The Voice of PLC 2012

8/3/2019 The Voice of PLC 2012

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The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC)

In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support

Registered Charity Number: 273635

Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support

A Member ofCommunity & Social Action Plymouth (CASAP)

Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon,

Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLCJanuaryFebruary 2012

Address: c/o 80 Warleigh Avenue, PLYMOUTH, PL2 1DH, Devon, UK

Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: [email protected] Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRWritten by Geoffrey N. READ

Dear Club Members & Supporters,

With the festive season well behind us we now

look forward, refreshed, to a wonderful year!

And what an exciting year it promises to be, withthe London Olympics, and Parlympic Games and

Her Majestys Diamond Jubilee.

Our Club Members have also shown their

interest in getting more involved with the

Macmillan Cancer Support Servicesand hope to

be participating in their fundraising events later

in the year.

Were delighted to have strengthened our

cooperation with the Laryngectomy Clubs in

Cornwall, namely the Speak Easy Club and theRecovery Club. We hope to strengthen these

ties even further this coming year by holding one

or two joint meetings either in Cornwall or in

Devon! We also hope to link up with other clubs

to the north of us, especially in the Exeter and

Torbay regions.

You will be sick of me reminding you about you

Annual Subscriptions of 5 per head. These are

due for payment now. Only Members need pay...

not Friends!Im still waiting to receive some personalised

articles from some of you! Come on everyone...

please start putting pen to paper!GeoffActing Chair & Secretary,

PLC

EDITORIAL COMMENT

NTERNET Links. If youre reading this on-line and come

across words with blue lettering that are underlined, then

you can click on these links and be taken directly to another

site for more information on that particular topic. If you read

this on Microsoft Word, you can put your cursor over the link,

hold down the Control (Ctrl) Key and click! Ed.

PLC PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENTSAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Dave EDWARDS for his birthday on

Wednesday, 4th

January 2012. Dave is a very active

Member of PLC. Have a great day Dave!

EST WISHES TO for a very Happy Birthday to Liz BURNETT

for her birthday on Tuesday, 17th

January 2012. Liz is a

very keen Member of PLC and on the odd occasion, our

official photographer! Have a lovely day Liz!

APPY BIRTHDAY TO Trish SUTTON for her birthday on

Tuesday, 24th January 2012. Trish is the Secretary &Liaison Officer for The Recovery Club and hails from Penzance

in Cornwall. Have a great day Trish!

EST WISHES for a very Happy Birthday to Ron MARTIN for

his birthday on Friday, 17th

Februyary 2012. Ron is our

Entertainments Member along with Fiona. Have a lovely day

Ron!

LAUGH AT LIFE!

AD TEMPER PROBLEM.

Patient: Doctor, you must help me. I'm under

such a lot of stress, I keep losing my

temper with people.

Doctor: Tell me about your problem.

Patient: I just did, didn't I, you stupid fool!

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://plymouthlc.webs.com/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/http://www.london2012.com/http://www.london2012.com/http://www.london2012.com/http://www.london2012.com/splash/http://www.london2012.com/splash/http://www.london2012.com/splash/http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/diamondjubilee.aspxhttp://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/diamondjubilee.aspxhttp://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/diamondjubilee.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/HowWeCanHelp.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/HowWeCanHelp.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Fundraising.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Fundraising.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Fundraising.aspxhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/HowWeCanHelp.aspxhttp://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/diamondjubilee.aspxhttp://www.london2012.com/splash/http://www.london2012.com/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/mailto:[email protected]


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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)

or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com2

THANK YOU!

EOFF & JEAN READ were honoured to accept a joint

invitation from the Speak Easy Club and the Recovery

Club in Cornwall, to represent the PLC at their Christmas

Luncheon held at the Carlton Hotel in Truro on Wednesday,

14th

December 2012. Especial thanks to Jan for ferrying us to

and from the station and to Ron & Rose WILLS for being such

delightful hosts. It was good to meet up with new faces as

well as old. We were delighted to make the acquaintance of

Colin SALTER at long last and found him to be looking

remarkably well! A Happy New Year to you all!

Photographs of this event can be seen by clicking onthis link.

PLC RECENT MONTHLY MEETINGS

HE CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER was held on Monday, 14th

December 2011 atLeandras Restaurantin Plymouth City

Centre at 7 p.m. The cost of this event was offset by Club

Funds. Members brought along a gift-wrapped pressie on the

evening to the value of not more than 5. Those were then

be placed into the Clubs Grand Christmas Dip.

Photographs taken by Liz BURNETT and these are displayedon Photobucket and can be seen by clicking onthis link. They

can also be viewed on thePLC Facebook Page.

OMMITTEE MEETING. The Committee had a meeting at

Geoffs residence on Tuesday, 18th

October 2011. No

major decisions were made. Fiona & Ron MARTIN are trying

to plan the social diary for 2012. Future meetings will take

place about one week prior to Club Meetings. The next

meeting will take place on Friday, 3rd

February 2012 (for the

February 2012 Meeting).

UR FIRST MEETING of 2012 took place at the Mustard

Tree Cancer Support Center at Derriford. Hospital on

Monday, 9th

January at 10.30 a.m. There were nine Members

and two Guest Speakers in attendance. Ms. Debbie Haynes

and Ms. Ginny JONES, from the Woodside Animal Welfare

Trust came along to show us a video and to give us a talk

about their work. Our Club Members hope to accept their

invitation to visit the animal sanctuary later in the year. Geoff

later sent a Thank You card and a cheque from PLC, by way of

a donation, to help with their continued success.

UBSCRIPTIONS. Members are kindly requested to pay

their 5 Annual Subscriptions as they are now overdue.

It would be appreciated if you could pay the Treasurer assoon as you can. Her Contact Address details

are at the top of the front page. Ten

members have paid up so far leaving about a

further seven to pay. If payment hasnt been

made by February 2012 we will query with

you whether you still wish to remain as a Club Member.

OOK PROPOSAL. You will recall that the Speak Easy

Club in Cornwall had had a book entitled Our Story

published some time ago. The book related to how the

Club was formed and was compiled by the then Club

Secretary, Reverend Colin SALTER. The PLC obtained acopy and circulated it around its members... but Im not

sure who has it now!

Anyway... it was bandied about that our Club Members

should also try to have a go and try to get one published

too. As things turned out there was not enough support

to get this project under way. But never say die... we may

raise this subject again in the future!

PLC FUTURE MONTHLY MEETINGSALENDAR of EVENTS. A copy of the Clubs Calendar of

Events, including Future Entertainments for the next 12

months or so, is available on our Clubs website. Please keep

yourselves up-to-date by taking an occasional peek!

OU WILL ALL be aware that the PLC has been holding its

monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month.

One month at The Mustard Tree and the next away from

Derriford. For various reasons, we have had to change this.

With effect from February 2012, our meetings will be held on

the second Tuesday of each month as shown below:

Tuesday, 14th

February 2012 Away Day

Tuesday, 13th

March 2012 The Mustard Tree

Tuesday, 10th

April 2012 Away Day

Tuesday, 15th May 2012 The Mustard TreeTuesday, 12

thJune 2012 Away Day

Tuesday, 10th

July 2012 The Mustard Tree

Tuesday, 14th

August 2012 Away Day

Tuesday, 11th

September 2012 The Mustard Tree

Friday, 5th

October 2012 (TBC) The Mustard Tree

Possible date of the Plymouth Laryngectomy

Information Day & PLC AGM

Tuesday, 13th

November 2012 Away Day

Tuesday, 11th

December 2012 The Mustard Tree

Tuesday, 17th

December 2012 (TBC) Away Day

Possible date for PLC Christmas Dinner

ANUARY 2012.

Monday, 30th

January 2012:

National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC)

General Meeting. Geoff and Jean READ will be attending

this meeting in London. Should anyone have anything

they wish to have raised at this meeting then do please let

Geoff know. The Speak Easy and the Recovery Clubs have

also been invited to send as required as Geoff can

represent them too if they have no-one attending.

EBRUARY 2012.

Friday, 3

rd

February 2012:Monthly Committee Meeting. The Committee will meet at

Geoffs residence at 2.30 p.m.

Tuesday, 14th

February 2012

(Valentines Day):

Visit to the National Aquarium. Ron & Fiona were not

been able to arrange the planned visit to the Plymouth

Lord Mayors Parlour in time but will keep this in their

pockets for later in the year. They have arranged a visit to

the National Aquarium instead. Club Members agreed that

we would all go for a snack and refreshments afterwards,

probably at the aquarium. Please meet up at the aquarium

at 10.45 a.m. There will also be the usual raffle.

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=171767672923976&set=a.171767559590654.27203.111621182271959&type=1&theaterhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=171767672923976&set=a.171767559590654.27203.111621182271959&type=1&theaterhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=171767672923976&set=a.171767559590654.27203.111621182271959&type=1&theaterhttp://www.welovelocal.com/en/sw/plymouth/stoke/greek-restaurants/leandra-restaurant-pl11qa.htmlhttp://www.welovelocal.com/en/sw/plymouth/stoke/greek-restaurants/leandra-restaurant-pl11qa.htmlhttp://www.welovelocal.com/en/sw/plymouth/stoke/greek-restaurants/leandra-restaurant-pl11qa.htmlhttp://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg297/kandaphati2/PLC/PLCxmas12Dec2011/?albumview=slideshowhttp://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg297/kandaphati2/PLC/PLCxmas12Dec2011/?albumview=slideshowhttp://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg297/kandaphati2/PLC/PLCxmas12Dec2011/?albumview=slideshowhttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162999323800811.25191.111621182271959&type=1https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162999323800811.25191.111621182271959&type=1https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162999323800811.25191.111621182271959&type=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derriford_Hospitalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derriford_Hospitalhttp://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/http://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/http://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Future.htmhttp://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/Future.htmhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://plymouthlc.webs.com/Calendar.htm#ThisMonthhttp://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/http://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derriford_Hospitalhttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162999323800811.25191.111621182271959&type=1http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg297/kandaphati2/PLC/PLCxmas12Dec2011/?albumview=slideshowhttp://www.welovelocal.com/en/sw/plymouth/stoke/greek-restaurants/leandra-restaurant-pl11qa.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=171767672923976&set=a.171767559590654.27203.111621182271959&type=1&theater


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Important: Tickets can be booked onlineat this link. There

is a 10% reduction for booking online. Theres also a

reduction for the over-60s. The best price will be for a group

booking. Those who wish to attend should notify Geoff

either by email, telephone, or text. Geoff will then make a

Group Booking and take payment from you later. Anyone

who doesnt notify Geoff of their wish to attend will need to

pay for their own admission on the day.

ARCH 2012.

Tuesday, 13th

March 2012:

Monthly Meeting including an Instructional Talk.

Our March monthly meeting will be held in the Mustard

Tree at Derriford Hospital. As usual, we will meet up for tea

and biscuits in the Reception Lounge at 10.30 a.m. Then, at

11 a.m. we will have our meeting upstairs in the Conference

Room.

This will include an instructional talk by Mr. Neil HUNT who

is the Clinical Tutor for the South West Ambulance Services.

There will also be the usual raffle.

THE PENINSULAR CANCER NETWORKEOFF READ ATTENDED a meeting of the PCN Allied

Health Professional Rehabilitation Group at Dartington

on Wednesday, 23rd

November 2011 as Patient

Representative for Plymouth. An interesting afternoon and

the next meeting is scheduled for March 2012. Should anyone

wish to have further information then please contact Geoff.

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT

LC IS NOW mentioned on the list of Support Groups on

the Macmillan Website. To see our mention please

click onthis link.

DENTAL TREATMENT FOR

LARYNGECTOMEES

An article by Geoffrey N. Read

I use Denplan (a private treatment and

insurance plan) so I was reasonably dental-fit

prior to having my laryngectomy in January

2009. However, Ive been needing more and

more dental treatment since my chemo and

radio therapy sessions and my teeth havebegun to deteriorate. The radio therapy also damaged the

tissue of my oesophagus causing it to constrict. I frequently

have to be admitted to undergo a procedure under general

anaesthetic to have it dilated... a very delicate procedure,

trying not to tear the membrane or causing further

damage in any way! Ive received 15 or so dilations since

my laryngectomy.

A day after my most recent operation, part of the crown of

one of my front teeth fell away. I immediately reported this

to my dentist who agreed with me that it was

probably damaged during the dilation

procedure as it would not just have come

away on its own accord!

So.... I completed the necessary claim application form and

submitted it to Denplan whilst feeling rather smug about

how wise I was to have taken out dental insurance as part of

my Denplan! Ive just received the reply from Denplan and

it somewhat knocked the smugness from my face! Their

Clinical Support Advisor wrote:

May I advise that dental injury resulting from the

administering of required general anaesthesia as

part of an elective surgical procedure is a direct

exclusion. Our legal department has advised us that it is theduty of care for the hospital to make good any damage /

injury sustained whilst the patient is in their care. We are

therefore unable to accept the claim under the terms and

conditions of the Supplementary Insurance Policy.

So should I approach the hospital and ask them to make

good? We all know that before undergoing any surgical

procedure one has to sign a Consent Form. We also know

that these forms are not simply to give ones consent... one

is also signing to say they accept that any damage done will

not be the fault of the hospital nor the medical staff. Always

a water tight disclaimer!

Fair enough... it seems I will have to pay out of my own

pocket for the damage done to my teeth. But this

whole affair does leave a nasty taste in my mouth!

A REMINDER TO STAY CHEERFUL!

Smiling is infectious

You can catch it just like flu

When someone smiled at me today

I started smiling too.

I went around a corner

And someone saw me grinWhen he realised I smiled

I'd passed it onto him.

I thought about the smile

And realised it's worth

A single smile like mine

Could travel round the earth.

So if you feel a smile begin

Don't leave it undetected

Let's start an epidemic quick

And get the world infected.

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NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS

DISCLAIMER

PLC reserves the right to select and edit articles submitted. The

opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent

those of PLC. Although we do our best to ensure the information is

accurate, PLC is not liable for any incorrect information or errors

contained herein.

RE YOU INTERESTED in taking part in undergraduate

research?

Description of studyThis research study will explore the main psychological

and social effects of living with a laryngectomy following

the diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

What is involved in the study?

Suitable participants will be asked to fill out a questionnaire.

Contact Details

If you are interested in taking part in this study please

contact the researcher on the following:

Telephone: 029 20687675

Email:[email protected] [email protected]

RGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ DE

KIRCHNER

At first they said she had Thyroid Cancer.

Daily Mail, Thursday, 29th

December 2011:

Government says the president will have an

operation early in New Year.

Argentina's president has thyroid cancer, it emerged

yesterday.

Cristina Fernandez de KIRCHNER will undergo surgery next

week to remove a growth from her neck.

Last week the outspoken politician was accused of trying to

organise a blockade of the Falklands, as part of a campaign

designed to force Britain to enter talks over the islands 30

years after the Falklands War.

Illness: It has been revealed that Argentine president Cristina

Fernandez has thyroid cancer and will undergo surgery next

month.

The nations war of words is expected to die down following

yesterdays announcement.

The 58-year-old president will take a month off to have the

operation and recover, a government spokesman said. The

cancer, which has not spread, is highly survivable.

To read more about this article, please click onthis link.

Later it was announced that she did NOT have cancer.FromThe Guardian, Monday, 9

thJanuary 2012:

Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner had her thyroid gland

removed last week, but tests rule out presence of cancerous

cells.

Fernndez will not have to swallow the radioactive iodine

that patients usually take after thyroid cancer surgery, to

make sure any remaining cancer cells are killed, her

spokesman said. But she will have to take hormone

medicine for the rest of her life.

The announcement that she is cancer-free prompted

raucous cheers and chants from several hundred supporters

holding vigil for days outside the hospital, carrying signssaying: "Be Strong Cristina!"

Read more at:The Guardian, Monday 9th

January 2012.

HRISTOPHER HITCHENS DIES at 62 After Suffering

Cancer. British-born author, literary critic and journalist

Christopher HITCHENS has died

at the age of 62. He died from

pneumonia, a complication of

the oesophageal cancer he had,

at a Texas hospital.

Vanity Fair magazine, which

announced his death, said there would "never be another like

Christopher".He is survived by his wife, Carol Blue, and their daughter,

Antonia, and his children from a previous marriage,

Alexander and Sophia.

He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2010, and documented

his declining health in his Vanity Fair column.

In an August 2010 essay for the magazine he wrote: "I love

the imagery of struggle.

"I sometimes wish I were suffering in a good cause, or risking

my life for the good of others, instead of just being a gravely

endangered patient."

Speaking on the BBC's Newsnight programme, in November

that year, he reflected on a life that he knew would be cutshort: "It does concentrate the mind, of course, to realise that

your life is more rationed than you thought it was."

Please click onthis linkfor the full story.

ACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT Newsletter.

A copy of the latest edition of mac news

can be seen on-line by clicking onthis link. Those

not on-line and wishing to see a copy should

contact Geoff.

ATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LARYNGECTOMEE CLUBS

(NALC). The dates of the 2012 General Committee

Meetings to be held in London are as follows:

Monday, 30th January 2012 Monday, 26th March 2012 Monday, 2nd July 2012 Monday, 1st October 2012If any Club Member wishes to attend these meetings as

our Club Representative then do please let Geoff READ

know. It may be possible to claim back your travel

expenses. Geoff and Jean READ will be attending the

January 2012 meeting so if anyone has any topic they wish

to have mentioned then please contact Geoff.

UTRAGE AT FIVE-FOLD Rise in Fee for Disabled ParkingBlue Badge in Crack Down on Fraud

Old handwritten pass being replaced by electronic permit Ministers hope new 'secure as a banknote' badge will reduce

fraud

This article appeared in the Daily Mail on Friday, 30th

December 2011 byRay Massey:

Millions of disabled drivers face a five-fold rise in the cost of a

Blue Badge parking permit under a government crackdown

on a 46million-a-year fraud.

In an attempt to thwart forgers, the old handwritten pass is

being replaced by an electronically printed permit similar to adriving licence.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12284208http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12284208http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16214335http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16214335http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16214335http://macnews.macmillan.org.uk/winter_2011/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Macmillan+Cancer+Support&utm_campaign=1078271_Winter+Mac+News+-+Supporters+15.12.11&dm_i=FY7,N3ZZ,3DDZW8,1VB6D,1http://macnews.macmillan.org.uk/winter_2011/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Macmillan+Cancer+Support&utm_campaign=1078271_Winter+Mac+News+-+Supporters+15.12.11&dm_i=FY7,N3ZZ,3DDZW8,1VB6D,1http://macnews.macmillan.org.uk/winter_2011/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Macmillan+Cancer+Support&utm_campaign=1078271_Winter+Mac+News+-+Supporters+15.12.11&dm_i=FY7,N3ZZ,3DDZW8,1VB6D,1http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Ray+Masseyhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Ray+Masseyhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Ray+Masseyhttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Ray+Masseyhttp://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/http://macnews.macmillan.org.uk/winter_2011/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Macmillan+Cancer+Support&utm_campaign=1078271_Winter+Mac+News+-+Supporters+15.12.11&dm_i=FY7,N3ZZ,3DDZW8,1VB6D,1http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16214335http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/argentina-president-cristina-fernandez-cancerhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSadehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12284208http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079308/Argentine-president-Cristina-Fernandez-surgery-thyroid-cancer.html#ixzz1i8azSademailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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The new badge contains a hologram and digital photograph

and is said to be as secure as a banknote.

Fraud crackdown: The new design will

reduce the estimated 46million cost of

Blue Badge fraud and save up to 20million

in administration costs for councils.

But the maximum charge, payable every three years when

the permit is renewed, is to increase from 2 to 10 in

England. It will be free in Wales and cost up to 20 in

Scotland. Councils, however, have the power to chargeless than the maximum.

Transport Minister Norman BAKERsaid the new design, to

be introduced on 1st

January, will reduce the estimated

46million cost of Blue Badge fraud and save up to

20million in administration costs for councils.

But Helen DOLPHIN, of Disabled Motoring UK, said: Our

charitys position is clear. There should be no charge for a

Blue Badge.

I know just how important the Blue Badge scheme is for

so many disabled people. From a personal perspective, I

would not be able to park close enough to the places I

need to go without my Blue Badge and so I would beconsiderably less independent.

The permits allow parking on yellow lines or in disabled bays.

Lifeline: Blue Badge passes are valid for 3 years

and give holders the right to park free of charge.

Comments: Transport minister Norman Baker said

motorists pretending to be disabled to get free parking

were 'disgraceful'.

The Department for Transportestimates that one in every

200 of the 2.5million badges in circulation is being used by

people not entitled to them. It also pointed out that the

price increase was the first for 30 years.

The charity Disabled Motoring UK criticised the charges

and advanced motoring group IAM called for a more

stringent clampdown on misuse.

Blue Badge passes are valid for three years and give holders

the right to park free of charge on yellow lines or in dedicated

disabled bays and exempt the holder from the 10-a-day

London congestion charge.

The Department for Transport estimates that one in every

200 of the 2.5 million permits in circulation... about 12,500...

are being used by people not entitled to have them.

Up to half of those in use in some inner city areas are

suspected to be fraudulent. Blue Badges have also fuelled a

car crime wave and thousands have been stolen for sale on

the black market at up to 1,500 each.

Transport minister Mr. BAKER said: Motorists who pretend

to be disabled to get some free parking are frankly

disgraceful.

They prevent real Blue Badge holders from using parking

bays for those genuinely in need and they cheat the vast

majority of road users who play fair when they park their

cars.

Mr. BAKER added: Our new Blue Badge will be as secure as a

banknote and anyone thinking of faking it can forget it. We

are also tightening up on enforcement and eligibility so therewill be no way to scam the system.

The IAM welcomed the new permit but called for the police

and local councils to be given new powers to fine offenders.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: In order to

finance the improvements, the maximum fee for a badge that

local authorities can charge will rise from 2 to 10.

'This is the first increase in cost for 30 years and the

Government believes that, in return, badge holders will

benefit from less abuse, improved accessibility and better

customer services.

If you wish to read more please click onthis link.

LYMOUTH CARERS FORUM. The Forum will be

holding two 12-week courses in 2012 for carers in

Plymouth. If you would like more information please

contact Ray HEDGES by email on:

[email protected] or telephone him at: (01752)

364 292 or mobile 07952 275 119.From: Ray HEDGES Chair Plymouth Carers Forum.

ILENT MONKS SINGING the Hallelujah Chorus. You

will need a PC to view this! I hope this doesnt offend

anyone but I found it just too funny not to pass on! Be

sure to click on full screen and sound on. Ed.http://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Index.html

HE SPEAK EASY CLUB Newsletter. A copy of the

December 2011 Newsletter has been sent out to those

on-line. It can be viewed by clicking onthis link. If there is

any Club Member who is not on-line and wishes to have a

hard copy then please contact Geoff.

Clickto view albums our Facebook Page.

Talk to PLC on Facebook!(You must have an FB account.)

P

S
http://www.dft.gov.uk/ministers/norman-baker/http://www.dft.gov.uk/ministers/norman-baker/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/helen-dolphin/11/721/429http://www.linkedin.com/pub/helen-dolphin/11/721/429http://www.disabledmotoring.org/http://www.disabledmotoring.org/http://dft.gov.uk/http://dft.gov.uk/http://www.iam.org.uk/http://www.iam.org.uk/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080088/Outrage-fold-rise-disabled-parking-fees-crack-Blue-Badge-fraud.html#ixzz1i7vybhaXhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080088/Outrage-fold-rise-disabled-parking-fees-crack-Blue-Badge-fraud.html#ixzz1i7vybhaXhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080088/Outrage-fold-rise-disabled-parking-fees-crack-Blue-Badge-fraud.html#ixzz1i7vybhaXhttp://www.plymouth.gov.uk/newsreleases.htm?newsid=235923http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/newsreleases.htm?newsid=235923mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Index.htmlhttp://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Index.htmlhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76136927/Speak-Easy-111214-Newsletterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76136927/Speak-Easy-111214-Newsletterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76136927/Speak-Easy-111214-Newsletterhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Laryngectomy-Club/111621182271959?sk=photoshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Laryngectomy-Club/111621182271959?sk=photoshttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Laryngectomy-Club/111621182271959?sk=wallhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Laryngectomy-Club/111621182271959?sk=wallhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Laryngectomy-Club/111621182271959?sk=photoshttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76136927/Speak-Easy-111214-Newsletterhttp://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Index.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.plymouth.gov.uk/newsreleases.htm?newsid=235923http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080088/Outrage-fold-rise-disabled-parking-fees-crack-Blue-Badge-fraud.html#ixzz1i7vybhaXhttp://www.iam.org.uk/http://dft.gov.uk/http://www.disabledmotoring.org/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/helen-dolphin/11/721/429http://www.dft.gov.uk/ministers/norman-baker/


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The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)

is a Charitable Cancer Support Group.

PLC aims to offer support and care to laryngectomees and their carers and families.

PLC also encourages understanding and support by the public.

And, just for those who may not be aware...Laryngectomy is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth, nose and

oesophagus. The Laryngectomee breaths through the neck, a stoma. It is done in the cases of

laryngeal cancer. However, many laryngeal cancer cases are now treated only with radiation and

chemotherapy, or other laser procedures, and Laryngectomy is performed when those treatments fail

to conserve the larynx.

If youre a Laryngectomee you would be most welcome to come along on your own or with your

partner and / or Carer.

Come join us!Our Members and Friends meet on the first Monday of every month.

Do please see our website for further details.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Our grateful thanks to :

THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESEhttp://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/

for their assistance in reproducing copies of this newsletter.
http://plymouthlc.webs.com/http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/http://plymouthlc.webs.com/

Documents

The Voice of PLC 2012