SURVIVORTH

E

Irish Polio NewsVol 13 Issue 1

SPRING 2017

Post PolioSupport Group

Ireland

Spring blooms breathe colourback to the world

1 The SURVIVOR

Contact Kerrie or Lillian in the PPSG office01 889 8920

or by email:

Kerrie: fsw@ppsg.ie Lillian: sic@ppsg.ie

Advice

informAtion

Support

AdvocAcy

A LiStening eAr

confidentiality Assured

Do you have an URGENT NEED?

Talk to us.

We are here

to help

Contents

From the Chair – Chairperson’s Address 3

EGM – Report 5

New Brand Name 7

AGM Tullamore – Guest Speaker 9

Board Member Election 10

AGM Tullamore –Hotel Booking and Directions 11

Home – Bridget Quigley O’Brien 12

Passing On The Baton - Jackie Minnock 15

Free Education – Jackie Minnock 17

Social Support Group – Updates 18

Fundraising News 21

Noticeboard – reports & useful info 24

SPRING 2017 2

Cover photo: Primrose by Edwin Bailey

3

FROM THE

CHAIR

Iam delighted to say that our newStrategic Plan has now beenapproved by the Board. This

document can be downloaded fromour website www.ppsg.ie or aprinted copy can be sent to you inthe post if you contact the Office.

Our Organisation faces someenormous challenges. The Boardtakes its responsibilities veryseriously and is taking steps toaddress and respond to thesechallenges. We have thereforeproduced a Plan that we believe willprovide a roadmap for our activitiesfor the next 3 years and sustain ourOrganisation into the future. Whilewe will continue to provide services

directly to our members, the Planincludes measures to reallocatesome of our resources to reachingout to more Polio Survivors andraising awareness of the needs ofour members. These activities weregiven greater priority in the earlyyears of the Organisation and wewant to revitalise our efforts in theseareas.

Those of you who attended theExtraordinary General Meeting on2nd March will be aware that theSpecial Resolution in relation toproposed changes to ourMemorandum and Articles ofAssociation was passed.

The SURVIVOR

SPRING 2017

OUR�COnsTITUTIOn

This document will now be calledour Constitution. The other changesin relation to the election ofDirectors can now be implemented.

More information on how Boardmembers will be elected in futurecan be found in this edition of theSurvivor.

On the day of the EGM, we also hada discussion about changing ourbrand name. While we are notproposing to change the registeredname of the company, the Board andStaff are in favour of using a differentname in our day-to-day activities. Inthis issue of the Survivor you willfind an account of the discussion atthe EGM on this proposal. In ournext Conference mailing we willsend you a ballot form with the threebrand name options along with adocument addressing the issuessurrounding a change of brandname. I would urge you to read thearticle in this Survivor carefully andgive the issue full considerationbefore you cast your vote. Regards toyou all.

4

SUSAN DOWLINGChairperson

For�more�information

please�contact:�

do@ppsg.ie�

Or�ring�01�889�89�20

Please consider leavinga Legacy to the

Post Polio Support Group in your will.

Leaving a gift to the Group in your Will

can help us greatly tocontinue to provide

support to Polio Survivors.

You can alternatively request donations

to the Group in lieu of flowers.

Are�you�

making�

a�will?

5 The SURVIVOR

In her opening remarks theChairperson, Susan Dowling, spokeabout the challenges that face theOrganisation and how the Board aretaking steps to address and respondto these challenges in line with goodgovernance practices. Susanexplained that this EGM had beencalled to seek approval from themembership for changes to ourgoverning document now known asa Constitution. Some of thesechanges are required under the newCompanies Act while others are atthe request of the Revenue

Commissioners and the CharityRegulator. She explained howeverthat the Board are recommendingother changes in relation to theelection of Directors in order tomake the Board more effective andinclusive and therefore better servethe Organisation.

The Chair confirmed that the newConstitution includes all theseproposals and that outline approvalfor these changes has been soughtand given by the regulatoryauthorities.

REPORT�On

EXTRAORDInARY

GEnERAL�MEETInG�Over 50 members attended the EGM that

was held in the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin on Thursday, 2nd March.

Fran Brennan CEO presents the new Strategic Plan to members after the EGM

SPRING 2017 6

Following a discussion the special resolution to adopt the new constitutionwas then put to the meeting. When proxy votes received by post before theclosing date were included, the result of the ballot was as follows:

• In favour of the resolution: 222 votes

• Against the resolution: 2 votes • Abstentions: 6 votes

As the proportion of votes in favour of the resolution exceeded therequirement that 75% of all votes cast must be in favour of a resolution, theChairperson declared the new constitution approved.

The Chair confirmed that this concluded the official business of the EGMand the meeting was closed.

Joan Bradley, Anne Burns and Libby Hendrick at the EGM

Monica Shanahan, Peter Barron and Maire Walsh at the EGM

Betty and Hugh McHugh at the EGM

7

Following the EGM in the GreenIsle Hotel on 2nd March, adiscussion took place on the

question of changing the brand nameof the PPSG.

The Chairperson, Susan Dowling,made reference to the article in theSurvivor last year where the questionof changing the name of theOrganisation was raised and that theBoard wanted to take the opportunityto discuss this at this meeting. Susanemphasised that no decision wouldbe made at this meeting and that itwill go to a ballot of members. TheChair said that concerns about thecurrent name have been raised byvarious people over the last few years.The Social Support Committeebrought the matter to the attention ofthe Board last year and it concludedthat we could not ignore theseconcerns and that we had to considera change.

Reasons put forward for consideringa change of brand name include: thecurrent name is too long, somepeople think it means you have tohave Post Polio Syndrome to join andconfusion between a social supportgroup and the organisation as awhole calling itself a “support group”.

The Chair said that she wanted tomake it clear that we are not talkingabout changing the registered nameof the company, this will remain “PostPolio Support Group Ireland”. Sheexplained that we are recommendinga change to the day-to-day workingname in order to provide clarity aboutwho we are and what we do.

Susan reminded the delegates thatthe Board had sought suggestedalternative titles from members inthe Survivor last year. 14 differentnames were suggested and fromthese the Board selected twooptions:

•�Polio�Ireland

•�Polio�survivors�Ireland

These two options along with thecurrent name will be put to themembers in a ballot before theAGM.

It will be a PR vote so members willbe asked to vote 1, 2 and 3 in order oftheir preference. A documentaddressing the issues around thechange of brand name will be sentout to members in the secondConference mailing in April.

The SURVIVOR

Discussion�on�

nEW�BRAnD nAME

SPRING 2017 8

Finally she referred to the question ofcost and asked the DevelopmentOfficer, Emma Clarke Conway, toaddress this issue.

Emma clarified thatwe re-print letterheaded paper andother documentsregularly so therewould be noadditional cost in these cases. Weare due to re-print our leaflets butthese are being redesigned anyhowand we will not print any largequantities until after the questionof our brand name is resolved.Emma commented that a lot of ourdesign work is now doneelectronically and often in-houseso there’s minimal cost involved.She doubted that the total costsinvolved could be any more than afew hundred euro and this wouldbe a small price to pay for thecommunication benefits of a namechange.

The Chair then invited questions orcomments from the floor. Querieswere raised about the possibility of

Tony O’Connor clarified that the two suggested alternativenames are not currently registered as trade names andtherefore are available.

There being no further questions or comments, thediscussion was concluded.

confusion of titles with the PolioFellowship of Ireland and the groupin Northern Ireland and whether weshould have Ireland in our title. TheChairperson responded that the Poliogroup in Northern Ireland is calledthe “Northern Ireland PolioFellowship” (NIPF) and that the PolioFellowship of Ireland (PFI) is part ofthe Rehab Group, does not have amembership and is largely inactive.

Ireland already appears with ourname in our current logo.

One member commented that hewouldn’t like the word Survivor in thename as he feels it sounds similar tothe term victim. However two othermembers present argued that theyliked the word and felt it gives apositive image. Another memberqueried whether a change of brandname would affect fundraising. Susanreplied that currently we find funders,donors and even our own membersuse different names for theorganisation. She reported that thestaff believe it will actually makefundraising easier by simplifying andclarifying the name.

9 The SURVIVOR

AGM

TULLAMOREGUEsT�sPEAKERProfessor Gareth Williams MD ScD FRCP FRCPE

Gareth Williams qualified withHonours in Medicine andPharmacology from CambridgeUniversity in 1977. After trainingposts in London and Geneva, hemoved to Liverpool in 1988, where hebuilt up an internationally recognisedresearch group in diabetes andobesity. In 2003, he was appointedDean of Medicine and Dentistry inBristol, and remains there as EmeritusProfessor of Medicine, researchingthe history of medicine and science.

He has written 200 papers andreviews, mostly on diabetes, obesityand neuroendocrinology, withoccasional sorties into the ChristmasBMJ. He has also authored or editedover 20 medical textbooks, includingthe prize-winning Textbook ofDiabetes, and contributed to theOxford Textbook of Medicine. Duringa sabbatical year in 2009, he wroteAngel of Death: the story of smallpox(shortlisted for the Wellcome MedicalBook Prize 2010), and followed thisup with Paralysed with Fear: the storyof polio (2013) and A Monstrous

Commotion: the mysteries of LochNess (2015). These books have led toinvitations to the Hay Literary Festivaland other literary events, lectures inthe UK and overseas, and radio andtelevision appearances; A MonstrousCommotion is currently beingadapted for a major television drama.

Gareth Williams is a former Vice-President of the European Society forClinical Investigation and President ofthe Anglo-French Medical Society. Hechaired MEDINE, a pan-European,EU-funded medical educationnetwork, and has an HonoraryDoctorate from the University ofAngers. A former Chair of theTrustees of the Edward JennerMuseum, he is now leading a fund-raising campaign to save the Museumfrom being closed down. He is proudto be an Ambassador of the BritishPolio Fellowship and is helping themto fight on behalf of all those affectedby the after-effects of this devastatingdisease. His main extracurricularinterest is playing classical music andjazz on the flute and saxophone.

SPRING 2017 10

If you would like more information on the new regions and how Board members are elected please contact the office.

There are 5 Regional Constituencies electing a total of 8 people on to the Board. Members will elect either one or two people to the

Board in these regions.

The 5 regions are as follows:

dublin: Dublin City and County

South east: Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare

South: Munster excluding Waterford

West: Connaught plus Donegal

north east: Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan

The number of seats per region depends on the number of members in each region.

Seats on Board per Region are:

dublin: 2 Seats

South east: 2 Seats

South: 2 Seats

West: 1 Seat

north east: 1 Seat

Please note, the names of candidates nominated for the Board in a region and ballot papers if required will be sent to

members in that region in April.

AGM�TULLAMORE

BOARD MEMBER

ELECTIOn

11 The SURVIVOR

Agreed rAteS for ppSg Are AS foLLoWS:

Bed & Breakfast

Single Person: €80 per night

Two People Sharing: €50 per person sharing

per night

By Car; The Hotel is on O’Moore St in Tullamore. Tullamore is located between the

M6 Galway Motorway (Take Exit 5 off M6 and follow N52 to Tullamore) and the

M7 Cork/Limerick Motorway (Take Exit 15 follow R422 and N80 via Mountmellick

to Tullamore).

By Train; Tullamore is served by both the Galway and Westport trains from Dublin

Heuston

By Bus; Bus Eireann number 120 from Busarus serves Tullamore. Some private

operators provide services to and from Tullamore but please check with them first

as they may not be accessible for people with limited mobility

Transport Assistance; If you are taking public transport to the Conference and need

transport from Tullamore train station or the bus stop in the town to the Tullamore

Court Hotel, please contact Kerrie in the PPSG Head Office on 01 889 8920 no

later than Friday 19th May.

AGM�ACCOMMODATIOn�In 

THE�TULLAMORE�COURT�HOTEL�31�MAY

directionS to the tuLLAmore court hoteL

Please note, if you need one of the accessible bedrooms please let thereceptionist know when booking. As accessible rooms are very limited we cannot guarantee that one will be available for everyone who needs one.

To make a reservation, please call 057 934 6666 between 9am and 5pmand mention that you are attending the PPSG event to obtain these rates.

Bed & Breakfast with Evening Meal

€110 Single room with Dinnerfor one per night

€80 Double Room with Dinnerper person sharing per night

SPRING 2017 12

By Bridget Quigley O’Brien

HOME

She was now nine years old. Thepeople taking care of her were, asfar as she was concerned, herfamily. The nuns were strict anddemanded respect. The day in theward usually began with breakfastat eight o’clock and staff bustledabout serving the food, making thebeds and sweeping the floors; it wasa big ward holding about 50 girlsunder 15 years of age. The head nunwas walking along, supervising theward and reciting the morningprayers when suddenly she stoppedat Josie’s bed.

Josie was a little bit startled by thisand wondered why she was pickedout for attention, did she dosomething wrong? “Well Josie,” thesister said. “You are to leave us foryour home tomorrow, so we willpack a suitcase for you fromtoday.”“Going home?” said Josie, ina timid voice. Josie was notexpecting this news; she wasexcited and yet a bit scared, all atthe same time. Where was shegoing? Who was her family? Sheasked herself, it was scary, but she

did not let it show, she boasted toall her friends that at last she wasgoing home to her Mammy andDaddy.

Josie did not sleep well that night inthe ward; she even shed a few tears,and was full of anxiety. Next day shepacked what few belongings shehad, like her comics, paints,colourings books and a few clothes,which the nuns gave her. She wasalready packed and ready to go byten o clock, she was so eager. Herfriends came over to say goodbyeand she felt sad but excited at thesame time.

After what seemed like a long time,the ambulance man eventuallycame into the ward with the nunand porter; they exchanged a fewwords. The ambulance man andnun took Josie by the hand andbrought her down the long corridor,the porter lifted her into theambulance. The nun bid hergoodbye with a wave and at thatmoment Josie felt very alone andscared.

Josie was a secure happy child, glad to be with her friends in the hospital. Josiecontracted polio at 11 months and had been in the hospital ever since, it washer home.

13 The SURVIVOR

She looked around the ambulance.There were six people on board. Shewas hoping that there would besome children her age and wasdisappointed to see mostly adults;she was near to tears and suddenlyfelt so alone.

The road was bumpy and theambulance was noisy, the people inthe ambulance dozed and gazedout the window with vacant looksin their eyes. As the time passedone or two of the adults startedtalking to her, asked Josie where shewas going. She replied that shedidn’t know and was wishing theywould stop asking her questions,she felt very uneasy. As theambulance dropped people off attheir homes Josie kept hoping thatit would be her “house” and as timewent by, she was wondering didthey forget about her. She was theonly one left in the ambulance.

After what seemed a long time theambulance stopped at an isolatedold farmhouse. Josie saw thebarking dog and all the hensaround the yard. She never sawhens or dogs close up before, shewas scared. Then she saw a womancoming towards her with a bucketof water in each hand. She wouldalways remember what she wore: anavy polka dot wrap-over apron.The woman looked surprised when

she saw this little girl at the gate.The ambulance man said a fewwords to the woman and drove off,leaving Josie all alone. It suddenlydawned on her that this was hermother and that this was going tobe her “home”. Her mother tookher by the hand and brought herinto the kitchen of the smallfarmhouse. Josie was expecting ahug and a kiss, like she read aboutin the comics and storybooks thatshe loved reading. As she walkedinto the house it felt so small anddark like all the walls were closingin on her. Her mother seated her onthe old sofa and it was then that shestarted to cry. “I want to go home,”she cried out. Her mother tried toconsole her, but it only made theloneliness and isolation that Josiefelt worse. Eventually her motherhad to get on with her chores insideand outside the house.

Josie sat rigidly on the sofa, notknowing what to say or what sheshould do, feeling so veryuncomfortable. The door suddenlyopened and a man came into thekitchen dressed in farmer’s clothesand wellington boots. “Who is thisthen?” he asked Josie’s mother.“This is our Josie and she is homewith us for a while,” her motherreplied. Josie was dumbstruck.

SPRING 2017 14

She didn’t know what to say to him- who was this man? He sat downat the big dining room table andher mother served his dinner andbrought Josie over to join them.Josie picked at the food whichlooked different from hospital food,but she managed to eat the bits sheliked.

That evening Josie was graduallyintroduced to her brothers andsisters they came in from work andschool. They were strangers to her,these people, they seemed to betaken aback by this person with asplint on her leg, but they eachresponded, with a hello or a nod ofthe head.

“I need the bathroom, please,” Josiesaid and her mother brought herout to the small shed behind thehouse. What a shock she got - therewas a hole in the ground with amakeshift seat on top and anoverwhelming smell of disinfectant.“This is what everyone uses,” hermother said.

Later Josie was brought to herbedroom, up a winding stairs. Shehad never seen stairs before and itwas difficult for her to climb withher splint. As she lay in bed thatnight trying to grasp hersurroundings, what she missed

most was the lights in the ward. Itwas dark, very dark in this strangeroom. Her sister and brother laterjoined her, for they shared thisroom too, as there were only twobedrooms in the house. Josiewondered how would she adjust tothis new life – it was a cultureshock. Her last words to herself thatnight as she drifted to sleep, “I wantto go home.”

Looking back now, on that time solong ago it was hard to believe thatshe had come so far in her life.Relationships with her parents andsiblings got better. She worked hardat school trying to keep up with herstudies. It was difficult, becausewhen she went back to the hospitalfor further operations her educationwas disrupted each time, so thatwhen she went home again she hadto try and catch up. But shemanaged against all the odds tofinish her education with herLeaving Cert, and do a secretarialcourse which resulted with hergetting a good job in a city hospital.

She made lots of friends throughthe years and eventually gotmarried and started a family of herown. Josie had at last control overher own life. She had her ownhome.

HOME “I want to go home.”

by Jackie Minnock

Passing�On�the�Baton

My Mam’s youngest brother did many things for mewhen I was small. All of her brothers and sisters didmany things for me too, but it’s her youngest brotherwhom the first part of this story is concerned with.

He had a mini car and when I was in Cappagh Hospital in theearly 1960’s, he would drive out to the hospital on Wednesdays and leave a parcel forme from my Mam. This was like having Christmas throughout the year. The parcel hadsweets to be shared out on the ward, and cold sausage sandwiches which I loved. Ihated the hospital food! It was a bright light on the horizon of the week, but a lightyou were never sure was going to always shine.

We were fortunate to live in Dublin and my parents got to visit me at weekends. SomeWednesdays that parcel would arrive and there'd be great excitement altogether. Thiswas one of the memorable things my Mam's youngest brother did for me.

My uncle married, and one of his daughters, Aisling, is now supporting the polio causein her own unique way. Aisling moved to America about 24 years ago, and works inthe Bar/Restaurant trade. Some years ago she leased a bar in Fredonia, in ChautauquaCounty, New York. The bar was called The White Inn. It is here that the Fredonia RotaryClub hold their weekly lunches.

She was invited to a meeting one Thursday and learned how Rotary is a worldwide,non-profit organisation, which works locally and internationally. Aisling told me howshe became addicted to Rotary and ‘went on all the courses to learn more about whereand what they were involved with’ because she wanted to help. One of Rotary’s primarygoals was, and is, to eradicate polio and they have been working on that for morethan 20 years. Rotary focuses on the strategies of routine immunisation for childreninitiating National Immunisation Day. They also provide more surveillance for healthcare workers and paediatricians and others investigating the debilitating effects ofpolio.

Aisling says that when she learned the full extent of Rotary’s work on Polio, sheremembered me as a child, and how things were and are today for polio survivors. Shedid not want this to happen to another child. She credits my polio journey as herinspiration to join Rotary. She wanted to get more involved in eradicating polio andgive other children a better chance in life.

Aisling giving vaccination

15 The SURVIVOR

Rotary took Aisling to India in 2013 for three weeks to administer polio vaccinations.There she joined up with 24 Rotarians from America, Canada, France and Switzerland.They lived in tents in semi-desert conditions near the Pakistan border. To get the peopleonto the streets, they would dance and sing their way along the streets, and the peoplewould come out with their children to see them. The Rotarians then went to anothersection of town where the vaccination would be given, each child getting two dropsof vaccine onto their tongue and have their little fingernail painted to avoid repeatvaccination. They'd then go door-to-door to make sure that all children had been seen.Sometimes parents would dress their children in different clothes in the hope of gettingthem vaccinated twice!

Aisling isn’t sure how many children were vaccinated through that programme but sheclearly remembers the first child she dealt with, "...he was so small and arrived sittingon the handle bars of his Dad’s bike. It was very emotional and we saw a lot of verybad cases from the effects of Polio”. While on that particular trip, the Rotary groupwere held hostage for a few hours in Jaipur, and Aisling’s tent was broken into on thesite. It has to be said that in some regions their work is not welcomed. Aisling fullyunderstands these are part of the risks she and fellow Rotarians run, but they knowinglycontinue their work.

To date, Aisling has been to Hiroshima, Ethiopia, Switzerland, France and India withRotary. She was awarded the Paul Harris pin for her trip to India, the highest awardgiven by Rotary International. She was President of her local branch from 2015-2016.During which time they raised funds for a school in Ethiopia to buy computers for thechildren and also to help with the continuing Polio eradication programme.

My uncle and aunt surely passed on great values to their children, and Aisling is ashining example of this. From the parcel deliveries in the mini-car on a Wednesdayafternoon during the 1960s, to the immunisation of children on the other side of theworld in 2016, the common factor is Polio – would you believe it? Of course, an innategoodness resides within the story also.

Our families have been wonderful supporters of us asindividuals and our cause collectively. This amazing storyshows how it continues to be so. Rotary as an organisationhas been to the fore in the great work of Polio eradication,and Aisling exemplifies the individual Rotarian experience.She has been a member for just over four years, but theyhave been very affective years of work and service, bothlocally and internationally. Aislings first patient

for vaccination

SPRING 2017 16

The SURVIVOR17

When we were at school we were

often told, and are still told in certain

circles to this day, that we had and

do have free education.

However, anyone who has put a child

through the educational system in

this country will know this to be

somewhat untrue, if not totally so. I

have found that there is a method of

free education available online.

The website is

www.futurelearn.com

Through Futurelearn it is possible to

get started on a new language, learn

about history, geography, medicine,

photography or many aspects of the

English language – even to learn

English.

There are no entry qualifications, bar

being able to set up an online

account with Futurelearn. From

there you can browse the hundreds

of courses available. Most run from

three to six weeks duration. There is

no obligation to finish a course once

started, yet there are few that I

started which I did not finish.

There is also an option upon

completion to buy a certificate, but I

have never purchased one even

though I have done many courses. If

you are a fan of online interaction,

you will love Futurelearn. If not, you

will also love it, as online interaction

is not compulsory.

Every course advertised gives the

duration and hours involved per day,

but this is only a guideline for the

learner. Once familiar with the online

system, it's possible to complete a

course in less time than indicated,

as long as you find one interesting

enough to keep you motivated once

you get started. If these few lines

have sparked your interest, why not

visit the website and see what takes

your fancy and enjoy the truly free

education available online.

Jackie Minnock

FREEEDUCATION

What wouldyou like tolearn?

18SPRING 2017

Westport R&R A group of PolioSurvivor friends and their guests fromSligo, Galway, Mayo and Cork, wenton their usual mid-week break toWestport in February. We stayed inHotel Westport and the staff gave us agreat welcome. The hotel is veryaccessible and has a swimmingpool/leisure centre and a hair salon onsite. It is only a short stroll/roll to thetown with all its little tourist shops andcafes and there was a great buzzaround, even though it was very earlyin the season. The hotel entertained us with a poetrysession on one evening and a tablequiz on the other and we had greatmusic and some set dancing in the barin the evenings. Some of us went for aspin out to Achill, and others justchilled out. It was a time for rest andrelaxation and for meeting up with oldfriends. We were delighted that Mary Ryan,Convener of the Mayo group, droppedin to say hello, and we are makingplans to meet up with the Mayo groupfor a PPSG outing in the summer.

Christina O'Connor was presentedwith her cheque for €1,000 whichshe won in the PPSG SurvivorSweepstakes Christmas Draw.

See photo page 22

Congratulations Christina! Christina O’Connor and

Brendan Barrett

Barbara McDonagh, Paula Lahiffand Bridie McMahon

social�support�

Groups Westport

The SURVIVOR19

Pictured are members of the Fingal (Dublin Swords) Social Support Group at theirChristmas luncheon held on Thursday 8th December at Kettles Hotel, Swords, Co. Dublin.

Left to right – clockwise - Denis Curtin, Tom Doyle, Killian Halpin, Brid Halpin,Gerry McIntyre, Maire Farrell, Joe McGee, Stephanie Ryan, Anne Wendland,

Breda Teeling, Rose Anne Lynch and Tony O’Connor

Photos of the Dublin South West at their Christmas lunch in December, which was a veryenjoyable get together – photos by Pat McCabe, Convenor, our resident photographer.

social�support�

Groups Dublin�south�West

swords

20SPRING 2017

Finglas�Christmas�Party

Dominic chatting toSanta Denis

Santa Denis andLarry Delahunty

Jimmy Furlong getting readyto give Santa a big hug

Maureen, Michael and DenisEnjoying The Finglas Christmas Party

Brigid Quigley O’Brien and PaulSinclair came up trumps again fortheir hard work in organising ourChristmas party. We had 32 peoplein all. The party was held in a privateroom at the Croke Park Hotel. Thefood lived up to its 4 star rate. Wehad a choice of two main courses,something on the menu to pleaseall. The staff were most efficient andassisted in making sure everythingwent smoothly. After the dinner, wehad our spot prize draw. All was notlost for those who didn’t win a prize

as Santa Denis dropped in to say abig HO HO HO. To be fair to Santa,he didn’t come empty handed; hehad his sack full of gifts. He visitedeach table and took advantage ofthe hugs and kisses from thewomen. There is no flies on theDonegal men when opportunityknocks! Our Karaoke entertainmentwas run by Johnny and Sonny. Theyhad plenty of volunteers to sing andeveryone really enjoyed the nightand are looking forward to the nextparty.

There was a steady stream of folks visiting thelive crib at the Mansion House and plenty tokeep children occupied for as long as twentyminutes. It was lovely to see children and adults alike smiling andhappy on entering this Wonderland, which seemed miles away, yetwas so close to all the hustle and bustle of a city centre busy withChristmas shopping. For collectors the weather was felt to be ideal,mild and almost rain free! A huge thanks to all the supporters andmost importantly to the collectors who gave of their time during thiscold and busy time of year! Pictured is James (Tony) Kavanagh withhis granddaughter, Saga, and Anne Burns, at the Mansion House’slive crib, fundraising for the many charities including PPSG thatbenefit from the Mansion House Fuel Fund. Pictured with the LordMayor, Brendan Carr, are PPSG members Pat Cullen and Anne Burns,who helped with the Fuel Fund collection. A grand total of €34,465was raised via a Ball and the Live Crib, the money from which wasdistributed among charities including PPSG just before Christmas.

Live�Crib�Collection�

at�the�Mansion�House

FUNDRAISING NEWS

21 The SURVIVOR

Liam Porter

SPRING 2017 22

FUNDRAISING NEWS

survivor

sweepstakes

Winner

Congratulations to Christina O'Connor, Co. Sligo, who won ourSurvivor Sweepstakes €1,000 prize in December. Christina ispictured receiving her cheque, with the Sligo Social SupportGroup, at their recent weekend away.

hospital

Saturday

fund

We are thrilled to have received a grant from the Hospital SaturdayFund towards our Winter Heating Grant, which helps PolioSurvivors who struggle with the high cost of heating bills duringthe cold winter months. Polio Survivors may suffer with asignificant intolerance to cold as a result of their condition. Havinghelp with the additional costs can make the difference betweenhaving to go to bed early to keep warm, increasing social isolation,and affording to keep the heat on a little longer. We reallyappreciate the support of the Hospital Saturday Fund for thissignificant donation. Pictured is Margaret Rogers, from HeartChildren Ireland, who presented the cheque to Emma from thePPSG’s office. You can find out more about Hospital SaturdayFund's healthplan at www.hsf.ie

23 The SURVIVOR

A huge thanks to Tesco Monaghan for their donation from the#TescoCommunityFund of €253.01 to the Post Polio SupportGroup. Pictured is Brendan Moore of our North East SocialSupport Group receiving the cheque. We really appreciate thishelp, which goes directly to supporting Polio Survivors. Thankyou to the customers who allocated their #BlueToken to PPSG.We were delighted with the final amount, as the store divides€500 between 3 charities, and on this occasion we received overhalf the allocation – well done to Brendan for this achievement.To help PPSG benefit from the Tesco Community Fund, you canfill in the forms at your local Tesco Store. Remember, Every littlehelps!

Tesco�Monaghan�cheque�to

PPsG

FUNDRAISING NEWS

SPRING 2017 24

NOTICE BOARD

President Michael McEnerythanking recent GuestSpeaker Tony O'Connor fromthe Post Polio SupportGroup, with Paul Kunkelswho organised his visit to theRotary Club of Dublin Fingal.

Tony O’Connor Speaks at

Fingal RotaryMeeting

Hospital Saturday Fund

The Hospital Saturday Fund has recently become a Resource Pointpartner of the The Wheel, as a leading low-cost healthcare provider.Operating in Ireland for more than 60 years, HSF's excellent valueoffering is the result of their low overheads and no commission policy.Their mission is to help individuals and families to stay healthy.HSF'soffering includes: Money back on a wide range of everyday medicalbills including GP, prescription, dental, optical, practitioners,consultations, medical tests and much more; Complimentary coverfor your partner and children Policies starting from under €12 permonth; Complimentary access to a GP 24 hours a day. HSF arecommitted to delivering the best value range of schemes andensuring a first class service for every policyholder. Register yourinterest by calling HSF directly on 1890 451 451, where one of theirrepresentatives will contact you to answer all your queries. Or findout more at www.hsf.ie

25 The SURVIVOR

NOTICE BOARD

We were delighted to hear that membersTess Redmond and Denis Forde wererecently engaged and will marry on the21st April. It is lovely to hear such feel-goodnews and Tess and Denis were agreeable toour sharing it with their many friendsthroughout the Post Polio Support Group.

Congratulations Tess and Denis

We wish them ev‹y happiness togeth‹.

Dundalk Lions – At Your ServiceFundraising Network member and North East PPSG’s Brendan Moorewas interviewed in January by the Dundalk Lions At Your Serviceprogramme, with John Hennessy and Hugh McKitterick on Dundalk100FM. Brendan was invited by presenter John Hennessy, to speak onthe Dundalk Lions Club monthly round up magazine regarding the PostPolio Support Group and the work we do – they weren’t aware of theorganisation until Brendan highlighted us.

With this in mind, Dundalk Lionsbegan broadcasting theprogramme At Your Service at theend of March 2015. Theprogramme contains segmentssuch as ‘Talking Newspapers’where the Lion Members readfrom the local newspapers,especially for the visually impaired.

The motto of the Dundalk Lions Club is ‘We serve’.

SPRING 2017 26

NOTICE BOARD

The Post Polio Support Group was saddened to hear ofthe passing of these members recently:

Mary Boyle, Sean Mulligan, John Collins, David Bray and Norah O’Byrnes.

We acknowledge the contribution these members have made tothe work of the Post Polio Support Group –

Our thoughts are with their family and friends.

Up to twenty years ago, I did not have to use orthotics or any otheraid or appliance. While attending an AGM in Dublin, there was apresentation by an Orthotist after which I decided to make anappointment to be seen. My orthotic journey started with one insolefor the right shoe, and graduated to an insole for the left. We thenmoved to a right AFO (Ankle Fixed Orthotic) and I now have two AFOs.Without these AFOs, I would find walking difficult after a short periodof time. The progression from one insole to two AFOs, took twentyyears and was in line with my regression to being more disabled thanI was back then. The service provided by IDS in Cappagh Hospital hasbeen invaluable to me over the years. By using the insoles and AFOs,my posture has been improved - in reality the physical change isminimal - and that makes all the difference. It just goes to show thatyou never know what you might hear when attending an AGM!

The Wonders of Orthotics for Me

By Jackie Minnock

QUALITY SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE 2016

ChAIRPERSON Anne Shanahan OThER MEMBERS Jim Barrett, Pat McGillion, Tony O’Connor

SURVIVOR EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

MEMBERS Una Lyons

Email: survivor2014relaunch@gmail.com

COMMITTEE MEMBERShIP 2016 - 2017

ChAIR  Susan Dowling DEPUTY ChAIR  Joyce Henderson TREASURER  Pat McGillion

COMPANY SECRETARY  Anne Shanahan

OThER DIRECTORS Jim Barrett; Joan Bradley; Macrina Clancy; Roisin Nolan

Board members can be contacted via the office on 01 8898920, or info@ppsg.ie

ADDRESS Unit 319, Capel Building, Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7 Tel: 01 889 8920. Email: info@ppsg.ie Web: www.ppsg.ie

CEO Fran Brennan - Email: ceo@ppsg.ie

SERVICES TO POLIO SURVIVORS 

Lillian McElvaney, Email: sic@ppsg.ie

Kerrie Donegan, Email: fsw@ppsg.ie

ACCOUNTS Sheila Cullinan, Email: info@ppsg.ie

MEMBERShIP & VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT OFFICER

Niamh Murphy, Tel: 086 318 8727, Email: mvro@ppsg.ie

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Emma Clarke Conway. Tel: 01 889 8920, Email: do@ppsg.ie

BOARD MEMBERS

OFFICE STAFF

27 The SURVIVOR

BRAY GROUP LOCATION Glenview Hotel AREA South East Dublin, North Wicklow CONTACT

Marie McGuirk Tel: 085 1603962 E-mail: marieno1@live.ie MEETINGSMeets at 8pm onthe first Tuesday of most months from March through to October. If you live in this areaand would like to attend these social meetings, please give Marie call.

CARLOW GROUP LOCATIONDolmen Hotel, Carlow AREACarlow CONTACT Betty O’Regan Tel:086 081 6816 E-mail: betoregan@eircom.net MEETINGSMonday or Tuesday three or fourtimes per year. If you live in this area and would like to attend these social meetings,please give Betty a call.

CARRICK-ON-ShANNON GROUP LOCATION Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon AREA

Leitrim, Roscommon, West Cavan CONTACT Patrick McNamara Tel: 071 966 8308 E-mail:TBA MEETINGS by arrangement. Two or three times a year. If you live in this area and wouldlike to attend these social meetings, please give Patrick a call.

CLARE GROUP LOCATION The Templegate Hotel, Ennis AREA Clare CONTACT Edwin BaileyTel: 061 368 373 E-mail: edwinbailey@eircom.net MEETINGS Meets four to five timesyearly on Wednesdays at 8 pm. If you live in this area and would like to attend thesesocial meetings, please give Edwin a call.

CORK GROUP LOCATION Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork AREA Cork CONTACT Evelyn WainwrightTel: 021 484 7313 or 086 882 9267 E-mail: evelyn99911@hotmail.com MEETINGSMeetssix times yearly. If you live in this area and would like to attend these social meetings,please give Evelyn a call.

DONEGAL GROUP LOCATIONClanree Hotel, Letterkenny or The Villa Rose Hotel, BallybofeyAREA Donegal; Derry CONTACT Donal O’Boyle Tel: 087 6172112 E-mail:donalkoboyle@eircom.net MEETINGS 2-3 times a year. If you live in this area and wouldlike to attend these social meetings, please give Donal a call.

DUBLIN FINGLAS GROUP LOCATIONCurrently Parnell GAA Club, Coolock AREANorth WestDublin CONTACT Paul Sinclair Tel: 087 6821017 E-mail: paulsinclair@eircom.net MEETINGSLast Wednesday of the month at 11:30am (except July, August & December). If you livein this area and would like to attend these meetings, please give Paul a call.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ThE SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA

SPRING 2017 28

29 The SURVIVOR

DUBLIN SOUTh WEST GROUP LOCATIONMaldron Hotel, Tallaght AREA South West DublinCONTACT Pat McCabe Tel: 086 8158232 E-mail: photopat3@yahoo.com MEETINGSMeetsfour to five times yearly on Mondays or Tuesdays. If you live in this area and would liketo attend these social meetings, please give Pat a call.

DUBLIN SWORDS GROUP LOCATION Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords AREA North CountyDublin CONTACT Máire Farrell Tel: 087 628 3340 E-mail: mariefarrell1@hotmail.comMEETINGS First Tuesday of every month (except July & August) at 11am. If you live in thisarea and would like to attend these meetings, please give Máire a call.

ENNISCORThY GROUP LOCATION Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy AREA South Wicklow;Wexford; Waterford CONTACT Brendan Culliton 086 890 8702 E-mail:bmculliton@gmail.com MEETINGSMeets on the 1st Tuesday of most months at 8pm. Ifyou live in this area and would like to attend these social meetings, please give Brendana call.

GALWAY GROUP LOCATIONMenlo Park Hotel, Galway AREAGalway; South Mayo CONTACT

Rao Rapolu Tel: 087 6870024 E-mail: rrapolu@eircom.net MEETINGSMeets four to fivetimes yearly on Wednesdays at 8 pm. If you live in this area and would like to attendthese social meetings, please give Rao a call.

KERRY GROUP LOCATION Manor West Hotel, Tralee AREA Kerry, West Limerick CONTACTDolly Lawlor Tel: 066 718 5475 or 087 204 3795 E-mail: TBA MEETINGS Meets twiceyearly. If you live in this area and would like to attend these social meetings, please giveDolly a call.

KILDARE GROUP LOCATIONMonaghan’s Harbour Hotel, Naas AREA Kildare CONTACT PeterBarron Tel: 086 854 6948 E-mail: pjbarron@gofree.indigo.ie MEETINGS Six times a yearIf you live in this area and would like to attend these meetings, please give Peter a call.

KILKENNY GROUP LOCATION Aspect Hotel, Kilkenny AREA Kilkenny, Waterford, SouthTipperary CONTACT Pat Skehan Tel: 085 2443588 E-mail: patskehan@hotmail.comMEETINGS 4-5 times a year on Mondays or Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. If you live in this areaand would like to attend these social meetings, please give Pat a call.

LIMERICK GROUP LOCATION Strand Hotel, Limerick AREA Limerick, East Clare, NorthTipperary. CONTACT Helen Jordan Tel: 061 321791 Email: helenenrightjordan@hotmail.com MEETINGSMeet 1st Monday of the month Feb to June & Sept to Nov at8pm. On Bank Holiday weekends- the 2nd Monday. If you live in this area and wouldlike to attend these meetings, please give Helen a call.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ThE SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA

SPRING 2017 30

MAYO GROUP LOCATIONMeetings are now held in the Travellers Friend Hotel, Westport.AREA Mayo CONTACT Mary Ryan Tel: 087 9534130 E-mail: maryryan32@hotmail.comMEETINGS Meets five times yearly, Saturdays between 2pm and 5pm. If you live in thisarea and would like to attend these social meetings, please give Mary a call.

MIDLAND GROUP LOCATIONCregan Court Hotel, Athlone AREAWestmeath, Roscommon,East Galway CONTACT James Kinahan Tel: 0906 481372 or 087 6768076 E-mail:jtkinahan@gmail.com MEETINGS Meets twice yearly. If you live in this area and wouldlike to attend these social meetings, please give James a call.

NAVAN GROUP LOCATION Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath AREA Meath, Westmeathand South Louth CONTACT Patrick Nolan Tel: 086 3138809 E-mail:patrickanolan@eircom.net MEETINGS If you live in this area and would like to attend socialmeetings, please give Patrick a call.

NORTh EAST  GROUP LOCATION currently meeting in the Shirley Arms Hotel,Carrickmacross AREA Cavan; Monaghan; North Louth CONTACT Convenor MaireadMathews Tel: 086 815 8156 Email: mairead.mathews@gmail.com MEETINGSMeets fourto five times yearly on Mondays at 2pm. If you live in this area and would like to attendthese meetings, please ring the PPSG Head Office.

LAOIS-OFFALY GROUP LOCATION Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise. AREA Offaly, Laois CONTACTBernie O’Sullivan Tel: 057 934 3760 or 086 064 7227 E-mail: ggcp@iol.ie MEETINGSContact Bernie. If you live in this area and would like to attend these social meetings,please give Bernie a call.

SLIGO GROUP LOCATION City Hotel, Sligo AREA Sligo, South Donegal, North LeitrimCONTACT Monica McGowan Tel: 087 242 0700 E-mail: monicamcgowan@eircom.netMEETINGS Twice Yearly. If you live in this area and would like to attend these meetings,please give Monica a call.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ThE SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA

Spring Photos - Edwin Bailey

WiLLSPlease remember the Post Polio Support Group in your Will, or request

donations to Post Polio Support Group in lieu of flowers.Be assured all bequests and donations will be put to good use.

Thank You

miSSion StAtementTo create awareness and to provide information regarding the late effectsof polio among Polio Survivors, statutory agencies and the wider medical

profession, and to ensure that the needs of Polio Survivors relating to theircondition are met to enable them to live with dignity.

DISCLAIMER: While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, neither theEditor nor the Board can accept liability. The views expressed in thismagazine are not neccessarily their views or the views of the Group.

Neither the Group, nor the Editor, endorses any product or servicementioned in ‘THE SURvIvOR’.

Published March 2017 by Post Polio Support Group, Unit 319, CapelBuilding, Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7. Tel: 01 889 8920 Fax: 01 889 8924

E-mail: info@ppsg.ie Web: www.ppsg.ieRegistered Charity No. CHY 11356

Company limited by guarantee and not having share captal. Registered in Ireland No: 354283