MS Society Aberdeen - Summer 2019 Newsletter

Aberdeen Local Group Summer 2019 Newsletter

Work of MS Society Aberdeen group recognised Ian Gourlay, Chrissie Kennedy, Brenda Reid and Bob Wilson collected an award recognising the work of the MS Society, Aberdeen local group volunteers at Inchgarth Community Centre in March 2019.

Two Volunteers have left us

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Two of our volunteers moved on in the early part of 2019.

Azia Aslam, our Finance Volunteer stood down from her role at the end of January after four and a half years with the group. We said farewell over lunch at the Brig of Don, King Street, Aberdeen which was attended by several of our volunteers.

Margaret Stewart and Maureen Thomson

Margaret Stewart was a volunteer at our social group on a Wednesday afternoon until she and her husband moved to Qatar.

Margaret was presented with a painting done by our own Maureen Thomson at her last day with us in April.

Ian Gourlay has taken on the role of Finance Volunteer and rejoined the local group management team. We are presently looking for volunteers to assist with our activities on a Wednesday afternoon at Inchgarth Community Centre – see page 3.

We wish Azia and Margaret every good wish for their future.

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Can you spare time to volunteer?

Left to right: Councillor Gordon Townson, Bob Wilson, Ian Gourlay, Chrissie Kennedy, Paul O’Connor [manager at Inchgarth Community Centre], Brenda Reid, Jules Ory [volunteer coordinator at Inchgarth Community Centre]

Volunteers Week takes place from 1 – 7 June and is an opportunity for celebrating the work of our volunteers who make a fantastic contribution to the projects carried out by the local group. It is good to see this work is recognised by others outside the MS Society.

The MS Society relies on volunteers to act as its representatives around the UK and although the Aberdeen volunteer team is a small, dedicated band of people, it punches above its weight. Volunteers are the face and voice of the MS Society in their local communities raising the profile of MS and the services the Society has to offer.

Volunteering for the MS Society is a great way to use your existing skillset, learn new skills, meet new people and make a difference for people living with MS. There are many ways to volunteer and you can give as much or as little time as you can.

Contact us at aberden.mssociety.org.uk to find out more.

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Random News Updates

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Can you take everything you read in the media at face value?

We’ve gone behind the headlines in an attempt to clarify the facts for you.

Abdominal massage for constipation Around half of people with MS experience bowel problems at some time. A common problem is constipation, defined as passing hard stools (faeces) less than three times a week. There is a wide range treatment options including lifestyle changes to diet and exercise which can make a difference. A recent study evaluated the effect of abdominal massage as a treatment for constipation. It found abdominal massage did improve bowel symptoms but the effect was small and not significant. The researchers concluded while the results do not justify routine use of abdominal massage for everyone reporting constipation, they indicate this approach would be worth considering as an additional option to help people manage constipation.

Cocoa improves MS fatigue – or does it?

A study carried out by researchers at Oxford Brookes University suggests a daily mug of cocoa made from dark chocolate could improve MS fatigue as it contains high levels of flavonoids. Forty people diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS within the last 10 years and moderate to severe fatigue took part in this study. Everyone drank a mug of cocoa first thing in the morning for six weeks; one half drank cocoa with high flavonoid content, the others drank cocoa with low flavonoid content. Participants rated their fatigue level three times each day After six weeks, there was a small improvement in fatigue levels in 11 of those taking the high flavonoid cocoa and in 8 of those taking the low flavonoid cocoa. Those who had the high flavonoid cocoa were able to walk slightly further in a six-minute walking test. The results suggest high flavonoid cocoa could lead to

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a modest improvement in fatigue levels but a bigger study is needed to confirm the results.

Ocrelizumab Ocrevus [also known as ocrelizumab] was approved for relapsing remitting MS in Scotland during December 2018 if you are experiencing relapses or have MRI evidence of new areas of MS activity and are unable to take alemtuzumab. This gives people access to a proven treatment. Hopefully it will be available for those with early primary progressive MS in the near future as there are currently no treatments slowing the progression of this form of the condition where disability accumulates significantly faster than for those with the relapsing form. Roche – the drug manufacturer - is working the Scottish Medicines Consortium to make Ocrevus available on the NHS. Clinical trials have shown ocrelizumab can slow the worsening of disability in early inflammatory PPMS with the potential to delay the need for a wheelchair by seven years. The treatment can allow people to continue working and remain independent for longer.

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Free bus travel for people with MS Transport Scotland has amended its criteria for those with MS applying for free bus travel. Previously you needed to obtain a supporting letter from a consultant neurologist. Some people do not see a neurologist regularly and many neurologists don’t have the time or support staff to write letters for each of their patients.

Now the National Entitlement Card will be available with a letter from a specialist medical professional which includes a MS nurse.

The card enables bearers to free bus travel across Scotland.

Aberdeen Links Programme rolled out across the city As of April 2019 every GP practice in Aberdeen has a Primary Care Link Practitioner attached and they have started to receive referrals from health care professionals. There are now 20 people in post. Aberdeen Links aims to support people to live well by strengthening connections between community resources, third sector organisations and primary care and to enhance social prescribing in Aberdeen. Link Working aims to reduce the negative impact of social and economic circumstances on someone’s health and wellbeing.

The role is to provide a person-centred service which is responsive to the needs of the practice population. The Link Practitioners will support patients to identify issues affecting their ability to live well and help them to address these.

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Free bus travel for people with MS Transport Scotland has amended its criteria for those with MS applying for free bus travel. Previously you needed to obtain a supporting letter from a consultant neurologist. Some people do not see a neurologist regularly and many neurologists don’t have the time or support staff to write letters for each of their patients.

Now the National Entitlement Card will be available with a letter from a specialist medical professional which includes a MS nurse.

The card enables bearers to free bus travel across Scotland.

Aberdeen Links Programme rolled out across the city As of April 2019 every GP practice in Aberdeen has a Primary Care Link Practitioner attached and they have started to receive referrals from health care professionals. There are now 20 people in post. Aberdeen Links aims to support people to live well by strengthening connections between community resources, third sector organisations and primary care and to enhance social prescribing in Aberdeen. Link Working aims to reduce the negative impact of social and economic circumstances on someone’s health and wellbeing.

The role is to provide a person-centred service which is responsive to the needs of the practice population. The Link Practitioners will support patients to identify issues affecting their ability to live well and help them to address these.

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Beta interferon drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed disease modifying therapies for people with MS. Disease modifying therapies can slow disability progression and reduce the number of relapses people experience. A long-term study has shown they can improve survival rates. Researchers from the University of British Colombia, Canada followed almost 6,000 people with relapsing MS. They found people who had taken beta interferons for more than six months had a 32% lower mortality risk, compared to those who hadn't taken beta interferons. For people who had taken beta interferons for over three years it was even lower.

Increased survival was also seen in people who started taking beta interferons five or more years after they were diagnosed.

We know the average life expectancy for people living with MS is around 5-10 years lower than average. This study tells us the beta interferons increase life expectancy for people with MS but it’s still too early to tell what the long-term benefits of the newer, more effective, DMTs could be.

Many people are currently not accessing treatments which could help them. Research has shown thousands of people with relapsing forms of MS have not seen an MS nurse or neurologist in the last year or more. Among this group, just 12% are taking a DMT, which could help reduce their relapses, slow progression, and even extend their life.

Managing health information is a significant aspect of living with MS. Researchers warn against assuming that simply providing information gives people more control over their health care and decisions about treatments.

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A MS story from a lady living in the north east [taken from a blog and used with permission]

Two days before my 30th birthday I discovered I was pregnant. Excited is an understatement as we'd been trying for a baby for ages and had as much as given up hope of falling pregnant.

During the first few months of pregnancy I lost the feeling in the tips of my fingers. The midwife put it down to carpal tunnel syndrome and we figured the feeling would return once baby was born. The feeling has never come back.

Due to a blood condition and the fact madam decided to go breech two weeks before her due date, I was booked in for a csection. Baby was safely delivered and I was one extremely happy new mummy.

Ten months later weird things started happening and little did I know how drastically life was going to change. I lost the feeling in my right leg gradually over the course of an evening. It felt like lots of little ants crawling under my skin from the top of my leg to my toes. I could still walk fairly well although I had no feeling in the sole of my foot and hadn't a clue when my foot was on the floor! My GP immediately referred me to a neurologist who ordered all kinds of blood tests to rule things out. At this point I was blaming the epidural, I was convinced the needle had nicked my spine. How wrong was I? Two weeks later the feeling came back then I lost the feeling in my left leg. I reported this to my neurologist at ARI to try to speed up scans of my spine and brain. The scan of the spine showed a grey area just below my neck. A lumbar puncture was ordered.

The procedure? Piece of cake but the headache afterwards had me flat on my back for a week! The results of the lumbar puncture were negative.

On the next Sunday morning I woke up with no feeling in my arms or hands and I could feel nothing from the waist down.

By this time, I'd ruled out the epidural as the cause. My wee one 9

was trying to walk and wanted mummy's help but with the lack of feeling I had no idea how tight I was holding on to her hands or if I was holding them at all. I was petrified to hug her in case I squeezed too hard and when she climbed up on my knee, I had to continually check she didn't slip off as I couldn't get my legs to stay in such a position that it was safe for her to be sitting on my lap.

I got my brain scan where they found lesions. Later in the year, I had an appointment with my neurologist who delivered the devastating news I have relapsing remitting MS (that's the good kind, I was upgraded to progressive earlier this year). How did I feel when I was told? Let's put it this way, I haven't a clue what the neurologist said after she uttered those fateful words "MS".

I have been pretty much left to my own devices for the last few years and any request I have made to try things I feel may help has been met with opposition from the people who are supposed to be helping me. This is why I have done things like the anti-gravity treadmill with Move4ward and the MS Warrior program in an attempt to stay mobile. I was holding 80% of my body weight with the machine supporting the other 20%. This is a full reversal from when I started the treadmill as I was only able to support 20% of my body weight with the machine taking the rest.

The Move4ward treadmill system 10

A MS story from a lady living in the north east [taken from a blog and used with permission]

Two days before my 30th birthday I discovered I was pregnant. Excited is an understatement as we'd been trying for a baby for ages and had as much as given up hope of falling pregnant.

During the first few months of pregnancy I lost the feeling in the tips of my fingers. The midwife put it down to carpal tunnel syndrome and we figured the feeling would return once baby was born. The feeling has never come back.

Due to a blood condition and the fact madam decided to go breech two weeks before her due date, I was booked in for a csection. Baby was safely delivered and I was one extremely happy new mummy.

Ten months later weird things started happening and little did I know how drastically life was going to change. I lost the feeling in my right leg gradually over the course of an evening. It felt like lots of little ants crawling under my skin from the top of my leg to my toes. I could still walk fairly well although I had no feeling in the sole of my foot and hadn't a clue when my foot was on the floor! My GP immediately referred me to a neurologist who ordered all kinds of blood tests to rule things out. At this point I was blaming the epidural, I was convinced the needle had nicked my spine. How wrong was I? Two weeks later the feeling came back then I lost the feeling in my left leg. I reported this to my neurologist at ARI to try to speed up scans of my spine and brain. The scan of the spine showed a grey area just below my neck. A lumbar puncture was ordered.

The procedure? Piece of cake but the headache afterwards had me flat on my back for a week! The results of the lumbar puncture were negative.

On the next Sunday morning I woke up with no feeling in my arms or hands and I could feel nothing from the waist down.

By this time, I'd ruled out the epidural as the cause. My wee one 9

was trying to walk and wanted mummy's help but with the lack of feeling I had no idea how tight I was holding on to her hands or if I was holding them at all. I was petrified to hug her in case I squeezed too hard and when she climbed up on my knee, I had to continually check she didn't slip off as I couldn't get my legs to stay in such a position that it was safe for her to be sitting on my lap.

I got my brain scan where they found lesions. Later in the year, I had an appointment with my neurologist who delivered the devastating news I have relapsing remitting MS (that's the good kind, I was upgraded to progressive earlier this year). How did I feel when I was told? Let's put it this way, I haven't a clue what the neurologist said after she uttered those fateful words "MS".

I have been pretty much left to my own devices for the last few years and any request I have made to try things I feel may help has been met with opposition from the people who are supposed to be helping me. This is why I have done things like the anti-gravity treadmill with Move4ward and the MS Warrior program in an attempt to stay mobile. I was holding 80% of my body weight with the machine supporting the other 20%. This is a full reversal from when I started the treadmill as I was only able to support 20% of my body weight with the machine taking the rest.

The Move4ward treadmill system 10

M S Nurses No one has to manage M S alone. Anyone living in the NHS Grampian catchment area has access to the M S nurses at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Knowing you can contact an M S nurse whenever you need to makes such a difference.

The team is based in the Department of Neurosciences, Ward 205 [Pink zone], Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Contacts at ARI are: Mairi Maguire, Pauline Wilson and Julie Robertson.

The nurses are available Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30. An answering machine may take a message and a nurse will call you back as quickly as possible. [t] 01224 551263 [e] nhsg.msnurses@nhs.net

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FINANCIAL UPDATE Receipts and Payments Account: 1 January – 31 December 2018 Receipts £

Subscriptions Donations Fundraising activities Legacies Interest received Grants TOTAL

620.75 5,088.45 11,151.60 48,237.45 485.31 17,380.00 82,963.56

Payments £ Instructor fees 24,457.82 Room rentals 3,922.70 Minibus fuel /repairs / servicing 1,560.90 Minibus insurance 1,043.74 Newsletters 456.71 Postage / telephone 80.25 Advertising / fundraising / other 2,781.09 TOTAL 34,303.21 Surplus 48,660.35

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Receipts and Payments Account: 1 January – 22 May 2019

Receipts Subscriptions Donations Fundraising activities Sales from arts and crafts Interest received Grants TOTAL Payments Instructor fees Room rentals Minibus fuel /repairs / servicing Insurance Newsletters / stationery Advertising / social / accounting fee TOTAL

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£ 356.25 1,726.13 770.45 460.00 286.50 1,303.50 4,902.83 £ 12,636.58 2,068.20 1,276.31 30.00 226.30 1,582.88 17,720.27

Our Activities Timetable The Aberdeen local group programme aims to encourage people with MS to introduce a little activity into their daily routine. Why not try one or more of our classes to get started? You do it at your level, at your own pace and in your own way!

If you want us to consider an activity in which your fellow members would enjoy participating, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Contact Brenda Reid on telephone number 07561 855318 for further information about our classes.

Monday @ Inchgarth Community Centre 10.30-11.30: Exercise Class for all levels (including wheelchair users) led by a qualified personal trainer.

11.30-12.00: Social gathering, a chat over coffee with friends.

12.30-15.00: Crafts class led by a qualified art teacher. Beginners always welcome.

Monday @ Stonehaven Bowling Club 10.30 – 11.30: Exercise Class for all levels (including wheelchair users) led by a qualified physiotherapist.

Tuesday @ Inchgarth Community Centre 10.00-11.00: Exercise Class for all levels (including wheelchair users) led by a qualified personal trainer.

11.00-12.00: Social gathering, a chat over coffee with friends.

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Wednesday @ Inchgarth Community Centre 10.45-11.45: Seated Yoga for all abilities by a qualified yoga instructor.

12.00-15.00: Arts class led by a qualified art teacher. Beginners welcome.

13.30-15.00: Support and social group offering light refreshments, chat and play board games.

Thursday @ Kingswells church hall 10.30-11.30: Exercise Class for all levels (including wheelchair users) led by a qualified physiotherapist.

Thursday @ Aberdeen Sports Village. £10 per session after free block 14.15-15.15: Neuro Pilates [run by Spear Physiotherapy] led by a qualified instructor. A fitness assessment is required for beginners.

Friday @ Cafe4Credo Mindfulness 10.15am – 12 noon [chimes at 10.30am] [see page xx] Friday @ Bon Accord Care’s Horizons Rehabilitation Centre 2 Eday Walk, Aberdeen 14.00-15.00 and 15.00 – 16.00: Exercise on Technogym equipment led by a qualified personal trainer. A fitness assessment is required for beginners.

Saturday @ Bon Accord Care’s Horizons Rehabilitation Centre 2 Eday Walk, Aberdeen 12.00-13.00 and 13.00 – 14.00 [details as Friday] ………..

Anytime @ RGU GYM, Garthdee Campus Anytime membership – annual membership fee plus 10 sessions [paid by MS Society] Your session can be gym / swimming or classes ……………………….

Curling. If you want to try curling, please make Ian Gourlay aware of your interest. We are working towards arrange a taster at Curl Aberdeen in September.

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FINANCIAL UPDATE Receipts and Payments Account: 1 January – 31 December 2018 Receipts £

Subscriptions Donations Fundraising activities Legacies Interest received Grants TOTAL

620.75 5,088.45 11,151.60 48,237.45 485.31 17,380.00 82,963.56

Payments £ Instructor fees 24,457.82 Room rentals 3,922.70 Minibus fuel /repairs / servicing 1,560.90 Minibus insurance 1,043.74 Newsletters 456.71 Postage / telephone 80.25 Advertising / fundraising / other 2,781.09 TOTAL 34,303.21 Surplus 48,660.35

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relaxed and peaceful. Sounds easy? It’s a little tricky. Once we start focusing on our breath, our mind often wants us to return to our thoughts - especially the worrying and anxious ones. Therefore, it’s best to get a little help when starting out.

Q: Where can I get some help to start practicing mindfulness?

A: There is loads of information available – online resources, books, CDs, apps for your mobile phone and classes available – many are free! People often say coming to a class is more helpful as you get to experience it with someone guiding you through the process and where you can ask any questions along the way.

Q: Where can I find a class?

A: There are lots of classes available and The Grampian MS Society hosts their very own every Friday morning at 10:30-11:15am in Credo Café, 14-20 John St, Aberdeen AB25 1BT. Eiméar Cooney, who is an occupational therapist and experienced mindfulness practitioner, hosts the class in a very friendly, supportive and informal way. Tea/coffee and biscuits are available afterwards which allows time for a chat. You do not need to take a mat or wear any special clothing. All practices are done sitting in chairs.

Feel free to come along and give it a try! No booking is required.

A warm welcome awaits!

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Walking Can be Beneficial

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Book Reviews [1] Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis

Professor George Jelinek is a professor in Emergency Medicine and was diagnosed with MS in 1999. His belief is, ‘with commitment to the right lifestyle changes, there is the probability many people with MS can live long, healthy lives relatively free of the usual problems associated with the illness’. George’s mother also had multiple sclerosis and he is of the view around 2% of the population are susceptible to the condition – it is generic in a small percentage of people. He believes 25% of MS is caused by generic factors and 75% environmental factors.

Prof Jelinek has written a self-help guide, based on a sevenstep recovery programme. The book encourages people to consider more than drugs to manage their condition but he indicates it will not be suitable for everyone as they will not have the self-discipline to follow his recommendations. He writes, ‘I remain free of further relapses and my mission is to bring this evidence to a wider audience, working with the team at the UK-based charity Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis’.

The professor’s research indicates multiple sclerosis is more common because of our western lifestyle choices of eating less healthily, avoiding the sun and lack of exercise. He recommends 21

Wednesday @ Inchgarth Community Centre 10.45-11.45: Seated Yoga for all abilities by a qualified yoga instructor.

12.00-15.00: Arts class led by a qualified art teacher. Beginners welcome.

13.30-15.00: Support and social group offering light refreshments, chat and play board games.

Thursday @ Kingswells church hall 10.30-11.30: Exercise Class for all levels (including wheelchair users) led by a qualified physiotherapist.

Thursday @ Aberdeen Sports Village. £10 per session after free block 14.15-15.15: Neuro Pilates [run by Spear Physiotherapy] led by a qualified instructor. A fitness assessment is required for beginners.

Friday @ Cafe4Credo Mindfulness 10.15am – 12 noon [chimes at 10.30am] [see page xx] Friday @ Bon Accord Care’s Horizons Rehabilitation Centre 2 Eday Walk, Aberdeen 14.00-15.00 and 15.00 – 16.00: Exercise on Technogym equipment led by a qualified personal trainer. A fitness assessment is required for beginners.

Saturday @ Bon Accord Care’s Horizons Rehabilitation Centre 2 Eday Walk, Aberdeen 12.00-13.00 and 13.00 – 14.00 [details as Friday] ………..

Anytime @ RGU GYM, Garthdee Campus Anytime membership – annual membership fee plus 10 sessions [paid by MS Society] Your session can be gym / swimming or classes ……………………….

Curling. If you want to try curling, please make Ian Gourlay aware of your interest. We are working towards arrange a taster at Curl Aberdeen in September.

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[2] My Name’5 Doddie

My name’5 Doddie is a humbling, courageous and funny celebration of a remarkable life being lived to the max. An absolute must-read, rugby fan or not - you will laugh and you will cry.

It is the life-affirming autobiography of Scottish rugby union legend Doddie Weir. He is a giant of the game and a rugby icon.

His story is unique, inspirational and charged with a passion for living life to the full. As a player, Doddie’s talent took him to the heart of every team he graced – from his school, Stewart’s Melville to Scotland and the British & Irish Lions – winning 61 caps for the national side. Driven by his sportsmanship, sense of humour and boundless energy, he relished every challenge and set stadiums alight when on the charge “like a mad giraffe”.

In November 2017, in a moment of incredible poignancy, 67,000 fans at Murrayfield stood for their hero as Doddie came out onto the pitch flanked by his three teenage sons. At the age of 48, Doddie faces a different adversary - Motor Neurone Disease – a neurological condition, not dissimilar to multiple sclerosis. It’s a challenge he has tackled full on and with undaunted positivity. In his tireless campaigning to raise funds for MND research, Doddie has transcended the world of sport to reach a new audience. Since his diagnosis went public, the outpouring of emotion and respect from all over the world has been unprecedented. [Grant Taylor] 23

Grampian MS Therapy Centre

The Grampian Therapy Centre was established in 1983, located in Dyce Aberdeen, providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) physiotherapy, reflexology and massage to all those with Multiple Sclerosis in the North East. Although HBO is not a cure, MS clients get great benefit by using the chamber: for example, pain relief, fatigue and bladder problems.

The centre provides a welcoming and friendly environment and offers information, advice and self-support to those who attend. Everyone with MS is welcome to come along, have a cup of tea or coffee and see what goes on. Alternatively contact the centre manager [Eileen] for more information.

We want to make you aware of free trials for massage therapies. You can recover the ÂŁ10 membership fee plus 10 x ÂŁ10 sessions of your choice by submitting an expense claim to us. If this are of interest to you, please contact us at aberdeen@mssociety.org.uk Grampian MS Therapy Centre address: Unit 1, Saxbone Centre, Howe Moss Crescent, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 0GN Telephone: 01224 771105 Email: grampian.ms@btinternet.com

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Blogging to stay connected Many people with MS find support through the online community. There is an ever-growing range of social media groups, blogs, forums and discussion groups where people with MS can share experiences, ask questions and connect with other people who understand what they are going through. Emily Thurston writes The Wibbly Dinosaur blog and tells us how blogging helped her deal with ‘all the craziness that MS throws at you.’

On 9 September 2010 my life took an unexpected turn. ‘You have MS’ were the words spoken by my neurologist. The diagnosis was the kick in the bum I needed to get my priorities straight. With my whole life being turned upside down I had to come to terms with the ‘new me’. MS didn’t mean the end of all my dreams, as I had feared. On the contrary, it was the start of all the best things that have so far happened to me. I found myself with new renewed ambition and, despite being scared, I was excited. Shortly after I was diagnosed, I found myself planning a wedding and dreaming of having children.

I am now 36 and married with three children and two cats.

Life is exciting, challenging and beautiful. During my first year of living with MS I began meeting others who had found themselves in the same wobbly boat – I finally had friends who ‘got’ what it was like and to laugh knowingly each time I stumbled like a drunkard – I wasn’t alone, there were others just like me! Finding people with whom I could relate was one of the best things to happen to me and I soon realised there were others out there who were dealing with this alone.

I had a lot to say on the subject which led me to launch my own blog, thewibblydinosaur.com. My aim is to promote a positive and relatable message for people with MS and those close to them.

Writing provides a therapeutic way of dealing with the craziness which MS throws at you and I’d recommend it to anyone. My posts 25

so far have covered topics as varied as going through the diagnosis process, having a MRI scan, starting treatments, coping with depression, dealing with the daily struggles of doing the school run, using a dishwasher or attempting to change a bed sheet.

There is no denying part of the joy of sharing my story is the feedback I get from people who read it. It is so awesome to know I have perhaps helped others deal with their MS in some way and to receive messages from people sharing their own stories with me.

More than anything, I can’t wait to reach out and engage with more people who find themselves in the same painful pickle as me.

[Adapted from an article by Emily Thurston in Open Door]

Art Class

A painting by Syd Fraser

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Book Reviews [1] Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis

Professor George Jelinek is a professor in Emergency Medicine and was diagnosed with MS in 1999. His belief is, ‘with commitment to the right lifestyle changes, there is the probability many people with MS can live long, healthy lives relatively free of the usual problems associated with the illness’. George’s mother also had multiple sclerosis and he is of the view around 2% of the population are susceptible to the condition – it is generic in a small percentage of people. He believes 25% of MS is caused by generic factors and 75% environmental factors.

Prof Jelinek has written a self-help guide, based on a sevenstep recovery programme. The book encourages people to consider more than drugs to manage their condition but he indicates it will not be suitable for everyone as they will not have the self-discipline to follow his recommendations. He writes, ‘I remain free of further relapses and my mission is to bring this evidence to a wider audience, working with the team at the UK-based charity Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis’.

The professor’s research indicates multiple sclerosis is more common because of our western lifestyle choices of eating less healthily, avoiding the sun and lack of exercise. He recommends 21

Crocheted flower brooches on greetings cards made by Maureen Thomson

Maureen has raised a tremendous amount from sales of her crafts and cards. We are grateful for this contribution towards the costs of purchasing materials for our art and crafts classes.

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Advice on energy saving in your home

Scarf is a social enterprise, delivering a positive impact to householders and organisations throughout Scotland. It offers householders the support they need to develop better living and working conditions. Scarf’s original aim was to make a practical difference to people living in fuel poverty and that purpose remains at its core as the charity delivers a range of services focusing on fuel poverty and energy efficiency.

It delivers energy advice programmes such as Home Energy Scotland (funded by the Scottish Government) and HEAT (Home Energy Advice Team) services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Making changes to your property and habits could reduce the amount of energy you use, lowering your energy bills.

From free, simple tips to save energy here and there, to big changes making your property more energy efficient, Home Energy Scotland (HES) can give you free and impartial advice on cutting your energy consumption.

The charity provides a range of services to help you keep warm and reduce your fuel bills. Its team of advisors is on hand to ensure you get accurate, up to date advice to help you reduce your fuel bills and create a warmer, more efficient living environment. The team is available to visit customers in their home, to have a talk about ways they could make their home more efficient.

Contact SCARF at: 1 Cotton Street AB11 5EE Aberdeen [t] 01224 213005 [w] www.scarf.org.uk

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Why English is so hard to learn 1. The bandage was wound around the wound 2. The rubbish tip was so full the workers had to refuse more refuse 3. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

4. The soldier decided to desert his tasty dessert in the desert 5. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present to his girlfriend 6. I did not object to the object which he showed me 7. The insurance was invalid for the invalid in his bed 8. He was too close to the door to close it 9. On seeing the tear in her painting she shed a tear 10. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests

Thirty second sermon ….

A woman went through a red traffic light and crashed into a man's car. Both cars were demolished but neither was hurt. After they crawled out of their cars the woman said, ‘Wow, look at our cars! There's nothing left but fortunately we are unhurt. This must be a sign from God we should be friends and live together in peace for the rest of our days.’

The man agreed, ‘This must be a sign from God!’ The woman continued, ‘Here's another miracle. My car is wrecked but my bottle of 25 year old whisky didn't break. Surely God meant for us to drink this and celebrate our good fortune.’

She handed the bottle to the man who opened it, drank half the bottle then handed it back to the woman. The woman took the bottle, put the cap back on and handed it back to the man.

The man asked, "Aren't you having any?"

She replied, "No, I think I'll just wait for the police."

Some years ago Adam ate an apple…. Will men never learn? [based on Genesis chapters 2 and 3]

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Humour Corner  A man drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.  Why did the scientist install a knocker on his door? He wanted to win the No-bell prize!  I’ve just found out I’m colour blind. The diagnosis came completely out of the purple.  I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.  I wasn’t originally going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind.  A friend of mine tried to annoy me with bird puns but I soon realised toucan play at that game.  He had a photographic memory that was never developed.

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Local group contact details Should you wish to get in touch please e-mail us at aberdeen@mssociety.org.uk or phone Brenda Reid on 07561 855318 to discuss availability at exercise classes or social group.

Alternatively, Ian Gourlay is our projects and fundraising volunteer. You can phone Ian on 01224 820453. You can write to Ian at 43 Gordon Place, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8RB

Join the MS Society Anyone wishing to join the MS Society can do so at www.mssociety.org.uk/get-involved/join-the-ms-society/manageyour-membership or telephone the Supporter Care Team on 0300 500 8084. The annual subscription is £5.

MS Society Helpline The MS Society offers free advice on any matter relating to multiple sclerosis Telephone: 0808 800 8000 open 9am – 7pm Monday – Friday for an immediate response. There is an answering machine to leave messages over a weekend and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible. E-mail: helpline@mssociety.org.uk

Disclaimer The content of this publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice or a recommendation. Where we provide information about external organisations or service providers, we are not able to offer any guarantee on the quality or safety of their services or products or whether they are suitable for an individual’s needs. We take no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this information.

Registered charity no SCO41990 [Scotland] Registered charity no 1139257 [England & Wales] Registered as a limited company in England & Wales 0745157 32