First Ever Joint Meeting Mobile-Pensacola Post-Polio Support Groups
Save the Date - October 27, 2007, 1 PM
Call for directions and details ~ 888-248-1680

WE’RE STILL HERE

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

     Sylvia Bern opened the August meeting with a community building activity. She tossed a ball to someone in the group with instructions that they should give “a word for walk” and then toss the ball to someone else. Some of the words contributed were post-polio, sequelae, epidemic, again, tired, cane, determination, and mobility. Answering the question from the August newsletter, Sylvia told us Joan Headley, of Post-Polio Health International, visited in Mobile in August 1999. She brought a display of results of publicity which had prepared the way for Joan’s coming. A discussion followed of what could be done as we join Joan and the Post-Polio Health International in letting the everyone in our area know “WE’RE STILL HERE!”

     In response to the invitation from Jim and Shirley Neil to have a joint Mobile-Pensacola gathering in October, it was decided that we would plan to have a group photo made to be distributed to area newspapers. Several people offered to contact local news media to issue invitations for reporters to come to the joint meeting.

     A discussion of the words handicapped, disabled, brought strong feelings about the use of words and how those words are received by people with handicapping or disabling conditions.

     One person said they had a friend, who while not diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, has been falling recently due to a dropped foot. Wondering how to give advice to this person, we discussed local doctors to whom this person should be referred. Several people said they had received good care and advice from Dr. William I. Park, III, of The Orthopaedic Group. The Orthopaedic Group has locations in

• Airport Boulevard Location - Mobile AL
• Springhill Avenue Location - 1720 Springhill Ave. • Mobile, AL
• Foley Location - 1711 North McKenzie Street • Foley, AL
• Monroeville - Monroe County Hospital • US Highway 21 South • Monroeville, AL
• Lucedale, 838 Mill Street • Lucedale, MS

     Charles Gollott shared, “Beatitudes for Friends of People With Disabilities.” Number one on the list says so much of what we have lived with all our lives: “Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers, for in your companionship we find havens of relaxations.” Another with special meaning to polio survivors reads, “Blessed are those who understand that sometimes I am weak and not just lazy.” Vera Moore shared that we had a long letter from Victoria Glass telling of her busy summer. Victoria will be interviewing Dr. Peach and Dr Bruno for one of her projects and offered to include questions from us as she prepares her agenda for the interview.

     Everyone was urged to save the date for the October 27 Joint Meeting and to be at the September meeting to make plans for the journey.

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

     Our August meeting was fantastic. We had a full house with 17people attending. We were very happy to have Dan Moore from American Ramp attend our meeting. He is a excellent speaker and fully explained his ramp system. He said estimates are free and whatever set up you need currently, it can be moved to a different location if necessary.

     It seems most of us need a ramp system sooner or later. Dan’s system is metal and is designed to grip a wheelchair’s tires. Be sure and check with several companies before you make your mind up, since it can be an expensive project.

     We are still looking for help information to compile for our group. If you have any organization that you have gone to for help please let us know at the next meeting in September. Also in our next meeting we will be getting information on details for our WE’RE STILL HERE celebration in October.

     Shirley and Jim Neil have invited both the Pensacola and Mobile support groups to hold their October meetings at their house in Lillian, Alabama. It will be the 4th Saturday in October and we will get information on location maps and time in our September meeting. It will be exciting for some of us who have never been to a Mobile meeting. Those of us that have gone to camp ASSCA have been able to meet a few. We really thank Shirley and Jim for this opportunity.

     Hope to see you all at our next meeting.

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AUGUST 2007 ATTENDANCE

PENSACOLA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP

Wayne Baggett ~ Jane Clark ~ Carole Cofer ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Theresa Inge ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Kay Martin ~ Cliff Martin ~ Dan Moore ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ George Norsworthy ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ Gail Page ~ Mary Warneck.

MOBILE AREA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP
Patsy Adams ~ Jean Ball ~ Marion Ball ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Mary Ellen Blankenship ~ Laurence Byrd ~ Susan Cobb ~ John Driscoll ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Barbara Gollott ~ Charles Gollott ~ Vera Moore ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller ~ Carol Wiese.

WE’RE STILL HERE