Post polio support group

Press, 14 August 1989, Page 16

Post polio support group

Post Polio People is the name of the new support group in Christchurch for those who have been affected by, polio. The seven members have a wide range of disabilities. Some are on crutches, wear body braces or calipers or walk with a stick. One is permanently in a wheelchair. They were affected by the polio epidemics of 1937, 1946, and 1956, and in India seven years ago. It isn’t generally known that polio victims can develop more problems later in life, even to the recurrence of symptoms similar to the first attack. The new group aims to get help when it is needed, as well as provide practical and moral support. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 22, at 7.30 p.m. Please phone Pam at 795-776 or Yvonne at 323-014 for more details. Respiratory problems Respiratory problems such as bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchiectasis can be debilitating, but there are various coping skills which can enhance the quality of life for the sufferer. A new support group for people with chest problems starts this Wednesday, August 16. The meeting will be at the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, 86 Bristol Street, St Albans, at 1 p.m. A doctor, physiotherapist and social worker will be there. One of the aims of the new support group is to set up a community-based exercise programme. All those with chest problems; their carers and families are invited to the meeting. For more information contact the Co-ordinating Centre for Geriatric and Domiciliary Services, phone 663-225. Women and drugs The treatment of women with alcohol and drug problems is the topic of a talk this Wednesday, August 16.

Dr Le Clair Bissell, a United States authority on alcoholism and a writer, lecturer, and consultant, is the speaker. The talk, organised by the Canterbury Community Council on Alcohol and Drugs, will be in the Stringleman Room of the Public Library from noon until 2 p.m. i Lunch will be provided. The cost is $5 or $3.50 for non-members. Energy

Meditation [ ; Energy Meditation? or EM, was developed by Ron Urquhart in Melbourne two years ago. It is described as combining ancient Pranayama breathing with modern energy manipulation techniques, with the aim of releasing blocked energy such as stress, negativity or disease.

Ron Urquhart will be in Christchurch this week to give a series of seminars, at McKenzies/ in Pages Road. ■ These will be a free lecture on Thursday, August 17, at 7.30 p.m., a group session: on Friday, at 7 p.m., an all-day session on Saturday and another group session on Monday, August 21, at 7 p.m. For more information phone 554-475. School holiday programmes

The Young Women’s Christian Association is taking bookings for the holiday programmes at Christchurch East School, Wharenui School, the Hei Hei Community Centre and the St Aidans Community Centre in Shirley, from August 28 until September 8.

Art, crafts, games, swimming and outings are

all offered for children aged between 5 and 12. Children can be left from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. or from 8.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Discounts are available. ;

For bookings and more information phone the Y.W.C.A. at 522-725, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteers for these programmes are needed — people over 15 who are available for a full week, if possible. Training will be given and a reference at the end. For more details about this phone Justine at 522725. Holiday learning A study of dinosaurs, the science of flight, microwave cooking, maths games, photography, creative writing and mask and kite making are just some of the activities being offered by the Alumni Holiday School these holidays. The week-long programmes, at the College of Education in Ham, provide the chance for extended project work with experienced teachers. Each group will contain a maximum of six children, of similar age. There will be classroom and outside work, as well as study trips. The programme runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. during the weeks starting August 28 and September 4. The cost is $l6O. For bookings or more information phone Jocelyn Howard at 582-513. Garage sale The Home and Family Society is holding a garage sale this Saturday, August 19. The Society works with families in need and offers temporary accommodation for homeless families. All proceeds from the sale will go towards this work.

Any donations of ornaments, china, good used furniture, cutlery or other saleable items would be appreciated. Used clothing would also be appreciated, as

there will be a special $1 bargain clothing bin. The garage sale will be at 535 Manchester Street, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Items can be dropped off there, or else phone 795645 for collection. Men’s employment seminars Unemployed men in the Mairehau area are invited to a series of seminars on Friday mornings at the Aldred Methodist Hall on the corner of Nancy Avenue and Knowles Street. These are run by a pastor, Alan Davis, who has experience in redundancy counselling, career planning and job search programmes, and a training consultant, John Livingstone. The two believe men need to discover a new approach to using their skills and time. The seminars run until September 29, between 10 a.m. and noon. There is no charge. For more details contact Alan at 558082 or John at 528-163. Children’s pain Dr Patricia McGrath, an overseas expert on children’s pain, will be at an open meeting of Pain Action in New Zealand this Wednesday, August 16.

She wants to talk to children with chronic pain, and their parents. The meeting will be at the Disabled Persons Centre, 314 Worcester Street, at 2.30 p.m. : For more information phone the P.A.I.N.Z. centre at 660-716. Nutrition Rosemary Hewson, a

community dietitian, will speak on children’s nutritional heeds this Thursday, August 17. This i Parents’ Centre evening will be at Hagley House, next to Hagley High, starting at 8 p.m. The cost is $l. Schizophrenia This week is Schizophrenia Week, and to mark the event, a public meeting will be held this Wednesday, August 16. A new educational video on the illness will be shown, with ai. update on treatment by Dr Arthur Jones, a commun-ity-based psychiatrist with a special interest in schizophrenia. The meeting will be in the Stringleman Room of Canterbury Public Library, starting at 7.30 p.m. All welcome. For more information phone the Schizophrenia Fellowship at 662-195. Minerals Minerals in focus is the topic of a Foundation for the Healing Arts evening tonight. Lois Tucker, a physiologist and lecturer, will talk aboiit the levels of minerals in our food and soil. Questions and ideas will be welcome. The talk starts at 7.30 p.m. at the Risingholme Community Centre. All welcome. For more details phone Jo Herbert at 854-236. Aged Welfare This is my life is the topic of an entertaining talk by Edna Neville (alias Aunt Haysi) at the Aged People’s Welfare centre, 64 Cashel Street, this Friday, August 18. Anyone interested is welcome to come along to this meeting, which starts at 2 p.m.

Compiled by GtENYS WALKER Please send items for this column to Glenys Walker, “Making It Happen,” Home and People Page, ‘The Press,” Private Bag, Christchurch, at least a week before publication.