Spring 2019 Newsletter

From the President

A successful AGM

I will be really glad to feel the warmth of the sun again, after another chilly winter, my least favorite season of the year. We had 30 Members attend this year’s AGM on a very wintery Sunday in August. I am pleased to tell you that your existing Committee will continue to support you for the 2019-2020 year. The Committee would also like to thank the attending Members for their positive contributions to the Meeting. I thank the Committee for their continued support and look forward to some more successful advances in the support of polio survivors in South Australia. The Committee consists of Trevor Jessop, Secretary; Peter Wierenga, Treasurer; Ron Blackwell, Jo Gordon, Charles and Julia Greeneklee and Maureen Kowalick. The great work being done by Helen by reaching out to existing Members and new members has increased our Membership and the information being disseminated to Members. This work has taken a lot of duties from the President and Secretary and is much appreciated. 

Sarcopenia with Polio Survivors

After the Business of Polio SA was completed once again, Dr Nigel Quadros and Dr Sivam reported on the progress of their Project on Sarcopenia with Polio Survivors in South Australia. Dr Nigel has presented his papers to Rehabilitation Conferences in Auckland and Kobe and will present in Krakow and in Adelaide in September and October. Dr Nigel also told us of the In-patient Clinics at the Griffith Hospital available to Polio Survivors and several of our Members have already had the benefit of attendance at these sessions. Dr Nigel also has some plans to increase availability of Post-Polio Services to a wider section of survivors as well as reaching out to CALD people.

Poetry and Irish wit

We were then entertained by some very quirky poetry with a bit of Irish wit giving a slant to Aussie yarns which was great to hear. Thank you very much to Jill Wherry, a pleasant interlude. Polio Survivor from Sudan, author Esther Simbi,  gave us a short precis of her life which is detailed in her book, “Beyond Calamity”. I am assured it is a very interesting read which I will catch up on it soon.

The afternoon concluded with a pleasant cuppa and chinwag with those present The ninth and last Polio Australia Health and Wellness Retreat will be held at the venue of the very first Retreat, St Joseph’s at Baulkam Hills suburb of Sydney. The Retreat will run from 17th-20th October 2019 and positions are filling fast so please think about attending and contact Polio Australia

https://www.polioaustralia.org.au/retreat-2019/

Brett Howard President Polio SA bihoward@bigpond.com.au    0403 339 814

Brett Howard, President Polio SA
bihoward@bigpond.com | 0403 339 814

Dr Quadros Presentation at AGM

Dr Nigel Quadros Bsc Hons, BMBS (Flinds), PhD (Flinds), FAFRM (RACP) Senior Consultant Rehabilitation Medicine Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Dr Quadros & Dr Sivam attended our recent AGM ,Dr Quadros delivered a presentation on Activities in regard to Post Polio at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Polio Survivor Elizabeth Edmondson Paralympic swimmer's 1964 Tokyo Games record still stands 55 years on

Elizabeth came to the 2013 SA Retreat.  She also attended 2013 lobbying trip to Canberra

see these old posts from the Still Here website:

https://www.stillhere.org.au/elizabeth-edmondson/

https://www.stillhere.org.au/fight-on-polio-plight/ 

Polio Health & Wellness Retreat 17th-20th October 2019 - Baulkham Hills NSW

Polio Australia’s ninth and final Polio Health and Wellness Retreat. The retreat focused on ‘Body, Mind & Spirit”, encompassing a range of self-management strategies for polio survivors and their carers.

Date: Thursday 17th October – Sunday 20th October 2019

Location: St Joseph’s Centre for Reflective Living, 64 MacKillop Drive, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153

Cost: $400 per person or $350 per person twin share/double rate click on link to register and for more details.

https://www.polioaustralia.org.au/retreat-2019/

St Joseph’s Centre for Reflective Living is a lovely, peaceful environment, and very conducive to sharing and learning new information. The venue is approximately 30 minutes north-west of Sydney CBD and approximately one hour from Sydney Airport.

St Joseph’s is a wheelchair accessible venue with elevators to the upstairs accommodation. All rooms booked for this Retreat have walk-in showers. If requested, Polio Australia will hire shower stools, and over the toilet risers to help make the bathrooms more accessible and ensure your safety. This equipment will need to be booked in advance

Additional Information:
- Single, double, and twin room configuration is available.
- There is a shared ‘bath room’ on each of the two accommodation floors for those who prefer a bath.
- All rooms have air-conditioning, internet and telephone services.
- There are several guest lounges with kitchenettes, as well as TV/DVD lounges on each level for guest use. There are no TV’s, fridges or tea/coffee facilities in the rooms.
- There is a computer room on level one with two computers for guest use.

AGM Update

We would like to let you know of an update to AGM. Polio SA Member Esther Simbi will be attending Esther this year has written a book called Beyond Calamity and will be bringing some copies along to the AGM.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Esther’s book the cost is $30 there will be no EFTPOS available so if you did want to purchase a copy could you please bring cash on the day it would be very much appreciated.
Esther’s book can also be purchased online http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/beyondcalamity/
 
My Journey from Disability and Disaster to Possibility and Empowerment
From writing sums in the dirt with her finger at a poor village school in South Sudan, Esther Simbi rises above disability to become a Social Worker and Disability and Human Rights advocate in Australia. 
 
Giving voice to the voiceless is her passion. She believes that disability is not inability, age is just a number, and ‘refugee’ is just a label. 

From polio at age four, through nineteen years in refugee camps in Uganda, Esther’s stories of life in South Sudan and as a refugee will move, shock and inspire you.
Publisher: Vivid Publishing
 
AGM Date: Sunday 18th August 2019
Time: 1pm
Venue: Polio SA Office 302 South Rd Hilton SA 5033.
The order of the business at the meeting shall be:
1. The consideration of the accounts.
2. Reports of the Committee.
3. The appointment of committee members.
4. Any other business requiring consideration of the Association in general meeting.
Guest Speaker – Dr Nigel Quadros
Entertainment – Jill Wherry – Irish Poet

Also if possible if you could bring along a small plate of food for afternoon tea.

Tea & Coffee will be provided
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you all there.
 

Clinical Practice Workshops for Health Professionals

Help your health professionals help you!

Polio Australia are hosting clinical workshops especially for health professional to learn more about the Late Effects of Polio and strategies to treat the symptoms. Suitable for:

• General Practitioners

• Physiotherapists

• Occupational therapists

• Orthotists

• Exercise physiologists

• Nurses

• Podiatrists

• Speech pathologists

• Social workers

• Case managers

...and anyone else interested in knowing more about the Post-Polio body.

Download the flyer and give it to your health professionals.

Health professionals can book here

AGM Reminder Sunday 18th August 2019

Our Annual General Meeting is fast approaching and you are warmly invited details are
Date: Sunday 18th August 2019
Venue: Polio SA 302 South Rd Hilton SA 5033
Time: 1pm
Guest speaker Dr Nigel Quadros his special interest is in assessment and management of people with late effects of polio and he has been conducting a medical post-polio clinic at Queen Elizabeth hospital since 2005
Light entertainment also provided by Jill Wherry – Poet originally from Northern Ireland Jill continues to travel around Adelaide and nearby towns entertaining social groups and providing light-hearted, humorous entertainment.

We ask if you are able to bring along a plate of food to share for afternoon tea, Tea & Coffee will be provided.
Also attached a nomination form if you would like to make a nomination for committee member please could you return the completed form either by post before 1st August 2019 or email to the office at poliosa.office@gmail.com or if you need further details you can call on 0466 893 402.

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/…/AGM_Details_and_Committee_N…

Polio Australia funding for our Clinical Practice Workshops program

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OEwMlbui-Ggp-tiFXrGds-9SBfyosl3Q/view?usp=sharing

Click on above link to see video from Paul Cavendish Clinical Health Educator for Polio Australia.

Brian Robinson Polio New Zealand President stressing importance of vaccination

Membership Fees Due 1st July 2019

Polio SA Membership annual fees are now due by 1st July cost is $20 which provides for quarterly newsletters, Hydrotherapy at 2 locations and 4 massage vouchers per financial year valued at $40 each, and regular updates and sharing of information.

Thankyou for your support