The Lighthouse The Lighthouse
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc.
Newsletter, September, 2006
Shining light on post-polio health
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The President’s Message:
I hope everyone had a great summer! My summer was very productive…
My husband, Freddie and I have been making our home more accessible for me. We enlarged our laundry room so I can use my scooter when I wash clothes. We raised our existing patio that leads to the pool deck in our back yard and built a brick ramp from our laundry room. Also, we built a brick sidewalk that goes around to our backyard gate. Now the patio, pool and backyard are completely accessible for me to use my scooter outside.
Also, I have purchased many helpful accessible devices for inside our home. I even bought a “Golden Retriever.” Not a dog; but a hand held device that helps to reach things that are too high for me when standing or in my scooter.
I started thinking about all this when Marty Foxx, a fellow polio survivor, friend and the Treasurer of CEPSA, asked me what I had in my home to make it accessible. You can imagine her astonishment when I told her that I had nothing …and the only addition to my equipment is a scooter that I have had only four years.
As a matter of fact I have been walking with braces and crutches all my life (since I was two years old) and never had anything to make my home accessible. My strong arms have been all I needed. All these years I have managed to do most anything I wanted to do, just fine.
Then came Post Polio Syndrome … and chronic fatigue, bursitis in my shoulders, a frozen shoulder, hand, wrist and elbow pain, and so it went, on and on. After all, it’s not natural to walk with your arms using crutches all your life.
I thought this immobilizing pain and exhaustion was the way it was going to be for me the rest of my life, until my mother talked me into getting a scooter. It was an adjustment for me because I felt that I would be giving in… to use a scooter. I am a fighter; I thought I had to fight the late effects of polio.
My mother continued to encourage me and finally I agreed. After I used the scooter around the house for just a few minutes, I realized how much help it would be for me. In order to make myself stay in the scooter as much as possible and not use my crutches, I would leave my braces off part the day.
As time went on the pain in my shoulders and arms began to decrease and the fatigue began to improve. It is true what they say… The Key is Conserve to Preserve.
I’ve learned that making my home more accessible and using new equipment is not giving in … it’s living again! It’s not being inactive… It’s being proactive! I am doing what I can to continue to live a full life for the rest of my life. I conquered polio before and now I am just fighting for my life so Post-Polio Syndrome won’t conquer me.
My fellow polio survivors, if you have noticed any new muscle weakness, joint or muscle pain, overwhelming fatigue or decreased endurance … check into getting braces, crutches, a wheelchair or a scooter.
Get some kind of new equipment and accessible devices that can give you the support you need and help you to reduce overuse, fatigue and the risk of falling. You are worth it!
God Bless…
Diane Davis, President
September 23rd Meeting:
I. Speaker: Cristina Pasa
Topic: Pandemic Flu & Adult Immunization Awareness
II. S.O.S. Sharing Our Strengths
Health Information Project
Chairperson: Cheryl Brackin
Historic District Map Project
Chairman: Dan Shehan
Polio Awareness Project
Chairperson: Sandra Bath
CEPSA Jingle Project
Chairperson: Ruth Parham
One-half the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough. - Josh Billings
About . . . Cristina Pasa,
Speaker at the September
Education: IMMACULATA COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Medicine
ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIV.
Candidate, Master of Public Health
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Scientific research - Virulence of Bartonella henselae
( causative agent of Cat Scratch Disease)
Graduate Coursework Microbiology
Work Experiences:
Put these dates on your calendar:
* November 25th is Thanksgiving weekend. CEPSA will not have a meeting in November.
* The Christmas Banquet is scheduled for December 2nd at Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 120 Bull Street.
Immunization Awareness and Polio Education Campaign
Sponsored by CEPSA and
Everybody Counts Immunization Coalition
CEPSA had a Polio Awareness display at the “Back to School Event,” Savannah Mall on July 29th from 1:00 to 5:00. Directors: Sandra Bath, Diane Davis and Ruth and Junie Parham.
Chatham County Immunization Awareness Campaign Kick-off at the Sand gnats Game, August 25th. Directors: Marianne Papas and the Everybody Counts Immunization Coalition.
CEPSA will have a Polio Awareness display at the “Baby Fair” - Brunswick Mall, Brunswick, Georgia – Saturday, September 16th, from 10:00 until 1:00.
Directors: Ruth and Junie Parham and Hattie Evensen
We want to thank Hattie Evensen for donating a CEPSA sign to our group to identify our table at the “Baby Fair.” This sign will also be used for other events in the future.
CEPSA
General Meeting June 24, 2006 Minutes
President Diane Davis opened the meeting at 10:10 am and welcomed everyone present. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and Richard Graham gave the inspiration and prayer.
Diane Davis introduced Phillip Webber, Director of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency, who presented a program on his agency and Hurricane Preparedness. A summary of the presentation appears on page 5 of this issue of The Lighthouse. He did an excellent job and answered our questions for 35 minutes.
Diane Davis called the Business Meeting to order at 11:45 am. Marty Foxx gave the Treasurer’s Report. Janet DiClaudio gave a brief Care Team Report. Betty Kipp asked her to thank the members for their thoughts and prayers.
Project Updates were given by each Chairperson.
Cheryl Brackin, Chair of Health Packet Project, reported that her committee has designed a first draft of a Health Data Form and decided on some of the contents of the member packet. She stated that the project should be completed by the September meeting.
Sandra Bath, Polio Awareness Project Chair, reported that she and Diane Davis will be meeting with the Chatham County Health Department very soon. Her group is designing poster contests for 5th, 8th, and 12th grade, and a Power Point Presentation contest for college students. The committee wants to present the winners in each category with very nice prizes.
Dan Shehan, Chairman of the Historic District Map Project reported that he obtained a map of the city from the city of Savannah and enlarged and copied the Historic District only. Teams will canvas the district and note all of the curb cuts and the location of many historic sites. Richard Graham suggested that our group us our funds to publish the map. A motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.
Christina Paso from the Chatham County Health Department took three pictures of our group immediately after the meeting. A picture of our group
will be used (possibly on billboards) for a pandemic flu campaign in October 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet DiClaudio
Secretary
Attendance at the June Meeting:
Jim & Gigi Veccia Betty Goff Sandra Bath
Tom Newcomer Lorraine Frew Diane Davis
Dot & Bob Parkhurst Delphine Dean Dan Shehan
Ruth & Junie Parham Marty Foxx Richard Hall
Richard Graham Sissy Morel
Sher Blackwelder Richard S. Hall
Beverly & Gene Jarvis Cheryl Brackin
Dave and B.J. Vance Ed and Adrienne Stallworth
Janet DiClaudio Phillip Webber - speaker
Nutrition and You
By Marty Foxx
Over the summer I have been continuing my research on healthy nutrition for people like us. I halfway tried a diet plan offered on the internet, but I resented the constant marketing and the overall cost. The personal counseling they were supposed to give didn’t work out as I had hoped either. I tried a very old three-day diet which was effective short-term, but it was not sustainable. Keeping a food journal is a wonderful idea and it does reveal some shocking truths; but I was not able to discipline myself enough to keep it going full time. How about you?
Then my friend Dan Shehan told me about a diet book which had caught his attention. Dan has become quite an advocate for The Maker’s Diet by Jordan Rubin which was published in 2004. When I expressed interest, he ordered me one of the books and I found it fascinating. I’ve discussed its ideas with several of my health-conscious friends, and it does create controversy on some points. I join Dan in recommending it to people who want to be informed and challenged. One of the reasons I liked the book was Mr. Rubin’s position favoring eggs and red meat, two of my favorites. I’m sure Dan will be happy to give you his perspective on The Maker’s Diet.
I’d like to invite you to share with me any interesting and helpful information you may have read on nutrition. Please tell me if you have had some positive results from a particular eating plan. Let us realize and affirm that what we eat does make a difference in our lives. We must focus on health, not just weight control. Each of us needs a personal nutritional plan based on lifestyle, sensible choices, and sustainability. “One size does not fit all” when it comes to nutrition. I’m still searching and I hope you are, too. Send me some feedback: mfoxx4@comcast.net or 23 East 61st Street, Savannah, 31405.
Happy September Birthday to …
6 Cheryl Brackin 11 George Frick 11 Ed Luck
16 Betty Johnson 19 Patrina Johnson 22 Gene Jarvis
24 Richard Hall 27 Dot Parkhurst
Statement of Policy
To be placed on the newsletter mailing list, a person shall fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
Pay annual dues of $15.00.
Attend at least one meeting in a twelve-month period.
Call the CEPSA president and request to be placed on the list.
Articles contained in this newsletter do not imply any endorsement of the information or sources of that information. They are included as a means of education and do not reflect any official policy of CEPSA.
Voluntary Dues of $15.00 may be paid at any time throughout the year to Marty Foxx;
her mailing address is: 21 East 61st Street, Savannah, GA 31405.
The gift of stamps for mailing your newsletter would be greatly appreciated!
Polio Still Victimizes!
Total number of cases worldwide as of September 5, 2006:
1182
Four endemic countries!
CEPSA Officers for 2006
Diane Davis, President
Lorraine Frew, V.P.
Janet DiClaudio Secretary
Marty Foxx, Treasurer
Members-at-Large –
Dan Shehan
Jim Veccia
Committees - Chairpersons:
Publicity - Cheryl Brackin
Newsletter - Sandra Bath
Mailing – Beverly Jarvis
Fund-Raising –
Richard Graham
Hospitality –
Tom & Eunice Newcomer
Dot and Bob Parkhurst
Phone - Lavonne Calandra
Betty Goff
Videographer - Junie Parham
The Bookworm’s Corner
The Post-Polio Experience:
Psychological Insights and Coping Strategies for Polio Survivors and Their Families
Author: Margaret E. Backman, Ph.D.
Review by: Janet DiClaudio
Margaret E. Backman, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist in New York City who specializes in helping individuals with medical illnesses and physical disabilities. She has done research with polio survivors who are experiencing post-polio syndrome.
Dr. Backman takes us from the stages in child development through aging addressing many issues that we deal with along the way. She discusses depression, asking for and receiving help, abandonment, personal relationships, avoiding going to the doctor, stress, and facing the future.
One of the chapters in the book deals with whether or not there is a “polio personality”. I have told many people that I have a “Type A” personality. She describes the “Type A” personality and I do not have all of the characteristics. She made me think about myself and who and what I really am.
One of the chapters deals with “Educating Your Physician”. She covers how to tell them about your problems and why they find it difficult to listen to you. They feel that you are trying to be a doctor and tell them what to do. Many of them are defensive because they feel threatened. This makes sense when I think about it. One of the suggestions is to find a brief description of the syndrome overall and something about the problem you need to have addressed at the time of your appointment. Do not overwhelm them with everything at once.
The book is very well written, easy to read, flows well between topics, the print is larger than most books I’ve read, and I could relate to many parts of it very easily. I would recommend it to all polio survivors and their families. I would also recommend that we give a copy to our physicians.
Check out CEPSA’s Website!
http://www.coastalempirepoliosurvivors.org
S.O.S. ~ Spotlighting Our Sponsors
Mr. Danny Zeigler
263 Ladessie Zeigler Road
Guyton, GA 31312
Donation for the Immunization Poster Competition - Sponsored by CEPSA
Margaret Howard
The Pit Stop Barbecue Restaurant
2107 Highway 80
Garden City, GA 31408
Gift Certificates for door prizes
Howard's Auto and Marine Electric
2103 Highway 80
Garden City, GA 31408
Bicycle for 2006 Immunization Poster Competition - Sponsored by CEPSA
Higdon's Collision Center
2707 West Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31408
Bicycle for 2006 Immunization Poster Competition - Sponsored by CEPSA
John Anderson
Anderson’s Auto Repair
605 Highway 80 West
Garden City, GA 31408
Bicycle for 2006 Immunization Poster Competition - Sponsored by CEPSA
Eddie Coleman
Auto Shine Car Wash
4410 Augusta Road
Garden City, GA 31408
Car Wash Gift Certificates for door prizes
Emergency Management: A Summary of Phillip Weber’s Talk
Phillip Webber, Director, Chatham Emergency Management Agency, presented an overview of the agency and its functions. CEMA is comprised of six employees. He and his agency provide guidance and leadership for a multidisciplinary approach to emergency management. They leverage resources such as buses and trucks when needed.
He distributed several handouts including one for disabled individuals. Extra sets are available for members who missed the meeting. Ask Diane Davis for one.
CEPSA Meets Saturday, Sept. 23, at 10:00 in the Candler Heart & Lung Bldg., 2nd floor conference room.
You do not want to miss this meeting!
