The South Cornwall Branch of the MS Society March magazine 2013

March 2013

The Lifeboat

South Cornwall Branch Monthly Magazine

at Inside the Lifebo this month 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.

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 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 5 Insurance and MS

Page 15 Slow dance Youth group report

Page 6 Insurance and MS, Car Travel and Home

Page 16 Honey pudding Branch events

Page 7 Chiropodist vouchers

Page 17 Proud to be British Little gems

Page 8 Awareness Project closes IMPORTANT NOTICE South Cornwall Vouchers A well earned shining star Page 9 Quiz page Page 10 Quiz page

44 1

Page 11 The AM

Page 18 Events Page 19 Information page Back by popular demand IMPORTANT NOTICE South Cornwall Vouchers

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

Chairman’s Report 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

Editors Note sunset having given it my best shot. Lets Hello everyone, see if the Hub gets off the ground and Well its all happening here makes a difference. at the moment, what with On a lighter note I am still waiting for those the future of the branch to photos to go on the front cover, those that consider and the Hub said they would send some photos of project, who knows where themselves haven't yet so get those emails we will be by the end of the year. We do need to consider the future going. and I know that the committee would like to I have had very few responses to the events programme as yet, I will leave it in leave a legacy that will see South Cornwall this months magazine and then it will Branch financially viable in the future and disappear. able to provide first rate services to people It was great to hear that Elsa from Lanlivery affected by MS. School had raised all that money, read the The collapse of the awareness project was details on page 14. a blow, not least for me having spent 18 Thank you Wendy, Judy and Jackie for months getting to the final stages and your input this month. ready to launch the project to the media.

Don’t forget to look out for the Hub I think these setbacks in some ways make information and please send in the return us stronger and more assertive, leaving us slip. If its not in this magazine you will be with the question “Why do we do it”? and has the time come to ride off into the receiving one shortly. Malcolm 2

News from the MS National Centre 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.

3

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.

Disability benefit changes could affect ‘thousands’ 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

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. Payment ‘cap’ on social care to be introduced 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.

4

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 not 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.

5

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.

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.

Car and motor 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 Home 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.

•

Travel insurance 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 online 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 UKbased 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.

6

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.

7

• 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.

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

Yes Summer is coming!

We just don’t know when

Awareness Project closes 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 Glister

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 IMPORTANT NOTICE South Cornwall Vouchers 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 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.

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.

8

March quiz

February Quiz answers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

LAUREL / HARDY TOM / JERRY BILL / BEN SALT / PEPPER KNIFE / FORK JACK / JILL BLACK / BLUE CAGNEY / LACEY

Bingo numbers called in: January 10, 26, 43, & 61 February 52, 90, 76, & 85 March 5, 30, 46 & 67 April 13, 49, 23, & 73 May 79, 45, 16, & 28 June 65, 18, 41, & 87 July 57, 3, 8, & 69 August 83, 59, 71, & 20 September 38, 63, 75, &1 October 33, 77, 55, & 89 November 51, 86, 48, & 35 December 11, 32, 53, & 68 January 13 81, 31, 15, & 25 February 13 40, 22, 78, & 36 March 13 44, 56, 21, & 6

Can you identify these Glen Miller songs?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

MO HNI ETDO RDEEOIMHG EANTOSLN OOCAAHHOOON OCAG TTHC UDJTCO UNNXTOEI LI UUCLM SOSES TABHR RTLGNT OLBIJ UWE I FNSGSE AR LATPOR ATLAEHIDVNSI IPS OYUV ENNNFSAX

Birthday cards If anyone would like a birthday card send from the branch please contact Betty Alderton Contact number on back page

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 9 9

What’s this mystery object?

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

It was Sharon Stone

Can you spot the 10 differences Did you spot the 9 differences?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

The girl wears a blue instead of a pink sweater.

One girl is missing.

The student is left-handed Left-handed guy had no glasses Girl with white sweater had no glasses Girl behind the one with a sweater had glasses Girl behind guy with aqua blue sweater is missing Girl wears green sweater instead of purple Guy at the back wears a blue-striped sweater I will always have a limp!

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.

February mystery object

Poetry Corner Night’s cold breath rests tranquil in a lavender field which has lost its purple to the harvest moon and frosted sunrises.

10

South Cornwall Branch Annual Meeting

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 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.

11

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-AThon 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.

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”.

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 Sent in by Jackie Riste organisation urging the government to This is Judy Reeds recipe for low fat fudge include the terms in legislation and has cake, Thanks Judy, you might have sent fought hard to secure the change. some samples, for test purposes you Earlier this week we handed an open letter, understand. signed by 4,000 people, to the Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey MP. A LOW-FAT BUTTER-FREE FUDGE CAKE group of people with MS “marched” to the Ingredients: doors of the DWP to deliver the letter, 85g wholemeal flour urging the minister to make sure the 25g oat bran assessments are fair.

25g cocoa powder A crucial change 100g dark brown sugar Simon Gillespie is the Chief Executive of the 100g caster sugar MS Society: 1 teasp bicarb “We are delighted that the government has 175g apple sauce finally listened to our concerns about this 3 tabsps vegetable oil issue. This is a crucial change that means 2 tabsps strong black coffee the assessments for PIP will better 1 beaten egg white recognise the needs of people with 1 tsp vanilla essence fluctuating conditions such as MS." Method: Mobility criteria still strict Simon Gillespie Heat oven to 150C (fan) Spray 20cm continued: “While it is a step in the right square tin with light spray, and line base direction, we remain extremely concerned with baking paper. about the strictness of the mobility criteria Mix dry ingredients together in a mixing for the benefit. If people can walk just 20m bowl Combine remaining ingredients, and add to – even using aids such as sticks – they won’t qualify for the enhanced rate of the dry mixture and mix well.

Pour into cake tin and bake for 30-35 mins benefit, and could lose up to £1800 a year, as well as their Motability vehicle”.

The MS Society is now urging the Hi Judy, I love my government to look again at the 20m fudge cake but I don’t element of the assessments. This was seem to have received originally due to be 50m and the change any samples either! was made in December with no Jasper consultation.

12

INTERESTING 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 Jasper forest, can you see me in any of them?

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.

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.

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.

5 13

1 out of 4 ingredients in our medicine is from rainforest plants.

Your Message board Empty again!!

Read-A-Thon news 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.

Canada schools project 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.

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.

OK! I will tell you anything please don’t hurt me.

Lanlivery School

14 6

Slow Dance 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.

South Cornwall branch MS

Youth Group West “Making Sense” 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 Should I deliver this egg or eat it?

I think I’ll eat it.

15

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 Don't dance so fast.

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.

Don't dance so fast.

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.

21

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower Hear the music Before the song is over.

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.

South Cornwall Branch Events 2013 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 Notification of interest: I would be interested in attending the following events, (please tick boxes) Event Number/s Possible Numbers Attending 3 4 I would also like to see: …………………………………………………

5 …………………………………………………

6 …………………………………………………

7 …………………………………………………

8 ………………………………………………… …………………………………………………

9 …………………………………………………

10 In our annual programme 11 Please return this slip with your comments to: Malcolm Glister Whispering Winds, Crellow Hill, Stithians, Nr Truro TR3 7AQ

16

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 …

I’m proud to be British 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…

I’m proud to be British 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…

I’m proud to be British 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…

I’m proud to be British 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 yet

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 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.

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 I’m proud to be British running for the cabin as fast as he Yes, when A red engine is called out again could. He ran pretty fast but the bear Your flat may be toast, but you’re still here to boast was just a little faster and gained on That we can’t do without firemen… him with every step. Just as he reached I’m proud to be British the open cabin door he tripped and fell I say flat. Too close behind, the bear tripped But need constant reminders that way over him and rolled into the cabin. The It may need refining, but if we just stopped whining man jumped up, closed the cabin door Who knows what we’d make of the day? …

Wendy Hughes and yelled to his friend inside, "You skin this one while I go and get another!

I’m proud to be British 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…

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......

17

South Cornwall Branch events 2013 Dates for these events to be advised:

Events taking place at Merlin MS Centre

Seminar for potential committee volunteers

Ellie May, Communications and Corporate Events Manager Tel: 01726 885530

Get together’s 30th March Computer awareness and parts sale

Cake and Savoury Day Saturday 23rd March 1010-2pm 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.

Bingo afternoon Auction Quiz and games night Magazine tombola

6

Carwinion open day Wine and cheese party The need to know message centre Look out for the application slip on page 12 IMPORTANT NOTICE South Cornwall Vouchers 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

South Cornwall Youth Group West activities

Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon TrekTrek- 10th-17th 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.

In next months Lifeboat magazine: Members pages & Magazine Bingo Youth Group page MS News

March 2013: 2013 Outing to Paradise Park Preparation for Easter coffee morning, making cards and craft items.

April 2013: 2013 Easter coffee morning with cakes and goodies May 2013: Summer BBQ and Car boot sale

Megan’s page Branch events Read-A-Thon news

18

South Cornwall Branch Information

Branch contact details: Llawnroc, Mount Carbis Road, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 2LD Tel: 01872 274911 www.mssociety.org.uk/southcornwall Satellite 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: Helston & Lizard Group meeting: Wheal Dream Restaurant, Helston from 11.00am to approx 2.00pm.

Lunch at discounted rate.

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 Thursday Carers meeting at Mike George’s Useful contacts: MS National Centre: 02084 380 700 MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000 Care Direct: 0800 444 000 NHS Direct: 0845 4647 Editors Contact details: details To send in articles or comments.

Malcolm Glister Whispering Winds, Crellow Hill, Stithians, Nr Truro, Cornwall, TR3 7AQ

Chairman: Mike George Telephone: 01872 862031 email: cornishmike@talktalk.net Treasurer: Malcolm Thorne Telephone: 01209 717237 email: malcolmt.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Address Coomar, 3 Chenoweth Close, Camborne Cornwall TR14 7JR Voucher Admin Officer: Jackie Thorne Telephone: 01209 717237 email: malcolmt.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Secretary: Christine Sargent Telephone: 01209 315386 email: christine.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk M S Support : Telephone: 01872 274911 Carer’s Officer: Neville Reed Telephone: 01637 875823 email: nevnjude.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor: Malcolm Glister Telephone: 01209 860754 email: malcolmglister@btinternet.com Branch Web manager: Mike May Telephone: 01872 272 957 email: mikem.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Membership: Betty Alderton Telephone: 01872 270901 email: betty.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Minute Secretary: Moe Fisher email: moefisher@hotmail.co.uk Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Nikki Jenkin Telephone: 01736 787089 email: nikkijenkin@googlemail.com Events CoCo-ordinator Carol Batchelor Telephone: 01326 373464 email: carol.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Fund Raising Manager Vacant 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