Posted by DMC on Jan 4, 2010 in
Diary We are in the coldest winter spell for over a decade, possibly longer. Having said that the sparkling frosty landscape is set off by absolutely beautiful blue skies, more reminiscent of Switzerland than grey dreariness are a typical English winter’s day.
In the second test match against South Africa, England had a great start with two wickets for 12 runs but let South Africa off the hook by allowing them to finish last evening on 276 for 6. This morning saw a dramatic half-hour or so with the last four South African wickets falling for 12 runs. England then went in, with its tail up, but this immediately changed when we lost a wicket with the second ball. After that followed the inevitable English collapse, we then regrouped and managed to end the day only 55 behind with three wickets in hand.
I wrote to the MND Association, following up on earlier letter, concerning the provision of a leaflet to be given to newly diagnosed MND patients. What I said was that rather than individual patients collecting information piecemeal, as indeed I have done, could not the Association take the lead and design and provide a template, for such a leaflet, to be distributed to (hospital assessment) teams to be completed by the hospital OT.
What I have in mind is that this leaflet will not only include simple cheap practical DIY suggestions but will also list all the organisations that cover that particular patient’s needs. The name address and contact details, for example, of social services, the district nurse and so on. It should also include details of what the patient is entitled to such, as Attendants Allowance or perhaps a Blue Badge. Also, what, for example, AbilityNet can, or may, provide and how to start this process. What the NHS will provide free and what they might provide that will be means tested. A list of useful websites …….and so on.
I know that all of this information is available from other sources but to bring it together in one bespoke document for each patient would be an enormous help and indeed could make an early substantial improvement in that patient’s quality of life.
Perhaps the Association could run a one day training courses for specialist OT’s who form part of MND Assessment team’s. Not only could they be briefed on the problems that MND patients are likely to face, and suggest some practical solutions, but could also deal with this question of putting together a specialist leaflet that each patient.
Tags: cricket, information, MND Association, winter
Posted by DMC on Jan 5, 2010 in
Diary The severe winter weather continues so the golf course is closed. In any event, I would not have been tempted to walk around the course in the freezing weather, instead I spent a little longer in bed listening to the first day of the second test match, against South Africa, which started with the almost daily predictable drama we have come to expect, the loss of two of the remaining English wickets in the first over. Fortunately Prior and Onions managed to drag the score on so that we were only left with a deficit of 18 when South Africa opened its second innings.
The great excitement today was Anthea coming to do my use nails, both feet and hands. Although I had a perfectly good arrangement at the Saffron Walden Community Hospital with a charming poderist for my feet, hands were not part of the deal thus my taking the matter up with the Deputy Speaker, Sir Alan Hazelhurst. (Our local MP). He is still battling away in the background for the Essex County Council to provide a fingernail service for Essex residents. I believe he is winning but in the meantime ‘my lovely’ decided that the whole business of driving to Saffron Walden etc. was just too much of a fag and has made arrangements for me to be topped and tailed at home, of course, at our expense. I suppose we are one of the lucky ones and can afford it but I will still battle away to get this service providing free for others who are not as fortunate as we are and can afford it.
Tags: cricket, golf, grooming, winter
Posted by DMC on Jan 6, 2010 in
Diary The Siberian weather continues, with overnight temperatures as low -16°C, with another snowfall overnight in some places in the UK as much as 35 centimetres but not so bad here at home.
The test match is also Siberian from the English point of view. South Africa declared at 447 for 7 leaving it almost impossible for England to win and most unlikely to survive for a draw.
With all the excitement of Christmas I do believe that I have forgotten to mention a milestone in my life. My dear wife insisted that I gave up driving in November. She accepted that I was safe on straight roads but very suspect when it came to bends, which is not a good recipe for safe driving. I gave up without a struggle as I realised that she was right. The problem was not so much grasping the steering wheel, as my fingers curled naturally with the MND, but it was the weakness in my arms, in particular the right one, which locked from time to time and would have made it difficult for me to swerve in an emergency. I would never have forgiven myself if, as a result, I was responsible for an accident. In the event Alice sold my lovely old Rover for such a small amount of money I’m ashamed to mention it, but at least it went to a friend.
Another great escape for England in the test match. In a nail-biting finish, our number 11, Onions, survived the last 17 balls, to achieve a draw, which means that England cannot now lose the series.
Tags: cricket, driving, winter
