Present: Mary & Andrew Bergin, Teresa Bryant, Barbara Sadler, Peter Poll, Frank & Jane Devine, Yvonne Trapp, Keith & Lin Hooper, Roy & Jean Wright, Alan & Gill Rowe, Kevin Ridgeway, Deana Goulty, Peggy Rann, Bob & Marian Leach, Sylvia Subramanyam, Janet & Patrick Biss, Lance Harris, Lena & Judy Hendy

Apologies: Barbara & Barrie Houston, Sue Hyatt, Graham & June Ward, Peter Reynolds

Mary opened the meeting and introduced Gill and Steve Miles who are both Continence Nurse Specialists.
Gill introduced herself and then proceeded with a PowerPoint presentation, after which she said both herself and Steve would answer questions either group or people could approach either of them afterwards on an individual basis if preferred.

Copies of the slides are attached for your information.

After quite a few questions we broke for coffee and a chat, always a good chance ‘to network’.

Mary told the group about the TM wrist bands, which are available at a cost of £2 each.

The display boards had been set up, with a lot of information available.

A big thank you to Barbara for spending what must have been hours baking cakes which she has kindly donated for sale to raise funds for the TM group. Also thanks to Barbara and Jane for serving the teas and coffees, it is as always much appreciated.

Janet & Patrick Biss’s two sons and their son-in-law are among a group of young farmers planning a sky dive to raise money for the TM group and TM society. This was to be tomorrow but has been postponed due to problems with the plane. In view of this delay there is still time to sponsor them, if you wish to follow the link on the Poole Support Group Web Page www.myelitis.org.uk (go to Poole/Bournemouth Support Group). We wish them all good luck, and safe landings!

Gill Rowe attended a meeting to launch the Hampshire Neurological alliance on the 16th March. An information pack has been produced and will be sent to all GP’s and Neurologists. They will shortly undertake research to find true numbers of people suffering from all neurological conditions, as true numbers are not known.
The group has again forwarded details of the support group to 24 Consultant Neurologists and we have also contacted Neuro rehab units. The good news is that one new member was given our details, so perhaps more people will find us without having to resort to the www, and get the support they need.

The next meeting is to be held Saturday 25th July when a brief AGM will be followed by a cream tea. Numbers of those who hope to attend will be collected nearer the time.

Mary hopes to have Julie Mullett, Care Services Manager in Poole coming to the either the October 2009 or January 2010 meeting, to talk about the role of the carer. It is hoped to have both rooms booked, so that she can talk to the carers away from those being ‘cared for.’
In addition we also hope to have a representative from Disability Action to talk at the other meeting date.
Details of which speaker will attend on which date will be advised at the July meeting and reminder e-mails and letters will also include this information prior to these meetings.

If anyone is interested there is still a vacancy on the committee for Social Events Organiser.