The Diabetic Issue Number: - 7 Date: - December 2004 HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

The Newsletter of the Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre Carrjyn Laare Chingys Shugyr Vannin The Support Group of the Manx Diabetes Centre Registered as a charity in the . Charity Number 894. Website: -www.diabetes.org.im e-mail: - [email protected] e-mai;: - [email protected] All monies from whatever source received by the Group shall be exclusively spent on the Isle of Man for the furtherance of the well-being of the diabetic patient and to facilitate the work of their medical carers. HbA1C blood testing machine presented to Manx Diabetes Centre The Minister for Health and Social Security talks to The Diabetic A Christmas Message from our Trustee the Rev. John Guilford The Group’s meeting with the Social Services In this Issue The Friends of the Manx * Major piece of equipment presented to the Manx Diabetes Centre by the Group Diabetes Centre present * Minister for Health and Social Security major piece of equipment talks to The Diabetic to the Centre. * Christmas message by our Trustee the Rev. John Guilford. The reason for the existence of the * Signs that may lead to misunderstandings Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre came to fruition, when on Tuesday 16th * Elderly care in the Community November they presented their first * The World Health Federation major piece of equipment to the Manx * Mannin Quilters raffle for their hand Diabetes Centre. made quilt. * Presentation to the Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre by the Mannin Quilters. * Obesity who do we listen to * The Dorothy Metaxas Recipes * Harry the Computer guy * Bike Egypt and or Hike Peru * The Budding Journalist * Its that “WHY” again. * The Chairman’s Christmas Message

The Presentation of the HbA1C All at Feegan’s Lounge . wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. The HbAIC analyser which cost the TheWe lookFriends forward toof welco themin Manxg you all Group £3,000 provides outstanding once again in 2005. accuracy and precision, is entirely self DiabaetFor all youes r CentreInternet requ presiremenentts contained and offers an invaluable Telephone (01624) 679280

indication of diabetic control over the Island, the DHSS controls the biggest preceding three month period. budget in Government finances. It monitors long-term well being and Whilst adamant that it is incumbent diabetic control, and helps make for them to deliver high standards of diabetic management in minutes. health care for our Island people, Mr You do not have to give blood from Rodan admits his department has to a vein, like you do at the blood clinic, meet considerable challenges when it works on your blood testing there are so many demands on the principle. public purse by other departments It is a machine that makes an other than health services. immediate difference in diabetes management, and it will give in clinic analytical results, with results available in 6 minutes. This is the first piece of substantial equipment that the Group is donating to the Manx Diabetes Centre in accordance with their mandate as contained in our constitution, that all monies collected from whatever source will be spent for the direct benefit of the Isle of Man diabetics and their medical carers. The Committee of the Friends of the Mr Manx Diabetes Centre would like to Minister for Health and Social Security thank all their members and Friends who contributed to the successful With the help of dedicated staff his outcome of this invaluable ultimate goal is to ensure that the presentation. DHSS will be seen and perceived by the Manx people as the flagship of The Minister for Health Government departments in the Isle of and Social Security speaks Man. Mr Rodan who was born in to The Diabetic. in 1954 came to the Island in 1987. Educated at the High School of Mr. Steve Rodan, the new Minister Glasgow, an early childhood memory for Health and Social Security sounded was a school trip in a steamer down the confident during a personal interview river Clyde. Unfortunately he says that for the Diabetic, that present problems, it only got him half way to the Isle of such as dentistry cover for all citizens, Man, so he had to wait sometime to out of hours medical cover for our arrive here. population, reducing hospital waiting He left Glasgow High with Highers lists, and residential care for the elderly in English, Chemistry, Maths, Latin, can be resolved. Greek, Geography and Economics. He recognizes that his department is His next academic achievements something of a hot potato. were at University, he attended Certainly as the largest department Edinburgh University for two years within government and the biggest studying chemistry, but then switched employer in public services on the to Heriot-Watt University also in

Edinburgh from where he graduated His first appointment to a with a BSc in Pharmacy. government post was in 1995, when Mr Rodan has lead a colourful life Mr. Rodan was appointed to serve as having always maintained an interest Member for the Department of Local in politics since university, and in 1979 Government and Environment. He was stood as a candidate for the Scottish also Chairman of the Estates and Liberal Party, in Moray and Nairn. Housing Division, and then in 1997 he Unfortunately for them, but fortunately was appointed Chairman of the for us, he was not elected. Planning Committee until 1999 when At the time he was working as a he became Minister for Education. pharmacist in Inverness. He then left We wanted to know how he thought and from 1980 to 1987 he his tenure of office as Minister of took up a post as Pharmacy Manager in Education would go down in Manx a Pharmacy in Bermuda. history. From Bermuda he found his way to He explained that he felt whilst he the Isle of Man and he and his family was Minister of Education his main have been here ever since. objective was to further develop the He took over the Pharmacy in excellent standards of the Island’s which he owns, and has been running Educational System. The external it ever since. inspection of schools on the Island However his interest in politics had helped to improve and further these not diminished and he became a Laxey high standards, and he was pleased to Commissioner and then Chairman of have started Manx-medium primary the Commissioners. education at St John’s. It was in May 1995 that he was first Not to mention the establishment of elected to the , at a by- the Business School, which in reality is election following the resignation of the first stage, he claimed, of a Dr Mann who had been elevated to the University for the Isle of Man. Legislative Council. This was all very well but the He has since held his seat at all Diabetic wanted to know what elections. qualifications he now felt he had to The Diabetic was curious as to why lead this very important and exacting Mr. Rodan had decided to enter Department of Health and Social politics on the Island. Security. He emphasized that he had always Mr Rodan told us that he had always been interested in politics and felt that been interested in the work of as he was now living in the , and not only working in he should put something back into the the political forum of parliamentary community. democracy, but working across the He had started with being a political spectrum was a real political commissioner and this progressed his challenge. interest in following and analysing Mr. Rodan believed that his local issues and how Government professional background in health influenced these local issues. This was matters would prove helpful to a challenge he could not bypass. progress the health services during his When the opportunity arose he took term as Minister for Health and Social it, and stood for , the seat of the Security. late Sir . It was important though, to carry on helping his constituents to resolve their

problems, and fight through the system Once again we would like to wish on their behalf, for they are the ones, Mr. Rodan every success as Minister he said, that put you where you are. for Health and Social Security, and Mr. Rodan, is married with two hope that his career will grow from daughters, one at present teaching in strength to strength, and that he will Spain having a degree in Spanish and once again triumph as Minister for French, and the other is at present at Health and Social Security, as he has Leeds University reading Business and done in everything he has set out to do. Psychology. Christmas was round the corner and A Christmas Message by The Diabetic invited Mr. Rodan to send a message to all his staff at the our Trustee the Reverend Hospitals and to all patients who were John Guilford. looked after by these wonderful people. As is now the norm we have once He wanted to wish them all, as he again asked our Trustee the Reverend put it, the greatest wish of all, Good John Guilford to give us his Christmas Health and best wishes to all who Message. worked in the health services, and to This has now become a welcome those who do the caring and who put in feature in our Christmas issue. an onerous and wonderful effort throughout the year. He had nothing but admiration for their patience and tenderness with their charges. To the patients Mr Rodan held out his hand of friendship and hoped for their speedy recovery. We could not close the interview without asking Mr Rodan how he would like to be remembered by the Manx people. He thought and said, “As a person The Reverend John Guilford who has chosen to live in the Isle of Man and who is here to do his best for “Well here we are again this small Nation, and will do all in my approaching Christmas and, if you’re power to promote the Isle of Man and anything like me, you’ll be wondering the interests of its people”. where 2004 went. Even though the Mr Rodan is at present Chairman of year has flown by, each of us will have the Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust, our own particular memories. he is the President of the Lonan and As always there will be highs and Laxey Branch of the Royal British lows to look back on, but in the main Legion and the President of the Ellan we will be happy that we have Vannin Pipes and Drums. He has an survived to be able to sit once again interest in reading, music and travel. and enjoy our Christmas lunch with, The Diabetic would like to thank hopefully, our family and friends; to be Mr. Rodan for giving of his valuable able to reminisce and to look forward time to talk to The Diabetic and to 2005. through us to our readers.

On a less personal basis we can say Let us all look realistically at the that 2004 has, by anybody’s standard, world’s problems and perhaps been a pretty grotty year for our world. recognize that many of them stem from We have continued to hear of the man’s greed and our inability to terrible violence in the Middle East; communicate. the genocide in The Sudan. We have never been very good at The appalling atrocities in Iraq and working out who exactly our we know that these are going to neighbour is, maybe we should listen a continue into 2005 because there little more closely to Jesus’ teaching to seems no solution to any of these discover who this neighbour, whom we problems. are supposed to love, is. When the natural disasters like the I’m told that it is too late, the earthquakes we hear about in Japan violence Genie has been let out of the and the unprecedented hurricanes that box and there is nobody who can force have battered the Caribbean, this him back in! backend are added, we could be We can, but only with the help of forgiven in thinking that everything is the ‘Reason for the Season’, the baby hopeless; that, if God is there at all, he that IS Jesus Christ.” doesn’t care very much about us. Our thanks go to the Rev Guilford Perhaps we should just see for bringing us down to earth and Christmas as a chance to party; to over offering us his thoughts for Christmas. eat and to over drink, in the hope that we can forget the worlds troubles even Signs that may lead to if it is only for a few days. And yet I can’t help thinking that it Misunderstandings is the Christmas message, the real Christmas message that the world We have once again been blessed by needs this year more than ever before. the thoughts of Petunia for her signs By taking on the form of our that as she puts it may lead to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, confusion, and whom we thank most God assures us His love and concern profusely for each and every one of us. He also tells us that even though we AS SEEN ON THE ISLAND may have given up hope for the world, . He certainly has not. I am reminded of a comment made by Billy Graham’s daughter in an interview when she said, in answer to a question about the state of our world, “The world is falling … (long pause)…into place”. A reminder to all of us that God’s will is going to be done no matter how much we fight Him, or refuse to follow Him, or just simply ignore Him. So I urge you all this Christmas time Without comment!!! to take hope from the arrival of the baby boy the season exists to celebrate. IN A RESTROOM: -

“Toilet out of order. Please use floor NOTICE SEEN IN GIBRALTAR below”. BAR: - IN A LAUNDROMAT: - “Bar established in 1750”. written in “Automatic washing machines: chalk underneath it, “10 to 6 to you”. Please remove all your Clothes when NOTICE IN A UK PUB ON 15TH the light goes out” OCTOBER 2004. IN AN OFFICE: - “Book your Christmas and New Year “Would the person who took the Dinner now. Two pounds off if you eat step ladder yesterday please bring it before 15th December” back or further steps will be taken” SUPERMARKET RECEIPT ON IN ANOTHER OFFICE: - THE ISLAND: - “After tea break, staff should empty “This coupon entitles you to 5p off the teapot and stand upside down on every full litre of petrol or diesel the draining board” (excluding the Isle of Man),” OUTSIDE A SECOND HAND ON A BOTTLE OF WATER: - SHOP: - “For over 60 million years basalt “We exchange anything--bicycles, lava has filtered this water,” ---- “Sell washing machines, etc. Why not bring by date 28.07.05” your wife along and get a wonderful ON A REPAIR SHOP DOOR: - bargain” “We repair anything. Please knock NOTICE IN HEALTH FOOD hard on the door the bell doesn’t work” SHOP WINDOW: - If anyone has any more notices that “Closed due to illness” could do with printing please let us SPOTTED IN A SAFARI PARK: - know. “Elephants please stay in your car” SEEN DURING A CONFERENCE:- “For anyone who has children and Elderly care in the doesn’t know it, there is a day care on Community the first floor” NOTICE IN A FARMERS FIELD: - The DHSS through its Social “The farmer allows walkers to cross Services are conducting a five year the field for free, but the bull charges” survey on care in the community for CIVIL DEFENCE WARDEN’S the elderly on the Isle of Man. CARD FOR LADIES: - The aims of this exercise in the first “The man who hands you this card year, is to collate information and is an air-raid warden, lie down and do advice regarding the Elderly and their exactly as he says. carers. Then over the next four years NOTICE AT A RUBBISH DUMP: - they would evaluate and see what, if “Rubbish accepted only when site is any, of all the suggestions taken on open” board could be implemented. NOTICE OUTSIDE A HOUSE: - At a Committee meeting of the “Beware this building is alarmed”. Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre MESSAGE ON A LEAFLET: - held on 7th October last, two members “If you cannot read, this leaflet will of the Social Services Mrs. Karen tell you how to get lessons” Winter and Mrs. Janette Hatersley SEEN IN THE ISLE OF MAN: - were present. “Happy hour 6 till 9” Mrs Linda Radcliffe the Patient Services Development Manager of the

Health Services Division had asked for prospective pensioners worked in a meeting to discuss ideas on elderly helping to care in the Community for a care. couple of hours per week. A system The Friends of the Manx Diabetes everybody willingly embraced. In this Centre welcomed the opportunity to way everything is covered, and discuss this very important, everyone does something for others in controversial and delicate subject, in a caring community, breaking their the hope that some improvement may retirement monotony. This system take place to alleviate the burden of could be, not adopted but adapted to these wonderful carers in our meet our care community community. requirements. As you can imagine an intense and 6) The Group wanted to see care prolonged discussion took place during payments paid at the point of which the Committee put forward 24 diagnosis, as being proposed in a white points for the representatives of the paper in the UK, and not six months Social Services to consider, after diagnosis. The Friends of the Manx Diabetes The Group knew of someone who Centre being at the forefront of had had an amputation, and had been diabetes care on the Isle of Man, now told by the DHSS they had to wait six bring you the following salient points months before payment was effected, as discussed with them in an effort to as they had to wait these six months to help the elderly and their carers. ascertain if the condition was 1) The involvement of all carers at permanent. all stages, and to create a carer Group 7) To ensure that all allowances are with representatives from actual carers, commensurate with present day this to facilitate constructive changes. realistic requirements and not as the 2) A 24 hours consultancy service, DHSS maintains a maximum living not medical, for emergency and advice wage of £177 per week, which they for all carers. reduce to this figure if all entitled 3) A comprehensive carer register allowances amount to more then £177, and a need for situations to be accessed when the present day living wage regularly and not at the instigation of agreed by Government is some £300 the carer. per week. 4) At least one bed to be made At £5.10 per hour, were the DHSS permanently available as a “respite” to employ carers to cover the 24 hour bed in hospitals to be used on a day in relays, which the family carer at booking facility basis, to enable carers present cover by themselves, this to have time off and even take holidays would cost the DHSS £856.80 per if they so wished away from their care week. environment. By using the family carer to look 5) Now that Nobles was out of town, after their own family member, and it was necessary for better transport giving the elderly person the “living facilities to take the elderly from their wage” of £177 for their 24 hour homes to hospital for appointments, service, the DHSS is saving which was not working efficiently at themselves £35,349.50 per annum per present. cared person. As they felt that the problem was Carers should therefore be looked lack of drivers, it was suggested that in after better and properly remunerated Gibraltar prior to getting a pension, compensated for their work.

8) To ensure the present system of At the end of the meeting the divesting the person being cared for of Chairman read a letter he had received all their assets is done away with.. But from a carer which was extremely to introduce a system whereby: - emotive and heartrending. a) The person taken into care retains Karen and Janette, promised to look their assets, all investment, including into the plight of this carer, which to their residence. their credit they have done so, and the If they live by themselves then their carer in question has been helped by residence is rented, and with the the Social Services whom the Friends proceeds of all the combined income of the Manx Diabetes Centre thank of the elderly person, being taken into most profusely. care, used to pay for their care. The Committee emphasized that as b) The DHSS making up any this was a five year exercise, doing monetary difference. nothing for five years whilst c) In this way, if at a future date consideration took place to alleviate they can be returned to the community the carers present problems, was not a they have a place to go to and means to creditable option. subsist. The Committee hoped that some of d) By embracing the above, the the above may be taken on board as DHSS is not fully burdened with soon as possible so that the lot of the having to look after them, and paying family carer can be somewhat for them, for life. lightened, and their lives made more e) Under this system the DHSS will comfortable. Now, not tomorrow, and save money all along the line. certainly not in five years time, BUT 9) The DHSS is at present saving NOW, as otherwise, the carers themselves monies by using, and themselves will be needing care by the perpetuating the present care system, at time the five years are up. the expense of the carer, consequently Why, because they are the most these carers in the community should valuable assets the Isle of Man has, be properly remunerated. and it is incumbent on the DHSS to They should not have to live on the repay their onerous and invaluable allowances given to their elderly input into our community. charges. The Committee of the Friends of the If the DHSS does not want to do Manx Diabetes Centre was most this, then they should provide nursing grateful for the opportunity given them carers, at least during the day so that to put their points forward for the family carers can go out and do a discussion. normal days work, As already been mentioned, there This to increase their means of were 24 points discussed and the lively subsistence, as the person in care and discussion took two hours to get the carer are two individual people, through them. and the DHSS should not treat them collectively as one person. The World Health Diabetes Nursing Service Telephone Advice Line . Federation Telephone 650860 9:00 – 9:30 & 1:30 - 2:30 Mon – Fri Health campaigners have warned to speak to a Nurse. that fat children are three to five times Please leave a message at all other times. more likely to suffer a heart attack or This is not an emergency number, if your call is urgent please contact your GP stroke before they reach 65.

According to the World Health It is the duty of all of us as parents, Federation, poor diet and lack of to ensure that our children don’t fall exercise means that the leading causes into the obesity trap. of heart disease and strokes are being seen at an earlier age. The Draw for the Quilt This is a world wide epidemic that is afflicting us all. that was hand made by the Now more than 100 countries are Mannin Quilters. making efforts to raise awareness of their hearts well being. as the number The Draw for the quilt that was hand of obsess children have tripled in the made by the Mannin Quilters and last 20 years. raffled with the proceeds going to the It is estimated that 10 per cent of 6 Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre year olds are obese, rising to 17 per and Macmillan Cancer Relief, took cent of 15 year olds. place on Saturday 11th September last It now transpires that one in three at the Fabric Centre in Crown Street girls aged 10 is overweight. Peel at 2 in the afternoon. The World Heart Federation claims The raffle had been organized by the that obesity, along with poor diets, quilter who had made all the smoking and a lack of physical arrangements for the sale of the tickets, exercise were seriously damaging the and the draw for the seven prizes on future health of our children. offer. An exhausting and onerous Their aim is to protect children from endeavour. an environment that leads to heart The venue for the draw was kindly disease by teaching life long healthy agreed to by Leslie who owns the eating habits and limiting exposure to Fabric Centre, and the draw was unhealthy foods, to exercise regularly attended by many members of the and to resist the pressure to start Mannin Quilters and friends. smoking. These measures should allow After Mr. Matthew Ramagge had children to grow into fit, healthy been invited to give lots of welly to adults. mixing the ticket counterfoils inside a The upshot of all this is that stores sealed wooden drum, the lid was are now having to stock bigger school unsealed and Mrs. Sue Bunyon the uniforms as children pile on the Treasurer of the Mannin Quilters pounds with chest sizes according to proceed with the draw. John Lewis, for girls ranging from 22 to 28 inches in 1954, this is now averaging 34 inches today. A similar story with boys, the largest jumper was 36, today it is 46. Shirt collars that were 14 inches in 1954 are now 17 inches. In shoes we see the same trend some boys need adult size 10 in a width fitting of G or H when before it was an average of D-E in the 1950’s.

So remember that the obesity problem has not gone away it is still Mrs Sue Bunyan with us on the Island. Drawing the first prize

The First ticket to be drawn was for the King Size Quilt and this was won by Mr. Paul Alexander Selby of Douglas, Mr. Selby was instantly rung up with the good news by Mrs. Brenda Williams unfortunately he was not at home, but his wife was ecstatic. The Second prize of a cot quilt went to M. F. Broderick of Douglas. The third prize again a cot quilt went

to Joyce Crooks also of Douglas. The fourth prize, the Peel Castle Presentation by the Chairperson of the picture was won by Mr. John Kerr. Mannin Quilters Mrs Sheila Huxley The lucky recipient of the pair of quilted cushions was A Cole, whilst The Friends of the Manx Diabetes the last two prizes of a single cushion Centre are most grateful to the Mannin cover went to P Bennett and Mr Quilters for their kind donation. Michael Glover. The Chairman assured all the ladies The Ladies of the Mannin Quilters present, that in accordance with the put in a tremendous effort into the Groups constitution the monies selling of tickets to make the Draw donated will not be sent off Island, but possible. used exclusively on the Isle of Man for the benefit of the Manx Diabetic Presentation to the Friends patient and to facilitate the work of their carers on the Isle of Man. of the Manx Diabetes It turned out to be a most enjoyable Centre by the Mannin evening. Quilters There was a mini quilt exhibition and a talk on a visit to the Huston Quilt The Mannin Quilters are proud to Show in the United State, what was report that they sold 2,574 tickets at seen, and what was bought at the 50p each giving a total of £1,287 biggest quilt exhibition in the world. received. The Committee of the Mannin On Tuesday 23rd November the Quilters would like to thank all those Mannin Quilters made a presentation of you who sold tickets on their behalf to the Friends of the Manx Diabetes that made the draw for the Quilt such a Centre of a cheque in the sum of resounding success. £643.50. Mr Peter Long of Macmillan Cancer Obesity who do we listen Relief also received a cheque for a similar amount. to. The presentation took place at the Ballabeg Methodist Hall at 7.30 in the I must thank Sue for her wonderful evening. presentation which she has kindly allowed us to print and for which we We shall need helpers for functions are most grateful.. in 2005 She says that she can resist anything Please contact your Secretary on Tel (01624) 613702 on by e-mail - but temptation. [email protected]

This is the way she sees it, and how God then said “I have sent you she perceives it all started. She says heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil that: - in which to cook them” “In the beginning, God covered the And Satan brought forth deep-fried earth with broccoli, cauliflower and coconut shrimp, butter-dipped lobster spinach, with green and yellow and red chunks, and chicken-fried steak so big vegetables of all kinds so men and it needed its own platter. women would live long and healthy And Man’s cholesterol went through lives. the roof. Then using God’s bountiful gifts, Then God brought forth the potato, Satan created chocolate bars and cream naturally low in fat and brimming with cakes. And Satan said: “ you want hot potassium and good nutrition. fudge with that?” But Satan peeled of the beautiful skin, sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats adding copious quantities of salt. And Man packed on more pounds. God then brought forth running shoes so that his children might loose those extra pounds. And Satan introduced television with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretchy lycra jogging suits. Mrs Sue Christie God then gave them lean beef so that Man might consume fewer The Man said “yes please” and the calories and still satisfy his appetite. Woman said “I’ll have one too….with But then the tasty burgers were sprinkles” created in double and triple form And lo they gained 10 pounds. adding cheese to them and the question And God created the healthful was “You want fries with them?” yoghurt that woman might keep the And Man said “Yes please and figure that Man found so fair. supper size ‘em” and it was good. And Satan brought forth white flour And consequently Man and Woman from the wheat, and sugar from the then went into cardiac arrest. cane, and combined them. God sighed, and created quadruple And Woman went from size 2 to by-pass surgery. size 14. Satan chuckled and created the So God said, “Try my fresh green NHS. garden salad” God in despair then picked up the And Satan presented crumble Bleu pieces, and wondered why he had Cheese dressing and garlic toast on the given Man and Women the gift of free side. will coupled with freedom of choice”. And Man and Woman unfastened Sue hopes that in some way she may their belts following the repast. have influenced your future choices of food, so that you can live free from overweight or obesity and the

problems that they engender, and enjoy 2 garlic cloves finely chopped a long and happy life in health and Pinch of dried red chilli flakes prosperity. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper You have the free will and freedom 1 tablespoon tinned (or bottled) capers of choice. (drained and rinsed) Choose wisely. Grated zest and juice of a lemon 1 tablespoon chopped parsley And now a little ditty from “Private Eye” published in their Modern Method: - Nursery Rhymes corner on their issue Blend all the ingredients in a blender No 1101. until smooth or if preferred left slightly chunky. Jack Sprat eats lots of fat Dorothy has taken this recipe from His wife eats lots of sweeties “Healthy eating for Diabetics” by He has had a coronary Anthony Worrell Thompson and And she has diabetes. Azmina Govindji. It costs £12.99. and its ISBN Number is 1856265056 Many thanks to Terry for this piece of £12.99 enlightenment. Her recipe no 2 is : - Thai Prawn and Melon Salad The Dorothy Metaxas Serves 4 Recipes Ingredients: 2 garlic cloves crushed Following on the above Mrs. 1 tablespoon runny honey Dorothy Metaxas gives us three recipes 2 teaspoons thai fish stock (nam pla) for healthy eating over Christmas. juice of 2 limes These recipes are for diabetics and 1 tablespoon grated lime zest all the family. 2 red chillies finely diced 175g/6ozs cooked and shelled shrimps or prawns 50g/2ozs unsalted roast peanuts (optional) 1 Galia or Ogen melon peeled and chopped into 2.5cm/1 inch dice 4 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves 1 tablespoon chopped mint

Method: -

In a large bowl combine the garlic, Mrs Dorothy Metaxas honey, fish stock, lime juice, lime zest and chillies, fold in the shrimps/prawns Black Olive Dip and peanuts if using. Add the melon Serve with raw vegetables or spread on and stir to combine. Garnish with the wholegrain bread or toast. chopped coriander and mint. Chill. Ingredients: - 225g/8ozs pitted black olives Taken from “Healthy eating for 2 tablespoons olive oil Diabetics”.

We think we shall try this one at The recipes for you to try over the Diabetic, anything with prawns and Christmas Holidays. melon, that’s us. You can’t complain even Her third recipe is a mouth watering chocoholics are catered for. one for all those Chocoholics out Our thanks once again go to there:- Dorothy for taking time of her busy schedule, to provide us all once again Hot Chocolate and Chestnut Soufflés with healthy and mouth watering Serves 4 eating. This is a Christmas treat recipe particularly if served with ice cream. Harry the Computer Guy

Ingredients: - As all is not doom and gloom we 55g/2ozs dark Swiss chocolate (70% shall bring you for the Christmas cocoa) period, the thoughts of Harry the 115g/4ozs unsweetened chestnut puree computer guy when he visited a friend 1 tablespoon castor sugar of mine. 1 egg yolk This someone who shall remain 2 egg whites stiffly beaten anonymous had trouble with his 1 tablespoon butter or margarine to computer, and he asked Harry the grease 4 ramekins computer guy to come over and sort it out. Method:-: Harry in his usual flamboyant way Pre heat oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas mark and like a concert pianist, clicked a 6. Break the chocolate into chunks, put couple of buttons and instantly solved into a small pan with 15ml/1 the problem tablespoon water and heat very gently Harry gave my friend a bill for a until the chocolate has completely minimum service call. As he was melted. Add the chestnut puree and walking away, my friend called after castor sugar and cook stirring until the him, “so what was wrong?” sugar has dissolved. Remove from the Harry replied “It was an ‘ID ten T’ heat and stir in the egg yolk mixing error” thoroughly. Fold in the stiffly beaten My friend didn’t want to appear egg whites using a large metal spoon. stupid, but being curious nonetheless Transfer the mixture to the four lightly inquired, “An ‘ID ten T’ error? What’s greased ramekins. that, in case I need to fix it again?” Stand the ramekins in a roasting tine Harry grinned and said, “Really, with enough water to come half way haven’t you ever heard of an ‘ID ten T’ up their sides. Bake in the centre of the error before?” oven for 15-20 minutes until risen and “No” my friend replied set. Serve in the pots. “You had better write it down then, Dorothy has taken this recipe from for future reference”. “The 30 minutes Diabetic Cookbook” So my friend wrote by Azmina Govindji., The book cost down……………..I D 1 O T error. £8.99. and its ISBN number is I believe my friend has gone off 0007149719. Harry for the time being, and I don’t blame him. So there you are, Dorothy has given you three and completely different Please visit our world wide website www.diabetes.org.im

Bike Egypt and or Hike realizing it. You don’t have to think it out, it just does it. Peru. The amount of sugar in the body of a normal person is very carefully The Douglas Bader Foundation in controlled by their own body and you conjunction with the Limbless have to do nothing. Association of the are We obtain sugar from the food we organizing two special fund raising eat, either from sweet things, or after holidays. the digestion of starch foods, The first under the heading BIKE th th carbohydrates, like bread, potatoes, EGYPT is from 7 to 14 March 2005 pasta, rice etc. this holidays will be a cycling holiday Under certain circumstances of 400 kilometres along the banks of however, sugar can be made in the the Nile. body by breaking down body stores. Experience the fantastic wonders of This will occur when the food Egypt and take part in an adventure of supply is reduced or when more sugar a lifetime. th th is needed, such as following injury or Then from 10 to 19 September it during illness. is HIKE PERU. The conversion of the sugar into This is a trek along the Inca trail to energy requires the presence of the see Machu Picchu, and experience the hormone insulin, which is produced by breathtaking Andes. the pancreas. Something that you cannot miss and Insulin is released when the blood it is for a good cause, so go for sugar rises after meals and its level whichever challenge you fancy or even falls when the blood sugar decreases, go for broke and go for both. for example during exercise. These are major fund raising Therefore it can be seen that insulin initiatives for both these charities. plays a vital role in maintaining the For information packs for either correct level of blood sugar, event or both call EMMA on 01303 particularly preventing the blood sugar 862 996. from rising too high. Get fit, enjoy yourself, and feel When there is a shortage of insulin great. or if the available insulin does not function correctly, then the patient is The Budding Journalist suffering from diabetes. The consequences of diabetes are as Hi, another quarter and it’s me follows: - again. So how have you been keeping 1) Because the blood sugar is not over the last few months? well I hope, converted to energy, the amount of and living in health and happiness. sugar in the blood builds up and spills This quarter we are going to into the urine. progress the diabetes theme a bit 2) In an attempt to compensate for further, so here goes. the lack of energy, the liver makes “We now come to the question, how more sugar than normal. does diabetes develop? 3) Since there is an inadequate Your body is a marvellous machine amount of insulin to convert the sugar and can do all sorts of wondrous things to energy, another energy source has to automatically, and without you even be found. The body stores of fat and protein are therefore broken down to

release more sugar into the that there is not enough money in the bloodstream and there is a consequent account? loss of weight. 2) Why do we press harder on a 4) In the complete absence of remote control, when we know the insulin, the breakdown of fats may be batteries are flat? excessive and substances called 3) Why does someone believe you “keytones” will be found in the blood when you say that there are four billion and will spill into the urine. stars, but check when you say the paint The presence of keytones in these is wet? individuals may be demonstrated by 4) Why doesn’t glue stick to the means of urine tests. inside of the bottle or the tube? Some keytones are acids and if very 5) Why doesn’t Tarzan have a large amounts are present as for beard? example in server insulin deficiency, 6) Why does Superman stop bullets they cause the very serious condition with his chest, but when they throw the of diabetic keto-acidocis, or what is revolver at him he ducks? known as diabetic coma. 7) Why do Kamikaze pilots wear As I have pointed out in a previous helmets? Newsletter, prior to the discovery of 8) Why does no one ever tell you insulin, this was always fatal”. about the speed of darkness? Next quarter we shall deal with 9) How can they calculate that types of diabetes and their problems. tomorrow will be twice as cold as I must reiterate once again diabetes today when today is zero degrees? seems daunting, but if you look after 10) If it is true that we are all here to yourself you can live a long and help others, what are the others doing normal life, so please keep your here? appointments at the Manx Diabetes 11) If someone with a split Centre, make an effort and keep your personality threatens to commit blood sugars under control. suicide, is it a hostage situation? If you need any glucometers for 12) Why do they sterilise needles for your blood testing the Manx Diabetes death by lethal injection? Centre would be very glad to supply Your Christmas cracker points to you with one. ponder over the festive season. Always remember that the best people are diabetic. This is John Collins saying look Chairman’s Christmas after yourselves have a Happy Message Christmas and a prosperous New Year. See you next time. T.T.F.N. Once again it is that time of the year when we reflect on the choices we have made during the past twelve That “Why” again months and enjoy the company of our families and friends. Once again we are indebted to We, the Friends of the Manx Lynne who wants to know about that Diabetes Centre must contemplate as “Why” again. In particular: - to whether we have succeeded in 1) Why do banks charge a fee on achieving the aims that we had set out “insufficient funds” when they know to do when we started the present calendar year.

Sometimes we all start with the best We approached others, and we of intentions and through one thing or understand that this Doctor has now another it is impossible to achieve our been sponsored and we would like to objectives through no fault of our own wish him well in his endeavours. However I am happy to report that We are glad that our approach was during the course of the year, a year responsible in helping this Doctor to that has proved most fruitful, not only achieving his ends. in an increase in membership, but in 2004 saw musical chairs at the taking our first monumental step in department of the DHSS. complying with our mandate, for we I would like to take this opportunity gave the Manx Diabetes Centre our to thank the out going Minister Mrs first piece of major equipment. for all her help during My Committee is happy to report very turbulent years and for the that the Group bought an HbAIC wonderful Manx Diabetes Centre that machine for the Manx Diabetes Centre we now have, which is the envy of that has been the highlight of our year. diabetes centres across the water. The Machine cost £3,000. and as I know I was obnoxious in fighting already mentioned in our leading for the Centre, but I also know that article was presented on 16th Mrs Christian understood my motives November last. and I thank her most profusely for her This is the first item of equipment of patience and understanding. many that we hope to be able, with The Friends of the Manx Diabetic your help, to present the Manx Centre wish Mrs Christian health and Diabetes Centre with. happiness in her departure from the Also during the course of the year DHSS. the Group continued to help diabetics We wish well to the new Minister on the Island, and attended major Mr Steve Rodan and hope and trust events and many car boot sales with that during his tenure of office, that his tremendous success. department will continue to progress I would like to thank all the ladies the health of the Manx Diabetic. and gentlemen that came to help in our During the course of the year we fund raising activities and contributed were in constant communications with to the success of our objectives. the department of the DHSS, in a As usual the public rose to the series of matters to further the well occasion, and knowing that all funds being of the Manx diabetic, and our collected would be used on the Island medical carers, our primary concern. for the benefit of the Manx Diabetic We would like to thank the Minister and their medical carers gave Mr Rodan who gave the necessary generously. instructions for the Diamond Register, During the course of the year a local to be properly installed at the Manx Doctor came to us for help, wanting to Diabetes Centre. be sponsored for diabetic research. This software which the DHSS had paid £12,000 to acquire, had been Ideas for Fund raising for 2005 would be bought and received at Nobles in 2001, very much appreciated. but the Diabetes Centre could not use it If you can contribute with ideas please as it could not as yet been made to talk ring Jan on (01624) 613702 to the path lab.

I am glad to report following our This is at present an on going approach that work was started on its argument and we know the Minister is installation on 8th November 2004. looking at this most sympathetically. On 20th August last we lost the We hope to bring you more services of Dr Alison Blackman at the information in the near future. Diabetes Centre as she had to return to The Group ventured into its first her practice full time due to her public forum in an endeavour to help surgery partner being long term sick. our clinicians and the department of The Chairman and his wife gave a Health, with whom we had been dinner on the night of her departure in closely working on the obesity front. recognition of her services to the Manx We arranged a forum to discuss Diabetic, at which a presentation was Obesity. This was the first forum of its made and which was attended by kind to be held in the Isle of Man, and members of the Diabetes Centre. took place at the Manx Museum on Doctor Geoff Gill sent a personal 20th May last. and very amusing taped message that The meeting was very well attended was very much appreciated by Alison, and we had hoped that more MHK’s and everyone present and MLC’s and Doctors would have We have also pressured the Minister availed themselves of the opportunity for a replacement to Doctor Alison to have been present. Blackman, and we were initially told It was a tremendous success and an that she was at present not being hours edited version was broadcast on replaced and that in the short term, the Sunday Opinion on 4th July over commitment would have to be met Manx Radio. from existing staff. The Group would like to thank As these existing staff were not Manx Radio for their help and of doctors and as the waiting lists had course Mr Roger Watterson, who took started to back up we put a question in the chair and without whom, the the House thanks to our Trustee Mr venture could not have been possible. John Houghton MHK. He was I thank all those that in any way promised by the Minister in his reply supported the Friends of the Manx in the House, that the DHSS were Diabetes Centre during the course of looking at the possibility of appointing the year. an additional full time specialist, but For it was your generosity that that in the meantime they would try to achieved our first piece of equipment appoint a Locum Doctor to cover. for our medical carers at the Manx A change in policy which the Diabetes Centre. Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre The Group has come a long way welcomes and thanks the Minister. since if was first mooted by the Centre We will be keeping a watch-in-brief and my thanks go to all members of so that we can get an eventual your Committee who have worked so successful outcome in the shortest unselfishly and with such diligence possible time. during the course of the year. The Group is also pursuing the This year also saw our first possibility of getting the wonderful milestone the first Annual General staff of the Prosthetic and Orthotic meeting and I would once again like to clinics to have a presence on the Island thank Mr. Eddie Shallcross and Dr on a two day weekly basis. Alison Blackman for their exhilarating

and informative addresses on that The Friends of the Manx Diabetes evening. Centre look forward with confidence to During the course of the year two of the coming year, and wish you all our committee meetings have been health and happiness during Christmas, attended by representatives of the and may the New Year fulfil all your DHSS that wanted the committee’s desires and bring you prosperity. opinion on matters concerning the well Enjoy the festivities and may you being of the Manx people. live long and prosper. We are very happy to entertain these May your God be with you always, kind of contacts and encounters with and even thou you may from time to Groups and people that, like us, have time forget him, pray, so that he never the well being of the Manx patients forgets you. and their carers at heart. Our committee is always open to Chairman any Group who may want to come, Friends of the Manx Diabetes Centre. talk and enlist our help so that we can act together. . Please get in touch with our Your thought and resolution for the Secretary Mrs Jan Ramagge on New Year. (01624) 613702 or e-mail her at [email protected] “ If you want long life, or to live On the 10th November I was asked to forever, never take a day off, make give an hour long address at Keyll sure you live consecutive days”. Darree at Nobles to the current clinical leaders at Noble’s Hospital, which proved most successful, and I would Collection Boxes take this opportunity to thank them for Are now available for business their kind invitation. premises. The Diabetic, the leading diabetic Anyone near your residence who newsletter on the Island continues to . you can convince to have one grow and be very well received in our would be very much appreciated. community. It’s circulation is now well Just ask and we shall deliver one over 200 printed every quarter and extra printings have to be done over the next three months to keep up with requests for extra copies. The Diabetic can now be found at waiting rooms at the hospital and all surgeries on the Isle of Man, not to mention in the waiting rooms of some of our leading business companies. Of course you can also get it on our world wide website, being read as far away as New Zealand. If any of your friends want a copy of The Diabetic please ask them to give us a ring on (01624) 613702 or just visit our website at www.diabetes.org.im Hope it’s a white Christmas