TWR14 September 2012 by The Waiting Room Magazine

TWR - September 2012 - Issue 14:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13

TRYINGTO CONCEIVE

FERRET MERIT

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DR PAUL CARSON

inside

FRE E September 2012 D Issue 14

UNPLANNED PREGNANCY PITFALLS AND PREJUDICES p.06

ONLINE SHOPPING SAVINGTIME AND MONEY p.12

THE AVENGERS WWW.WAITINGROOM.IE

THE DVD REVIEW p.26

Rachel Allen on why baking is a life skill

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TWR - September 2012 - Issue 14:The Waiting Room - Summer 2012 - Issue 13

EDITOR’S LETTER

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inside September 2012

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August 2012 Winners The Winners of 3 months use of Q10 pharma Nord are Joan Kiely of Co Kerry, Avis O’Donovan, Co Kildare and Eamon O’Leary, Co Dublin. Josephine M Battye, Co Waterford and Doreen Hodmon, Co Wexford both win €50 YOUR FREE COPY

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Features

08 The Alzheimer Society of Ireland 30th Anniversary

10 Rachel Allen

The multitasking chef speaks to TWR

14 Flatpack World DIY retiree speaks

18 Paul Carson

Novelist and doctor

20 Trying To Conceive Unachieved pregnancies

22 Ferret Merit Caring for your pet

24 Regulars

04 Notebook Bits and Bobs

Competitions 28 Crossword

Win 2 nights B&B and one Evening Meal at Dooley’s Hotel, a member of Select Hotels SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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notebook HEALTH

5th MS READaTHON launches in schools around Ireland

Over 350,000 young readers raising money for people with Multiple Sclerosis in the 25 years since Roald Dahl launched the first MS READaTHON The 25th MS READaTHON has launched, celebrating 25 years, 350,000 young readers and millions of books read, since the very first MS READaTHON was introduced with wellloved author Roald Dahl. In 1987, the author of stories such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘BFG’ and ‘The Witches’ gave his support to what is now the biggest schools based reading initiative in Ireland. Ambassadors to the 25th MS READaTHON, comedians Maeve Higgins and Fred Cooke, along with presenters Laura Woods, Lorraine Keane and Aidan Power, join 11 year-old Abigail O’Regan to highlight the impact of MS on her mum and 8,000 others in Ireland. Abigail’s mother, Alison, was diagnosed with MS when Abigail was born. She and her eight-year-old sister Kaitlyn will raise awareness of MS and encourage people to sponsor young readers taking part in the MS READaTHON. Schools and libraries around the country have now received entry forms to sign up for the 25th MS READaTHON and the reading period will take place for one month from October 12th to November 12th 2012. This year’s theme, depicted by a red monster, is ‘Hungry for Books’ – the more the young

people get reading, the more books they will devour! MS READaTHON is the biggest annual fund raising initiative for MS Ireland the national organisation providing vital services, support and information for people with MS. In 2011, more than 21,000 students in 625 primary and secondary schools, and individually through libraries across the country took part, reading more than half a million books and raising over €730,000 for vital services and support to people with MS. Services like home visits, counselling and physiotherapy. Ava Battles, CEO, MS Ireland commented: “Each year, the launch of MS READaTHON allows us to encourage schools to sign up, but also to take the opportunity to thank the students in schools around Ireland, along with their principals, teachers and parents, for their excellent fundraising. We are delighted to celebrate the 25th birthday of MS READaTHON. In the very first year of MS READaTHON we were honoured to have the support of the much loved author Roald Dahl and we continue to be honoured with the support of, most importantly, young Irish readers along with Irish author’s, celebrities and the generous Irish public.” She continued: “The funds raised during MS READaTHON for people with MS and their families are hugely relied upon to provide vital services and support. At the same time MS

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

READaTHON also encourages children to read more! We know that reading is a fantastic way to escape into wonderful, magical worlds where anything is possible or to learn lots about new and exciting things!” For schools around the country, the 25th MS READaTHON will provide: Gifts/certificates for every reader and prizes for readers, teachers, schools and librarians School awards 10 percent of the money raised goes back into much needed resources for each participating school The “Great Teacher Holiday draw” The MS READaTHON School Library Award And lots more...

To get involved with the 2012 READaTHON: Tel: 01 678 1600 Email: read@msreadathon.ie Visit: www.msreadathon.ie

Over 8,000 people have MS in Ireland, with thousands more family members affected. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease and is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young people in Ireland. MS can be a physically disabling condition but it can also affect the social, financial and emotional wellbeing of the person with MS. For more information on MS and MS Ireland, visit our website on www.mssociety.ie, call our information line on 1850 233 233 or email info@ms-society.ie. YOUR FREE COPY

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notebook BOOK REVIEW

Menopause the Drug-Free Way by Dr Juliet Bressan In the interests of keeping our readers up with the latest news in health issues, TWR has reviewed the recent publication, Menopause the Drug-Free Way, by Dr Juliet Bressan, GP, health journalist and successful fiction author. Published by Sheldon Press, and priced at €10.99, this book is both empowering and sympathetic and is a welcome breath of fresh air to the growing number of women who prefer to avoid HRT. Doctors have traditionally been keen to medicalise the menopause, but, in the face of ongoing controversy about HRT, there is an increasing call for a natural menopause. The fact that the author is a GP and a woman adds an extra understanding and human dimension to the work, and Menopause the Drug-Free Way

gives a strong, positive message about how women may empower themselves and develop a joyful attitude to life. It explains what’s really going on inside the body at this time of transition, how women can tackle symptoms themselves, and when they should resort to their doctor. Topics include: the role of oestrogen, coping with hot flushes, dealing with depression and low mood, preventing osteoporosis, how to avoid weight gain, preventing cancer, coping with forgetfulness, improving disturbed sleep and staying healthy for life Based in Dublin, Dr Juliet Bressan is a well known campaigner on women’s health issues, and specialises in the health problems of musicians and performing artists. Check out www.julietbressan.com

MUSIC FOR GALWAY

Mozart, Beethoven and The Galway Girl Emily Anderson was born in Galway in 1891 where her father was president of UCG, then known as Queen’s University. Attaining her BA when she was just 20, Emily went to Germany for further study. After a spell teaching in Barbados, she returned to Galway and was Professor of German at UCG. She was also active in the Suffragette movement. In 1920, she left for London where she joined the Foreign Office. While there, she published a translation of the life of Goethe. During WW2 she was seconded to the War Office and was decorated for her Intelligence work in the Middle East. After her retirement, she translated, edited and published the letters of Mozart and his family and, in 1961, a year before her death, she published The Letters of Beethoven. For this valuable work, she was awarded yet another honour, this time The Order of Merit, First Class by the West German YOUR FREE COPY

government. Not many people have been decorated by two governments which had, until relatively recently, been at war! In just a few months time (Jan 25-27, 2013), Emily Anderson will be remembered in her native city when Music for Galway* presents: Beethoven: Genius, Passion and the Irish Connection, a festival of the great composer’s music, interspersed with readings from his writings which disclose his innermost thoughts, hopes and fears – obviously an event that will be fascinating for more than just lovers of classical music. *Music for Galway presents a series of international concerts every year, starting in October. Full details on the season and the Midwinter Festival at www.musicforgalway.ie or 091 705962

SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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Unplanned pregnancy? Help and support is available to you

THE WAITING ROOM MAGAZINE is produced and printed in Ireland EDITOR Maurice O’Scanaill maurice@waitingroom.ie MEDICAL EDITOR Dr Sophie Faherty PRODUCTION/DESIGN Colm Geoghegan colm@waitingroom.ie ADVERTISING Ingrid Lyons ingrid@imn.ie CONTRIBUTORS Hugh Tynan, Dr Michael Moloney, Dr Michelle O’Connor, Mark Morgan, Therese Hegarty, Claire Greene PUBLISHER Danstone Ltd. PRINT Midland Web Print DISTRIBUTION An Post

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The Waiting Room Magazine will not be responsible for, nor will it return, unsolicited manuscripts. The views expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Waiting Room Magazine. The entire contents of the magazine are the copyright of The Waiting Room Magazine and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publishers.

Crisis Pregnancy is described as a pregnancy which is neither planned nor desired by the woman concerned, and which represents a personal crisis for her. According to research 35% of women who have been pregnant and 21% of men whose partners have been pregnant experienced a crisis pregnancy. Women in their early 20’s are more likely to feel that a pregnancy is a crisis pregnancy but older women can also feel this way as they may have thought their family was complete. The most common reason why a pregnancy is a crisis is that it was unplanned, but there are a number of other factors that can lead to pregnancy being a crisis, such as relationship difficulties and financial worries. If you or your partner experiences an unplanned pregnancy, it can help to talk to someone who is not personally involved in your situation, like a crisis pregnancy counsellor. Women and men attend crisis pregnancy counselling for the support it offers in coping with the stress of a crisis pregnancy. Research with women who attended counselling found that it helped them to resolve their crisis because the counsellors were professional, skilled in dealing with emotions and crisis situations and importantly, did not have a close, personal relationship with them. Crisis pregnancy counsellors were viewed as having skills and information that some of the women did not think was available from members of their own support network. “[The counsellor was] somebody to talk to, somebody to get some views off my chest and somebody to sit there and just listen to what I had to say instead of, ‘This is what I think you should do’ or ‘I think you shouldn’t do this.’ It was nice to talk to somebody outside the family circle”. The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme funds crisis pregnancy counselling services in over 50 locations nationwide. Counselling offers you non-judgemental support in coping with the stress of crisis pregnancy, help with the decision-making process, an opportunity to explore your feelings and discuss the choices open to you. The services will also provide you with important information on social welfare entitlements, accommodation, legal rights and support services if required. Many doctors also provide services for women with unplanned pregnancies. If you need support and help, think about contacting a GP or doctor in your area. The services are FREE, non-judgemental and trustworthy and are available to both women and men. See sidebar for the full list of services and the service locations on the map.

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

Crisis PregnanCy Counselling serviCes Ballinasloe Crisis Pregnancy support service loCall: 1850 20 06 00, Tel: 090 964 8190 Bray Women’s Health Centre Tel: 081 822 7034 www.braywomenshealthcentre.ie Cura loCall: 1850 622 626, www.cura.ie Femplus Clinic, Dublin 15 Tel: 01 821 0999, www.femplus.ie irish Family Planning association (iFPa) loCall: 1850 49 50 51, www.ifpa.ie Kerry Crisis Pregnancy Counselling service Family Planning and Women’s Health Clinic, Tralee

Tel: 066 712 5322 Tralee Women’s resource Centre Tel: 066 71 20622 south West Counselling Centre, Killarney Tel: 064 663 6416 life Pregnancy Care loCall: 1850 28 12 81, www.life.ie Mayo Crisis Pregnancy support service loCall: 1890 20 00 22 Midlands Crisis Pregnancy Counselling service loCall: 1800 20 08 57 one Family loCall: 1890 66 22 12, Tel: 01 662 9212 www.onefamily.ie Here2Help loCall: 1850 67 33 33, Tel: 01 296 2200 www.here2help.ie sexual Health Centre, Cork Tel: 021 427 6676 or 021 427 5837 www.sexualhealthcentre.com Dublin Well Woman City Centre Clinic, Tel: 01 872 8051 south City Clinic, Tel: 01 660 9860 north City Clinic, Tel: 01 848 4511 www.wellwomancentre.ie West Cork Crisis Pregnancy Counselling service loCall: 1890 252 359 youth Health service, Cork Tel: 021 422 0490 or 021 422 0491 For further information please log onto www.positiveoptions.ie. Freetext LIST to 50444 if you would like to receive a text with the list of services in your area.

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Health advice needed NO DOCTORS NEED APPLY

GP, DR PAT HARROLD CONSIDERS SOME OF THE ‘EXTRA-CLINICAL’ ADVISORS THAT DISPENSE ADVICE ON OUR HEALTH, AND SEPARATES THE GOOD AND THE BAD FROM THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

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reassuring than having an expert opinion available at 2am when you are wondering who to turn to for advice. The internet is great fun, but it can be a bit difficult to get what you want from it. American websites seem to be especially irrelevant and commercial, and not appropriate to the Irish healthcare system. Univadis and Pt.Co.Uk websites are very good and have no hidden agenda. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or epilepsy, there are excellent selfhelp groups available. There is nothing like learning from those who already have the condition. They help if you are feeling alone or scared and you will get really practical advice. Your GP has a list of patient support groups, or they can be found in the phone book or online There seems to be a book for whatever ails you. Harry Barry is a GP who has written excellent books on Mental illness. Dr Aine Tubridy wrote great, indeed essential, books about coping with anxiety and panic attacks. I like the Barefoot Doctor, who writes about mindfulness and meditation. There is loads of help out there. In fact, if you avail of it, you can become such an expert that, some day, people may quote you to me as “Somebody told me” . . .

“

Dr O’Grotty told me that if I smoked menthol cigarettes I would never have a bother

“

“Somebody told me I should get it looked at.” Or “Somebody told me I should take onions for it.” “Somebody told me I caught it off the cat . . .” After years of sitting in the GP’s chair I have an idea what “Somebody” looks like. Or both of them, to be precise, for there are two. One is a large heavily built lady of middle years, with thick glasses and a grim expression. She formed her opinions years ago and has no time for recent discoveries or scientific evidence. “Dr O’Grotty told me that if I smoked menthol cigarettes I would never have a bother.” Which may have been the perceived wisdom in 1956 when Dr O’Grotty was in his heyday, but we now know that if you smoke any kind of cigarette you will definitely have a bother ,whether you add menthol or not. The other Somebody is a man, equally heavy and probably a relation of Mrs Somebody’s. He spends a lot of time in bars, and consequently has a sour expression. He is an expert on accidents, whiplash and sporting injuries, and is wrong even more often than she is, which is saying a lot. The mystery is why anybody should submit themselves to Somebody’s half-baked opinions.There are better (and safer) ways of getting information. All over the country people are changing their televisions as the aerials are being switched off. I bet nobody will attempt to set up the cable or Saorview or whatever without a manual. It is the only sensible way to manage it. Yet parents bring babies home and when things go wrong in the middle of the night, rely on the advice of the mother-in-law down the phone. The plan is simple–If You Have A Baby, Get A Manual. Get a good big book covering all the likely events you will encounter –from teething and potties to tantrums and infections. Penelope Leach and Miriam Stoppard have good books on these early years. The Irish paediatrician, Prof Alf Nicholson, has a brilliant book called “When Your Child Is Sick” and it should be in every house in the country. There is nothing more

SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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FEATURE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF IRELAND

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland celebrates 30 years in existence

ementia is an area that is often misunderstood and a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be met with fear, denial and shock. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland sets out to clarify the area of dementia and dispel the myths and misinformation commonly associated with this disorder.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the symptoms of many different conditions which damage brain cells and lead to a loss of brain function over time. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will get worse over time. It can affect a person’s memory and their ability to carry out everyday activities (such a brushing teeth, or using a washing machine), make decisions, understand information and express themselves. The rate of progression can vary from person to person. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. The second most common type is vascular dementia (caused by problems with blood supply to the brain, and can occur after a stroke) followed by lesser

common forms which include Lewy body dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia.

How many people have dementia?

Dementia affects more than 41,700 people in Ireland. As the population is living longer, it is projected by 2041 there will be 147,000 people will be affected. Dementia affects approximately one in 20 of people aged over 65 years. It affects one in four people over the age of 80. While it is comparatively rare, dementia can affect younger people. There are approximately 4,000 people under the age of 65 with Younger Onset Dementia in the Ireland.

Is there a cure for Dementia?

While research is ongoing worldwide, at present there is no cure for dementia. However some medication can help slow down the progress of the disease.

Am I at risk?

There are certain risks associated with dementia, however many people can develop dementia without having any risk factors. Risk

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

factors include; Age: Age is a significant risk factor for developing dementia (and unfortunately many other illnesses). However, that is not to say dementia is a natural part of aging. Lifestyle: Mounting research suggests that a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of dementia. This is especially true for vascular dementia which can follow a stroke. Factors which have been found to reduce risk of dementia include; Brain activity: Stimulating and challenging the brain with complex mental activities has been associated with lower levels of dementia. This can include gardening, crosswords or yoga. Social Activity: Being more socially active is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. People who participate in more social activities, have larger networks of friends and who feel less lonely have on average a lower risk of developing dementia. Other current research suggests that being physically active, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, drinking in moderation and having YOUR FREE COPY

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ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF IRELAND FEATURE

I’m worried about my memory. What should I do?

Many people worry about changes in their memory. It can be hard to know what to do or who to talk to. If you are worried about your memory, then you should talk to your doctor without delay. You may find it helpful to talk to a trusted loved one before your visit, ask them if they have noticed any changes. You should especially visit your doctor if you: Feel your memory has changed significantly or rapidly forget the names of friends or everyday objects regularly. Find it hard to follow conversations or television programmes. Notice that you regularly repeat yourself or lose your train of thought when speaking. Find managing money or everyday tasks increasingly difficult. Feel anxious, angry or frustrated by the changes you are experiencing.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland was founded in 1982 by a small group of people who were caring for a family member with Alzheimer's or a related dementia. This year marks its 30th anniversary. Today, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s network includes over 120 dementia specific services throughout the country including day care centres, home care services, carer support groups, social clubs, two respite centres and the Alzheimer National Helpline Service.

If you are worried about memory loss or changes in behavior, are affected by dementia or would like more information please call The Alzheimer National Helpline at 1800 341 341 Monday-Friday 10am-4pm or view or visit www.alzheimer.ie

Getting an early diagnosis means you can access appropriate treatments, services and supports. You can plan your legal and financial affairs

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your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly are all associated with a lower risk of dementia. Head Injury: A history of serious head injury, especially with loss of consciousness, is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. That doesn’t mean that everyone who injures their head will get dementia, just that they are at a slightly higher risk on average. Family history: The role of genetics in the development of dementia is not yet fully understood. There has been some progress in this area and certain genes have been identified as playing a part in the development of different types of dementia. However, people with this gene have not developed dementia and people who do not have it, have developed the condition. Therefore, it is an area that warrants further research. If you are concerned about having a family history of dementia, please speak to your GP who can refer you to a genetic specialist.

It’s important to remember that there are many possible reasons for memory loss and confusion - all which require appropriate intervention. These include anxiety and stress; particularly following a bereavement; depression; an infection such as a chest or bladder infection; thyroid disorders; vitamin deficiency; side effects of some medications; long term overuse of alcohol; conditions such as mild cognitive impairment or a stroke; dementia; such as Alzheimer's.

If there’s still no cure, what’s the point in getting a diagnosis?

Getting an early diagnosis is very important for the person with dementia and their loved ones. One international study found that 85% of respondents would prefer to know if they had Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia if they were experiencing confusion or memory loss. It found that 94% would want the same if a family member were experiencing the symptoms. Getting a early diagnosis means you can access appropriate treatments, services and supports.You can plan your legal and financial affairs; and also make decisions about your future care.

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SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

Baking is a life skill

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COVER STORY RACHEL ALLEN

Rachel Allen is a television star, cook and author. She manages to combine all this with motherhood. From Dublin, she went to the world famous Ballymaloe cookery school at the age of 18 – a move that gave her not only a career as a chef, but a husband in the form of Isaac Allen, son of Darina, with whom she now has three children Rachel speaks to TWR about her new cookery book, her family life and how baking is an important life skill!

TWR. Thanks very much for agreeing to be interviewed by The Waiting Room, Rachel! Rachel: No problem. I know the magazine well. TWR. So tell us what you are working on at the moment? Rachel: Well, my new book is coming out soon and it is simply called “Cake”. It’s over 300 pages of cakes and I loved writing it. We all have times when we need to make a cake or want to make a cake. A lot of people think “oh, I can’t bake, I can’t” and really deny to themselves that they can make a cake. But I think there is a cake that everyone can make. In the book there is an “easy” section and a “hard” section. People also think they don’t have time to make a cake. But you can actually make a cake from scratch, to getting it into the oven, in just 10 minutes. It’s the loveliest thing to give to someone that isn’t well, or having a birthday, and it might just cost €5 to make a cake, but it’s a gorgeous gift for someone. TWR. As cooking goes, is baking a real passion of yours? Rachel: I love all cooking, but there are definitely times when baking is what I feel like. If you feel like pottering and cosily making something comforting, even if it is for a present or a gift, it is deeply satisfying. I love baking , it was the first kind of cooking that I really got into. TWR. Another thing about baking, is that kids can really help and get involved? Rachel: Absolutely! I think it is really important for parents to set aside, even if it is just half an hour a week to make something. It’s not only nostalgic and sweet and helps bonding with your children, but it’s also really important that you are passing down these skills, that have always been handed down from generation to generation. TWR. County Cork, where you live, is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Does living near the sea influence your cooking? Rachel: Because I live in the country and we grow a lot of our own produce, the seasons and where we are definitely influence what we cook. The seasons especially, and what is coming up around and also what fish have come in would hugely influence it. The idea of

seasonal produce can be confusing for some people – it is fine for those who have always been doing it so they just know that in winter there are root vegetables like parsnips and carrots, and in summer there are strawberries and rhubarb etc. For those who haven’t been brought up to eat with the seasons, it’s more difficult but that information is available online, so Google “what’s in season now?”. Or even when you are shopping, buying things that are grown in Ireland, as opposed to Egypt or some other far away country. TWR. You have been a TV or “celebrity chef” for some years now, but that area has recently exploded. Who is your favourite chef on television? Rachel: I do think in Ireland, we have fantastic TV chefs – such as Catherine Fulvio, Neven Maguire, Donal Skehan, Paul Flynn – there is great talent here. I do think Jamie Oliver is fantastic, he brings amazing energy to the screen. Even among all the Irish chefs, there is something for everyone.

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

TWR. Do you think the popularity of cooking shows means that people want to get back to basics and spend more time cooking their own meals, as opposed to eating out or getting takeaways? Rachel: There will always be people who want to cook something themselves but we are all so busy and I can understand it, if someone is working all day, and then travelling a couple of hours in a car too, and coming home to the children, they just don’t feel they have the time. And for people who don’t know how to cook, it must seem really hard for them to even contemplate cooking after a long day like that. I would prefer to make an omelette than call a takeaway a couple of days a week, but we are so time poor now that the key is planning your meals and your shopping. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it might just be thinking, Monday is a long day, I am going to be short on time – let’s make something with the leftover roast chicken from Sunday, whether it is a chicken salad or chicken with pasta. If you are not used to cooking and not used to whipping up something from the fridge, then a little bit of organisation will go a long way. Then you are not tempted to say forget all this and grab a takeaway! TWR. So you are obviously very busy, having a busy career as well as a husband and three children. What do you do to unwind? Rachel: I suppose I unwind when I finally get to sit down and relax with my husband and have a glass of wine, but I might get to properly relax in a few years!

Rachel supports Euro-Toques’s search for

the Young Chef of the Year competition.

In association with Failte Ireland, the

competition aims to search for Ireland’s

Young Food Heroes that can contribute to

developing Irish cooking and promoting

it at home and abroad. All stages of the

competition

promote

Euro-toques

principles of local and seasonal sourcing

and aims to get Young Chefs thinking

about “What Irish Cooking means today”. YOUR FREE COPY

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COVER STORY RACHEL ALLEN

I love all cooking, but there are definitely times when baking is what I feel like

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SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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FEATURE ONLINE SHOPPING

OnlineShopping W H Y

I S

I R E L A N D

he emergence of online shopping has presented an entirely new purchasing experience for Irish consumers. It has opened up a world of choice for shopaholics and bargain hunters and made it much easier to find discounted goods. For those of us who love shopping but hate the hassles associated with it, online shopping means we can leave behind the crowds, queues and noisy stores and instead purchase items from the comfort of our living room armchair. In spite of the advantages however, Ireland still lags behind many of its European counterparts in terms online shopping rates. Statistics show that Irish consumers have not embraced the phenomenon as warmly as many

L A G G I N G

other countries, particularly the UK which has very high rates of online shopping - 71 per cent of the population made an online purchase last year. Across the water and 43 per cent of Irish people made an online purchase in 2011 compared to 36 per cent in 2010. According to an analysis of recent Central Statistics Office (CSO) data by online consultancy firm Amas, the number of Irish consumers buying various goods online is growing. About 34 per cent of Irish shoppers used the Internet to book holiday or business travel last year while 17 per cent bough clothing and sporting goods online. Yet it seems that many Irish people still prefer to go to supermarkets to do their grocery

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B E H I N D ?

shopping with only four per cent of Irish people buying food and groceries online in 2011, compared to 20 per cent in the UK. But it appears that the slow rise in the number of Irish people purchasing goods online during the current economic recession demonstrates that more people are becoming attuned to the benefits, not least among them financial, of shopping online. The rise in the number of people using smartphones has helped to encourage online purchases as more people have access to the Internet while on the move. The explosion of websites such as City Deal or Living Social offering discounted deals on various goods to consumers in various locations YOUR FREE COPY

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ONLINE SHOPPING FEATURE has also motivated consumers to purchase online. Similarly, many Irish shopping websites have sprung up in recent years in response to the growing demand for online shopping as well as information on how to shop safely. A good example is www.iloveshopping.ie which contains “hot offers” and promotional codes for buying anything from baby goods to health and beauty products from various retailers. The online shopping directory from An Post contains an A-Z of retailers with a link to their site along with information on discounted offers. But most importantly the site contains a safe shopping guide for its users. The advice can be applied to anyone making online purchases however, and reminds online shoppers of their legal rights. Navigating the web can be difficult for users who are not familiar with online shopping and reading the fine print and delivery charge details is a must if you are to ensure that you are in fact securing a bargain, the guidance points out. Shopping on sites you trust is important and it is recommended that consumers ensure that the final price is one that they are willing to pay. Many sites offer free delivery but some could charge up to €5 or more.

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Several delivery options will be available and some sites will offer a fast-tracking service or next day delivery guarantee, but these may increase the end price. Purchasers can also choose where they want their parcel to be delivered to and in order to avoid the hassle of the visit to the local An Post sorting office to collect their parcel many people opt to receive their package at work. It has been reported that a lot of people avoid online purchasing over confusion about return policies and rights. According to EU law, a supplier must carry out/deliver an online purchase order within 30 days, but many providers usually deliver between five and seven working days. They also have systems through which you can track your order. As online shopping becomes more prevalent as a way of accessing goods, websites are ensuring that they have clear policies and procedures in place in order to reassure wary consumers. The vast majority of websites are reputable companies with lots to offer the savvy purchaser. The statistics show that Irish consumers are slowly catching on to this with some seasoned shoppers now even managing to purchase all of their Christmas shopping online. Now there’s a thought.

The rise in the number of people using smartphones has helped to encourage online purchases as more people have access to the Internet while on the move

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FEATURE FLATPACK WORLD

Most of us have been there, following instructions on placing Tab A into Slot B . . . but H u g h Ty n a n has been there more than most. At last, he is hanging up his cordless drill and, like Rocky Marciano, retiring undefeated – from the flatpack world he bestrode like a Colossus with a permanently bandaged thumb

N O LONGER A FLATPACK FANATIC ootballers collect caps for each international appearance. Musicians get gold discs when their sales pass certain thresholds. But where's the reward for outstanding achievement in assembling flatpack furniture? I recently put together my 100th piece of lumpen, mass-produced, boxed homeware. Yes, I've finally done the ton. There were challenges along the way: a gigantic three-door wardrobe that was nearly both my killer and coffin, a stupidly intricate shelving unit that convincingly disproved Euclidean geometry, and a monk's bench apparently haunted by an actual monk, forever twisting out of the form it was intended to assume. Of course, employees of Woodies or Ikea probably do 100 assemblies in a month. But those guys are bitter, hardened furniture veterans with thousand-yard stares and PVA wood glue for blood. As a mere civilian, I'm proud of my record. It covers two decades of splintered MDF cabinets and wonky rocking chairs from

supermarket promotions, spread over three countries and umpteen homes. I don't know where they all are today – probably the dump – but I do know that they were dead cheap, they fitted easily in the car, and I cursed like a navvy putting them together. If hard work builds character, as is claimed, then I must have so much character at this stage that I should resemble the protagonists of every last Disney movie all squashed together in one manyheaded, sweaty, hammer-waving Irishman. To anyone thinking of emulating my accomplishments, I offer the following checklist. First: Are you mad? Second: No seriously, are you cosmically, stark-ravingly, Mel Gibsonally unhinged? Remember, philosophy tells us to surround ourselves with beauty. And while that shoe storage thingamabob in Lidl last week may have been a reasonable €9.99, it sure as heck ain’t beautiful. Third: If you're still determined, get a

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cordless drill or electric screwdriver. These are the silver bullets in the cheapskate homeowner's armoury, and as an added bonus can also be used to mix cocktails and entertain small children. Fourth: Always read the instructions. They’re both occult and hilarious. Spoken aloud, they can summon minor demons. Fifth: Be forewarned that you WILL have to start all over again at some point because you put something in wrong at the beginning. That’s an inevitable and, after a while, comfortingly familiar part of the process. Just think of it as a metaphor for the pointlessness of our mortal struggle, and yourself as a modern Sisyphus, rolling a pine-effect blanket box to the top of a mountain, over and over and over again. For the record, the historic job that finally put me into three figures was an imposing fakeShaker dining table with stout carved legs. It was a moment I'll never forget. I tightened the last bolt with an Allen key and stood back in quiet awe. Silence. Nothing happened. No trumpets, no cheerleaders, no Guinness Book of YOUR FREE COPY

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FLATPACK WORLD FEATURE Records man pounding at the door. After a few moments, my son wandered in. “New table, huh Dad?” he said. “Yes, my boy,” I boomed pompously. “A new table. But this is a very special table. This, I'm proud to say, is the hundredth –” But he has gone, rapidly and probably wisely, off to somewhere that stank less of pathos and wretchedness. I sighed and leaned against my new table, which shuddered violently and emitted a loud crack. This will have to be my last, I thought sadly. Great artists should always quit at the height of their success. And so I have retired at the peak of my powers, never having shirked away from a job, no matter how daunting (although the pet bunnies in the disappointingly non-cat-proof hutch I assembled for them probably wished that I had). I've learned much

from my travails though. The fragility of things, for example. Having seen so much of the flimsy flanges and delicate gewgaws that hold our built environment together, I'm far more careful during such everyday activities as rearranging a three-piece suite, or dancing on kitchen worktops at dinner parties. In the end, the sad fact is there's no reward for a life spent wrangling uncooperative slabs of pseudotimber. Maybe we flatpack fanatics do deserve a little something for all the bruised thumbs, stiff backs and little flakes of chipboard that flew into our eyes. But hey, things are tough all round. International footballers don't really get cloth caps any more. Gold discs aren't really made of gold. And truth be told, these things I've built aren't really furniture.

. . . get a cordless drill or electric screwdriver . . . as an added bonus [they] can also be used to mix cocktails and entertain small children

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A Most Unsexy Religion

In Hugh Tynan’s article on the vicissitudes of assembling Flatpack furniture, he mentions a fake-Shaker table and, though it sounds that, in this particular instance, the term ‘shaker’ might apply more to the rather precarious lack of steadiness of the final article, Shaker is actually a style of furniture, derived from what can be described as a most unsexy religion, literally. Sex, according to Mother Ann Lee, was the main cause of sin, and was not sanctioned by God for reproductive purposes; therefore, total celibacy was a spiritual necessity. This revelation came while she was in prison for regularly disrupting services in her local Anglican church after she had come under the influence of The Shakers, a group that had recently split from the Quakers. The bizarre claim might have had something to do with her own tragic experiences – she and her blacksmith husband had had four babies, all of whom had died in infancy. In 1774, Mother Ann and eight companions arrived in America and soon began to attract converts. Believers would meet and sit silently in contemplation, waiting for the

Holy Spirit to enter them, and, when they felt this happen, would begin to shake uncontrollably (hence the name), dance and whirl about, shouting and singing in strange tongues. They lived in communes where the sexes were strictly segregated and all assets were held in common. Shakers believed in total celibacy, unquestioning obedience, unrelenting hard physical work, and the absolute equality of all under God. Numbers peaked in the 1850s at some 6,000, spread along the east coast of the US from Maine to Florida but then began to drop and, by the 1980s, there were just a few elderly ‘sisters’ left in the Sabbath Day Lake Community in Maine. The Shakers stopped accepting converts in 1964, and, with this avenue of replacement cut off, their avowed celibacy made their extinction inevitable. Being almost totally self-sufficient, Shakers produced nearly everything they needed, including furniture, and the clean, simple design of Shaker Furniture is now very much sought after and prized. Though I don’t know about Flat-pack Pseudo-Shaker.

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ADVERTORIAL DRINK AWARE

Alcohol

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Young People and Alcohol, can parents have an Influence? by Mark Morgan and Thérèse Hegarty THE

PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO HELP PARENTS TO DISCUSS DRINKING WITH THEIR CHILDREN. Although it is mainly aimed

at the parents of teenagers it may also be useful for parents of younger children and, generally, for all adults concerned with the development of children. This article has been prepared by professionals who have expertise in the area of young people and alcohol but it does not set out to tell parents what they must or must not do. Instead it tries to provide useful information, which may help parents to openly discuss the issues with their children. Parents have an important influence on their children’s behaviour. Many parents may be surprised by this – but it is true! A key guiding idea is that alcohol consumption requires maturity and responsibility. For this reason postponing a first drink to an agreed age has a lot of merit. The exact age will need to be negotiated between children and parents and we take the view that the age of drinking by many young people is too young. Better information can help parents to make the right decision. We often think that we know about our children’s drinking but many parents tend to underestimate the scale of consumption. In Ireland, drinking patterns differ from, for example, wine producing countries – where children are introduced to alcohol in the home. We also differ in where alcohol is drunk, what we drink and in many of our attitudes. INFLUENCES Many factors influence the drinking patterns of young people. FAMILY Families are of major importance in children’s drinking. Your example is important. We are not saying that all parents who abstain from alcohol will have children who are abstinent or temperate. Nor are we suggesting that the children of heavy drinkers will necessarily have drinking problems. What is clear however is that parents who drink moderately have children whose use of alcohol is quite different to the children of those whose drinking is problematic. How you react to their drinking is also important. The research shows that a

moderate and balanced approach to underage drinking is most likely to bring about positive outcomes. In other words if parents take an indifferent attitude it does not produce positive results and a very strict and authoritarian attitude can also cause problems. Many recovering alcoholics remember their childhood as one where love was not communicated and where they felt they were not valued. The research indicates that children who feel loved and valued are less likely to abuse alcohol. We often worry that alcohol problems ‘run in families’ and will be inherited by the children. This is not necessarily true – alcohol problems develop over several years – and we should focus on those conditions in the individuals’ lives which give rise to problem drinking. FRIENDS Parents identify peers as the most important influence on their children’s decision to start to drink. This is understandable – young people who drink regularly are likely to have friends who drink, while those who do not are likely to have friends who do not drink. Whether to drink (or not) is one of the most central decisions during adolescence and influences the selection of friends. Many of us worry about ‘peer pressure’, which is often considered to come from all the peer group in the locality and school. The reality however is that it is the peer group of those selected friends, especially best friends, which matters most. SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY You may know about the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is now running in most schools in the country. This focuses on the health, personal development, decision making and self esteem of young people and it also deals with the use of alcohol. However we cannot leave it all to the schools and, as parents, we can influence our children’s attitude to school and to participation. ‘She will be taught about alcohol at school soon enough – maybe I should leave alcohol education to the experts. Besides, I don’t want to put ideas in her head before she’s even a teenager.’ When a young person drinks too much it is usually part of a broad set of behaviours. Here are some suggestions that can help prevent these behaviours: • Encourage commitment at school –

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either to study or sport or other activities; • Find out about your school's policies on alcohol. Partnership between parents and schools is likely to bring about a better outcome than any effort made by either on their own; • Encourage children to read or to take up a hobby that does not involve drink. Moving from Primary to Secondary school is a stressful time – new subjects, new teachers, possibly new classmates and making new friends. If the transition isn’t smooth young people are more likely to become involved in underage drinking. Our children may want to appear ‘grown up’ at this time but in fact they are very vulnerable and we need to be alert to any changes and be available for a chat. Teachers have insights into our children which we may not have. Many are parents themselves and they all play a significant role in our children’s formation. Do talk to them if you have concerns about alcohol abuse. HOW YOU CAN HELP Alcohol abuse is not confined to any particular sector in society. You can be sure that your teenager (or preteen) will be offered alcohol. You cannot be sure that your children will not make silly mistakes with alcohol (You probably did too!) Young people who come through all this with responsible drinking habits often share many of the following characteristics: Healthy self esteem. They know their own strengths and weaknesses and have the confidence to know they are liked and to like themselves. Because of this they are unlikely to harm or abuse themselves. Parents can encourage selfesteem by being supportive of their children’s efforts from an early age and being willing and interested listeners to their ups and downs. They can make decisions. There are many influences on young people, often with conflicting messages. These young people can make up their minds without worrying too much what others think. Parents walk a fine line here. Too much control and children have no opportunity to think for themselves – too little and they may feel that decisions are not important. What young people need is encouragement to think on their feet, follow their own advice and resist YOUR FREE COPY

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DRINK AWARE ADVERTORIAL following the herd at times. They understand that some rules are necessary. Through learning to live with clear and reasonable rules young people develop personal responsibility. Parents can help by having a few clear rules at home and by explaining the values behind the rules. A rule about telling those at home where you are going and what time you will be home is a great protection. They appreciate the value of money. They realise that they must manage on a limited amount of money. Parents can limit their children's pocket money or control the amount available from parttime jobs – by, for example, requiring a contribution to collective household expenses from income earned outside the home. They are busy with interesting lives. Some are involved in school, others in sport, dancing, music or youth clubs. They do not have much time to be bored. Boredom is one of the greatest causes of alcohol abuse. Try to spot their talents early and give them every encouragement to develop them. Their families either drink moderately or are open about their problems. They have seen their adult relatives drink in a moderate way, and have seen them choose not to drink when driving. They may have had an occasional drink in the safety of the home with their parents. Alternatively, if there are problem drinkers in the family, these issues have been openly and frankly discussed with them. Children of alcoholic parents can use the lessons from frank and compassionate discussion of the issue to help protect themselves and their friends. Children are not taken in by appearances – they are more influenced by what we do than by what we say. Teenagers in particular are rarely fooled at home and honesty is certainly the best policy.

PARENTS’ WORRIES “How do I explain the dangers of drink?” Most adults in Ireland take a drink when relaxing and socialising and it is helpful to acknowledge the enjoyable aspect of this. It is also helpful to discuss with young people the harmful aspects such as losing control, taking risks and wasting money. A good time to bring up these discussions is when watching TV when the issue arises. We can talk to our teenagers, listen to their views and convey information and guidance in a distanced way that is not too threatening for them. This has proven more useful than scare tactics or punishment, which can turn young people off. “I worry about the friends they are with.” The ‘best friends’ have a lot of influence in the development of a pattern of drinking. Parents are wise to be aware of the pattern of drinking among young people in the area. It is also helpful to get to know the ‘best friends’ and make them welcome at home. Often parents criticise friends when they fear their influence. This can lead to a young person feeling torn between parents and friends and this is not helpful in maintaining good communication. It is better for parents to convey their worries about the safety of the young people than to run down YOUR FREE COPY

the friends themselves. “Will they end up in a fight?” We also need to discuss the increasing trend towards rowdy and violent behaviour, often under the influence of alcohol, and to clearly state that violence at all levels is unacceptable. Parents can help teenagers to think about places that are dangerous and how levels of alcohol consumption can leave them vulnerable to involvement in fights. Young people need the older generation to be clearly concerned with their safety. “I’m so worried I can’t sleep.” Parents often worry when their teenagers begin to drink. Often that fear is not so much about the drink itself as the consequences of drinking. At its worst the fear can be about drink related violence or poor decision making around sexual activity. “Are they having sex?” We all worry about pressure on our children as they enter puberty and the confusion and anxiety that can follow. The age of sexual activity has fallen and peer pressure along with media pressure can make decision making difficult. Sometimes young people drink in response to this pressure and alcohol consumption can lead to inappropriate decisions. Parents can make it clear to their sons and daughters that sexual activity is always their choice and it is always OK to say "NO". Once again TV and films can provide us with opportunities to discuss this with our young people. “I just don’t know how to begin. I know she drinks sometimes when she’s out with her friends. She’s usually quite a sensible girl, but I just hope she doesn’t take any stupid risks. Should I have drink in the house?” Most households do have drink at home and will often offer a drink to visitors. Drink however needs to be kept in a place where younger children cannot access it by accident. It is unfair to teenagers, especially if parents are away for a night, to leave them in a situation where they have access to a large supply of drink at home especially during the years when they are likely to experiment.

ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? 1 The average age of beginning to drink is 14-15 years FALSE Since the early 80's the average age of beginning to drink has reduced from 15 years to 13 years. The whole 'timetable' of drinking (starting with an occasional drink and following with more regular drinking) is now earlier than a generation ago, but has levelled off, with recent (2011) evidence showing it has increased somewhat. 2 The number of young people who have never tried alcohol has decreased over the years. TRUE There has been a dramatic change here. Thirty years ago about 1 in 4 those leaving post-primary school had not tried alcohol even once.Today the number reaching 18 without having tried alcohol is very small. Some teenagers start to drink because they wrongly think all teenagers are drinking. Recent research shows that the number of teenagers under 15 experimenting with alcohol has dropped and that half of 15 year olds are not regular drinkers. Delaying drinking reduces the risks of harmful drinking in later life. 3 under 18's know that they will not be able to buy alcohol, even if they want to FALSE Young people aged from 16 upwards say that they can get access to alcohol if they want to. (We are not suggesting that alcohol is always easily obtained – what is crucial is that young people see it as easy to obtain). 4 There is more drinking in cities than anywhere else FALSE people from all backgrounds begin to drink at roughly the same age. 5 all young people do not start drinking in the same setting TRUE There are three broad locations for the 'first drink'. Own home or home of a friend (sometimes when parents are away), pubs/off- licences (sometimes bought by a 'friend' who is overage), and parks/beaches/ waste-ground.

USEFUL CONTACTS Your school’s Parents Council Your school’s Home Liaison Officer Your Health Board's Health Promotion Officer Your local Residents Association VISIT DRINKAWARE.IE for information on alcohol and drinking, from fascinating facts to practical tips. DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE S including the 'Student Survival Guide' the 'Festival Survival Guide', 'Alcohol Sport & You' and the 'Christmas Survival Guide'.

drinkaware.ie was developed by MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited) MEAS is a drinks industry initiative against alcohol misuse MEAS,Merrion House, 1/3 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 611 4811 Email: info@meas.ie www.meas.ie

Young People & A lc o h o l Q u iz

6 The changes in irish society are part of the picture that influence the drinking of young people TRUE Childhood is shorter in modern Ireland than it was even 20 years ago. Young people are independent minded at an earlier age, are sexually active, and make decisions about their lives earlier. 7 The best time to talk to your children about alcohol is when they enter the early teens FALSE Children often ask about alcohol and drinking when they are very young. When this happens a positive response is better than ducking the issue. Many parents do not see the need to raise the subject until their children reach their teens when they apparently start drinking alcohol. Ideally you should speak to your child before he or she is likely to start experimenting with alcohol.

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INTERVIEW PAUL CARSON

An interview with....

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PAUL CARSON INTERVIEW

. . . a chance comment by a literary agent “publishers are looking for a medical John Grisham” grabbed my attention . . . TWR. How and why did you start writing? Dr C: I returned from Australia and set up my own practice in Feb 1984. To do something during the long hours without patients (and to make money) I contacted media outlets suggesting health columns. I was pretty much ahead of my time as there were few health features in those days. Before that all I’d scribbled were prescriptions. Even pharmacists had difficulty reading them! Soon I was writing for a number of magazines and regional newspapers, using a pseudonym. TWR. Then? Dr C: Between 1987-1988 I wrote four health books relating to children’s allergy problems (my passion then and now). RTE invited me onto The Late Late Show to discuss the topics and within a week every bookstore was out of copies. A local ‘colleague’ complained to the Medical Council. In the end all was resolved. I believe the ‘colleague’ was enraged that nothing was done. TWR. When did you move to fiction? Dr C: I wrote two children’s books to entertain my own children (Norbett Bear MD 1994 & Norbett’s Bistro 1995). However a chance comment by a literary agent (“publishers are looking for a medical John Grisham”) grabbed my attention and I pulled together my first medical thriller (Scalpel) which was published in 1997. TWR. How did Scalpel sell? Dr C: It was a huge success. It went straight to number 1 on the Irish Times Bestseller list and stayed there for 17 weeks. It was in the top five of the Bestseller list for 33 consecutive weeks which makes Paul Carson the most successful first time novelist of all time in Ireland (that includes top sellers such as Maeve Binchy, Marion Keyes and Roddy Doyle). TWR. I remember reading about film rights around then. What actually happened? Dr C: Tyrone Productions (Riverdance fame) bought the rights to make Scalpel into a movie. RTE put up £IR 1million to do a coproduction but as a three-part TV series. However, after much torment and arguments YOUR FREE COPY

over scripts and overseas rights it was halted (and never started again). TWR. That must have been disappointing? Dr C: It was. Since then I’ve dealt with four other TV/movie companies and found the experiences less than satisfactory. There are many snake oil salesmen among them. TWR. It didn’t stop you writing? Dr C: No. Following Scalpel’s success my publishers pushed me for more. Cold Steel was released in 1998, followed by Final Duty (2000), Ambush (2003) and Betrayal (2004). All were number 1 bestsellers in Ireland and sold internationally. TWR. In how many countries are you published? Dr C: Twenty, ranging from Germany to China and including France, Holland, Poland, Turkey, Latvia, Finland, Romania…more than I remember right now. There’s even an Indian dialect edition of Scalpel. TWR. We haven’t seen a Paul Carson thriller for some time. Have you stopped writing? Dr C: No. The delay was triggered by health issues. In 1996 (just when Scalpel was published) I was found to have a rare form of haemolytic anaemia and warned it was preleukaemic. Unfortunately this was true. I developed Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia in 1999. It worsened my haemolytic anaemia and made me prone to infections (which in turn gave me awful haemolytic crises). I had to cut back on medicine and worked half-time (and even then was out a lot with illness). The CLL worsened in 2003 and I started chemotherapy and immunotherapy. By mid2004 I’d stopped all drugs. I’ve been in remission since. However I had to give up medicine and effectively retired. When my health and strength returned I came back to my practice and slowly nursed it back to life. I’m as busy now as I ever was before becoming unwell. But I reckon I’ve lost 10 years of my life to disease. TWR. Do you still write? Dr C: I’ve had another health book published (Sinusitis, steps to healing 2009) and will release one on hay fever next year. I also contribute regularly to the medical and national press.

TWR. What about novels? Dr C: I’ve completed another thriller (working title Inquest, based on the Dublin City Coroner) and this should be available next spring. TWR. You’re working full time yet still find the energy to write. Where do you find the time? Dr C: Like everyone with a passion for a subject or hobby you make time. I don’t sit idle. My mind’s always ticking over with new ideas, plots and characters. It’s great fun. TWR. Where do you get your ideas? Dr C: Casual snippets of conversation. Meeting unusual and interesting people. Even newspaper reports. TWR. Any regrets? Dr C: I wish I knew more about leather, whips, chains and bondage and had written 50 Shades Grey. TWR. Indeed. What about insights into being a successful author? Dr C: Maeve Binchy’s comment sums it up perfectly: “If you get a book published, tell everyone. Your friends will be delighted and your enemies will be raging.” She was spot on. Paul Carson is a doctor and novelist. Check www.paulcarson.net for details

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FEATURE UNACHIEVED PREGNANCIES

Trying To Conceive A common topic of discussion is unwanted pregnancies, but what about the opposite, Unachieved Pregnancies? Fertility expert, Dr Michelle O’Connor, gives some background to a problem that affects 15% of Irish couples

ealthy young couples should achieve pregnancy within a year of trying; older couples may take up to two years, but if, like 15% of Irish couples, a couple has not succeeded within the accepted time frame for their age group, they ought to see their doctor. This article looks at the ‘normal’ couple then examines some of the more common problems encountered. It should also prove helpful to those who have not yet begun TTC. A baby girl is born with all her eggs already present in her ovaries – she never develops any more. Commencing at puberty, one of her eggs develops each month, reaches maturity, is released into her fallopian tubes and, if she doesn’t become pregnant, is lost during her “period”. As she ages, so do her eggs and, as you would expect, older eggs are

more likely to have problems, e.g., chromosomal abnormalities leading to conditions like Down’s Syndrome. For women, putting off TTC until the age of 35+ will affect their chances of conceiving a healthy child. The first and most obvious rule when it comes to fertility is to try and conceive during the prime reproductive years. Men, on the other hand, produce new sperm constantly throughout their lives, but sperm quality and quantity both decrease with age, and having a father of age 45+ can have consequences for the unborn child, including miscarriage, low birth weight, decreased IQ or disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. A visit to the GP will involve a careful case history: How long have they been trying? Is the woman cycling regularly?

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Is there a history of fertility problems in either family? Are they both reasonably healthy? In clinical tests, the man’s semen will be checked for sperm health while the woman will have blood tests to check her reproductive hormone levels; these tell the GP if there is an obvious problem with ovulation. An ultrasound scan will check the structure of her internal organs: the womb may have adhesions preventing the implantation of an embryo, or the fallopian tubes might have blockages preventing the passage of the egg to the womb. A recently developed test for Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels indicates the quality of the remaining eggs in the ovaries of older women. Statistically, 1/3 of failures to conceive have a ‘male’ cause; 1/3 female and YOUR FREE COPY

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UNACHIEVED PREGNANCIES FEATURE /3 are unexplained. At home, with the express purpose of achieving conception, both partners have their role to play. The woman should begin tracking her menstrual cycle in order to predict when she is at her most fertile. There are a number of useful smartphone apps designed to make this easier, including, iPeriod, Fertility Friend, Period Tracker and Pink Pad. Typically, women ovulate around Day 14 of their cycle, (counting the first day of the period as Day 1), but ovulation can occur between Days 10-20. Double ovulation can also take place when each ovary contributes an egg. When ovulation is imminent, cervical mucus becomes thinner and, when it has actually occurred, body temperature rises slightly (+quarter or .5o Celsius). For greater accuracy, there are Ovulation Prediction kits that test the level of Luteinising Hormone (LH) in urine; LH surges one to two days before ovulation. This is the best time to try to conceive as sperm take time to swim to the fallopian tubes. Once there, they can survive for three to four days, awaiting the arrival of the egg. Fertilization usually requires a conjoined effort by many sperm. If unfertilised, the egg dies after 12-24 hours. Thus, during the woman’s ‘fertility window’, it is best to have intercourse 2-3 days before ovulation and also on the day of ovulation. Daily intercourse is not recommended as it depletes sperm numbers. Also “duty” intercourse can impact negatively on a relationship. On the other hand, long abstinence to “store up” sperm is not advised as there will be a higher number of older or dead sperm. A

period of two to three days’ abstinence for the man produces the best ejaculate, coinciding with regular ejaculation throughout the month i.e. every three to five days. Diet plays a major role in conception and the health of the baby. Both partners should be a healthy weight, stress-free and consuming plenty of fresh vegetables (dark and leafy), liver, fruits, whole grains, seeds (pumpkin, linseed), fish, legumes, brown rice, nuts (walnut), flaxseed oil, evening primrose and fish oils. Some vital nutrients are more important to one sex than the other. Zinc plays a major role in sperm DNA integrity, and folic acid (vitamin B9) taken by women before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of birth defects. Specialized nutritional supplements are tailored to meet gender specific needs but can take up to three months for benefits to take effect. TTC should come naturally to most couples but, for those who find it difficult, lifestyle and dietary changes, in conjunction with consciously timing intercourse, can dramatically increase the chances of conceiving spontaneously. For further information on diet, nutrition and male fertility testing please go to www.fertilitycheck.ie

. . . lifestyle and dietary changes, in conjunction with consciously timing intercourse, can dramatically increase the chances . . .

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ANIMAL HEALTH FERRET MERIT

Ferret Merit?

Veterinarian Claire Greene gives expert guidance on some non-traditional pets. Used to paying for their keep for centuries, by hunting, ferrets are fast becoming pampered pets

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

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FERRET MERIT ANIMAL HEALTH

og, cat....... or ferret? Ferret popularity is on the rise, with the population of pet ferrets in the UK estimated to have grown from 100,000 to 2 million in 10 years. Ferrets make great pets, particularly for people who might not have the space for a dog; however before you rush out to buy one, here are some Ferret Facts to help you decide whether they're for you. Ferrets live to be about eight -10 years old. They are generally very curious, friendly and don't often bite, though young ferrets will require “nip-training”. They are very intelligent and need lots of attention and games, sometimes becoming aggressive if bored or frustrated. Ferrets are very sociable animals, so always plan to keep two or more ferrets together. This can be any combination of males and females (see below for info on hormonal implanting/neutering). Males are much bigger than females. Being relatives of skunks, the males can have a strong musky odour; an acquired taste! Ferrets can be quite tolerant of dogs and cats, though this varies greatly between individuals; however, as predators, they should never be near rabbits, rodents, birds etc. Ferrets don't really like being in cages so should only be caged when you are not there to supervise them. An even better solution is to

not, hormonal implanting of your ferret every 18-24 months is essential, starting from their first Spring. In un-neutered females, this prevents pregnancy and aplastic anaemia and, in un-neutered males, it prevents scent marking, strong male odour and fighting with other males/females when in season. Hormonal implanting also prevents Adrenal Gland Disease, which invariably happens when sex hormones are not present to inhibit constant stimulation of the adrenal gland. Neutering is optional as you will need to treat your ferret with hormonal implants either way. De-scenting (removal of the scent glands) is illegal in Ireland. It is not recommended as it can lead to stress and is considered an unnecessary surgery and usually doesn't lead to a change in ferret smell! There are now several brands of specially designed ferret diets available for feeding your pet as a complete diet. Vaccinating annually against distemper is essential. This is a disease of dogs which is fatal in ferrets. Flea treatment is just as important as it is in cats and dogs. Microchipping is strongly recommended in case your ferret escapes. If you still think you'd love to have one (or better still two or more!) of these little fellows in your home, like any animal, please try to re-home unwanted ferrets from a shelter or re-homing websites before buying one.

Whether your ferret has been neutered or not, hormonal implanting of your ferret every 18-24 months is essential

“

leave them free in a “ferret-proof” room while you're out. If using a cage, the bigger the better, and cages should ideally have multiple floors. Approximately 18”x18”x30” would be a minimum cage size. Ferrets are great escape artists so make sure it has a small mesh and that there are no gaps etc. As you're going to be letting them run around, you'll be glad to know that ferrets can easily be toilet-trained to use a cat litter tray. Another thing that is essential with a ferret running around at home, is to “ferret-proof” your house. This is really important for protecting the ferret and also your home. Block off any holes (adults ferrets can fit into 2”x2” areas, while kits (babies) and some adults can fit into even smaller areas!) including under the fridge etc., and you need also to ensure that they can't get access to anything to swallow or chew, especially electric cords. You would be surprised where these little fellows can end up. It is also essential that they don't escape, as many escaped ferrets die and those that don't decimate local bird life. Ferrets are induced-ovulators (meaning they ovulate in response to mating). If a ferret is not mated, the constantly high levels of oestrogen damage bone marrow production of blood cells. This can lead to a potentially fatal aplastic anaemia. Whether your ferret has been neutered or

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PROMOTION WEIGHT WATCHERS

Paella stuffed tomatoes

50 MINUTES TO PREPARE 5 ProPoints values, 10 ProPoints values per recipe, Serves 2

2 large beefsteak tomatoes 40g (1 ½ oz) shelled broad beans, defrosted if frozen Calorie controlled cooking spray 1 onion, chopped finely 2 garlic cloves, chopped ½ red pepper, de-seeded and diced ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon turmeric 60g (2 oz) paella rice 150ml (5 fl oz) vegetable stock 40g (1 ½ oz) pitted black olives, chopped 2 teaspoons flaked toasted almonds Salt and freshly ground black pepper A handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish 1. Slice the top off each tomato to make a lid and set aside. Using a teaspoon, scoop out the centre, leaving a shell. Sprinkle the inside with salt, turn upside down and leave to drain for 30 minutes. Rinse the inside of the tomatoes and rinse again. 2. Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the broad beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Drain and refresh under cold water then, when cool, slip the beans out of their grey jackets. Set aside. 3 . Heat a deep sided, lidded, non stick frying pan. Spray with the cooking spray, add the onion and cook, covered, for 6 minutes, stirring regularly until softened. Stir in the garlic and red pepper , cover and cook for another 3 minutes. 4. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4/180⁰C/ fan oven 160⁰C. Add the spices and rice to the pan then stir until combined. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, stir, then reduce the heat to it’s lowest setting. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes without stirring, until the stock is absorbed. Stir the olives and broad beans into the rice. 5. Spray a small baking dish with the cooking spray, spoon the paella into the tomatoes, pressing it down slightly, and top with the lid. Spray the tomatoes with the cooking spray then roast for 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened. Serve one tomato per person topped with the toasted almonds and garnished with basil. Tip: For a seafood paella, omit the broad beans and stir 175g (6 oz) frozen cooked and peeled prawns into the rice in step 4. Heat through for 2 minutes before stuffing the tomatoes, for 7 ProPoints values per serving.

Honey soy 8 salmon and vegetable stir fry Takes 25 minutes, 30 minutes marinating, Serves 4 30 ProPoints values per recipe, 8 ProPoints values per serving

4 tablespoons light soy sauce 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons clear honey 4 x 125g (4½ oz) skinless salmon fillets Calorie controlled cooking spray For the vegetable stir fry 2 large garlic cloves, chopped finely 30g (1¼oz) fresh root ginger, grated 350g (12oz) pack mixed vegetable stir fry THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

Yellow pea 9 and tofu curry 20 mins prep + 30 mins marinating, 40mins cooking, Serves 4 35 ProPoints values per recipe, 9 ProPoints values per serving

2 tablespoons balti curry paste 2 tablespoons lime juice 250g (9oz) firm tofu, patted dry and cut into 8 long slices 200g (7oz) dried yellow split peas Calorie controlled cooking spray 1 large onion, chopped 30g (1¼oz) fresh root ginger, grated 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 large red chilli, halved lengthways 2 carrots, peeled and diced 300ml (10fl oz) vegetable stock 100ml (3½ fl oz) light coconut milk Salt and freshly ground black pepper A few fresh coriander sprigs, to garnish 1. Mix together the curry paste and lime juice with 1 tablespoon of warm water, then season. Add the tofu, turn to coat it, then leave to marinate for 30 minutes. 2. Put the split peas in a colander and rinse under cold running water then tip into a medium lidded saucepan, cover with plenty of water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, partially cover the pan and simmer for 40 minutes until tender. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface topping up with more water if necessary. Drain the peas then set aside. 3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4/180°C/fan oven 160°C. Spray a large, lidded, nonstick saucepan with the cooking spray and cook the onion gently for 10 minutes, adding a splash of water if they start to stick, until softened and golden. Stir in the ginger and spices and cook for another minute. 4. Spray a roasting tin with the cooking spray then roast the tofu for 20 minutes turning halfway. 5. Tip the peas into the large saucepan with the chilli, carrots and stock. Season and bring up to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender, then stir in the coconut milk and half of the fresh coriander. Simmer, partially covered, for another 5 minutes until warmed through. 6. Serve the curry in shallow bowls with the tofu on top and sprinkled with the remaining coriander. Tip: Make it speedy! To save time you could split red lentils instead of split peas for the same ProPoints values per serving. They cook in half the time so you only need to simmer them for 20 minutes in step 2. You can then continue with the recipe from this point. 1. Mix together half of the soy sauce, and all of the balsamic vinegar and honey in a shallow dish. Add the salmon and spoon the marinade over until coated. Cover and leave to marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge. 2. Heat a large non-stick frying pan, spray, both sides of the salmon with the cooking spray and cook for 3 minutes until golden. Spoon over more marinade, spray with the cooking spray, turn over and cook the salmon for another 3 minutes. Keep warm while stir frying the vegetables. 3. Heat a large wok or non-stick frying pan, spray with the cooking spray and stir fry the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, toss in the vegetables and stir fry for another 3-5 minutes until tender. Add the remaining soy sauce and toss until combined. Serve the salmon on top of the vegetables. Note: The marinated salmon has a golden honey glaze and comes with crunchy, stir fried vegetables. Serve with 50g (1¾ oz) dried brown basmati rice per person, cooked according to the packet instructions, for an additional 5 ProPoints values per serving. YOUR FREE COPY

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Weight Watchers improved my health

“I had gradually been putting on weight for a few years, and although I told myself that I had tried a few things to lose it, realistically I wasn’t doing anything significant and was just fooling myself. My wife, Jaana is Finnish and had been to Weight Watchers over there, so she basically told me that I needed to cop myself on and get in shape! I went along to Ingrid Doyle’s class on the Howth Road and was feeling really nervous about it; it’s a mixed class but I expected to be the only man. I was glad to walk in and find a few other men there, and I was also pleasantly surprised by the friendly, supportive welcome that I got from Ingrid, as well as everyone else there. Walking through the door was the hardest part of it all; once I got through that bit it was all very straightforward. My problem was constant grazing; I have two children aged four and six, so there’s always plenty of food lying around! I found I was just putting bits into my mouth and finishing their meals without even thinking about it. The other thing was portion sizes; Jaana makes reasonably healthy meals, but I was eating huge servings, so that had to stop. The biggest change was to start tracking; all of a sudden I began to realise exactly what I had been putting away each day. I cut out snacking and if I felt peckish during the day, I’d have fruit. I also started to incorporate lots of vegetables into my diet, things like broccoli, which I never would’ve eaten much of before. I’m reasonably good in the kitchen but I always used to use lots of oil in my food so I experimented with some of the Weight Watchers recipes and was really surprised to discover how tasty they could be. It wasn’t easy, but at the same time I didn’t feel like I was making any major sacrifices, I was still able to have a few pints at the weekend and I didn’t go without anything that I felt I YOUR FREE COPY

really wanted. I never did a lot of sport before but after two months in Weight Watchers I had lost a stone, so I started walking on a regular basis; I always tried to get home earlier from work so I could get some exercise. After a while I got bored, so I upped gear to a jog and then I went on to running. Last July I ran a half marathon and I regularly take part in runs I usually run 7 km five times a week. If someone had told me this time last year that I would be running a half marathon, I would’ve thought they were nuts! Once I began exercising, my weight loss increased from an average of one pound to two pounds a week. I didn’t really focus on an image of myself as I am now; I simply chipped away at it in really little chunks and set myself small, attainable goals - I never thought for a minute I’d be where I am now, I can hardly believe it. I have more energy, and because I get things done quicker I have a lot more time. I also find that I’m a lot more even tempered with my kids and take thing in my stride; overall I’m just happier and more relaxed. I used to be on Lipitor for high cholesterol and Nexium for heart burn, but now I’ve been able to come off both of them, which has been one of the major health benefits for me. I got great support from my leader, Ingrid and my wife Jaana, as well as my family and friends; I work in the construction industry and my colleagues were really supportive, in fact some of them were very interested in what I was doing! I used to wear clothes just to cover myself, but now I find I’m a lot more fashion conscious. My waist size used to be a 42 but recently I bought a pair of size 31 Calvin Klein jeans, the first time I’ve ever bought anything by Calvin Klein! I was talking with Jaana recently about the changes that losing weight has brought, and I came to the conclusion that I’ve

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WEIGHT WATCHERS PROMOTION

added at least ten and maybe even twenty years to my life – I’m just a different person.” Martin’s tips for success If you want to lose weight then Weight Watchers is definitely the way to go; it’s not really a diet, it just helps you to make informed decisions about what you eat. Tracking and staying to class are really important - my leader, Ingrid, is fantastic, a great motivator and the classes always gave me something to consider throughout the following week. Ingrid facilitates classes in: Killester, St Brigids Boys School, Howth Road Tue 16.15, 17.30, 18.45 & 20.00 Sutton, St Fintan's Parish Centre, Tue 9.30am, Wed 6pm. Artane & Beaumont Family Recreation Centre, Kilmore Road, Thur 17.30

Martin’s Statistics Name:

Martin Sloan

From:

Clontarf

Start weight: 17st 9½lbs / 112kg Now:

12st 8lbs / 80kg

Lost:

5st 1½lbs / 32kg

BMI:

33 to 24

Leader:

Ingrid Doyle

see www.weightwatchers.ie or call 1850 234 123 to find your local meeting now. Can't find a meeting that suits? Try Weight Watchers at Home or an 8 week course in your workplace. For more information on 'at Work' courses see www.weightwatchers.ie or call 1850 234 123. For the 'at Home' service call 056 7722276. Men welcome at all meetings SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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OLYMPIC ART

The fine art of medal winning The London Olympic Games were the highlight of the summer and our small nation returned from the Games with our biggest haul of medals since 1956. It was in 1928 that Pat O’Callaghan won gold for Ireland in the men’s hammer throw and is widely thought to be Ireland’s first Olympic medal winner. He even repeated the feat four years later in Los Angeles. What many people don’t know is that Ireland’s Olympic Heritage began in 1924, not in the 100 metres nor the long jump or even boxing, a sport which has produced many Olympic medals for the Fighting Irish through the years. Rather Ireland’s first Olympic medal came in the painting category of the arts and culture event. Who has the honour of being the first person from Ireland representing Ireland to win an Olympic medal? The prestige is that of Jack Butler Yeats, unquestionably the most important Irish artist of the

20th century. Yeats claimed silver for his painting The Liffey Swim, which can still be seen in the National Gallery of Ireland. The arts and culture segment was first introduced in 1912 at the Stockholm Games. Medals were awarded in five categories, including architecture, literature, sculpture, music and painting. All works had to be inspired by sport, and could not be published or shown before the Olympics. Artists were allowed enter several works, thus making it possible for someone to win multiple medals in the same category. Jack Butler Yeats entered two paintings that year, the other failing to impress the judges. Not content with leaving Paris with one medal, Oliver St. John Gogarty won bronze for “Team Ireland” for his poem Ode to the Taitleann games. Unlike Yeats, Gogarty did at least excel in some form of sport, playing football for both Preston North End and Bohemians. He also served as

inspiration for the character Buck Mulligan, in his friend James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. Ireland’s third and final Olympic medal for art came courtesy of Letitia Marion Hamilton, in the newly established painting subcategory, oils and watercolours. Her painting, Meath point to point races, won bronze at the 1948 London “austerity” games. The painting’s whereabouts are now uncertain, although some believe it to be in the hands of a private collector in America. The art competition was included in the games until 1948, and interestingly, artists were considered professionals – this clearly went against the Olympic charter of allowing only amateurs to compete. Nowadays, host cities run an art festival and exhibition simultaneously with the summer games. So the next time someone asks you what Jack Butler Yeats and Katie Taylor have in common – you know what to tell them!

DVD REVIEW

The Avengers 12 cert. directed by Joss Whedon starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L Jackson

The Avengers was the movie all comic book fans were waiting for. What was not certain was whether it would appeal to a general audience, in spite of the success of previous Marvel movies such as Thor, Captain America, and in particular Iron Man. Bringing all these heroes together in one movie, along with the Hulk, and lesser known characters like the Black Widow and Hawkeye was always going to be a massive challenge. Some thought that, in appointing Joss Whedon as writer/director, were taking an unnecessary risk. After all, most of his career was spent in TV - Buffy the Vampire Slayer being his most famous creation -, and his recent shows Firefly and Dollhouse were cancelled in their infancy. The only other film he helmed, Serenity, a spin-off Firefly, was not a success at the boxoffice and was far from the scale required for the Avengers, the culmination of the first stage of the Marvel’s quest for movie hegemony. Yet Whedon, ultimately, proved ideal for the project, and is the key factor in the movie’s success, which saw it break box office records in the US and abroad. Marvel has a good record in hiring suitable directors for its projects, and in Whedon, a self-identified comic book nerd, they had somebody intimately acquainted with the material. In his TV career, which was critically

lauded, despite often faltering in the ratings, he had proven himself adept at handling large ensembles, which he managed with a distinctive blend of wit and imagination. The best of his work managed that difficult trick of being self-aware, while also having a genuine poignancy, meaning that characters, and plot-arks rarely dissolved into the flippant. It is his natural gift for comedy that shines most brightly in the Avengers. A film where a billionaire-playboy inventor in an robotic suit, a Norse god, a world war II hero injected with a serum to make him into super-soldier, and a geneticist who turns into a rampaging, green monster when angered, come together could, in lesser hands, seem more than a little ridiculous. Rather than be at the mercy of the absurdity, Whedon chooses to extract the maximum amount of comic potential he can from the situation, and in Robert Downey Junior’s charismatic, verbose and sarcastic Tony Stark/Iron Man, he has the ideal character to deliver a stream of typically clever one liners. Downey Junior, as expected, dominates every scene he is in, but perhaps the best performance in the movie comes from Mark Ruffalo, playing a quietly resigned, Bruce Banner, finding a new angle on a character that has often seemed under developed onscreen. Most of the characters are given their time in the spotlight, and it is the tensions and dynamics within the group that are the centrepiece of the film. In comparison the plot, where the Norse God Loki (Tom Hiddleston) seeks to take over the world by allying himself with an alien army, is slightly perfunctory, but does feature

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

a gleefully menacing turn by Hiddleston. However, unlike the recent risible Transformers movies, the final battle scenes are intelligible, and are directed with confidence, featuring two very funny sight gags amidst the carnage. In the post-Dark Knight era, the Avengers is a welcome reminder that not all comic movies need follow the same brooding path that Christopher Nolan created with such distinction. Rather it is a light, breezy and thoroughly entertaining example of a blockbuster movie that is all too rarely made these days.

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QUICK QUIZ

TheWaitingRoom

CROSSWORD No.14

Question 1

When completed, the letters in the shaded squares will spell out the winning word: Give German poets a stir. That could be fruitful

The Epsom Oaks is a race for a) Three-year old fillies b) Four-year old fillies c) Three-year old colts

WIN 2 nights B&B and

one Evening Meal at Dooley’s Hotel, a member of Select Hotels

Question 2

Rory McIlroy was born in a) 1987 b) 1988 c) 1989

Question 3

The Great Wall of China is (approximately) a) 5,000 miles long b) 5,500 miles long c) 6,000 miles long

Question 4

The Great Wall of China was built over (approximately) a) 500 years b) 1,000 years c) 2,000 years

Question 5

Which of these sportsmen was never in prison a) Paul Gascoigne b) OJ Simpson c) Mike Tyson

Question 6

Lake Titicaca is between which two countries a) Peru and Chile b) Peru and Bolivia c) Peru and Colombia

Question 7

The Vitamin that is vital for blood-clotting is a) Vit A b) Vit E c) Vit K

Question 8

The Hyoid bone is located in a) The Neck b) The Ear c) The Ankle

Question 9

Anne Bancroft played a) Scarlett O’Hara b) Sweet Charity c) Mrs Robinson

Question 10

Mo Farrah, Britain’s 5,000 and 10,000 metre Gold medallist, was born in a) Ethiopia b) Somalia c) Tanzania

HOW TO ENTER: Text TWR2 followed by your answer, name and address to 53307 or post your answers along with your phone number to us!

NO TIME TO FINISH? NO WORRIES! THIS MAGAZINE IS YOURS TO TAKE HOME! ACROSS 1 Its Roman name was Lusitania. (8) 5 Relative coming to an evil end. (6) 9 Bits of sheep useful for fortifications? (8) 10 Early man’s rubbish tip. (6) 12 Listen in surreptitiously as spare dove is mutilated. (9) 13 Broken seats can be a good thing. (5) 14 Wildcat forming parts of the chain by the sound of it. (4) 16 A small amount in the grape producer will prevent disease. (7) 19 European leader takes nothing from African country. (7) 21 One refuses to fight but shows a belligerent gesture at the end. (4) 24 Get smart return on public transport vehicles. (5) 25 In Spanish, Mary gets around John, the dope! (9) 27 Being pretty nifty, I do art arrangement. (6) 28 Man overboard! (8) 29 Go for slow and shaky walk by Dublin river. (6) 30 Ensnared somehow in offensive area of eastern France. (8)

DOWN

Congra tu lations!

1 Man who can carry his drink. (6)

solution to the august 2012 Crossword Josephine M Battye, Co Waterford

2 Take it away when there’s a mix-up over me. (6)

Terms: 18+. 60c per entry incl VAT. Network charges vary. Competition closes midnight ??????????????????????? Entries made after the close date do not count and you may be charged. Sp phonovation Ltd. pO Box 6, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Helpline 0818217100

3 They cause division in Russia, between east and west. (5) 4 Deadly germ used in biological warfare. (7) 6 They are very rich in Russia. (9) 7 Enjoying inflicting pain. (8) 8 The score is: Minus One. (8) 11 Celebrities turn up for flashy corner boy. (4)

enter at www.waitingroom.ie or write in to The Waiting room, The studio, Maple avenue, stillorgan, Co. Dublin

SUDOKU

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 square contain all the digits from 1 to 9

15 England’s largest county. (9) 17 Its Roman name was Caledonia. (8) 18 Not being 100% effective. (8) 20 Sign up for little fish in film. (4) 21 parent is about right, though more distant. (7) 22 Opera - about mechanics? (6) 23 Film city on Mediterranean. (6) 26 What a sap OJ Simpson was known as! (5)

Answers: 1a. 2c. 3b. 4c. 5a. 6b. 7c. 8a. 9c. 10b

Crossword is open to readers aged 18 or over, are resident in the Republic of Ireland, except employees and their families of The Waiting Room Magazine, its printers, or anyone connected with the competition. The magazine is not responsible for entries lost, delayed or damaged in the post. Proof of postage is not accepted as proof of delivery. Any number of entries will be accepted. Winner will be the sender of the first correct entry to be drawn at random after the closing date. Winner will be notified by post, and only their name and the county in which they live may be published in the magazine. All personal information obtained through entry into this competition will be destroyed following its completion. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

PUZZLES

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

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PUZZLES

Cross reference

WORD SEARCH BORDER PROBLEMS after winning the lotto an elderly couple travelled all over the world on the trip of a lifetime and visited 20 diﬀerent countries. unfortunately they were refused entry at the border of one country due to strained relations with it's neighbour. Find out the twenty countries visited in the above grid and work out which one they couldn't visit and WIN YOURSELF €50!! afghanistan aruba Belize Chad Cuba egypt Fiji

YOUR FREE COPY

guam iraq ireland latvia liechtenstein Mali Mozambique

Panama reunion south Korea uganda uruguay usa libya

CRACK THE CODE AND WIN €50 each letter of the alphabet appears as a code. Complete the grid and put the corresponding letters into the boxes below to spell the prize word. Then Text TWr3, followed by your answer, name and address to 53307 or post your answers SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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KIDS PUZZLES

HALLOWEEN colouring fun for kids

image source: www.coloringpages.in

THE WAITING ROOM | SEPTEMBER 2012

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PUZZLES KIDS

image source: www.coloringpages.in

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SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE WAITING ROOM

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