night time drink e.g. hot chocolate made with full-fat milk • Other foods to choose: rashers and sausages, chocolate, cheese, biscuits and cakes
“You can become malnourished even though you might also be overweight or even obese”
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PARENTING GROWING PAINS
GROWING PAINS Is raising daughters more
stressful than sons? Teachers seem to think so and have consequently devised a bible for parents on how to raise their daughters writes Karen Creed
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“I have three daughters and I find, as a result, I played King Lear almost without rehearsal.”
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he award winning actor Peter Ustinov might have found the task of raising daughters uncomplicated, but many modern parents wish they had been supplied with a manual at birth, explaining how best to deal with the little darlings’ tears and tantrums. Teachers, however, have now stepped in to prevent parents from pulling hairs, with the book ‘Your Daughter’. It gives advice on everything you need to know when raising them, from preventing tattoos to implementing curfews.
A guide for raising girls is the collected wisdom of teachers from more than two hundred leading girls’ schools in the UK and claims to help parents negotiate the minefields. While the book covers issues affecting girls from toddlers to 21 year olds, unsurprisingly the bulk of it focuses on the tense teenage years. “Parents are particularly anxious about raising daughters as there are greater pressures on girls,” says Dr Helen Wright, headmistress of St Mary’s Calne and the mother of two daughters. “There are social pressures in terms of celebrity culture, for instance, or their appearance, or the conflict women have about their role in life.” Irish author Denise Deegan writes for a teenage market and is familiar with this mindset. “The challenges are slightly greater, in the sense there is a pressure on them to mature and to behave more maturely. I think the minute they hit secondary school they feel they have to grow up.” Denise experienced this firsthand in her family. “I noticed it with my daughter. She held herself differently, she dressed differently. We had to go out and get a new wardrobe for her. I think everybody takes a big step up. They all go together. You don’t want to be left behind.” With issues like boyfriends, drinking, drugs and sex being a major concern for parents, the book recommends drastic measures like “occasional bribery being an acceptable strategy" when trying to keep your daughters on the straight and narrow. Denise is realistic about this approach. “We have always been open and I think parents are always bribing kids. It just happens.” However psychologist David Carey rejects this type of parenting. “I don't believe in bribing children, boys or girls. It is intrinsically rewarding to do what is right. We all make mistakes and need an opportunity to learn from them.” So what if your daughter tells you she is getting a tattoo of a butterfly on her lower back? Teachers’ advice is to bribe the child to change their mind with the offer of a shopping spree. Denise, however, believes open discussion is best. “If you are very YOUR FREE COPY
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GROWING PAINS PARENTING open with your kids without shouting them down and getting upset it can work out. If they say they want a tattoo you discuss with them if this is an image they want for the rest of their life. I would rather take this approach than shout it down as a no.”Dr David Carey is a father of two girls and finds that the societal focus on beauty and clothes makes the early teens the most difficult years. “We tend to worry more about raising daughter than our sons. Of course one of the main reasons is that daughters can get easily hurt or abused because males are stronger. Also girls can get pregnant. We expect a bit of rough and tumble with the lads but not with the girls.” He is honest about fathers’ particular difficulty with daughters. “Fathers aren’t very good at understanding how girls get along with other girls. Girl bullying takes a different form than boy bullying, it’s psychological warfare, not physical.” Having raised two daughters in America, he sees the similarity here in Ireland. “The concerns of Irish parents aren't much different; pregnancy, violence, abuse, being manipulated; these are the things parents worry a lot about their daughters. I think the concerns don’t differ much anywhere really. We are all protective of our daughters.” Recommendations on combating peer pressure is integral to the advice teachers give in this book, with them citing celebrity culture as one of the most common problems. Denise is not hugely concerned. “I wouldn’t worry about celebrity culture. It is a thing that girls have an outlet for and the whole Justin Bieber thing is harmless.” She does however realise that parents today can be idealistic when it comes to raising their daughters. “You want the world to be perfect for your kids. When there are little hiccups as there are for everyone, you do worry. You carry it in your stomach. I think we worry as parents a lot about the pressures but I don’t think we should underestimate their ability. The friendships are the most important things and that can take time.” When it comes to boyfriends and dating, David Carey echoes the teachers’ advice. “Remember that teenage crushes are rehearsal for mature love.” Although the majority of parents won’t feel the need to seek advice on raising daughters until they hit their teens, there are some obvious nuggets of advice for those raising toddlers also. Some may question the notion of teachers writing a book that guides parents, but many surveys have shown that children look to their teachers for support and guidance after their mum and dad. “Teachers are the second chance for all children,” says Dr Carey. “They can correct a lot of the mistakes parents may have made. They never know it at times, but they are saving children, giving them hope, instilling courage.” While Denise is reluctant to treat a book like this one as a bible, she sees its benefits to parents of daughters. “My view is pick and choose
the information and to include your children on the discussion if you are going to get a book like this. However don’t change the systems that are working. The primary relationship is the one you have with your kids.” In his line of work, Dr Carey has seen his fair share of self help books for parents including one titled Paranoid Parenting. Its thesis is that books about parenting have caused parents to become so fearful of raising children, and so overly protective, that they are restricting opportunities for children to grow and develop. Self-help books can be helpful but old fashioned common sense is more useful, if you have it.
5 TIPS FROM TEACHERS
1. Consider whether it is wise to let her have a computer in her bedroom. If she is too young to be left alone at home, she is probably too young to be using the internet without supervision, Stay involved: look at her and her friends’ Facebook page, and check the computer’s history (the log of websites visited). You could remind her that the police say anything on the internet is public, that malicious gossip is a serious offence, and that teachers and employers check these sites.
2. Talking to your daughter about alcohol is really important and - like talking about sex - is best introduced from an early age as part of an ongoing conversation about what is right and what is wrong. Don’t sit down for a two-hour birds and bees session, but chat about these things as they arise, laugh about them when you can, and your daughter will be grateful of the chance to discuss issues that might well be worrying her too, with someone who knows a bit more and whom she doesn’t have to impress. 3. Girls need to be helped to see that you start going out with someone because you are strongly attracted to each other and you want to spend time together. Still, don’t give them too much time alone together - parents have real responsibilities here. 4. Concentrate on open discussion of facts – for example, that tattoos (especially facial piercings) might deter potential employers; the way in which tattoos blur and spread with age and the scarring that can result from tattoo removal. 5. Above all, keep talking to her, about your concerns as well as possible threats to her safety. Once she is in her mid‑teens, peer pressure will be the greatest influence in her life, so any lecturing from you could be counter‑productive.
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ADVERTORIAL DRINK AWARE
Alcohol
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Young People and Alcohol, can parents have an Influence? by Mark Morgan and Thérèse Hegarty THE
PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO HELP PARENTS TO DISCUSS DRINKING WITH THEIR CHILDREN. Although it is mainly aimed
at the parents of teenagers it may also be useful for parents of younger children and, generally, for all adults concerned with the development of children. This article has been prepared by professionals who have expertise in the area of young people and alcohol but it does not set out to tell parents what they must or must not do. Instead it tries to provide useful information, which may help parents to openly discuss the issues with their children. Parents have an important influence on their children’s behaviour. Many parents may be surprised by this – but it is true! A key guiding idea is that alcohol consumption requires maturity and responsibility. For this reason postponing a first drink to an agreed age has a lot of merit. The exact age will need to be negotiated between children and parents and we take the view that the age of drinking by many young people is too young. Better information can help parents to make the right decision. It is important to note that the latest research suggests delaying teenage drinking for as long as possible is the best option. A young person’s brain will continue to develop into their early twenties so the potential for damage and poor decision making will be reduced if they start drinking at a later age. In Ireland, drinking patterns differ from, for example, wine producing countries – where children are introduced to alcohol in the home. We also differ in where alcohol is drunk, what we drink and in many of our attitudes.
INFLUENCES Many factors influence the drinking patterns of young people.
FAMILY Families are of major importance in children’s drinking. Your example is important. We are not saying that all parents who abstain from alcohol will have children who are abstinent or temperate. Nor are we suggesting that the children of heavy drinkers will necessarily have drinking problems. What is clear however is that parents
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who drink moderately have children whose use of alcohol is quite different to the children of those whose drinking is problematic. How you react to their drinking is also important. The research shows that a moderate and balanced approach to underage drinking is most likely to bring about positive outcomes. In other words if parents take an indifferent attitude it does not produce positive results and a very strict and authoritarian attitude can also cause problems. Many recovering alcoholics remember their childhood as one where love was not communicated and where they felt they were not valued. The research indicates that children who feel loved and valued are less likely to abuse alcohol. We often worry that alcohol problems ‘run in families’ and will be inherited by the children. This is not necessarily true – alcohol problems develop over several years – and we should focus on those conditions in the individuals’ lives which give rise to problem drinking. FRIENDS Parents identify peers as the most important influence on their children’s decision to start to drink. This is understandable – young people who drink regularly are likely to have friends who drink, while those who do not are likely to have friends who do not drink. Whether to drink (or not) is one of the most central decisions during adolescence and influences the selection of friends. Many of us worry about ‘peer pressure’, which is often considered to come from all the peer group in the locality and school. The reality however is that it is the peer group of those selected friends, especially best friends, which matters most.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY You may know about the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is now running in most schools in the country. This focuses on the health, personal development, decision making and self esteem of young people and it also deals with the use of alcohol. However we cannot leave it all to the schools and, as parents, we can influence our children’s attitude to school and to participation. ‘She will be taught about alcohol at school soon enough – maybe I should
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leave alcohol education to the experts. Besides, I don’t want to put ideas in her head before she’s even a teenager.’ When a young person drinks too much it is usually part of a broad set of behaviours. Here are some suggestions that can help prevent these behaviours: • Encourage commitment at school – either to study or sport or other activities; • Find out about your school's policies on alcohol. Partnership between parents and schools is likely to bring about a better outcome than any effort made by either on their own; • Encourage children to read or to take up a hobby that does not involve drink. Moving from Primary to Secondary school is a stressful time – new subjects, new teachers, possibly new classmates and making new friends. If the transition isn’t smooth young people are more likely to become involved in underage drinking. Our children may want to appear ‘grown up’ at this time but in fact they are very vulnerable and we need to be alert to any changes and be available for a chat. Teachers have insights into our children which we may not have. Many are parents themselves and they all play a significant role in our children’s formation. Do talk to them if you have concerns about alcohol abuse.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Alcohol abuse is not confined to any particular sector in society. You can be sure that your teenager (or preteen) will be offered alcohol. You cannot be sure that your children will not make silly mistakes with alcohol. Young people who come through all this with responsible drinking habits often share many of the following characteristics: Healthy self esteem. They know their own strengths and weaknesses and have the confidence to know they are liked and to like themselves. Because of this they are unlikely to harm or abuse themselves. Parents can encourage selfesteem by being supportive of their children’s efforts from an early age and being willing and interested listeners to their ups and downs. They can make decisions. There are many influences on young people, often with conflicting messages. These young people can make up their minds without worrying too much what YOUR FREE COPY
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DRINK AWARE ADVERTORIAL others think. Parents walk a fine line here. Too much control and children have no opportunity to think for themselves – too little and they may feel that decisions are not important. What young people need is encouragement to think on their feet, follow their own advice and resist following the herd at times. They understand that some rules are necessary. Through learning to live with clear and reasonable rules young people develop personal responsibility. Parents can help by having a few clear rules at home and by explaining the values behind the rules. A rule about telling those at home where you are going and what time you will be home is a great protection. They appreciate the value of money. They realise that they must manage on a limited amount of money. Parents can limit their children's pocket money or control the amount available from parttime jobs – by, for example, requiring a contribution to collective household expenses from income earned outside the home. They are busy with interesting lives. Some are involved in school, others in sport, dancing, music or youth clubs. They do not have much time to be bored. Boredom is one of the greatest causes of alcohol abuse. Try to spot their talents early and give them every encouragement to develop them. Their families drink in moderation, if they choose to drink, or are open about their problems. They have seen their adult relatives drink in a moderate way, and have seen them choose not to drink on occasion (e.g. when driving). Alternatively, if there are problem drinkers in the family, these issues have been openly and frankly discussed with them. Children of alcoholic parents can use lessons from frank and compassionate discussion of the issue to help protect themselves and their friends. Children are not taken in by appearances – they are more influenced by what we do than by what we say. Teenagers in particular are rarely fooled at home and honesty is certainly the best policy.
PARENTS’ WORRIES “How do I explain the dangers of drink?” Most adults in Ireland take a drink when relaxing and socialising and it is helpful to acknowledge the enjoyable aspect of this. It is also helpful to discuss with young people the harmful aspects such as losing control, taking risks and wasting money. A good time to bring up these discussions is when watching TV when the issue arises. We can talk to our teenagers, listen to their views and convey information and guidance in a distanced way that is not too threatening for them. This has proven more useful than scare tactics or punishment, which can turn young people off. “I worry about the friends they are with.” The ‘best friends’ have a lot of influence in the development of a pattern of drinking. Parents are wise to be aware of the pattern of drinking among young people in the area. It is also helpful to get to know the ‘best friends’ and make them welcome at home. Often parents criticise friends when they fear their influence. This can lead to a young person feeling torn between YOUR FREE COPY
parents and friends and this is not helpful in maintaining good communication. It is better for parents to convey their worries about the safety of the young people than to run down the friends themselves. “Will they end up in a fight?” We also need to discuss the increasing trend towards rowdy and violent behaviour, often under the influence of alcohol, and to clearly state that violence at all levels is unacceptable. Parents can help teenagers to think about places that are dangerous and how levels of alcohol consumption can leave them vulnerable to involvement in fights. Young people need the older generation to be clearly concerned with their safety. “I’m so worried I can’t sleep.” Parents often worry when their teenagers begin to drink. Often that fear is not so much about the drink itself as the consequences of drinking. At its worst the fear can be about drink related violence or poor decision making around sexual activity. “Are they having sex?” We all worry about pressure on our children as they enter puberty and the confusion and anxiety that can follow. The age of sexual activity has fallen and peer pressure along with media pressure can make decision making difficult. Sometimes young people drink in response to this pressure and alcohol consumption can lead to inappropriate decisions. Parents can make it clear to their sons and daughters that sexual activity is always their choice and it is always OK to say "NO". Once again TV and films can provide us with opportunities to discuss this with our young people. “I just don’t know how to begin. I know she drinks sometimes when she’s out with her friends. She’s usually quite a sensible girl, but I just hope she doesn’t take any stupid risks. Should I have drink in the house?” Most households do have drink at home and will often offer a drink to visitors. Drink however needs to be kept in a place where younger children cannot access it by accident. It is unfair to teenagers, especially if parents are away for a night, to leave them in a situation where they have access to a large supply of drink at home especially during the years when they are likely to experiment.
USEFUL CONTACTS Your school’s Parents Council Your school’s Home Liaison Officer Your Health Board's Health Promotion Officer Your local Residents Association VISIT DRINKAWARE.IE for information on alcohol and drinking, from fascinating facts to practical tips. DOWNLOAD FREE GUI DES including the 'Student Survival Guide' the 'Festival Survival Guide', 'Alcohol Sport & You' and the 'Christmas Survival Guide'.
OTHER USEFUL PUBLICATIONS: ‘Straight Talk - A guide for parents on teenage drinking’ published by the HSE
drinkaware.ie was developed by MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited) MEAS is a drinks industry initiative against alcohol misuse MEAS,Merrion House, 1/3 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 611 4811 Email: info@meas.ie www.meas.ie
Young People & A lc o h ol Q u iz
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? 1 The average age of beginning to drink is 14-15 years FALSE Since the early 80's the average age of beginning to drink has reduced from 15 years to 13 years. The whole 'timetable' of drinking (starting with an occasional drink and following with more regular drinking) is now earlier than a generation ago, but has levelled off, with recent (2011) evidence showing it has increased somewhat. 2 The number of young people who have never tried alcohol has decreased over the years. TRUE There has been a dramatic change here. Thirty years ago about 1 in 4 those leaving post-primary school had not tried alcohol even once.Today the number reaching 18 without having tried alcohol is very small. Some teenagers start to drink because they wrongly think all teenagers are drinking. Recent research shows that the number of teenagers under 15 experimenting with alcohol has dropped and that half of 15 year olds are not regular drinkers. Delaying drinking reduces the risks of harmful drinking in later life. 3 Under 18's know that they will not be able to buy alcohol, even if they want to FALSE Young people aged from 16 upwards say that they can get access to alcohol if they want to. (We are not suggesting that alcohol is always easily obtained – what is crucial is that young people see it as easy to obtain). 4 There is more drinking in cities than anywhere else FALSE People from all backgrounds begin to drink at roughly the same age. 5 All young people do not start drinking in the same setting TRUE There are three broad locations for the 'first drink'. Own home or home of a friend (sometimes when parents are away), pubs/off- licences (sometimes bought by a 'friend' who is overage), and parks/beaches/ waste-ground. 6 The changes in Irish Society are part of the picture that influence the drinking of young people TRUE Childhood is shorter in modern Ireland than it was even 20 years ago. Young people are independent minded at an earlier age, are sexually active, and make decisions about their lives earlier. 7 The best time to talk to your children about alcohol is when they enter the early teens FALSE Children often ask about alcohol and drinking when they are very young. When this happens a positive response is better than ducking the issue. Many parents do not see the need to raise the subject until their children reach their teens when they apparently start drinking alcohol. Ideally you should speak to your child before he or she is likely to start experimenting with alcohol.
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HEALTH PARKINSON’S DISEASE
PARKINSON’S DISEASE By Alison Cashel, Parkinson's Nurse
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder, and is classified as a Movement Disorder, as it primarily affects movement. It is variable in its progression, i.e. some people progress more slowly than others, and the symptoms can be effectively controlled with medication for many years. Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of a chemical called dopamine. We all lose some of this chemical as we get older, however, it is only when we have lost about 80% of our dopamine we start to have symptoms. So people with Parkinson's have lost this chemical at a faster rate than others. Although PD is a movement disorder, there are both motor and non-motor symptoms associated with PD. Parkinson’s can be difficult to diagnose initially, it may take up to 2-3 visits before a conclusive diagnosis is made.
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What age does Parkinson’s disease occur at?
PD is most common diagnosed in a person’s 60s. It can, however, also affect younger people. People with PD between the ages of 4060 are said to have early onset PD. Between the ages of 21 and 40 they are generally described as having young onset PD, while those with symptoms occurring before the age of 20 are described as having juvenile Parkinsonism.
How common is Parkinson’s disease?
PD is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s. The incidence is 1-2:1000 of the general population and 1:100 of the over 80’s, estimating that there are 8,000 people living with PD in Ireland.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
It is not yet known exactly why people get PD,
THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
but researchers suspect that in most cases it is a combination of a number of genetic and environmental factors that cause the dopamineproducing nerve cells in the brain to die off. There is also emerging data to suggest that PD in a large proportion of “young-onset” and “juvenile” cases is of genetic origin due to a variety of gene mutations rather than sporadic in nature.
Can Parkinson’s disease be inherited?
In the vast majority of cases PD is not inherited. There are a very small number of families in which PD is inherited due to a clear genetic effect.
What are the symptoms?
The motor symptoms are tremor, stiffness, slowness, stooped posture and gait disturbance/ impaired balance. Tremors seen in people with Parkinson’s disease are usually present when YOUR FREE COPY
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PARKINSON’S DISEASE HEALTH the hand or leg is relaxed, or not in use, and this is called a rest tremor. This is most commonly seen when the hand is relaxed, for example when the person is sitting watching the TV. Anxiety can cause the tremor to become worse, so people with Parkinson’s will often notice that in times of high stress, the tremor can be more noticeable. Only 70% of people with Parkinson's will develop a tremor. Slowness of movement is often described as a difficulty in completing daily tasks at the usual speed and ease, for example getting washed and dressed. This slowness in movement can also affect the way in which you walk, as it may cause short, shuffling steps. The stiffness caused by Parkinson's can be a result of the muscles being unable to stretch or relax. Light exercises or physiotherapy can help loosen up tight muscles, and improve mobility. People with PD may also experience a wide range of symptoms known as the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It is now known that some non-motor symptoms may develop years before motor symptoms and before a diagnosis of PD is made. The nonmotor symptoms of PD are sometimes not identified and treated because people with PD don't realise they are related to the condition. Examples of non- motor symptoms of PD include, but are not limited to, anxiety, bladder and bowel problems, depression, excessive sweating, fatigue, hallucinations, low blood pressure, a loss of the sense of smell, memory problems, pain, and sleep difficulties. It is important to note that the symptoms of PD usually begin slowly, develop gradually and in no particular order. Sometimes it can take years before symptoms progress to a point where they cause problems. Not everyone with PD experiences the same combination of symptoms. The type, severity and combination of symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
charity, based in Dublin with branches throughout the country. Our aim is to assist people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, health professionals and other interested people by offering support, a listening ear and information on any aspect of living with Parkinson's. We currently receive no funding from the Irish state. We have 14 branches throughout Ireland, and we hold information meetings locally and nationally, offering support to those who need it. We run a free phone helpline (1800 359 359) which is available Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. We also have a nurse on employed, who is available to answer questions on PD, medications and offer advice and information on coping with PD.
“Parkinson’s can be difficult to diagnose initially, it may take up to 2-3 visits before a conclusive diagnosis is made”
Is there a cure for Parkinson’s disease?
There is currently no cure for PD. There have however been significant improvements in the treatment of the symptoms of PD in the last 20 years. Treatments include drug therapy, surgery, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. There is extensive research currently being carried out into the causes of PD and into developing new treatments for PD. The ultimate goal of this research is to slow down progression or even cure PD altogether. As the research advances there are likely to be better treatments available over time which will improve the quality of life of people with PD. Feel free to contact the Association for some helpful tips and tricks and request a copy of our exercise wall chart devised by a physiotherapist specifically for Parkinson’s disease.
What is the Parkinson’s Association?
The Parkinson's Association of Ireland is a YOUR FREE COPY
Back to the Future star Michael J Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 when he was just 30 years of age APRIL / MAY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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ANIMALS DONKEY SANCTUARY
Little Donkey Tempted to foster or adopt an animal? That wonderful feeling of doing a good deed can be easily achieved by focusing your next act of generosity towards the donkey sanctuary in Cork
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addy Barrett’s passion for donkeys was fuelled from an early age. “As a young boy aged five, I had my own donkey called Neddy. Every boy in the country who had a donkey called it Neddy” he recalls fondly.” Neddy lived until he was 40 showing a donkey’s life is one of the most formidable in the animal world. Paddy says the reason for the long life span is largely down to a very healthy diet. “They are not fussy about what they eat, and they will survive longer than other animals as they can even live in the bogs. Where other animals will die, donkeys won’t. They have strong molar teeth and will chew on anything”. It doesn’t mean all donkeys in Ireland have had a comfortable life. In fact the need for Paddy’s donkey sanctuary stemmed from the cruelty and abandonment he had witnessed, inflicted on thousands of donkeys across the country.“ Having dedicated a large part of his time to rescuing donkeys since his youth, in the late 1980’s Paddy’s rescue centre for donkeys linked up with The Donkey Sanctuary. “It is based here on the farm where I grew up, “explains Paddy. Since then Paddy and his family have continued to work relentlessly to help and improve conditions for donkeys throughout Ireland. The sanctuary is set in the stunning countryside of County Cork just outside the village of Liscarroll. However it is not run without some outside help. The sanctuary currently has 70 people employed to ensure the care for the donkeys is of a high level. Paddy realised that seeking volunteers to help out was not reliable enough as the donkeys need to be tended to 24/7. “Voluntary does not work. It is a case of here today and not tomorrow and it is very important that the donkeys are kept healthy and watered. The youngest donkey is only a few months old.” Like with any animal sanctuary the main issue is the running costs, with €3 million needed annually to keep it operating. Despite this high price, admission to the sanctuary for visitors remains free. “Yes the decision is to keep it free,” says Paddy. “We find that people who have already given donations want to come and see the animals. Or often visitors who come will leave donations before they leave.” Many of these day visitors are not just coming to view all 620 donkeys on site, but one in particular. “A lot of them have adopted a donkey,” explains Paddy. It is not an expensive or difficult process either. “Just today I was doing a talk at St Mary’s College in Tipperary and they adopted two donkeys, Lorcan and Roisin.” The rules relating to adoption of the donkeys is that you can adopt one for a year, and in return for a €20 fee you will receive an adoption bag with the history of the donkey and a photo and sketch of him or her. And of course it is your chance to do a good deed, knowing you have helped a donkey live a better life. Unsurprisingly the adoption gift has become a popular purchase for birthdays, Christmas and other special
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DONKEY SANCTUARY ANIMALS occasions. The only issue with allowing people to adopt a donkey for a year means many of these donkeys having had several owners, often leading to some confusion during visit days. “For example Lorcan has been adopted many times and when a few of his previous owners come to the sanctuary at the same time, they are saying ‘that’s my Lorcan’, while another pipes up saying ‘no, that’s my Lorcan, I adopted him’. I have to address it by saying ‘he is all of yours’,” says Paddy. In light of the recent horsemeat scandal, Paddy is quietly confident the controversy does not extend to donkeys. “I don’t know
in many fundraising schemes. “There was an art competition last weekend, now I am organising the walking festival and then there is the Dublin horse show in the summer which we have a stand at,” says Paddy. One visit to the sanctuary will show just how protective he is of his animals. Any queries whether donkeys are lazy or not clever will be swiftly dismissed by Paddy. “They are intelligent creatures,” he insists. “For example the donkeys here know when the electric fence is on or not. They will go up and breathe on it to check.” As for the work donkeys do, it’s already written in Irish history, having worked tirelessly for decades, hauling the peat and carrying heavy loads. And just like Paddy many others agree that they deserve to be remembered for this, and should not suffer anymore after having given so much help to man.
For more information on the donkey sanctuary or to give a helping hand visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie
DID YOU KNOW? The donkey (similar to the llama) can be known as a beast of burden. This refers to the fact that they are used to carry loads as they have been since the beginning of recorded history.
Donkeys are very affectionate animals and enjoy the companionship of people. They need companions or will become depressed. They are the smallest member of the horse family and can perform the same gaits as horses, but generally don't gallop. They can run up to 50 kilometres per hour.
Paddy with Freya
of any going in to the meat trade. I have nothing to verify that. “But he admits there is a huge overflow of donkeys in this country and many have to be sent to the UK. “ It is brilliant to have that facility there where donkeys can be cared for.” His ethos is that any donkey in need will be rescued and a home found for them rather than have them put down. Great efforts are also made to ensure the emotions of the donkeys are taken into consideration. “They prefer the company of each other rand they rather stay with another. Some of them will just go into a group of 8 to 10 friends. It is very difficult to split that group. We then try to look for a suitable home for them to keep them together if possible.” As well as relying on donations, the donkey sanctuary is also heavily involved
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PROMOTION WEIGHT WATCHERS
JOHN CAHILL
John Cahill lost almost ten stone and totally transformed his life. He tells us how his leader Ann and his friend Sharon, were instrumental in helping him achieve a lifelong goal
John says: “At about 12 years old I started to put on the weight. I entered secondary school and it got worse, sweets in the school shop, up town for lunch getting chipper food, or big rolls from the deli and loads of fillings! I dreaded PE classes; getting changed in front of the other lads was so shameful, I tried every trick under the sun to avoid those classes. I got through school with my best friends and tried to ignore the taunts from the select few that bullied me. When I started work my eating habits didn’t improve, the long hours and travelling were my excuses back then – I hit a high of 23 stone. I remember talking to a woman I worked with and she said to me, “you have the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen and a heart of gold to match, don’t let your weight control your life.” A couple of years later I read a piece in the paper about how a woman had lost a load of weight with Weight Watchers, it was enough to push me to join the local class. I didn’t succeed the first time, I always seemed to lose a stone get bored and put the stone back on with another to boot. I attempted a few times but never stuck it out. My friend Sharon was going to Weight Watchers in Newbridge, and she asked if I wanted to join her class and we could go together. I wasn’t sure I wanted to and put the decision on the long finger. One of my biggest passions is Irish Figure Dancing. In 2011 my life changed forever; at one competition I had reached the semi-final and was over the moon, however, during that semifinal I started to feel my heart thump and struggled to breathe, I didn’t pass out but I didn’t make the final either and as the sweat dripped off me it dawned on me why. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror that night and in my head I heard
myself say, “if I don’t sort myself out I’m going to die soon and die alone.” It was that moment that I finally accepted the damage that I had done to my body and that a change was needed. I grabbed my phone and texted my friend Sharon. That Monday I met Sharon outside the class. She just hugged me and said, “it’s a new start from now and I’m here to help.” It’s amazing how much Sharon has helped me change my life, she was a lifeline and the biggest support I will ever have. We went into class where I met Ann Dobbin the leader, a truly inspirational person and another lady that helped change my life. Ann explained the programme to me and I left the class feeling very informed and ready for action. After a few weeks I decided to join Newbridge Leisure Centre. My instructor Matt set up my programme; loads of cardio and light weights, and I also took up spinning classes. As the weeks went on, with the combination of Weight Watchers and my gym work, the weight shed fast and seeing the results spurred me on to keep going. My clothes were getting way too big for me and people started to comment on my weight loss and how well I looked. On the scales, every week seeing the numbers fall was the best feeling ever. One day, I went as usual to my class and as I stood up on the scales, Ann looked at me and pointed to the screen; I weighed 12 stone 10 pounds, my goal weight! I hugged Ann and felt a huge wave of emotion come over me. All the sweat and tears had paid off. I suddenly felt proud of myself, proud of Sharon and Ann, and my class members for their huge support. When Ann told the class that I had reached my goal weight they erupted with claps and cheers it was very emotional and I could barely speak, these were the people that understood
my struggle and helped me along the way. My life today? One word, different! It’s been over a year now since I started my weight loss journey and what a year. My life had changed so much, I still dance for Browstown; I barely break a sweat these days dancing, from being the one that passed out to now being able to actually compete against the best and even beating them the odd time too! The support I got from my friends at dancing was amazing and to them I send my huge thanks. My teachers, Amanda, Dolores, and Evelyn provided me with self-confidence, when I was heavy as well as when I was losing weight. My work colleagues were of great support in my journey always praising me and keeping me boosted. I think the best part is wearing a small uniform now as opposed to the XXL I used to wear. I love buying clothes now and can finally go along with the fashion trends. My waist size has dropped to 30/32 from 44. I live with my best friend now and its great being able to rob his clothes. My personal life has transformed, I still go out with my friends at the weekends and visit the chipper on the way home from the night club; some things never change! It’s a great feeling when the people that I wouldn’t see that often come up to me on a night out and are astonished at the transformation. My friend Sharon, an amazingly kind and warm-hearted person, gave me that little push I needed and without her I couldn’t have achieved my dream. My leader Ann Dobbin, welcomed me to her class with great spirit; instantly we clicked and I knew that this was going to work. I will continue to attend Ann’s class on a regular basis to keep me on track. My life now is amazing and I will never go back to what it was!”
Name: John Cahill From: Nurney, Kildare Start weight: 22st/140kg Now: 12st 3lbs/78kg Lost: 9st 11lbs/62kg Class: Toughers, Naas Leader: Ann Dobbin
Tracking with a pen and paper was the biggest thing for me – it’s important to write it all down.
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FOR C I N C LU L A S S D E T A I LS DING ‘MEN O MEET I N G S : N LY ’ AT W O R K /B Y G RO U P
John’s Statistics
John’s tips for success
John Cahill at 22 ston e
Exercise is essential. Get up off your backside and do it!
REQUE
ST 8 W EEK
C ALL 1 COURSES 850 23 4 123 O W E IG H R V IS IT T W AT C AT H O H E R S .I M E /B Y E POST 0 5 6 7 7 S E RV IC E C A L L 222 76
Stay to class and listen to your leader, that’s where you get all the tips and motivation you’ll need.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS PROMOTION
Italian Lamb This dish looks fantastic, tastes elegant and is easy to prepare and cook. For the best flavour, we recommend cooking the lamb over mesquite charcoal. Serves 6, 59 ProPoints per recipe, 15 minutes preparation + chilling + resting, 30 minutes cooking, Freezing
Ingredients 1kg (2lb 4oz) boneless leg of lamb 50g (1 ¾ oz) prosciutto 50g tin anchovies in olive oil, drained but reserving 1 tablespoon oil. 3 garlic cloves 20g (3/4 oz) fresh flat leaf parsley 10g (1/3 oz) fresh mint, leaves only 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Open out the lamb so it is flat against the work surface. Cut several diagonal slits across the meat about 8mm (3/8 inch) deep and 5cm (2 inches) apart. 2. Put all the remaining ingredients, including the reserved oil from the anchovies, in a food processor and whizz to make a smooth paste (alternatively chop everything as finely as possible). Season with black pepper. 3. Rub the paste over the cut side of the meat, being careful to push skewers diagonally into the lamb so they cross over and make an ‘x’ shape. Place the meat on a non-metallic tray or dish, cover and chill for at least 2
hours and up to 12 hours. 4. Preheat the barbecue or grill to a medium-high heat. Cook the meat for 15 minutes on each side until well browned. Remove from the grill, place on a board and cover with foil. Leave to rest for 15 minutes before carving. Cook’s tip: If you prefer your lamb well done, cook it for an extra 5 minutes on each side.
Camomile, Honey, and Vanilla Swissroll The dessert has a deliciously unique flavour, thanks to an unusual ingredient – tea leaves. Serves 10, 34 ProPoints values per recipe, 3 ProPoints per serving, 30 minutes in total + cooling
Ingredients Calorie controlled cooking spray 5 camomile, vanilla and honey herb tea bags 3 eggs 75 g (2 ¾ oz) caster sugar 75g (2 ¾ oz) plain flour 1 teaspoon icing sugar A few mint sprigs, to decorate FOR THE FILLING: 100ml (3 ½ fl oz) reduced fat double cream 25g (1 oz) runny honey
Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 7/220°C/fan oven 200°C. Spray a 23x33cm (9x13inch) Swiss roll tin with the cooking spray then line with baking parchement. 2. Empty the filling of the tea bags into a large bowl. Add the eggs and caster sugar. Using a hand-held electric whisk, whisk for around 5 minutes on full speed until thick and mousse-like and the whisks leave a ribbon-like trail when lifted. Sift over the flour, then fold in gently with a metal spoon, taking care not to
knock out too much air. Spoon into prepared tin and bake 8-10 minutes until well risen and top feels springy. 3. Lay a warm and damp tea towel on the table and cover the towel with a sheet of greaseproof paper. Turn the Swiss roll out on to the greaseproof paper. Carefully peel away the baking parchment. Trim one crust off a short end of the cake, then roll up so the greaseproof sheet is lining it. Cool on a wire rack. 4. Whisk the cream and honey together in a bowel until thick and creamy. Unroll the Swiss roll, fill with the cream and re-roll. Slide off the paper on to a plate. Sprinkle with icing sugar and decorate with mint sprigs. Serve immediately.
For more delicious recipes go to weightwatchers.ie YOUR FREE COPY
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TECHNOLOGY DR GADGET
The Sunflower Chair
R DOCTO GADGET
I know! I know! Last issue we profiled a chair and now here's another flippin' chair, but as a bookworm I'm making no apologies for talking about this superb piece of design called the Sunflower Chair. What a great name! Regrettably, our vast resources do not, as yet extend to shipping in one of these lovely chairs from China just so that yours truly can plonk his bum into it and give you a comfort meter reading so there is every possibility that it’s unbelievably uncomfortable. But does that really matter seeing as you can store your books and magazines at just an arms reach away and it looks sooooo cool. The picture pretty much tells it like it is, but if you're telling someone about it you can describe it as a circular bookshelf with a seat in the middle or a seat with a circular bookshelf surrounding it. You decide. Because it is tilted at approximately a 45 degree angle, I'm guessing that it should be comfortable enough to lounge in and read your favorite magazine or book. However, the padded area, or chair looks a wee bit small in size, so you might need something to put your legs up on, unless you're a curler (you know one of those annoyingly flexible people who can fold their legs up under them in what would induce excruciating cramps in the rest of us). Now the bad news. Yes, you guessed it, the Sunflower Chair is not for sale........ Yet. It was created by designers He Mu and Zhang Qian from the Shanghai University of Engineering Science and recently won the Redtory Design Award at the Design for Sitting Gran Prix competition in Guangzhou, China. But me don't care! The Doctor wants one!
Globars
If you’ve ever been taken out by a car while riding your bike at dusk, or ran off the road at a busy intersection at the dead of night, you don’t want the Globars, you NEED the Globars. Designed by Mitchell Silve, the Globars combine 40 high-efficiency LED bulbs in inner plastic tubing with a set of standard bike handle bars. Unfortunately, the design of the Globars is in the concept phase but during prototype testing, they were very effective at lighting up the road that lay ahead, as well as providing drivers and pedestrians with a heads up of you and your approaching bicycle. The whole things runs off a small watch battery. A nice variation would be one that incorporates a magnetic based dynamo, which would negate the need for costly and annoying battery replacements.
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THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
Thermosaurus
Super hot T-Rex! Br ave the next Ice Age with a sur vivor of the last one
Is this a cast iron central heating radiator? A metal sculpture of a dinosaur? Got a kid in the family that has an obsession with all things dinosaur? Then it’s probably a safe bet that they’ll fall in love with the Thermosaurus from brilliant Russian designer Art Lebedev. Actually he calls it a heat exchanger. It replaces those archaic looking radiators that can still be found in homes today. That said, the design of the Thermosaurus, which we should note is a concept only, allows you to hang and stuff garments into its body to dry them out after a frolic in the snow or rain. If you look closely you’ll notice that its back left leg features a valve knob for influencing how much steam is pumped through the body. However like the Tyrannosaurus, it has lots of spiky bits to bang into and thanks to its complex structure that includes a skull, spine, ribs, legs, and tail bones, it is highly efficient and energy savvy and wonderful for drying clothes on. Unfortunately it isn't on sale yet but the Doctor is convinced it's coming your way.
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QUICK QUIZ
TheWaitingRoom
CROSSWORD When completed, the letters in the shaded squares will spell out the winning word: Comes with age so we’re told
Question 1
Grand Central Terminal, Park Avenue, New York is the world's a) Largest railway station b) Highest railway station c) Longest railway station d) None of the above
Question 2
Entomology is the science that studies a) Behavior of human beings b) Insects c) The origin and history of technical and scientific terms d) The formation of rocks
2 nights B&B an WIN en ing Meal for 2 at d
one Ev l, Birr, County Arms Hote Hotels ct a member of Sele
Question 3
Eritrea, which became the 182nd member of the UN in 1993, is in the continent of a) Asia b) Africa c) Europe d) Australia
Question 4
For which of the following disciplines is Nobel Prize awarded a) Physics and Chemistry b) Physiology or Medicine c) Literature, Peace and Economics d) All of the above
Question 5
Hitler party which came into power in 1933 is known as a) Labour Party b) Nazi Party c) Ku-Klux-Klan d) Democratic Party
Question 6
Galileo was an Italian astronomer who a) developed the telescope b) discovered four satellites of Jupiter c) discovered that the movement of pendulum produces a regular time measurement d) All of the above
Question 7
Exposure to sunlight helps a person improve his health because a) the infrared light kills bacteria in the body b) resistance power increases c) the pigment cells in the skin get stimulated and produce a healthy tan d) the ultraviolet rays convert skin oil into Vitamin D Answers: 1a, 2b, 3b, 4d, 5b, 6d, 7d
Crossword is open to readers aged 18 or over, are resident in the Republic of Ireland, except employees and their families of The Waiting Room Magazine, its printers, or anyone connected with the competition. The magazine is not responsible for entries lost, delayed or damaged in the post. Proof of postage is not accepted as proof of delivery. Any number of entries will be accepted. Winner will be the sender of the first correct entry to be drawn at random after the closing date. Winner will be notified by post, and only their name and the county in which they live may be published in the magazine. All personal information obtained through entry into this competition will be destroyed following its completion. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.
PUZZLES
HOW TO ENTER: Text TWR2 followed by your answer, name, address and phone number to 53307 or post your answers along with your phone number to us! Closing date 27th May 2013
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C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s!
1 Knowledge tinged with
1 Containers for instruments and
The winner of last issues Crossword is Colette Connolly, Kinsale, Co Cork
experience (6)
implements (7)
4 Sword case or covering (6) 9 Couple plus agooseberry (4) 10 Retail name for knick-knacks or small decorative gifts (5,5)
2 Gloomy, threatening look (5) 3 Brusque, cavalier or overtly casual manner (7)
11 Honeysuckle shrub named
5 Boisterous, bold, carefree girl,
after Clarke Abel (6)
a tomboy (6)
12 Catch up to and pass out (8)
6 Latin for "all the more" or "even
13 Give up an alleged fugitive
more certain"(1,8)
to another nation upon request (9) 7 Gave his name to a type of 15 Antler (4) cancer (7) 16 Cushionlike masses of soft 8 Suering from bad luck (13) material (4) 14 Coloured fish known as Goatfish 17 Without advice or counsel in USA. (3,6) (relating to one's legal rights) (9) 16 Conditional clause in a contract 21 Written or printed item of a factual or informative
or statute (7)
nature (8)
18 Unmoved and not weeping
22 Frothy or foamy and possibly
(3-4)
containing yeasts (6)
19 Policy understanding or
24 Childish name for William clowning around (5,5) 25 The sixth month (4) 25 Interruption or failure in power supply (6)
Terms: 18+. 60c per entry incl VAT. Network charges vary. Competition closes midnight 27th may 2013 Entries made after the close date do not count and you may be charged. SP Phonovation Ltd. PO Box 6, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Helpline 0818217100
SUDOKU
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 square contain all the digits from 1 to 9
arrangement between nations (7) 20 Container of leaves, makes an individual serving of a hot drink (3,3)
27 Command under oath or threat 23 French region near the Loire and of penalty (6)
THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
a pear. (5) YOUR FREE COPY
TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
28/03/2013
5:04 pm
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PUZZLES
WORD SEARCH
Using fresh local healthy produce, award winning Irish food company Just Food specialise in premium handmade organic soups and are available throughout Ireland. Visit www.JustFood.ie
Win A Hamper of Just Food Products! Post your completed WORDSEARCH along with your name and address and phone number to The Waiting Room, The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin. Closing date for entries is 27th May 2013
Can you find all 27 delicious sweet types listed?
Cherries Cookies Float Marshmallow Nuts Rocky Sorbet
Sundae Vanilla Chocolate Cream Freeze Mint Rainbow
Scoop Sprinkles Swirl Waffle Cone Cup Ice
Neopolitan Road Sherbert Strawberry Syrup Whipped
Cross reference
CRACK THE CODE AND WIN €50
Each letter of the Alphabet appears as a code. Complete the grid and it will reveal one of the a well known saying.. HINT: All the words are emotions. Then Text TWR3, followed by your answer, name and address and phone number to 53307 or post your answers along with your name, address and phone number to The Waiting Room, The Studio, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin
P
YOUR FREE COPY
APRIL / MAY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
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KIDS COLOURING PAGE
C olouring fun for kids
image source: www.thecoloringbarn.com
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THE WAITING ROOM | APRIL / MAY 2013
YOUR FREE COPY
TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
28/03/2013
5:04 pm
Page 31
image source: www.thecoloringbarn.com
COLOURING PAGE KIDS
YOUR FREE COPY
APRIL / MAY 2013 | THE WAITING ROOM
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TWR - AprilMay 2013:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13
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5:04 pm
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