Newsletter No. 003

Welcome to number 3 of Northants Parkinson’s People Bulletin. We hope you have enjoyed number 1 and 2 but if you missed these and would like to see them please email Sylvia at: [email protected] 
Thank you very much for your positive comments and encouragements. Our distribution list grows by the day but please do let Sylvia know if any of your friends, family or colleagues would like a copy.
This month we have a further instalment from Doug’s army days, another extract from Simon’s new book and expert gardening tips from Sylvia plus a few new contributors – we hope you enjoy. 


NYPSG's Trip to the Black Country Museum June 2019
Carlene and John report on The Northants Younger Parkinson's support group's trip to the Black Country Museum.
We set off by coach for a summer s day outing to The Black Country Living Museum (TBCLM) 
The rain was pouring down as we got on the coach...The rain was pouring as we were travelling to the museum... 
It was pouring ALL the time we were there...  and on the way back?... yes you guessed it, it rained all the way home.!
Were we downhearted?...A bit   But we still managed to have a lovely day out.

 
There was  old bus to take us to see the homes,shops, chapel,school ,and workplace, also hear how living there was in the Victorian era.John and I had our lunch in the Working Institute Cafe, Which was very good and tasty The desserts were great too.

From start to finish The staff at TBCLM were helpful , friendly and made it a enjoyable day despite the weather.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE YOUNGER PARKINSON’S
SUPPORT GROUP
Invite you to their meetings held on the 1st Saturday of each month at The Barratt Sports and Social Club, 42 Kingsthorpe Road, Northants, NN2 6HT starting at 10.30 am. Free coffee/tea on arrival. This is a social event for people with Parkinson’s, carers, friends and family to meet together and talk to like minded people. We have speakers come along to some meetings to talk about a variety of topics.
Many of us stay afterwards and enjoy a nice lunch (and drink) off the extensive menu. There is no monthly charge, but we do ask for £5.00 per person per year membership if you wish to join. (don't let the YOUNGER in our name put you off,  ANY AGE IS WELCOME)....

We hope to see you soon.  For more details call Sue: (H) 01933 274856  (M) 07785 584793 email: [email protected] 

Northants Parkinson’s People challenge Parkinson’s UK Northampton Branch to help tackle loneliness and isolation

Most humans are social creatures and have a desire for human contact. Having a sense of connectiveness whether from an individual or a group is an intrinsic part of human behavior. It is not difficult to find research which proves that having connections with others is actually imperative for our mental and physical health. 
Sadly, but not surprisingly there is also evidence that social isolation and loneliness are associated with negative health outcomes, especially in older adults. Loneliness is strongly linked to perceived poor quality of life and feelings of loneliness increase with age due to loss of friends, poor health and lack of mobility.
People with Parkinson’s are at a greater risk of becoming socially isolated due to difficulties with mobility affecting their ability to access the wider environment. Often individuals also feel self -conscious of other symptoms and avoid social situations thus leading to feelings of loneliness.
This is a double edged sword; Dr Laurie Mischley, who monitors the progress of symptoms of more than 1500 people with Parkinson’s claims “the single biggest predictor of rate of Parkinson’s progression is if you answer yes to ‘are you lonely?” … 
Northants Parkinson’s People are concerned that local people with Parkinson’s, who find themselves lonely and isolated are being forgotten. This group of under supported people is growing due to population growth and an increasing aging population PLUS the estimated prevalence and incidence of Parkinson’s in the UK is expected to grow. Prevalence of Parkinson’s is expected to rise by around 18% between 2018 and 2025 to over 168,000. By 2065, the prevalence and incidence numbers are predicted to have almost doubled (Parkinson’s UK).  
The NHS is preparing for this by recruiting two new Parkinson’s Disease Nurses in Northamptonshire which is very good news for us. However, we would like to challenge the Northampton local branch of Parkinson’s UK to address this problem. Instead of asking individuals to join you for jollies and pints!! We want to know how Parkinson's UK local branch is going to help individuals who can’t get out of their houses and who are socially isolated and lonely.

Northants Parkinson’s People suggest Parkinson's UK Northampton Branch funds a visiting service, especially for people affected by Parkinson’s. The branch receives donations from local people who expect this to be used locally. A care agency could easily be employed by the branch to undertake this activity. This would reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation and result in better health outcomes for those individuals – thanks for asking – we feel this would be a great way to help the people with Parkinson’s in our local community who at present have been forgotten.  

CHARLES BRADLAUGH
Born Sept, 26, 1833
Died Jany. 30, 1891
On Abington Square there is a war memorial and a statue of a man, Charles Bradlaugh. Now who knows anything about this gentleman. I suspect the reply would be not a lot apart from some playing fields and a pub.
In 1866 he was a founder of the National Secular Society which believed in Atheism, Humanism and in the betterment of the lower/working classes. To this end he with Annie Besant published a treatise "The fruits of Philosophy (private companion of young married people)." This was basically a sex guide with particular inference towards contraception. This was obviously a very radical idea in the mid 19th century. The idea was to try and reach all parts of society, at this time the death rate of women in child birth was huge, particularly in the working class's. Obviously this upset the government and they prosecuted Bradlaugh and Besant  under the newly passed Obscenity Laws. The subsequent trial became the sensation of the day and was followed avidly by the press and public. This was due in the main to the details of the case and that they defended themselves. The result of the four weeks trial was that they were found guilty and sentenced to a substantial fine or imprisonment. But due to the uproar created by their supporters this was quickly quashed by the  Judge Advocate on a "technicality". 
Later in 1880 Bradlaugh won the seat of Northampton for the Liberal Party. When trying to take his seat in the House of Commons resulted in his expulsion as he tried to affirm his alligence rather than take the oath as he was an atheist, the oath contained references to God, he was threatened with fines or imprisonment. As the authorities found that they could not charge him, he stood in the subsequent by-election and won. He also won the next two as each time he was expelled so 4 elections in all. Eventually they changed the rule so you can take an affirmation rather than the oath, as indeed is the case today when being sworn in at court. 
 This is then part of the story behind that statue and also a tribute to the good folk of the Town, when one local dignitary said at the time "Mr Bradlaugh we wanted, Mr Bradlaugh we shall have" as an explanation of why they kept voting for him. Always contrary those people from Northampton. 

Doug and Charles hanging out in Abington square and below that the inscription on Charles' plinth
“THOROUGH.”

CHARLES BRADLAUGH
Born Sept, 26, 1833
Died Jany. 30, 1891

M.P. for Northampton 1880-1891
 
Four times elected to one
Parliament in vindication of
the rights of constituencies.
India, too, chose him as her
representative.
A sincere friend of the people,
his life was devoted to
progress, liberty, and justice.
 

Nordic Walking Part 2

I hadn’t realised when I sat down to write this, that almost a year has passed since the first article “Why Nordic Walking?” was written.  So, what has happened in that time?
Let’s start with a quick reminder of the why Nordic Walking has been promoted by Parkinsons UK by reviewing part of a paragraph written last time.
We all acknowledge the fact that exercise does play an important role in slowing the effects of Parkinsons, (Angela makes sure of that!) Nordic Walking has growing evidence of its suitability for both movement, stature, and boosting self-confidence.
Looking at the here and now, how Nordic Walking has taken off over the year, not just with Fit and Fabs Friday walks in Abingdon Park, we have seen more and more other groups of walkers taking to the activity, including the Kettering Parkinsons group. We wish them lots of success.
More training is being organised at present following on from the Nordic Walking Champions launch last year. The aim is to encourage more individuals to experience the benefits we have gained from our regular walks. 
Focusing on us in Fit and Fab.  Can I help you with your Nordic Walking, or can I give you time to have a go?  Yes I can! I even have poles at the ready!  See how far you can go. Meet us every Friday in Abington Park near the bowling green at 10:30am.
We are currently discussing expanding our horizons and considering other venues we could enjoy – always being mindful of inclusivity. Perhaps we could organise a second slightly more challenging walk on another day once or twice per month. Let us know what you think? 
Just for the record, I may not know much about line dancing, but I am OK at Nordic Walking! 

Richard Clifft.   Parkinson's Nordic Walking Champion
INWA Instructor

Any venue suggestions Call Angela :07954 099 537

 

Who's Afraid of the
big bad wolf?


That's Lupophobia if you want
to get technical.

Not afraid of wolves? Maybe something else? According to NHS Wales figures some 10 million people in the UK have a phobia. Phobias are an overwhelming fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. Phobias are more pronounced than fears and develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense or danger about a situation or object.

Some phobias are triggered by Traumatic events. Someone who almost drowned when a child might develop a phobia of water for instance. Some phobias are thought to be connected to our evolutionary origin as mammals, where we are in effect primed to fear predators and the phobia becomes an exaggerated response. If you have a phobia it can have a profound effect on you, your family and lifestyle. For instance, If you fear flying (Aviophobia) your family might never board a plane (unless they leave you behind) So if you have a Phobia what can you do about it? Well some people are aware they have one and take great care in avoiding the thing all together. On the other hand...
Talk to your GP. They can refer you to behavioural therapy specialists. If you have a complex phobia such as agoraphobia (a fear of open spaces and public places) they may refer you to a mental healthcare specialist, such as a psychologist who can help.
An excellent 1st step for Phobia or any Anxiety is the AnxietyUK web site. This long running charity has useful information on Phobias and many other specific and non specific causes of anxiety.

And finally. I resisted the temptation to sprinkle this article with light hearted anecdotes on Phobias... until noooowww!

Lupophobia – in the article above, not an official phobia but used a lot on werewolf websites.

Luposlipaphobia – made up by by Far Side cartoon author Gary Larson. The fear of being chased around a table by wolves on a freshly waxed floor, while wearing socks.

Anatidaephobia – the fear of ducks. The fear of ducks phobia can be a debilitating anxiety condition, wherein, no matter what one is doing or where s/he is in the world, they feel the constant presence of a duck or goose. (And this one is real!)

Aibohphobia - This is a made up word intended to signal what it is based on it’s construction. Aibohphobia is a fear of palindromes or words that read the same forward and backward. Notice that the word is actually a palindrome.

Arachibutyrophobia - This phobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. It was first seen in the comic Peanuts written by Charles M. Schulz. The phobia was later  referred to in the spy novel Dead Man’s Handle by Peter O’Donnell


I REMEMBER

 

Part Three of Doug's  memories
of his Army Service days

Place.  Junior leaders battalion RAOC 

Time. May - July 1959

After basic training we settled down to a regular routine, I had been allocated to Gordon House. We had education each morning and in the afternoons drill/weapons and PT or sport dependent on the weather. The highlight of week was Thursday because that was pay day. The wage was £2  17s.6d net per week we ended up with £1-5s (£1.25 today) in our hand the remainder was held in savings which we normally drew at the end of term or when  going on leave. So all in all it was a good life, not yet 16, learning how to strip down various weapons, how to fire with real ammo, good money and always something to do. 
In addition to this each year the battalion would deploy to Cornwall (3 houses at a time) for 3 weeks. The place we went to was Fort Tregantle, St Anthony. Whilst there we were given tasks like camping out on 4 or 5 day trek or yomp across Bodmin moor /Dartmoor or occasionally when older travel to the artillery ranges at Manorbier south Wales. This would entail traversing the moors in groups of 4 or 5 and using only a compass and OS map we had set points to reach each day carrying a bivouac, poncho and sometimes a weapon (but not real ammo we used blank fires) It was great fun and thoroughly enjoyable. There was also occasionally the chance to attend an outward bound centre in North Wales or the Brecon Beacons. 
Another activity we had was on the odd weekend you could be chosen for what were known as initiative tests, an example of which was me and another guy (Phil Simmons) were given 3 days hard rations, an OS map of the area you were going to (in this case Llanbedrog, Lleyn peninsula North Wales, our task: collect our house officers rugby boots from his parents home. We had from midday Friday until 23.59 hrs Sunday to complete the task. We also had only 10 shillings between us. I always enjoyed these tests. It really was another age, could you imagine 16 years old and roaming the country thumbing lifts. But they really were happy days.

Until the next time
Doug 

 

Let's Get Quizical   No 3
  1. what is the meaning of the noun FISTMELE? 
             a) the egg sack of the Trout. b) a term used in Archery.    c) a Romanian white wine 
  2. Who was to date the only driver to win the F1 drivers championship driving in a car of his own design 
  3. What was unusual about the FA cup final of 1945/6 and 1946/7?
  4. Which jockey won the Grand National in 2010 after 15 attempts? 
  5. In a studio report of the 1930s dismissed which film star  with the following "Can't act, can't sing, dances a little" 
  6. You may have heard of New Zealand but where is the island of Zealand? 
Quiz by Doug.  Answers are below

Sylvia's Gardening Tips.

What to prune now...

Any clematis which has already flowered and the flowers have died off.  Cut back as little or as much as you wish.  I tend to cut back hard.  Then the new growth which will appear over the remainder of the summer will bear the flowers next spring.

Any variegated leaf shrubs which throw out one colour stems , these should be cut out otherwise the whole shrub will eventually turn to one colour.

Regularly dead head bedding plants and other flowering shrubs to keep them producing flowers right through to Autumn.

Camellia shrubs can be trimmed a little to tidy their shape.   Give them some ericacious feed and if weather very dry a good watering as it is between now and autumn that the new buds start to form for next spring.

DONT prune Buddliea , bush fruits, or ornamental grasses.

Pictures Below
  • Top left my spring flowering clematis,
  • Bottom left, clematis after pruning.
  • Top right, the cucumbers are growing.
  • Bottom right, Toms are heading skyward too.
I am growing three types of cucumber this year.   An Fi hybrid, a ridge and a lemon cucumber .   Hopefully in the next newsletter I will have some photos and news as to how well (or not) they are fruiting.
Sylvia

Parkinson’s Disease 
Take a Walk with me.
Another extract from Simon Ingram's latest book. Simon is really happy to hear any feedback - see his Facebook page contact at the end of this extract - Enjoy …
Chapter 2:  Pushing Back The Walls Of The Bubble.
The best way of explaining what is meant by ‘living in a bubble’ is to imagine that you spend your whole life inside an inflated balloon. Not the easiest existence as the situation is made significantly more difficult as the walls are slowly collapsing as the balloon has a puncture. However, it is vital to understand that you can re-inflate your world by simply pushing back the walls by doing something that challenges you and more importantly, challenges Parkinson's. The strength of the task is set by you, the person with the disease. The only recommendation I can give is…be brave!
  
Bournemouth Air Show – August 2016 
Probably, the easiest way for me to try to explain my theory of ‘pushing back the walls of the bubble’ is probably best understood by giving an example. We’ve enjoyed several visits to the Bournemouth Air Show in recent years. The day is a fabulous example of 21st century technologically advanced air power mixed with some vintage performances from classic aircraft. All this while being bathed in sunshine on the south-coast, near perfect conditions helping the many thousands of spectators enjoy this most spectacular, adrenalin filled entertainment.
Although I’m no anorak, over the years I’ve probably learned enough about the RAF and its superb aircraft to wear an honorary club badged Kagool for any number of the associated, notebook brigade who regularly attend the annual air shows throughout the UK. What helps make the event so successful is the diverse mixture of attractions. Perhaps somewhat predictably, the stalls selling food, drinks and sweets are amongst the busiest. At 50+ years of age I still find it difficult to walk-on-by sweets. In my younger days in a bygone era they would have been classified as ‘penny sweets’ making them sound almost wholesome; most definitely not! The sad probability being they were laced with enough sugar and emulsifiers (plus, other ‘goodies’) to help ensure that anyone indulging in these treats quickly becomes a victim of the mega sugar rush. Amongst the symptoms for this condition is rapid talking, this is something that can confuse the inexperienced listener. To the uneducated it can seem to be utter gibberish, punctuated only by a pause for breath and a nervous laugh!
Another option on the day was for those of us wishing to demonstrate their football prowess by visiting the Soccer ‘Shoot to Win’ stall. The challenge being, to get 3 footballs through the correct holes cut through the plywood covering the goal, in the correct sequence, you win £20…simple! At a cost of £5 for 3 footballs I left the stall considerably poorer…bloody Parkinsons!!
It was immediately after the football debacle that I first noticed the Zip Wire starting at an elevated point at the end of the pier running back to a designated point on the beach. Maybe it was my way of trying to regain a degree of credibility within the group, all I know is when I was asked if I wanted to ride the cable from pier to beach I immediately said I would.

Well we will find out if Simon did take the Zip wire in next months newsletter.  more next time -Ed.

Anyone wishing to add any of their own thoughts or ideas are more than welcome to contact me on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/simon.ingram.90

Simon Ingram

Recipe of the Month
Everyday Fruit Cake

Ingredients
  • 400g mixed fruit (I also include chopped glacé cherries and chopped hazelnuts)
  • 125g butter or stork
  • 3 large eggs
  • 60ml milk
  • 1 rounded tablespoon of jam (any)
  • 125g soft brown sugar
  • 250g self raising flour
  • 2 teaspoons mixed spice
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.

Oven 150 deg C (centre)
Grease and line cake or 2lb loaf tin
  1. Put all ingredients except fruit into bowl.
  2. Beat together well..but don’t overdo it.
  3. Add fruit and fold in gently.
  4. Put mixture in tin and smooth top with back of spoon making a slight dip in the middle.
Place in centre of oven for 1hour 45 minutes.   You can stick a skewer in the centre after hour and a half .   If it comes out clean then it is cooked.   I have found that it needs the full time however. This cake can be cut into portions and frozen.  It keeps very well.That’s why when I make it I double the amounts up and make two.

Sylvia

We aim to...

We aim to be an inclusive group so if you have an idea for an article that you think would be of interest then get your idea to us. You don't have to be a journalist, and if you find trouble getting your idea onto paper or email we'll give you a helping hand


Answers to this months quiz
1)   b. (A term used in Archery)       
2)  Jack Brabham 1966 (in a Repco/Brabham).          
3)  The ball burst in both finals (Charlton Athletic appeared in both) they lost in 1945/6 and won in 1946/7
4)   A. P. "Tony" McCoy.             
5).  Fred Astaire.                                    
6)   Denmark 

We have a community facebook page, here is the link please like and share:  https://www.facebook.com/northantsparkinsonspeople/


And Finally... 
 
Carers will know you are sometimes given discounts or free entrance to attractions, theaters, cinemas etc if you are accompanying your disabled partner/friend  sometimes the attraction will ask for proof of the disability. (PIP or Disability allowance paperwork.) In other words, the emphasis is proof of disability.  Any Carer visiting the Black country museum recently was advised to carry a Carers card (issued by Northamptonshire Carers) otherwise they would need to pay full admission. The emphasis in this case is proof of being a Carer. 1st i'd ever heard of this in 5 years of caring.  Get yours by phoning 01933 677907.  Please let us know if you know of other uses for this card.
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