Newsletter No.
006
Welcome
to number 6 of Northants
Parkinson’s People Bulletin.
Autumn is upon us but the
first half of September has
been wonderful. A great way of
spending these darker evenings
is to settle down and enjoy a
good newsletter, say no more
here we are!
We hope you have enjoyed the
previous issues but if you
missed these and would like to
see them either see our ARCHIVE
or email Sylvia at: [email protected] and
she will gladly sent any you
have missed.
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Fit&Fab
Boat Trip - still some
places
FitnFab
have a canal boat trip
on Saturday 5th October and we
have some places left. Its £5
per head for the boat and we all
buy our own lunch when we stop
at a pub.
The Wheelchair accessible
boat leaves Blisworth Arm at
9:50 - returns 3pm ish.
(Directions nearer the time).
Parking is a bit tight so it
would be good for people to
share rides if possible.
If
you would like to come along
please call Angela on 07954
099537.
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Northampton
Younger Parkinson's Group
Christmas Lunch
NYPG
are holding their Christmas
lunch on Saturday 7th December
and this is also open to non
NYPG members at £20.00 per
person.
For reservations please call Liz
Birch on 07944 756576
or email [email protected]
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Why
I dance
Ann has Parkinson's and as
you can see takes a lot of
pills to help combat the
condition. She also has a
secret weapon, Dancing! |
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My
name is Ann Englert and I am 83
years young. One of my childhood
memories from about the age of 6
was watching George Raft in the
old fashioned films, he would be
dancing the Tango to the musical
song called Jealousy. I would
stand there mesmerised, little
did I know that one day I would
be doing that exact dance at my
80th Birthday party.
As I grew older I learned that
my father had Parkinson's and he
endured this terrible disease
for 17 and a half years. Life
went on without much dancing
until I reached the age of 79
but now I also had the challenge
of managing this debilitating
disease too. I had heard that
dancing was a very good exercise
for people with Parkinson’s, so
I went ahead and asked Wes &
Alex’s Dance Classes if they
could teach me to Tango for my
80th Birthday party. I started
my lessons in July 2016 and
worked hard in preparation for
my party. Four months later and
I was all prepared for my big
day. Wes came along and asked
everyone to gather round. We had
staged the scene where I sat at
a table and the music to
Jealousy commenced. Wes walked
towards me and took my hand and
the Tango began. I came alive on
the dance floor and my friends
and family could not believe I
had learned how to dance the
Tango in only 4 months. As the
dance finished the crowd erupted
with applause. I have never felt
so elated in all my life.
Everyone was so proud of me for
what I had achieved at my age
& living with the challenges
of this terrible disease.
My philosophy in life is to keep
going in the face of adversity
& to fulfil your dreams.
Having a positive mindset has
been my key driver and I will
not let it beat me.
Dancing has become my passion
and keeps me going and I hope my
story will inspire more people
to at least try it once.
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Despite
only taking up dancing 3 years
ago at the tender age of 79 and
2 thirds Ann has amassed quite a
collection of certificates and
medals
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I
Remember Part 5
The further adventures
of Doug, the Boy Soldier
Place :Junior Leaders
Battalion RAOC
Time :December 1959 -
January 1960
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After
all the first round of education
exams had taken place, the
results of which would not be
known until the new year. The
weapons and military proficiency
tests were completed to the
satisfaction of the house
officers and staff. We were all
feeling rather chuffed with
ourselves, and quite rightly so
we all thought. As the second
week of December arrived, the
barbarians from the outlying
parts of Britain were called
into the office by their
localities, Channel Islands,
northern isles and the end of
the world (northern Scotland)
and last but not least northern
Ireland and the Republic. They
all were given their travel
itinerary, please remember this
was at a time when to fly
anywhere was exceptional,
consequently these guys were
allowed a longer travel time (4
days) to allow them time to take
buses, trains and boats to their
distant homes.
Friday morning arrived and all
the barbarians gathered together
on the edge of the barrack
square to await transport to the
station. We all bid them bon
voyage in the appropriate manner
and words, so of went de Gruchy,
le Flem, le Sauxe, Forfauge,
"Jock" McTieth, "Paddy"
O'Shaughnesy and "Bangor"
Truesdale, to the nether regions
of our fair land. Then on the
next Monday morning the rest of
us collected in the rest room in
the block and one by one were
called into the office and
issued with our required
paperwork. This consisted of
travel itinerary, railway
warrant (return), leave pass
(for 25 days), ration monies (to
cover your food expenses for
leave), pay to cover same period
and lastly any money from your
savings requested. All in all in
my case that came to a total sum
of 68 pounds 8 shillings and 8
pence (this at a time when the
average wage for a grown working
man was around a fiver) to
someone who was only 16 and a
half it was riches beyond
belief.
Now I must point out certain
facts that pertaining to this
time, when traveling on official
duty (ie with a railway warrant)
you had to wear
uniform consequently you really
stood out, so when we got to
Euston there was about 8 of us
traveling north and when I got
to Northampton I was subjected
to a barrage of ribald comments
by the rest of the guys and
being a rather demure type of
person I didn't reply to this
(not much anyway). So bundling
myself onto a bus in the Drapery
I made my way home, although I'd
been home for a couple of
weekends in the previous months
this was my first long leave, I
can imagine how my dad and my
uncles had felt during the war.
After mum had finished giving me
the third degree I informed her
that I was going to be paying my
way and gave her my ration
allowance. She said that she
wouldn't take it but I insisted,
with dad still in hospital then,
she gave in (or so I thought). I
found out later that she had put
that ration money and subsequent
ones in a post office savings
account and I found out later
on. I took my kid sister (she
was 8 then) to the local shop
and bought her some sweets, this
was only so she could show me
off to her friends, but such is
the problems of being a big
brother.
Christmas and new year came and
went, the visits to grandparents
and uncles, aunts and the rest
of which was a large extended
family were duly completed. I
found that I was starting to
what all soldiers get, that is
"itchy" feet, I think that
subconsciously I had made my
mind up and that this was what I
wanted.
So two days after Christmas I
was all set to go back (no
disrespect to my family) but I
couldn't wait. But as I said to
mother I would have extra leave
to come in the coming months as
I would joining the senior boys
squad and that came with certain
extras. Also I would be home on
leave at Easter. We then went
through what I later use
describe as "the ritual" tears
and farewell much to be repeated
through the years to come.
So onto the next installment, but
you have to wait.
Thank you Doug |
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The
following article is
an advertisement. From
time to time we are
asked to share
information which may
be of interest to our
readers. Whilst we
wish to help you be
informed of services
from other Charities
and business's, we can
not accept any
liability whatsoever
should you decide to
use any of the
services that we
inform you of.
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Favell
Day Services
Favell
Day Services is a registered
charity which provides day care
and support for adults with a
range of physical and
neurological conditions,
including MS and Parkinson';s
disease. Since the closure of
the original 'Favell House' on
the Kettering Road in 2013 the
service now operates as a
charity for two days a week on
Monday’s and Fridays from Phab
Centre, Sheraton Mews,
Headlands, Northampton between
10am - 4pm and one day a week at
St Luke's Centre, Main Road,
Duston on a Wednesday between
10am - 4pm. The objective is to
provide a safe meeting place for
adults with physical
disabilities to get together for
mutual support and
companionship. Activities are
available to join in during the
day, together with hot drinks,
and a midday meal ( for a small
charge) It gives carers some
respite too, giving them the
opportunity to have a few hours
for themselves.
How the group is run is decided
by the members who are asked for
their ideas/ opinions so that
they are very much involved in
any planning. Activities include
crafts, talks, cooking, quizzes,
group crossword, meals out,
trips, music etc. There is
access to our own passive
exercise bike which can be used
from a chair or wheelchair
and can be a valuable form of
exercise. Research on the use of
the bike has been found to
improve gait and balance,
thereby reducing falls.
Our Facebook page ( Favell Day
Services) shows some of the
activities that we have provided
in the past. Our website is
www.fdsnorthants.org.uk
If you have any queries or would
like a free taster session,
please call Kate on 07519846972
Kate will arrange a home visit
to assess your individual needs
and will discuss costs involved
and transport etc.
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The
following article is
an advertisement. From
time to time we are
asked to share
information which may
be of interest to our
readers. Whilst we
wish to help you be
informed of services
from other Charities
and business's, we can
not accept any
liability whatsoever
should you decide to
use any of the
services that we
inform you of.
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My
wife Wendy had Parkinson’s for
15 years, she sadly died in
August 2017. For most of those
15 years she carried on her life
relatively as before, but there
were various horrible milestones
along the way. For example,
having to surrender her driving
licence, even though she hadn’t
driven for several years, was a
real blow.
The last few years were
difficult and would have been
worse had we not managed, after
a long battle, to secure funding
for carers, firstly from Adult
Social Services and then from
the NHS. We had made our Wills a
long time ago and made choices
about our funerals. We also took
the important step of setting up
Lasting Powers of Attorney;
enabling me to manage Wendy’s
affairs during the time Wendy
spent in palliative care.
I have had a variety of
different careers during my
working life but have now joined
a small but growing local
company called Safeguarding
Futures Ltd based in Northampton
as an independent contractor.
The company offers Will Writing,
Estate Planning and a Care Costs
Advisory Service, using the
respective backgrounds of its
directors, and now of its
independent contractors.
We have all been struck time and
again how much misinformation
and wrong advice people were
given when it came to making
some of the most important
decisions in their lives. Many
people are completely unsure as
to where to go, and who to
trust, in securing their own and
their family’s
future.
Understandably people find
visiting a solicitor or dealing
with a local authority a very
difficult and daunting prospect.
We at Safeguarding Futures
endeavour to provide a friendly
and personal service, which
could ease the stress of making
those important decisions. What
can you expect when you contact
us?
- A friendly and informal
discussion to find out what
help you require
- A free, no obligation,
consultation at a time and
place to suit yourself (in
your own home if you prefer)
- Sensibly priced services,
tailored to your requirements
You can phone or text me on 07931
585004 or by e-mail:
[email protected] to find out
more and to make an appointment. I
look forward to helping you. Mike
Hales |
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£1000
Fine! Nobody said!
I
think most of us know
that if you have
parkinson's and still
want to drive you have
to tell DVLA.
I didn't know there a
several other conditions
that have to be
reported, I've been a
naughty boy for 2 years
and i didn't know it.
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I happened to click
on an article in the Basildon,
Canvey, Southend Echo this
morning, yes really I'm not making
it up. (if you must know see
bottom of this story)
The article was about the 7
Medical conditions you MUST tell
DVLA about.
- Diabetes or taking insulin
- Blackouts, fainting
- Heart conditions (including
atrial fibrillation and
pacemakers)
- Sleep apnoea
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Glaucoma
Did you spot a pertinent condition
thats missing? Clue, it starts
with a 'P' |
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Well
someone from the
Basildon etc. news paper
wants to go back to
journalism school. On
the DVLA's website they
give the 7 examples
above of conditions that
need reporting, along
with a long list of
conditions that may or
may not need reporting
(you have to find the
condition and click on
it to find out if its
reportable, honestly
they do make things
difficult for no good
reason)
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I
remember when my wife was first
diagnosed with Parkinson's the
fact it was a reportable
conditions was made clear by the
Parkinson's nurse so when I
received a pacemaker 2 years ago
and no one mentioned that it was
reportable I just carried on
driving (after the surgery
recovery period)
Well
thanks to The Basildon bla
bla Echo I now know. I'm in
breach of the law and could
be liable to a £1000 fine.
So
what did I do about It?
well I first tried the DVLA's
website to report it on line. I
tried this several times and
after proving to one of their
'partner' organisations that I
was who my driving licence says
I am, I filled in the form
several times but alas the
DVLA's website is made of sticks
and a wolf had blown it down. It
kept saying I was unauthorised.
Well that left me with option
two, phone them.
Pirate
Alert: I
looked up the number on my
mobile phone. the DVLA's number
was about sixth on the list
after several 'services'
that would 'connect'
you to the DVLA for wait for
it... £3.60 per minute!
Do not be fooled the DVLA
numbers all start with 0300
(standard rate applies)
After a 5 minute wait I got
through to a nice lady who took
my details and is now sending me
a form to complete, I told her
about the website and she said
'pacemakers cannot be informed
through the website so that's
why you failed' I didn't say
what I thought, that the DVLA
website was the point of
failure. Why put someone through
the ordeal of confirming their
identity and filling in the
webform if the process was
doomed to failure anyway!
Any way, I'm now, older, greyer
and wiser, but legal.
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So
how come I found out
about this from The
Basildon wotsit thingy
Echo. well the browser
on my Tablet Computer
throws up random
stories from regional
and national
papers when I open it.
I mostly ignore them
but this reminded me
that I also need to
renew the photo on my
driving Licence soon
(failure to do this is
also a £1000 fine) To
check the picture
renewal date on your
licence its item 4b on
the front.
To check if you have a
reportable condition,
look it up here Health
Conditions and
Driving and
if you need to contact
them do it by phone,
just make sure its an
0300 number
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Lets
get Quizzical
1)
What is the
name of the musical film
starring Howard Keel, which is
based on the Rape of the Sabine
Women?
2) How are Conquest,
War, Famine and Death
collectively known?
3) What is the name of
the musical comedy starring
Tommy Steele that was based on
HG Wells' novel Kipps?
4) What is the first
name of Mr Darcy, hero of Pride
and Prejudice?
5) Which gardener’s item
was invented by Edwin Beard
Budding in 1830?
6) What is the term used
for a baby ferret?
7) Who was sitting in a
tin can far above the world in
1962?
8) Born in Berlin he was
best known for playing a
Spaniard.
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Sylvia's
Gardening Tips
Just
a short gardening
article this month as
I'm branching out
(sorry, a little
gardening pun!) and
writing all about my
assisted travelling
adventure.
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Autumn
is on its way!
Chillies
are ripening at a pace.
Once red you can store
them all winter either
by freezing or drying on
the kitchen windowsill
then crushing into
flakes. Red hot Tip…if
you like your chillies
really fiery don’t water
them too much.
Pruning this
month
If you haven’t
already done so, cut
back lavender to just
above the leaf growth.
Not into the woody
base.
Cut back summer
flowering Jasmine as
soon as it has
finished blooming.
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My
Assisted Train Journey
Last
month I decided to go to
Wales to visit my sister
who has Parkinson’s.
I used to drive but as
I have got older, I
didn’t relish a 4-hour
stint mostly on the
motorways. So, I
decided to make it an
adventure and travel by
train from Northampton
to Cardiff via
Birmingham. I
haven’t been on a train
for over thirty years
and was, I confess, a
bit apprehensive as I
had a total hip
replacement recently and
wasn’t sure how far I
would be able to walk.
When I voiced my concern
to my sister she told me
that when I booked my
ticket to ask for
assistance. Which I
did.
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It
was brilliant! I arrived at
Northampton train station and
went to the customer services
desk as I had been
instructed.They were expecting
me. They took charge of me and
my case getting both me and it
to the correct platform and then
helping me on the train and
seated too! I couldn’t believe
how trouble free it was.
Then I noticed, when we made a
few stops on the way to
Birmingham, how quickly the
doors open and closed on arrival
at the platforms. I thought,
crikey I had better get my
skates on when we pull into
Birmingham New Street Station!
(starting to get anxious again)
I was poised ready to stick my
case between the doors to stop
them closing! Oh really I
needn’t have got so worked up!
The doors opened and a nice
young man jumped on board,
walked over and said ‘Mrs
Nightingale?’ He took my case
and guided me to the correct
platform for connection to
Cardiff where I was met by
another customer services
person.
I couldn’t understand how they
knew which carriage and seat I
was in so asked one of the
guards. He told me that at each
station once the customer
service person has got me seated
they phoned on to the next
station telling them where I
was! How good is that!
Needless to say I had a lovely
time in Wales with my sister.
We spent a few hours in Cardiff
city centre soaking up the
wonderful atmosphere as it
happened to be international
rugby day between Wales and
England---it was buzzing! As
you can see from the photo my
sister and I enjoyed ourselves.
Who knows where I will go next.
I feel the Hogwarts Express
beckoning me. Now where exactly
is platform 9 ¾ ? Or maybe I
will travel on the Orient
Express!
Readers might like to know that
if you are flying anywhere you
can also get assistance on and
off the plane and most airlines
will also take a small mobility
scooter free of charge.
Sylvia
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Recipe
of the Month
No
Knead Honey & Oat
Bread
A
bread recipe that is easy to do,
can be baked in a loaf tin or
dutch oven. It uses an overnight
proofing process that requires
no kneading so is easy on the
arms.
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The preparation for
this loaf could not be easier. You
need a mixing bowl, a flexible
spatula and the round handle end
of a wooden or plastic cake spoon.
- Put 450ml tap water into the
bowl.
- Add a slightly heaped
teaspoon of salt.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey, I
just squeezed some out of a
bottle.
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of
yeast. I get mine in sachets
so used about a third of one.
- Add 450 gm of bread
flour, use a cup or scoop and
add to the side to avoid
splashing. I used wholemeal
flour but you please yourself.
- Add 90 gm of porridge oats.
Now the easy bit. Using the handle
end stir the mix slowly (I
counted, i did 40 turns) use the
spatula to scrape the spoon and
then go round the bowl to
incorporate any unmixed
ingredients. Now cover in cling
film and leave on worktop for
12-24 hours. That's it, about 10
minutes from start to finnish for
preparation. |
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That's
all for prep. now let the yeast do
the work. |
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No Knead
bread recipe has more liquid than
kneading recipe, the long
proofing time replaces all the
hard work. |
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When
you are ready to complete your
bread take the mixing spoon
(handle end) and stir the mix
gently. it should deflate as the
gas escapes and the mix will be
very elastic. 10 to 15 turns
will do it. Now using the spoon
to roll the dough and sprinkle
2-3 dessert spoons of oats on
and around the dough, if some
mix in don't worry. Next lightly
sprinkle some flour over and
around.Take a lightly greased
loaf tin and tip the dough in,
Cover loaf with tea towel to
final proof for 30-45 minutes.
Now turn the oven on and preheat
to 200C Gas mark 6.
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Straight
in the tin, add oats to top if you
missed any. |
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Put the risen tin
into the oven for 40 minutes. if
you prefer a softer top and have a
spare loaf tin you can turn it
upside down over the loaf for the
1st 30 minutes, this is known as a
poor man's dutch oven, remove it
for the last 10 mins. When cooked
remove from oven and turn the loaf
out and cool it on a rack. |
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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 in
touch with 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.
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Answers
to the Quiz
1) Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers
2) The Four Horsemen of
the Apocalypse
3) Half a Sixpence
4) Fitzwilliam
5) Lawnmower
6) Kit
7) John Glenn
8) Andrew Sachs |
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We have a community
facebook page, here is the link
please like and share: https://www.facebook.com/northantsparkinsonspeople/
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And
Finally...
Older Facebook Users Now
Outnumber Teenagers
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Yes
the older generations have
caught and overtaken the
youngsters on the giant social
media platform, Facebook. In
fact the youngsters are
abandoning Facebook for
platforms like Instagram, which
is a photo oriented network.
(Why type that your mate is a
drunken idiot if you can post a
picture of same)
This mass migration of age
groups has prompted some
analysts to suggest a name
change to 'GranBook' while some
kinder folk are suggesting
'Boomerbook'
The statistics below show how the
older generations are taking to
Socialising on Facebook.
Facebook UK users 2018 v
2017
Age 12 to 17 2.2m, down 300,000
Age 18 to 24 4.5m, down 400,000
Age 25 to 34 7.2m, flat
Age 35 to 44 5.9m, flat
Age 45 to 54 5.6m, up 100,000
users
Age 55 to 64 3.5m,
up 200,000 users
Age 65-plus 2.9m,
up 300,000 users
If
you are on Facebook you can
check out our page at
https://www.facebook.com/northantsparkinsonspeople/
Please leave us a message, tell
us what you think about the
newsletters.
If you are worried for Mark
Zuckerberg's future with the
falling numbers of youngsters
then worry no more. Facebook
posted a $4.3 BILLION profit
for the final quarter of last
year. Oh, and he owns Instagram
as well, bless him.
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Copyright
© 2019 Northants Parkinsons People, All
rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: [email protected]
You can update or remove
yourself from our mailing list by
emailing
[email protected] |
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