Spring 2020 Vol 17 Issue 1 THE SURVIVOR Irish Polio News Eileen O’Mahony, Dan Ahern and Evelyn Wainwright at the presentation of €1,000 winnings from the Winter Survivor Sweepstakes Draw to Dan! Photo: Jim O’Donovan Contents Fun Crossword 3 From the Chair – Chairperson’s Address 4 Keeping Well – Tips from the HSE 5 Useful Services – contact details for support 6 Justice for Polio Survivors – Update 7 Important information – various updates 8 Member Info – Disability Toll Exemption 10 Area Meetings – events & Polio Register update 11 Bequests – leaving a legacy 13 Cocooning Poster – pull out poster 15 Past Times – A Physiotherapist Remembers 17 Services Article – Role of the GP 19 Polio History – Walt Disney Premiere Dublin 20 Social Support – Christmas parties 21 Fundraising News 24 New Poetry Corner 27 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) To facilitate your membership with us, Polio Survivors Ireland will process personal and, if applicable, especially if you use any of our services, possibly sensitive information relating to you both digitally and in manual format for the duration of your membership. You have the right to access this information at any time by calling 01 889 8920 or emailing info@ppsg. ie. This information will be destroyed if, or when, your membership of the organisation ceases. Spring 2020 2 Fun Crossword 1 From the Chair to help you do simple exercises while cocooning. Only attempt the exercises that are suitable for your 2 e originally started ability. If you find this leaflet useful, preparing this Survivor let us know and we will pass on your feedback. 3 4 Win February but had to suspend it over the Covid-19 crisis. Unfortunately, our annual 5 Since early March we are either conference has to be cancelled but 6 cocooned or in self imposed isolation we are compelled by legislation to to protect us from the virus. Home hold our AGM. The AGM will be 7 working is now the norm for many a very restricted event this year to 8 9 people - including ourselves. 10 11 comply with public health and will We must remember, at this time, be held in June. Our objective is to 12 13 14 that our priority is to implement give as many members as possible an 15 and comply with the Government’s opportunity to participate. We will restrictions on movement and the be sending you more information 16 HSE’s public health protocols on in the coming weeks on the AGM. 17 hygiene. Towards the end of March, I would ask members, at the AGM, the CEO and the office produced to put themselves forward for the Guide to Covid-19 specifically election to the Board. It is important Across 3. Food retailer owned by Musgrave’s geared towards polio survivors. to have strong representation from 6. Show presented by Sharon Ní Bheoláin This is an excellent publication that the membership on our Board. If 11. US President who had polio emphasises the supports that the you wish to go forward contact the 14. Which Dubliner had a hit record with the song Grace ANSWERS: office provides during this time of CEO and he will advise you of the Bottom of 15. The main ingredient of guacamole crises. A number of our services are necessary process to follow as soon 16. Creator of Mickey Mouse page 27 interrupted to comply with the health as possible. 17. County with the most lakes in Ireland restrictions (specifically all meetings There are many ongoing issues at Down 1. Famous for cheese and site of last year’s Polio conference – social support, areas, committees, the moment such as funding, but 2. Mean Cousin of fictional wizard Harry Potter etc.) but our staff continue to provide these have taken a secondary role to 4. Best picture winner in the 2020 Oscars services as best they can. Staff are our present health crisis and will be 5. Famous stone that bestows the gift of the gab working from home but calls to 01 covered in future editions. 7. Winner of Dancing with the Stars 2020 889 89 20 will be answered as usual. 8. A highly seasoned Hungarian soup or stew of meat and Please remain safe vegetables, flavoured with paprika Staying at home can pose a problem and keep in touch. 9. Surname of our Chief Medical Officer for polio survivors, who might risk 10. Surname of writer of Booker Prize winner The Testaments losing vital muscle tone. We are Go néirigh an tadh 12. Famed Dublin dish featuring boiled sausages and rashers enclosing a leaflet created by the HSE libh go léir. 13. Invented the Polio vaccine Cork Community Physiotherapists, Pat McGillion - Chairman 3 The SURVIVOR Spring 2020 4 PANTONE Hexachrome Cyan U Keeping Well - tips from the HSE Useful Services PANTONE 1375 U It is very easy to become anxious and lonely when you must isolate yourself ALONE – call 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the from others. This combined with worry about your health and the health of PANTONEwellbeing 259 U of an older person you know. family members can make this a challenging time. SeniorLine – this is a helpline for older callers, who can call free between 10am Here are some simple tips to help you through: and 10pm every day of the year on 1800 804 591. 3 try spending time with the 3 it is so important to stay Threshold – this charity provides a wide range of information and advice on windows open to let in the fresh connected with others. Pick up renting, housing and problems with landlords. If you need to talk directly to an air, arranging space to sit and the phone and call a friend. Try advisor call the national free phone helpline 1800 454 454 Monday to Friday 9am see a nice view (if possible) and and keep in touch with your to 9pm. get some natural sunlight normal social groups, using Polio Survivors Ireland – for general concerns or if you cannot access important 3 if you have a garden or alternative methods such as medical or social services, you can call us on 01 889 89 20. backyard, go out and get some video calls or social media. Go fresh air but please keep away online and find groups with Samaritans – call 116 123 if you’re worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak, or the mental health of someone else, you can contact the from other people including similar interests to you through Samaritans for free. Face to face services have been stopped for the moment, neighbours. Keeping a distance online forums and get chatting however they are still answering the phone, should you need someone to talk to. of at least 1 metre but where 3 stay informed. As this is an possible 2 metres (or 6.5 feet) from other people is ever-changing situation, it is recommended good to keep yourself up to date Protect yourself and others with the latest messages. 3 from getting sick spend time doing things you However make sure to get your enjoy – this might include information from reliable Wash your hands reading, cooking, other indoor sources only hobbies or listening to favourite • after coughing or sneezing radio programmes or 3 make sure to take the time • when caring for the sick watching TV to switch off. There is so much • before and after you prepare food information out there, that 3 take care of your general health • before eating it is easy to feel overwhelmed. by eating healthy well-balanced • after toilet use meals, drinking enough water, It is good to take a breather and • when hands are visibly dirty exercising regularly, and think about something else. • after touching cuts, blisters or avoiding smoking and excess Being creative is a great way to any open sores alcohol do this • you can use alcohol hand rub, if hands are not visibly dirty For more information on minding your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak go to HSE.ie. www.hse.ie/handhygiene 5 The SURVIVOR Spring 2020 6 We have since met again with Minister for People with Disabilities JUSTICE FOR McGrath to encourage him to pressurise National Advocacy Service POLIO SURVIVORS Rehab Group to reconsider the proposal The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides an CAMPAIGN for an independent investigator by independent, free and issue-based advocacy service for people with disabilities in withholding funding to them. The Ireland. They particularly work with people who have communication differences, Since our last update we have established Minister agreed to discuss this with the are isolated from their communities, have limited natural supports, live in through further research that Rehab HSE but in the meantime the Covid 19 inappropriate accommodation, live in residential services or attend day-services. Group have taken an estimated €12 - €14 pandemic has led to this, and everything All of their services are currently operating via phone on 0761 07 3000 from million that was raised and intended for else, being put on hold. 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and by email at [email protected]. Enquiry people with polio and spent it on other What may be significant is that on 13th information and forms are available on their website - www.advocacy.ie. things. I’m sure you will agree that this is February, Mo Flynn, the CEO of Rehab The NAS continues to be available to support those they are already working with scandalous. It is unjust and means that Group, resigned from her position and via phone and email, but also welcome new enquiries.