M.S.T.G.SpringNewsletter2016

Reg.CharityNo.1111565

WelcometotheSpringnewsletter!Wehavelotsgoingonsoreadon.IfinthefutureyouwouldliketoreceiveyournewsletterbyemailjustletCarolknow,(helptokeepourcostsdown).C.toms1@ntlworld.com

FundraisersDinnerDance:ForthefirsttimeweheldthiseventonaFridayandthisprovedverysuccessful,raising£5200forthegroup.Nextyearseventisalreadybookedandyesit’sonaFriday!10/02/2017.Definitelyadateforyourdiariesandmoreinformationtofollow.TheEasterrafflethisyearraised£330pounds.Thankyoutoallofthosewhohelpedoutandboughtincakesandgoodies!

Talks:Dr.Kasti-VisitingthegrouptodiscussM.S.anditssymptoms.DateswillbeconfirmedatthegrouporcontactElainefordetails.Dr.Capildeo–HoldingaQ&Asessionatthegroup.DateswillbeconfirmedatthegrouporcontactElainefordetails.M.S.T.G.memberMarkisgivingatalkonP.I.P.on2ndJune2016PleaserememberyoudoNOThavetobeanattendeeofthegrouptocomealongtoourtalks!

UpcomingEvents:TheBBQ!–10thJuly2016–Thiswassuchapopulareventin2015thatwearerepeatingitthisyearatthesamevenue.TheFondueBowlsClubinPurfleet.£10peradult,£5perchild.ThisvenuehasalimitationonnumberssopleaseorderyourticketspromptlyfromElaine.TheGreeknight–Sunday15thMayinDartford-£30ahead-Food,dancing,araffleandalwayssomethingunexpected,TicketsfromFayatthegrouporElaine.

A P Q G L L W F L H Q M W N I C Z C R A G N I H C T E R T S E V Z T Q O H N Q V T E W H P U C G M W Z B G L E V I T I S O P O D E D S J I N L T U D L W R L F G K X Q Z B S O X A H E A P Q F R Z M E W G C N S M L D M H D E E D G S R A E R R I Y I B H O E F K R H A C L F X D S I E M N D L Y T I M N I K L D E B Z A M N E D Q R Y F K S I Z Z U J S D A X Z E L A I N E E N L H J S O G O F X E K Z I D F X G M F A A G L N M Y A C Z T E F R B S G G I O S K A A J B R I A N N Q E D N G G Q J O J T L N D S B D L J G Y

Amy Nagging Brian Natalie

Coffee Nic Diet Positive

Elaine Prognosis Exercise Reflexology

Jaci Shirley Liz Stretching

Massage Walking

PamperDay–ThenextpamperdayattheM.S.T.G.willbeonThursday26thMay.Deeptissuemassage,Swedishmassageandbeautytherapiesonlyonthisday.BookwithElaine

Laura,aBrentwoodsocialworkervisitedrecently,shenowwantstotryandcomeatleastonceamonthtodiscussandhelpwithanyproblems,nextvisitbeingnextweek.Awelcomehelp!

AsI’msuresomeofyouareawarewearecurrentlyreelingfromthelossofGeorge,LindaWeldonandMaireadandveryrecentlyArthur,Tracy’sDad.Averysadstarttotheyear.However,duringthisdistressingtimewewouldliketothankthefamiliesforsendingdonationstothegrouptotallingover£2000.

Getafamilymembertohelpwithyourstretches!Manymemberstellushowthelovetobestretchedbyourinstructorsandreallyfeelthebenefitsotheinstructorshavesuggestedthatyoubringyoufriendorfamilymemberalongtothegroupandtheywillteachthemethodsthattheyuse.Pre-bookwithElaine.

M.S.T.G

SomeofyoureadingthiswillnotknowwhattheM.S.T.Gactuallyis.

ElaineandDrCapildeosetupanexercisegroupover20yearsagowhenmostphysicianswerestilladvisingpeoplediagnosedwithM.Sto‘takeiteasy’andcertainlynotrecommendingregularexercise.Theyhadgreaterinsightandbelievedthatasensibleandregularexerciseroutinehelpedpeopletostayasactiveandmobileaspossible.Studieshavenowshownthistobethecase.

AonceamonthsessionwithaphysioatOrsettHospitalgrewintowhatitistoday.AweeklyThursdaygroupattheT.ACentreinWarleywithexperiencedstaffwherepeoplemeetupnotjustforgroupexercisesessionsandonetoonespecialisttrainingbutformassage,footcare,reflexologyandjustasimportantlyfriendship,contactandafeelingofcommunity.

ManyofourmembershavebeenattendingformanyyearswhichistestamenttoElaineandDrCapildeo’ssuccess.Comealongandseeforyourself,talktoourmembersandmakeyourownmindup.Youwon’tregretit!

Some views from our members: Gwen: The benefits of MSTG….where do I start? Well, let’s start with the exercise (very important) led by Jaci and Nic (and sometimes Brian). I like the way we are encouraged (usually gently!) to achieve the best that each of us is able, albeit different for everyone. The emphasis is on exercises that can be carried out with a minimum of equipment and often no equipment. For me, I like the idea of simple foot and leg exercises that I can do while watching television or even standing at the kitchen sink. If I am being honest, I have to say the group really highlights for me, what I am no longer able to do with ease, which can be a little hard at times, however, it also spurs me on to try to maintain the mobility that I am fortunate enough to still have.

Everybody likes a little pampering and massage, reflexology and beauty treatments are provided by experienced, caring and understanding therapists, Shirley, Liz and Natalie.

The social side is an important aspect of the group. There is a real cross section of people, male, female, young, middle aged and slightly more mature (me!), each of whom contribute to the group in their own unique way. There is a group that do a superb job in organising fund raising events….not an easy job when you can never be quite sure who will be attending in any particular week. I take my hat off to them!

Those who are familiar with the group are probably wondering….when is she going to mention Elaine? I have deliberately left Elaine to last as she underpins everything the group stands for and provides. I know a lot of us sometimes think, hmm she’s had another birthday, hope she’s not thinking of retiring, who will follow her, as Elaine’s will be huge shoes to fill. Elaine has always been there since I was diagnosed (by Dr. Capildeo) in 1998, she’s at the end of a phone as well as seeing us in clinic. For the newer members to the group, who may not have known Dr. Capildeo, the group was his vision to support his patients with MS and he found a like- minded ally in Elaine, who has continued the group, even after Dr. Capildeo was no longer with the health authority. We are now lucky to have Dr. Kasti who shows an interest in the group. Elaine can sound a bit stern at times (particularly with that wonderful Scottish accent!), however, she genuinely wants the absolute best for all of her patients and we are so lucky to have her at the helm.

Vicky: IwasdiagnosedwithM.S.over25yearsago.Istartedgoingtothegroup8yearsago,afterbeingsignedofffromwork.Iwasmadeverywelcomeandhavemademanygoodfriends.Thereisalwaysasocialgatheringbeingarranged!AlthoughIamnot,ifIwasaveryisolatedperson,thisgroupwouldbealifeline.

Ifindtheexerciseandmassage/reflexologyinvaluableandthereisalwayssomeonetohelpyouwithanyquestionsorproblems.