The South Cornwall Branch of the MS Society March magazine 2013

The Lifeboat

March 2013

South Cornwall

Branch

Monthly

Magazine

1

Inside the Lifeboat

this month

MS News

Page 3 MS Society appoints Acting Chief

Executive

Disability benefit changes could

affect ‘thousands’

Page 4 Payment ‘cap’ on social care to be

introduced

Insurance and MS Page 5 Insurance and MS Page 6 Insurance and MS, Car Travel and

Home Page 7 Chiropodist vouchers Page 8 Awareness Project closes

IMPORTANT NOTICE

South Cornwall Vouchers

A well earned shining star Page 9 Quiz page Page 10 Quiz page

44

Page 11 The AM Page 12 How to tell the sex of a fly

Fudge cake recipe

Concessions on PIP Page 13 Jasper’ Jungle

Page14 Read-A-Thon news

Elsa raises funds Page 15 Slow dance

Youth group report Page 16 Honey pudding

Branch events Page 17 Proud to be British

Little gems Page 18 Events Page 19 Information page

Back by popular demand

Cover picture:

I was hoping this would be one of

yours but it wasn’t to be, so here's

a touch of spring

Kingfishers are small unmistakable

bright blue and orange birds of slow

moving or still water. They fly rapidly,

low over water, and hunt fish from

riverside perches, occasionally

hovering above the water's surface.

They are a vulnerable to hard winters and habitat degradation

through pollution or unsympathetic management of watercourses.

IMPORTANT NOTICE


Jackie Thorne will be away for a few

weeks so as from 1st March 2013

please make all voucher requests to

Chris Sargent

01209 315386

Hello everyone,

Well its all happening here

at the moment, what with

the future of the branch to

consider and the Hub

project, who knows where

we will be by the end of

the year. We do need to consider the future

and I know that the committee would like to

leave a legacy that will see South Cornwall

Branch financially viable in the future and

able to provide first rate services to people

affected by MS.

The collapse of the awareness project was

a blow, not least for me having spent 18

months getting to the final stages and

ready to launch the project to the media.

I think these setbacks in some ways make

us stronger and more assertive, leaving us

with the question “Why do we do it”? and

has the time come to ride off into the 2

Chairman’s Report

Editors Note

Hello everyone ,

A month has gone by

so quickly and firstly

I would like to thank

Mary Smith for writing a very interesting

supplement and there is more to come. To

this end I wish more of you would help

Malcolm out by sending in things to put in

the magazine after all it is YOUR magazine.

The carer's group needs more members

because several of the regular attenders

circumstances have changed and therefor

feel it is time to let others come along . So if

you want to join a very interesting and

informative meeting PLEASE LET ME

KNOW or let Neville know .

The collapse of the county awareness

project which Malcolm worked for eighteen

months was due to Mid Cornwall’s Branch

short sightedness, it is a major blow to all

MS suffers in the county. Head quarters

seemed to accept the failure of the project

with little effort in trying to encourage the

Mid Cornwall branch to join in and I found

this very sad.

On a brighter note, we are developing a

project called the HUB, this is a very

important venture for us to initiate because

in my view it is the only way that our Branch

will survive and prosper in the future.

You may find a flyer explaining the Hub in

this magazine, if not you will be receiving

one in the near future. Please read the

article and PLEASE give us feed back

whether it be support or otherwise. Your

comments could make or break the

project.

Our treasurer Malcolm Thorne is retiring

soon and again I would like to thank him

and Jackie for all the work and support

they have given me and the Branch over

the many years they have been members. I WILL END NOW !!

Moaning Mike or MM for short . Come to the computer awareness day

10am to 2pm on the 30th March at my

bungalow, pasty lunch and lots to learn

about your computer. Call 01872 862031

sunset having given it my best shot. Lets

see if the Hub gets off the ground and

makes a difference.

On a lighter note I am still waiting for those

photos to go on the front cover, those that

said they would send some photos of

themselves haven't yet so get those emails

going.

I have had very few responses to the

events programme as yet, I will leave it in

this months magazine and then it will

disappear.

It was great to hear that Elsa from Lanlivery

School had raised all that money, read the

details on page 14.

Thank you Wendy, Judy and Jackie for

your input this month.

Don’t forget to look out for the Hub

information and please send in the return

slip. If its not in this magazine you will be

receiving one shortly. MMMMaaaallllccccoooollllmmmm

3

News from the MS National Centre

Disability benefit changes could affect

‘thousands’

MS Society appoints Acting Chief Executive

The MS Society has

appointed Patricia

Gordon, the charity’s

current Director for

Northern Ireland, as its

Acting Chief Executive.

Patricia will take up the

post on an interim basis

while the charity begins

the recruitment process

for a permanent replacement for Simon

Gillespie, whose resignation was

announced last month. Simon will leave the

MS Society on 15 February to join the

British Heart Foundation as Chief

Executive.

Experienced leader

Patricia joined the MS Society in January

2008. She was previously Chief Executive

of the South and East Belfast Health and

Social Care Trust.

For the last year, as well as overseeing the

MS Society’s activities in Northern Ireland,

Patricia has been acting as Director of MS

Society Scotland.

Patricia said:

“I'm delighted to have this opportunity, over

the ensuing months, to work with

volunteers and staff to continue to improve

the lives of people affected by MS."

Chairman Hilary Sears said:

“Patricia has not only run a tight ship in

Northern Ireland but has also spent the last

year overseeing our activities in Scotland.

She has 12 years experience as a chief

executive before joining the MS Society and

I am confident she will enable the charity to

continue the excellent progress made

under Simon’s leadership, until we are able

to appoint a permanent successor."

Improving the lives of people affected by

MS

The change comes as the MS Society

begins its 60th anniversary year. We have

lots of exciting plans in place for 2013,

including an events fundraising campaign,

Challenge60, which will be launched in the

summer.

We will also be engaging people across the

MS community throughout the year to seek

their views on what our vision should be for

the next 20 years.

A report published

by the campaign

group ‘We are

Spartacus’ has said

thousands of

people with long term conditions could be

affected by planned Government changes

to DLA.

Last month the Government released a

statement which detailed how the

qualification for the enhanced mobility rate

for the new PIP had been changed.

Changes without consultation

The previous criteria proposed that people

with physical walking difficulties (who have

no difficulty planning and following a

journey) would qualify for the enhanced

mobility component if they are unable to

walk more than 50 metres. However this

distance has been slashed to 20 metres in

the final criteria.

There was no prior indication the change

was being considered and none of the

consultation responses proposed it.

MS Society strongly opposed

The MS Society, as part of the

4

Payment ‘cap’ on social care to be

introduced

Disability Benefits Consortium, is strongly

opposed to the 20m limit and is calling for

safeguards to ensure that people are

assessed for their ability to complete tasks

“safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely

manner”.

This would take into account the impact of

pain and fatigue when considering

conditions like MS.

The Government has announced that it

plans to cap the "potentially huge cost" of

social care for the elderly and those with

disabilities living in England, but has not

outlined what the cap will be or how it will

be funded.

Some media reports suggest the cap will

start at £75,000 - a figure which has not

been confirmed by the Government. This

means that people would need to self fund

£75,000 of their care before being covered

by Government funding.

Care cost high

Social care (not to be confused with health

care) is support provided to people to help

them with everyday tasks, like washing,

dressing and preparing meals.

Most of this support is provided by

individuals working for local authorities or

the private sector, and the cost is

commonly high.

18 months ago Andrew Dilnot suggested a

range of recommendations that would

better support people to access and pay

for social care, as part of the Dilnot

Commission. He made a number of

important suggestions, including a social

care funding cap of £35,000.

Importantly, Dilnot also recommended that

care should be free for those developing an

eligible need up to the age of 40, and that

the level at which the cap is set should rise

steadily thereafter. The MS Society

supported these proposals.

Left in the dark

The Government's announcement was

seriously lacking detail, which has left many

frustrated.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS

Society and Chair of the Care & Support

Alliance, said of the announcement:

“Eighteen months after the Dilnot report

was published, and following weeks and

months of anticipation that the Mid-term

Review would shed light on how the

Coalition Government plans to help those

facing the crippling costs of care, we now

urgently need clarity and certainty on what

the future holds for the crumbling social

care system.

The Care & Support Alliance now calls

upon the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime

Minister to give a firm commitment within

weeks of how the Government will

implement the Dilnot recommendations to

tackle the growing crisis in social care.”

Insurance and MS

The whole purpose

of insurance is to

protect us from the

financial

consequences of

the unpredictable.

Most people would expect to have no

trouble getting insurance to fully cover such

eventualities.

But for people with MS, that security is

often either unavailable, prohibitively

expensive, or inadequate for their needs.

I already have MS – what do I do about my

insurance policies?

Disclosure

I have MS and I want to take out insurance

Do I need specialist insurance?

Check your policy

I already have MS – what do I do about my

insurance policies?

Depending on the type of insurance you

have, you may be able to make a claim on

policies you already hold.

Some examples of policies that may be

able to help you financially are those which:

• will pay out either a lump sum - for

example, critical illness cover

• help with income replacement - for

example, income protection

• pay some medical bills - for example,

private medical insurance.

In general you’ll need to check the small

print to find out if your policy covers MS,

and under what circumstances it will pay

out.

The claims section of your policy will have

details of how to claim, and any conditions

it covers.

For products like income protection and

private medical insurance, each will have its

own lists of exclusions and small print

about what and how it will pay out. Each

should be checked thoroughly. Timing is

also important - if they pay out, they will

only do so for a limited time - typically 12 to

24 months.

With most policies, you need to tell them

about the diagnosis within a certain

timescale.

Where private health care is concerned,

conditions like MS, which are long-term

and incurable, are typically notnotnotnot covered,

although the costs of diagnosis (seeing

a neurologist or other specialist and paying

for tests) may be covered. Your provider

should have a helpline to answer your

questions.

Disclosure

If you took out insurance before you knew

you had MS, there is no requirement to tell

your insurer about any changes to your

condition since the policy started, unless

you are making a claim, or unless the policy

terms require you to do so.

If you are in any doubt, you can ask your

insurer about what you are required to

disclose.

However, if you are diagnosed in between

the time you apply for the policy and when

it goes ‘on risk’ (that is, the date the insurer

starts to cover you) then you must tell the

insurer. Even though the information you

gave in your application was correct at the

time, your duty to disclose any relevant

information exists until the policy is in force.

With any policies that run for years like:

• travel

• private medical

• critical illness

• income protection

You must update the insurer about your

condition. If you don’t, and you have to

make a claim, you may not be covered.

I have MS and I want to take out insurance

MS will undoubtedly affect your ability to

take out some forms of insurance, and will

often result in heavier premiums. Standard

home and motor insurance policies are

likely to bump up premiums if you want to

add anything outside their ordinary terms –

to insure a wheelchair for example.

Despite this, you must be upfront about

your condition when applying for insurance

insurers are unlikely to pay out on claims

arising from MS if you took out the cover

knowing you had the condition, but didn't

tell them. Do I need specialist insurance?

Standard travel insurance, home insurance

and motor policies may not be adequate for

people with MS. The cost of insuring

equipment, special adaptations to vehicles,

or even carers, may not be covered.

Those seeking travel insurance are likely to

find that medical and cancellation cover for

MS-related illnesses are commonly

excluded. Most travel insurance policies will

exclude all pre-existing medical conditions.

This means that you would be unable to

claim under the policy for any medical

expenses or cancellation of the holiday due

to a pre-existing medical condition -

including MS.

5

Car and motor insurance

Home insurance

Travel insurance

Multiple Sclerosis Insurance Services offer

you the following benefits:

• Cover from a panel of leading insurers

• UK Call Centre staffed by our specialist

representatives

• Fast, efficient and professional service

and claims handling

• 24 Hour Accident Claims Assistance

and Legal Protection

• Low cost breakdown cover provided by

the RAC

• Instalment options to spread the cost of

your insurance

• A donation to the MS Society at no

additional cost to you

• Cover for lost keys

For more information or to obtain a free, no

obligation quotation, call free on 0800 783

3157. Lines are open Monday to Friday

8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm

Thinking of getting away from it all? Our

policy can help to give you peace of mind

when you travel.

5% off travel insurance when you buy 5% off travel insurance when you buy 5% off travel insurance when you buy 5% off travel insurance when you buy

onlineonlineonlineonline

We guarantee giving you a quote and we

don’t need to refer to medical screening

companies. There’s no need to buy

separate policies - we can offer coverage

for everyone travelling together under one

policy. A percentage of your premium will

also be donated to the MS Society at no

additional cost to you.

Get an online quote (link) or call our UK-

based team on 0800 783 3157 who will

help you get the protection that you need.

Our policy has all the cover you’d expect

from standard policies, but also covers you

for the particular requirements you may

have as someone living with MS. We offer a

single trip policy and for those who love to

travel frequently we also offer an annual

multi trip policy.

Check your policy

It is important you check your policy to

ensure that it provides you with the cover

you have purchased. If you are in any

doubt, contact your insurer and ask them

to clarify exactly what cover is provided for

claims resulting from anything to do with

your MS.

Insurers which at first glance seem to be

more expensive may turn out to be more

accommodating in the end.

There are policies, however, which cater

more specifically for the needs of people

with MS by including their requirements as

standard, or providing special types of

insurance.

An MS Society Insurance Services policy

can help you protect items not covered by

standard home insurance, which can

include:

• Stair lifts, hoists, bathing/bedroom

equipment, access ramps etc

• Accidental damage to medical

equipment owned by you within the

home

• Cover for the reasonable cost of hiring a

temporary replacement wheelchair

following physical loss or damage to

your existing wheelchair (through policy

extension)

Also included on all policies:

• Home Assistance – £250 cover for

household emergencies

• £50,000 Family legal expenses cover

with every policy

Instalment Options to spread the cost of

your insurance

Get a quote

For more information or a free, no

obligation quotation, call: 0800 783 3157

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to

6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm

10% discount for new customers only,

subject to underwriting criteria.

6

7

Chiropodist vouchers

We have a chiropodist who is willing to take

our vouchers so give him a call:

Stephen C Bloor DPodM, MChS, HPC Reg

RunRight StepFree Clinic

The Angel Centre

Tyacke Road

Helston TR13 8RR

Choose from platinum and gold products

and add on a travel extra.

Annual Multi trip policies cover:

• Trips up to 45 days

• Up to age 70 for Europe and worldwide

excluding USA, Canada and the Caribbean

Up to age 65 for worldwide including USA,

Canada and the Caribbean

Single trip policies cover:

• Trips up to 365 days - depending on age,

destination and health

Optional waiting list cover is also available

Platinum cover

Platinum cover includes:

• cancellation cover up to £5,000

• medical emergency expenses cover up to

£5 million

• personal baggage cover up to £2,500,

including cover for mobility aids

• 5 per cent discount when you buy online

Excesses: £150 excess on medical

emergency expenses and cancellation. The

excess for all other sections of cover is

£75.

Gold cover

Gold package includes:

• a 6.75% discount on the Platinum price

• cancellation cover up to £1,000

• medical emergency expenses cover up to

£1 million

• personal baggage cover up to £500

• a further 5% discount when you buy

online

Excesses: Gold incorporates a £250

excess on medical emergency expenses

and cancellation. The excess for all other

sections of cover is £75.

Always check full details and Terms and

Conditions by referring to the policy

booklet.

Travel extras

Multiple Sclerosis Insurance Services has

teamed up with Essential Travel.co.uk to

negotiate great deals for you on:

• Airport Parking - over 120 car parks at 25

UK airports, including 'meet and greet'

services.

• Airport Hotels - accommodating any

special requests or needs you may have,

where possible.

• Airport Lounges - your own quiet,

relaxing, comfortable and private space

until boarding time.

• Car Hire Excess Insurance on your behalf,

for any eventuality.

You can save money if you book in

advance and help ensure a relaxing and

comforting start (and finish) to your journey.

Yes Summer is coming!

We just don’t know when

As you all know over the past 18 month I

have been working on the Awareness

Project in an attempt to get the 4 Cornwall

Branches working together to raise

awareness and bring the name of

Cornwall’s MS Branches to the attention of

the public and media.

The project was reliant upon all branches

taking part but in January the Mid Cornwall

Branch decided that they no longer wanted

to be involved, which inevitably closed the

project altogether. The profile of MS branches in Cornwall is

low and indeed an understanding of where

we fit amongst the MS service suppliers is

non existent. I gave a presentation last

month to an organisation about the South

Cornwall Branch, they assumed I was from

the Merlin Centre and had no idea of the

MS structure in Cornwall (they do now).

Is it any wonder that there is confusion and

frustration. If branches are to raise sufficient funds and

have public support, something needs to

be done to raise our profile, I think all MS

service providers should be supported but

they should be all at the same level of

public awareness, I am sorry that the

Awareness Project didn’t get a chance to

do that. I would like to thank all those who

participated over the past 18 months and

hope they can use the information in their

own areas.

Malcolm GlisterMalcolm GlisterMalcolm GlisterMalcolm Glister

8

IMPORTANT NOTICE


Jackie Thorne will be away for a few weeks

so as from 1st March 2013 please make all

voucher requests to Chris Sargent

01209 315386

A well earned Shining Star

Malcolm Thorne our treasurer received a

Shining Star award from chairman Mike

George.

Malcolm has been a volunteer in the branch

for several years and has held the branch

together during difficult times.

Congratulations Malcolm, a well deserved

Shining Star

Awareness Project closes

Message from Judy Reed:

Dear Reader and fellow member. I am sure that you, like me enjoy the fabulous magazine

which Malcolm produces every month. He can`t do this alone - please send him some

material. I am sure everyone has some anecdote, funny experience, report of somewhere

you have visited (rate their disabled access) and enjoyed, photographs, or even a favourite

recipe which you can share with us through the magazine. It won`t take too much of your

time and would be such a help to Malcolm who spends so much of his time putting things

together. This magazine is the envy of many Branches of the Society - please let us all

help him to keep it that way. Thanks for the support Judy.

My wife was standing nude, looking in the

bedroom mirror. She was not happy with

what she saw and said to me, "I feel

horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'

I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near

perfect."……..And then the fight started.

9

March quizMarch quizMarch quizMarch quiz February Quiz answersFebruary Quiz answersFebruary Quiz answersFebruary Quiz answers

Thought of the Month

If you could kick the person in the pants

responsible for most of your trouble, you

wouldn't sit for a month.

Target

£2,000.00

Actual

to date £849

Money Boxes

Happy birthday to:

1st John Palmer

3rd Peter Long

10th Judi Hawkey

16th Marian Shipley

17th Jenny Hicks

18th Megan Robins

27th Sandra Trerise

29th Mrs J Johns

56

9

What’s this mystery object?

1 LAUREL / HARDY

2 TOM / JERRY

3 BILL / BEN

4 SALT / PEPPER

5 KNIFE / FORK

6 JACK / JILL

7 BLACK / BLUE

8 CAGNEY / LACEY

Can you identify these Glen Miller songs? 1 MO HNI ETDO

2 RDEEOIMHG EANTOSLN

3 OOCAAHHOOON OCAG TTHC

4 UDJTCO UNNXTOEI

5 LI UUCLM SOSES TABHR

6 RTLGNT OLBIJ UWE

7 I FNSGSE AR LATPOR

8 ATLAEHIDVNSI IPS OYUV

ENNNFSAX

Bingo numbers called in: Bingo numbers called in: Bingo numbers called in: Bingo numbers called in:

January January January January 10, 26, 43, & 61

FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary 52, 90, 76, & 85

March March March March 5, 30, 46 & 67

AprilAprilAprilApril 13, 49, 23, & 73

May May May May 79, 45, 16, & 28

JuneJuneJuneJune 65, 18, 41, & 87

July July July July 57, 3, 8, & 69

August August August August 83, 59, 71, & 20

SeptemberSeptemberSeptemberSeptember 38, 63, 75, &1

OctoberOctoberOctoberOctober 33, 77, 55, & 89

NovemberNovemberNovemberNovember 51, 86, 48, & 35

DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember 11, 32, 53, & 68

January 13 January 13 January 13 January 13 81, 31, 15, & 25

February 13 February 13 February 13 February 13 40, 22, 78, & 36

March 13 March 13 March 13 March 13 44, 56, 21, & 6

Birthday cards

If anyone would like a birthday card send

from the branch please contact Betty

Alderton Contact number on back page

Did you spot the 9 differences?

Poetry CornerPoetry CornerPoetry CornerPoetry Corner

February

mystery

object

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't

run, my wife kept hinting to me that I

should get it fixed. But, somehow I always

had something else to take care of first, the

shed, the boat, drinking beer, always

something more important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make

her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her

seated in the tall grass, busily snipping

away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I

watched silently for a short time and then

went into the house.. I was gone only a

minute, and when I came out again I

handed her a toothbrush. I said, "When you finish cutting the grass,

you might as well sweep the driveway."

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will

always have a limp.

I will always have a limp!

Night’s cold breath rests

tranquil in a lavender field

which has lost its purple

to the harvest moon

and frosted sunrises.

It was

Sharon Stone

1. The girl wears a blue instead of a pink sweater.

2. One girl is missing.

3. The student is left-handed

4. Left-handed guy had no glasses

5. Girl with white sweater had no glasses

6. Girl behind the one with a sweater had glasses

7. Girl behind guy with aqua blue sweater is missing

8. Girl wears green sweater instead of purple

9. Guy at the back wears a blue-striped sweater

Can you spot the 10 differences

10

11

South Cornwall Branch Annual Meeting

The annual meeting was held this year at

the Carnon Inn and was well attended.

Main discussion points were finance, Web

site, awareness project Read-A-Thon and a

new project called The Hub.

Finance:

Our treasurer Malcolm Thorne could not

attend and left this report:

“It does not take a genius to realise that if

our expenditure continues to exceed

income as it has been in the past few years

then we are going to faced with harsh cuts

to the services we now offer. If we cannot

increase our income then we are looking at

cuts of £15,000—£20,000 pounds per year

in our costs.

We have a breathing space in the we have

a legacy of £33,000 held by national centre

and which we will probably need to claim

next year but we must give this our very

serious consideration.

Malcolm Glister is doing sterling work with

his fundraising initiatives but it is quite unfair

to leave this all to him. If our membership at

large wants us to continue with the services

we offer then they must also take some

responsibility for raising the necessary

funds.

As I say, we have a breathing space, so lets

get the ball rolling now and let use have

your thoughts on what can be done to

close this financial gap.

If anyone has any questions on the

accounts please put them in writing and I

will answer publicly via the magazine,

keeping the questioner anonymous.

I have been your treasurer since 2006 and

now want a change. A new on line

accounting system is now starting and this

will greatly simplify the treasures work. I am

prepared to continue for the current year

but will be leaving at the end of the year,

so the sooner a new volunteer comes

forward the longer they will have for an

effective handover

Thank you”

Malcolm Thorne

The Website:

Mike May our web manager reported that

he is contacting MS IT section to talk about

an independent website.

Awareness project:

Please see page 8

Read-A-Thon:

There is a steady build up of a Read-A-

Thon team, people who can help with the

running of the project which is proving to

be a great success.

The Hub:

The Hub is a new and exciting idea to

fulfil several objectives, raising funds, giving

local activities and support are just two

advantages.

More information in next months Magazine.

12

How to Tell the Sex of a Fly

A woman walked into the

kitchen to find her

husband stalking around

with a fly swatter "What are you doing?"

She asked. "Hunting Flies" He responded.

"Oh! Killing any? "She asked. "Yep, 3

males, 2 Females," he replied.

Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell

them apart? "He responded, “3 were on a

beer can,2 were on the phone”. Sent in by Jackie Riste

LOW-FAT BUTTER-FREE FUDGE CAKE

Ingredients:

85g wholemeal flour

25g oat bran

25g cocoa powder

100g dark brown sugar

100g caster sugar

1 teasp bicarb

175g apple sauce

3 tabsps vegetable oil

2 tabsps strong black coffee

1 beaten egg white

1 tsp vanilla essence

Method:

Heat oven to 150C (fan) Spray 20cm

square tin with light spray, and line base

with baking paper.

Mix dry ingredients together in a mixing

bowl

Combine remaining ingredients, and add to

dry mixture and mix well.

Pour into cake tin and bake for 30-35 mins

This is Judy Reeds recipe for low fat fudge

cake, Thanks Judy, you might have sent

some samples, for test purposes you

understand.

Hi Judy, I love my

fudge cake but I don’t

seem to have received

any samples either!

JasperJasperJasperJasper

Government makes key concession on PIP

The government has made a vital change

to the way people will be assessed for the

new benefit Personal Independence

Payment (PIP), making it fairer for people

with fluctuating conditions.

Assessors for the benefit will now be

required to consider whether claimants can

perform activities "to an acceptable

standard, safely, repeatedly, and in a

reasonable time period".

Fought hard to secure change

The MS Society has been a lead

organisation urging the government to

include the terms in legislation and has

fought hard to secure the change.

Earlier this week we handed an open letter,

signed by 4,000 people, to the Minister for

Disabled People, Esther McVey MP. A

group of people with MS “marched” to the

doors of the DWP to deliver the letter,

urging the minister to make sure the

assessments are fair.

A crucial change

Simon Gillespie is the Chief Executive of the

MS Society:

“We are delighted that the government has

finally listened to our concerns about this

issue. This is a crucial change that means

the assessments for PIP will better

recognise the needs of people with

fluctuating conditions such as MS."

Mobility criteria still strict Simon Gillespie

continued: “While it is a step in the right

direction, we remain extremely concerned

about the strictness of the mobility criteria

for the benefit. If people can walk just 20m

– even using aids such as sticks – they

won’t qualify for the enhanced rate of the

benefit, and could lose up to £1800 a year,

as well as their Motability vehicle”.

The MS Society is now urging the

government to look again at the 20m

element of the assessments. This was

originally due to be 50m and the change

was made in December with no

consultation.

13


5 5 13


INTERESTING FACTS ON RAINFORESTSINTERESTING FACTS ON RAINFORESTSINTERESTING FACTS ON RAINFORESTSINTERESTING FACTS ON RAINFORESTS

I was browsing on the internet and came across a few interesting facts

about the Rain forest, these pictures reminded me of my time out in the

forest, can you see me in any of them?

Some rainforest monkeys are

omnivores, eating both

animals and plants. More than 2,000 different

species of butterflies are

found in the rainforests of

South America. The forests of Central Africa

are home to more than 8,000

different species of plants. Flying animals of Asian

rainforests include frogs,

squirrels and snakes.

About 2,000 trees per minute are cut down in the rainforests.

Let's do everything we can to save them....

An area of a rainforest the

size of a football field is being

destroyed each second. Giant bamboo plants can

grow up to 9 inches a day. The trees of a tropical

rainforest are so densely

packed that rain falling on the

canopy can take as long as

10 minutes to reach the

ground. In the moist rainforests of

South America, sloths move

so slowly that algae are able

to grow in their fur.

80% of the flowers in the

Australian rainforests are not

found anywhere else in the

world. Bats are essential for the

pollination of many tropical

foodstuffs such as bananas

and mangoes. 1 out of 4 ingredients in our

medicine is from rainforest

plants.

Read-A-Thon news

14

Schools completed:Schools completed:Schools completed:Schools completed:

Cape Cornwall, St Just

Darite CP School, Liskeard

Lanivery School, Bodmin

Kehelland school, Camborne

Gulval school, Penzance

Schools started: St Mary’s C of E Primary

Devoran School, I will soon be publishing money

raised, I am waiting for returns to

come on this round of Read-A-Thon

schools.

School award ceremonies are being

arranged for the end of March, all students

who took part will get a certificate, the

school will get a plaque, certificate and

20% of money raised returned in book

tokens.

Your

Message board

6 14

Canada schools project

Empty again!!

As I previously reported, Gulval school has

been in contact with Gladstone School in

Canada and have started an interesting

exchange. More information next month.

OK! I will tell you anything

please don’t hurt me.

Elsa Barker-Brown raises £67.17

Elsa attends Lanlivery CP School near

Bodmin and took part in the schools

Read-A-Thon. Her latest venture was a toy, bric a brac

and cake sale which raised £67.17 for

people affected by MS. I also heard that

Elsa has another project on the way, so

watch this space! Its always good to hear of young people

making an effort to raise awareness and

funds for charity. Thank you Elsa and your team, your efforts

are appreciated.

Lanlivery School

South Cornwall branch MS Youth Group West

“Making Sense”

21

15 15

Well another month

has flown by already.

Unfortunately due to

sickness and with St

Buryan Academy

having a disco in

February, we thought it

best to cancel ours.

Apologies to anyone wishing to attend, we

will try to arrange one at a later date.

Please note, our other dates are also

subject to change. Look out in next months 'Lifeboat' for

Jamies feature. Jamie is off to watch the

worlds top 10 darts players at Westpoint in

Exeter as his birthday treat. These include

Phil Taylor, Barney, Gary Anderson and

James Wade to name a few.

Both Jamie (11) and his little brother Jack

(2) are huge darts fans and play regularly

themselves. Who knows, maybe one day

we may be watching them!!!!! Until next month Happy Easter from the

Youth Group and don't go eating too many

Easter eggs. Actually on the subject of

Easter eggs.....I hope Jasper is resting up

ready to deliver me lots of yummy

chocolate eggs.

Nikki xxx

SlowSlowSlowSlow DanceDanceDanceDance This poem was written by a terminally ill

young girl with cancer in a New York

Hospital. It was sent by a medical doctor—

Make sure to read what is in the closing

statement AFTER THE POEM. Sent in by Jackie Riste

Thanks Jackie, A lesson to us all!!

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day On the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down


Time is short.

The music won't last. Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say, 'Hi'

You'd better slow down.


Time is short.

The music won't last..

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your

day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

Should I deliver

this egg or eat it?

I think I’ll eat it.

16 16

Notification of interest:

I would be interested in attending the following events, (please tick boxes)

Event Number/s Possible Numbers Attending

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

I would also like to see:

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………

In our annual programme

Please return this slip with your comments to: Malcolm Glister

Whispering Winds, Crellow Hill, Stithians, Nr Truro TR3 7AQ

Dates for these events are to be advised: This programme is subject to support from

branch members therefore dates will only be set after sufficient interest has been shown

by returning the slip for each event. If sufficient interest is shown a venue and date can

be published, we do not wish to book venues for non attendance. Event 3 Computer awareness and parts sale 30th March Event 4 Get together’s April and October Event 5 Seminar for potential committee volunteers: March Event 6 Bingo afternoon June Event 7 Auction July Event 8 Quiz and games night August Event 9 Magazine tombola Event 10 Wine and cheese party September Event 11 Carwinion open day September/October

South Cornwall Branch Events 2013

Honey Pudding Ingredients: 2 or 3 Tablespoons of honey, 3 oz breadcrumbs,

3oz flour, 1/4lbs margarine, 5oz caster sugar, 1/4 flat teaspoon

carbonate soda, 2 eggs, milk

Method:

Grease a basin and put the honey in the bottom,

Sieve the flower with the carbonate of soda, then mix with the breadcrumbs.

Cream the fat and the sugar. Separate the eggs. Beat the yokes into the creamed fat

and sugar, then stir in the flour and breadcrumbs with some milk as required.

Whisk the egg whites to a stiff froth and fold in lightly. Turn into the prepared basin,

cover securely with a well greased paper and steam for about one hour and a half.

17

Possibilities Life`s full of possibilities that challenge us each day to take a chance, try something new, see things in a different way. And it`s not until we try that we find out what we can do. So don`t wait until tomorrow to Discover something new.

PROUD TO BE BRITISH PROUD TO BE BRITISH PROUD TO BE BRITISH PROUD TO BE BRITISH

I’m proud to be British

I am

It’s only my fourth traffic jam

The trains are on strike and I’d ‘get on my bike’

But somebody’s nicked it –

Oh damn …


Ho hum

But second-class travel is glum

The graffiti is shocking and the toilet keeps blocking

I’m stuck to the seat

Chewing gum…


You too?

All these people, it’s just like a zoo.

I’d travel elsewhere, but I’d only wait there

And I’m British –

We thrive on a queue…


How tight

When a burglar visits at night

Keep your hands to yourself and your gun on the shelf

‘cos he knows that he’s covered alright…


But old? Did they think that their pensions were gold?

Paid in sweat and in tears over all of those years

That’ll teach them to do as they’re told…and yetand yetand yetand yet


Yes, I

When an ambulance passes me by

Is the call fake, they worry? But those angels still hurry

I’m proud to be paying N.I…


Yes, when

A red engine is called out again

Your flat may be toast, but you’re still here to boast

That we can’t do without firemen…


I say

But need constant reminders that way

It may need refining, but if we just stopped whining

Who knows what we’d make of the day? …

Wendy Hughes

Hi Malcolm and all

The Feb magazine with the article

'Common Sense', from Judy Reed,

really made me laugh out loud and it

struck a chord with me as I had penned

a poem in 2003 which I thought might

suit this mood. I also enjoyed the

thought provoking piece from Susan

Creese, along with many other items in

the magazine.

Many thanks. Wendy Hughes

Thanks Wendy,

These little gems were sent in by

Judy Reed

Two men went bear-hunting. While one

stayed in the cabin the other went out

looking for a bear. He soon found a

huge bear, shot at it but only wounded

it. The enraged bear charged towards

him, He dropped his rifle and started

running for the cabin as fast as he

could. He ran pretty fast but the bear

was just a little faster and gained on

him with every step. Just as he reached

the open cabin door he tripped and fell

flat. Too close behind, the bear tripped

over him and rolled into the cabin. The

man jumped up, closed the cabin door

and yelled to his friend inside, "You skin

this one while I go and get another!

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said, "I

want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds." I bought her a

bathroom scale. And then the fight started......

Cake and Savoury Day Saturday Cake and Savoury Day Saturday Cake and Savoury Day Saturday Cake and Savoury Day Saturday

23232323rdrdrdrd March 10March 10March 10March 10----2pm2pm2pm2pm Come and join us at

the centre for some delicious cakes and

savouries, tea and chat. There will also be

various stalls. If you would like to donate a

cake please let us know. Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon

TrekTrekTrekTrek---- 10101010thththth----17171717thththth May 2014 Trek.May 2014 Trek.May 2014 Trek.May 2014 Trek. Are you

ready to experience the breath taking

beauty of the Grand Canyon whilst raising

money for the Merlin Ms Centre? With a

year to fundraising you have plenty of time

to join us for this trek of a lifetime. Contact

the centre for more information 01726

885530.

Merlin MS Centre are looking for willing and

friendly volunteers to help with their

supermarket collection days throughout the

year and throughout the county. If you think

you can spare an hour or two to help then

please get in touch with the centre on

01726 885530.

Ellie May,

Communications and Corporate

Events Manager

Tel: 01726 885530

March 2013March 2013March 2013March 2013: Outing to Paradise Park

Preparation for Easter coffee morning,

making cards and craft items.

April 2013April 2013April 2013April 2013: Easter coffee morning with

cakes and goodies

May 2013: May 2013: May 2013: May 2013: Summer BBQ and Car boot

sale

South Cornwall Youth Group West

activities

South Cornwall Branch

events 2013

6

In next months Lifeboat magazine: Members pages & Magazine Bingo Youth Group page MS News Megan’s page Branch events Read-A-Thon news

Events taking place at Merlin MS Centre Dates for these events to be advised: Seminar for potential committee volunteers

Get together’s

30th March Computer awareness and

parts sale

Bingo afternoon

Auction

Quiz and games night

Magazine tombola

Carwinion open day

Wine and cheese party

The need to know message centre Look out for the application slip on page 12

18

Jackie Thorne will be away for a few weeks

so as from 1st March 2013 please make all

voucher requests to Chris Sargent

01209 315386

IMPORTANT NOTICE


Chairman: Chairman: Chairman: Chairman: Mike George

Telephone: 01872 862031

email: [email protected]

Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Malcolm Thorne

Telephone: 01209 717237


Address Coomar, 3 Chenoweth Close, Camborne

Cornwall TR14 7JR

Voucher Admin Officer: Voucher Admin Officer: Voucher Admin Officer: Voucher Admin Officer: Jackie Thorne

Telephone: 01209 717237


Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Christine Sargent

Telephone: 01209 315386


M S Support : M S Support : M S Support : M S Support :

Telephone: 01872 274911

Carer’s Officer: Carer’s Officer: Carer’s Officer: Carer’s Officer: Neville Reed

Telephone: 01637 875823


Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor: Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor: Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor: Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor:

Malcolm Glister

Telephone: 01209 860754


Branch Web manager: Branch Web manager: Branch Web manager: Branch Web manager: Mike May

Telephone: 01872 272 957


Membership: Membership: Membership: Membership: Betty Alderton

Telephone: 01872 270901


Minute Secretary: Minute Secretary: Minute Secretary: Minute Secretary: Moe Fisher


Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Nikki Jenkin

Telephone: 01736 787089


Events CoEvents CoEvents CoEvents Co----ordinator ordinator ordinator ordinator Carol Batchelor

Telephone: 01326 373464


Fund Raising Manager Fund Raising Manager Fund Raising Manager Fund Raising Manager Vacant

Branch contact details:Branch contact details:Branch contact details:Branch contact details:

Llawnroc, Mount Carbis Road,

Redruth, Cornwall,

TR15 2LD

Tel: 01872 274911

www.mssociety.org.uk/southcornwall Satellite eventsSatellite eventsSatellite eventsSatellite events

1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month:

Trelowarren Arms, Budock Water,

Falmouth, between 11.00am and

2.00pm approx. Coffee and/or lunch.

Open to all. Last Tuesday of each month: Last Tuesday of each month: Last Tuesday of each month: Last Tuesday of each month:

Helston & Lizard Group meeting:

Wheal Dream Restaurant, Helston

from 11.00am to approx 2.00pm.

Lunch at discounted rate. Every Thursday: Every Thursday: Every Thursday: Every Thursday:

Yoga at the Well Being Centre,

Nance Lane, Churchtown,

Illogan. 11.00am to 12.15pm. with

Carolyn Smith by appointment only. Every third ThursdayEvery third ThursdayEvery third ThursdayEvery third Thursday

Carers meeting at Mike George’s Useful contacts:Useful contacts:Useful contacts:Useful contacts:

MS National Centre: 02084 380 700

MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000

Care Direct: 0800 444 000

NHS Direct: 0845 4647

Editors Contact detailsEditors Contact detailsEditors Contact detailsEditors Contact details:

To send in articles or comments.

Malcolm Glister

Whispering Winds, Crellow Hill,

Stithians, Nr Truro,

Cornwall, TR3 7AQ

South Cornwall Branch Information

Need help or advice, call our

support number 01872 274911

All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990

Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571

Documents

The South Cornwall Branch of the MS Society March magazine 2013