An Announcement from Joan Headley:
Post-Polio Health International Launches
WE’RE STILL HERE Campaign

WE’RE STILL HERE will be the declaration of the world’s polio survivors during the week of October 14-20, 2007 and our groups will be actively involved! For additional info see
http://www.post-polio.org/WereStillHere.html

Notes from the July meeting....Patsy Adams reporting

     My how time does fly, it doesn't seem possible that twelve years ago we came together to form the Mobile Post Polio Support Group. Twenty three people came to help us celebrate our 12th year of meetings. Sylvia Bern called our meeting to order and covered the status if we should continue to meet monthly or quarterly. Everyone voted to continue our monthly meetings and many voiced their opinions as to why we should. Different ones voiced what they had learned or shared their experiences that others have learned from. Examples: insurance coverage, braces, shoes, canes, crutches, home furnishings, like lift chairs, beds, bathroom facilities and many more. Also, mixing or take OTC drugs with your prescriptions could cause more of a problem than we think. Considering we all have managed our polio (or health) problems in so many different ways makes it hard to say there is just one way, like take a certain drug, exercise, or braces, just what works best for us. Since the new generation of doctors we find we must stand our grounds to educate them in order to help us, since we know our body best and unfortunately they have never seen a case firsthand. I think there are some that are beginning to understand a bit more. It was suggested we compile an information list in the medical and physical fields, health facilities or other types. This was a subject at the Pensacola meeting last week. It should be presented only in a suggested form, since we are only speaking from our personal experience.
      Mary Ellen Blankenship shared her experience with her foot problem, the ball of her foot has been very painful but found having a metatarsal support in her shoe is helping. Her first try was an insert which was too uncomfortable and found a New Balance 811 with it built in is now working for her. Since she has to wear different size shoes, she found shoe color at the shoe shop to make both shoes the same color.
      Larry Ready told us of his appointment with a polio doctor in Warm Springs, GA only to find there isn't one at this time. They told him they are hoping to have one join them in the near future. His appointment lasted all of one and a half hour. Very disappointed.
      Jim and Shirley Neil extended an invitation to their home in Lillian to the Pensacola and Mobile Groups for October. More details will follow.
      We ended in a “party mode” with delicious ice cream covered with hot chocolate or caramel topping and choices of walnuts, pecans, Butterfinger, cookies, whip cream topped with cherries. This was catered by the Marble Slab Creamery on Schillinger Road.

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

     We had a good group of 12 people this month.  It was very good to see Pat Kaderly and Jim Neil this month.  They both are coming along.  Our main discussion was concerning a list that we need to make of agencies that can help us as individuals.  Each one of us have handled things our own way and we need to share that with other people in our group.  For example, Easter Seal for handicap equipment, Center for Independent Living for equipment such as ramps for your home and retraining for jobs.  If you would, please write down the people that have helped you so we can pass it on to our other members.  It could save someone a lot of time and heartache.  Shirley Neil has agreed to compile the information for us.  Please bring your information to our August meeting for her and it would be greatly appreciated.
     Our next meeting will be August 18th.  Hope to see all of you there.

Attendance July 2007
Cliff Martin ~ Kay Martin ~ Jane Clark ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Theresa Inge ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy

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MAPPSG Attendance July 2007
Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Mary Ellen Blankenship ~ Laurence Byrd ~ Susan Cobb ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ George Fassig ~ JoAnn Fassig ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Charles Gollott ~ Barbara Gollott ~ Dorcas Howard ~ Carolyn Jones ~ Leland Jones ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller ~ Carol Wiese.