July 2016
This Is Me...
… is a Shine group for anyone between the ages of 11 and 18 who has Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus.
The Holiday Issue
It’s Holiday Time!
Shine in the Summer
Going on holiday? Robin Barnatt, Shine Health Development Officer, shares tips for a great time... It’s good to get away! If you have spina bifida or hydrocephalus, preparing well can help you have a great time. Wherever you go, take your shunt alert card, any prescriptions, enough medication, and equipment such as catheters – you can get handy all in one kits, plus hand cleanser and wipes. (Shine Home Health Delivery can arrange this – if you want to be part of the scheme, let me know via Facebook or email robin.barnatt@shinecharity.org.uk or 01733 421355.)
Relax, have fun and try new things over the holiday – Angela Bailey, Shine Support and Development Worker shares some ideas… Enjoy food and fun with friends and family – a DVD, pizza and popcorn evening, picnic at a park, a ‘Bake Off’ challenge (you could ‘sell’ your cakes to raise funds for Shine!) or try your own ‘Beach Party’ – with our fruit cocktail too (page 4)! Get active – why not take up a new sport such as tennis (parks often have courts you can use for free), swimming, bowling, archery or boccia, or try the local gym?
If you are flying, split medication between your hand and hold luggage (and follow instructions at the airport on labelling liquids). If you have a shunt, take your latest scan, and unless your neurosurgeon advises otherwise, flying in a regular jet is usually fine (though a small, unpressurised plane may not be – seek advice first). The airport whole body scanners are usually fine, but let the staff know that you need the same care as someone with a pacemaker. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for your existing conditions and all the activities you want to do on holiday. If you can’t feel your feet well, never walk barefoot, use plenty of suncream, and moisturise and check your feet and legs regularly to keep them in tip-top shape. Oh, and remember to drink plenty of bottled water too! Robin
For book-worms... check your local library for the summerreadingchallenge.org.uk or set up your own challenge and see how many books you can read over the hols! It’s good to recycle… enjoy a ‘Swap Party’ with friends to exchange clothes, DVD’s, games and anything else you no longer need. Check out the offers – there are some great films coming up (page 3). If you receive DLA or PIP, see www.ceacard.co.uk as you may qualify for a carer to go with you for free. Look out for vouchers in newspapers, on cereal packets or online. See National Rail’s daysoutguide.co.uk and www.accessibleguide.co.uk for great ideas, offers and accessible places to visit all over Britain… Angela
Inside – find out how Millie is having fun this summer! Find more news and sharing on your This Is Me Facebook group (for over thirteens) www.facebook.com/groups/Shine.ThisIsME