POST-POLIO SUPPORT
on the
Alabama-Florida-Mississippi Gulf Coast

Comments by Larry Ready
(in response to our asking)

Notes from the June meeting....Vera Moore reporting

     A very easy going agreeable group gathered at the West Regional Branch of the Mobile Public Library on Saturday, June 24th! It was explained that Vera Moore was facilitating the meeting because Sylvia Bern was attending her class reunion. All agreed we missed Sylvia however she can be with us each month but reunion generally only come once a year.

     Correspondence had been received from Helen Tidmore asking that we keep she and Gerald in our prayers as he has suffered severe heart problems. Paul Tucker of Washington state sent email asking how other groups were solving the problem of poor attendance at meetings. Kayla & Shelly Morgan wrote they were appreciative of the coverage of Kayla’s project in the June newsletter. We have a new friend in Sweden, Gunilla, who has been contributing to our online Message Board sharing her need to have friends to discuss her late effects of polio. She is taking a drug named Xepol (See more of this on page 4) which she says seems to make the discomfort in her legs more bearable. We had a question from South Padre Island, TX asking about access to the beaches in our area. Laurence Byrd had helped with a reply saying, “Not much access to the beach or water but Biloxi has three casinos open and more to come.”

     John Driscoll reported he so much liked Richard Brown’s “walker” he had purchased one for himself and found it to be most helpful.

     Charles Gollott assured us he was taking good care of Barbara who recently had surgery and that she is recovering nicely. Ed Weller said we should remember he thinks of us even when he is not able to attend the meeting and admitted a trip to the New Orleans Jazz Festival took precedence over the meeting one month.

     Clara Norsworthy reported the Pensacola PPSG regretted there were so few in attendance for the June meeting as they had an excellent speaker. Clara told she had learned persons with disabilities should arrange for a caregiver to go with them to shelters in times of emergencies as there are no caregivers provided by Emergency Management. George told a very funny story, which you really must hear from George to fully appreciate.

     The walls of his Biloxi home are now covered with very nice wall board but the contractor is having difficulty obtaining windows, Laurence Byrd reported. In the meantime he has learned much from living in a handicapped accessible FEMA trailer and appreciates the opportunity to be seated as he showers.

     Carol Wiese says her dogs are keeping her busy. When we commented on how beautiful her eyes are since the corrective surgery, she explained she really appreciates the success of her operation. The dogs evidently think she doesn’t even needed her glasses any longer as one dog chewed up her eye glasses. Susan Cobb says her collection of pigs continues to grow in numbers.

     We were happy to hear James Cheeseboro’s wife, Norceita, has become one of the Red Hat Ladies and recently traveled with this group to Saint Louis. “No,” he told us, the ladies don’t welcome him as a traveling companion but that’s perfectly OK with him.

     Patsy Adams served as caller for Bingo, our entertainment for the month. Seems someone had a closet cleaning and needed to get rid of some items which were too good to throw away. These served as the “prizes” as we played until everyone won at least one Bingo and all the “prizes” had been distributed. We’ll bring the game again to the July meeting in case absentees felt left out. Anyone else have any “prizes” to donate? It’s our 11th Birthday!

Attendance June
Patsy Adams ~ Lawrence Byrd ~ James Cheeseboro ~ Susan Cobb ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ Charles Gollott ~ Vera Moore ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Carol Weise ~ Ed Weller

Notes from the June meeting.... Leigh Dethlefs reporting

     We had a guest speaker at our June meeting. Virginia Gaskall who is a clinical counselor for Project Recovery which is a new hurricane recovery program. They assist families in our local community distressed from the effects of the hurricane season. Project Recovery is designed to help District One residents recover and heal from the physical and emotional trauma of the largest storm to hit our local area. Services such as counseling for families and children, school case management, vocational career counseling, recovery resources, home visits, and other guidance needed to recover will be provided free of charge. Individuals, parents, school staff, community based providers, churches, or employers can make referrals to Project Recovery by contacting the Project Recovery Team at the Community Drug and Alcohol Council at 850-434-724.

Virginia went into some of the details of preparing for a hurricane with our disabilities in mind. The shelters are only going to provide you with food and water and a space. You need to bring bedding, supplies and a helper that can assist you if you need it. Also make early plans if you are going to leave the area and have all your supplies ready to go well ahead of the hurricane warning. She gave us additional information on getting ready and would be happy to talk with anyone that may have questions or needs help. Virginia is also trying to get a water exercise class together with post polio people in mind. She said if we could get at least 5 people together, she would be able to have a class. Please call her for details. 850-255-0437

Our next meeting for July we will have Liz Cravatt from Goodwill and Easter Seals. Please try to attend.

We wish Zofia Sywak a speedy recovery from another hip surgery and we hope to see her soon.

Attendance June
Roxane Boatwright ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Virginia Gaskall ~ Theresa Inge ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Bill Way ~ Sally Way

The Happy ASCCA Campers 2006

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IN MEMORY ~ Nell Ree Southerland Weston ~ Polio 1926

     Nell Ree Southerland "Chum" Weston, a native of Livingston, Ala., and longtime resident of Coden, died Tuesday, June 27, 2006.
     Chum was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre, where she served as the pianist for 42 years. She was a teacher at the Mobile County public schools for 31 years. She also shared her talent as a piano teacher by volunteering at local nursing homes, bringing joy to the residents through her music.
     Services were held from First United Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre Saturday, July 1, 2006.