The Lighthouse

                                     Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc., Newsletter,

                                                                                                                                              November 2006

     Shining light on post-polio health                http://www.coastalempirepoliosurvivors.org                                                  

   ____________________________________________________________________________

                                                                       The President’s Message:

     As we approach the end of 2006, I just wanted to tell each of you that it has been an honor to serve as your president this year. You are an amazing group of people who look beyond yourselves to the needs of others. You are to be commended!

     I would like to thank our Officers, Committees and Care Team Leaders for helping to make 2006 a great year and for agreeing to serve again in 2007.

      Also, a special thank you goes to CEPSA’s Project Chairs and Committees. At our February meeting, I challenged our members to think of ways we could implement CEPSA’s purpose in 2006. I believed that if we could just tap into the resourcefulness and creativity of the people of CEPSA, we could come up with winning ideas. It was fascinating and inspiring to watch the projects unfold into more than I envisioned. CEPSA’s 2006 Projects will have an on-going impact on CEPSA and the community for years to come.

     Last but not least, I would like to thank Jim Veccia, who has done an outstanding job with CEPSA’s website. I have been e-mailing him everything I could think of for the website and Jim has transformed the information and pictures that I sent him into a work of art.

     I am looking forward to serving as your president next year and I am very excited to see what 2007 holds for CEPSA.

God Bless…

Diane Davis, President

CEPSA Minutes from the October 28, 2006 Meeting

President Diane Davis called our October 28th meeting to order. We began with the program on “Sharing Our Strengths” [SOS]. Those attending divided into four groups of five or six each for a discussion, which lasted about 45 minutes. The topic focused on how we individually alleviate our post-polio syndrome symptoms; a separate group of non-polio members dealt with the issues as related to them. After a lively session, one member of each group reported to the group at large. Their shared ideas are listed below in random order:

• Relieve hip pain by slipping a book such as your Bible under one side of your buttocks.
•  Wheelchair users use waffle cushions to ease sensitivity and pain from sitting all the time; one member is exploring the new air bag cushion which inflates by sections.
• Fatigue may be lessened by frequent horizontal rest periods of five minutes. Those still working will need some creativity to do that, but find a plan.
• Several people benefit from exercise sessions personally designed to suit their needs. Some struggle with not knowing when it’s too much or not enough; listen to your body. If it hurts, stop.
• Computer users recommend ergonomic chairs and keyboards, the cordless mouse, the track mouse, and computer reading glasses.
• Acid reflux medication has been helpful in relieving sleep disturbances. Also, c-pap, nebulizers, and oxygen have made sleep problems bearable for some.
• Headaches may indicate a lack of oxygen; perhaps a sleep study would be helpful in treatment.
• Listen to your body and adjust as needed. The adjustment is sometimes difficult and comes in two stages: First, a mental decision that you have to do something about it, and then a physical response as you actually make the change. 
•  Avoid lifting heavy items; use a rolling cart to carry groceries into the house. Mack’s 5 & 10 store in Medical Arts has several styles, and Tom Newcomer has one with 3 wheels on each wheel stem to allow use on steps. 
• Buy food items in smaller lighter packages.
• Look for ways to avoid standing for long periods of time. While waiting in line, ask for a chair.
• Go ahead and use that cane or walker or scooter to extend your energy level before it becomes a necessity. 
• Don’t assume that all your medical problems are related to polio.
• Get the polio vaccines if you never had them before to protect yourself from other strains.
•  Thumb use was improved with removable casts, which immobilized the thumbs.
• Make use of reachers; explore all the options available.
• Lose weight if you are too heavy; one pound of weight causes three pounds of pressure on the knees.
• Continue to read articles to expand your understanding of our unique problems.

The non-polio group discussed the challenges of not helping too much, especially allowing the polio survivor to exercise. The group paid tribute to Sher Blackwelder for her efforts in distributing the historic maps to sites around town.

              The business meeting followed the SOS program. Marty Foxx gave the treasurer’s report and the minutes were approved after Cheryl Brackin made a correction; the wording of one of the winning posters was not exact. The posters are part of our history book now. Diane announced that the Annual Banquet would take place December 2 at 12:00 at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension. Donations of seven dollars a plate are requested, and reservations must be made by November 3. Five Grand Door Prizes will be given by drawing to polio survivors. These include the Peggy Cone painting of a lighthouse, a Ray Ellis lighthouse print, a gift card from Barnes and Noble, a gift certificate from Premier Jewelry, and a gift certificate from the Mansion on Forsyth Park.

Many other door prizes will also be given to those attending the banquet.

              Several members expressed thanks for our caring support during crises: Ruthie Parham, Gloria Sullivan, and Bob Parkhurst.

              Ruthie and Junie Parham invited us to join them and Hattie Everson  at the Colonial Mall in Brunswick on November 11 from 9:00-4:00. They will offer information on polio and make use of our exhibit display materials. Junie Parham suggested that we consider making a video documentary of our group’s stories.

              Janet DiClaudio, chair of the nominating committee, reported that all present officers agreed to serve another year in their positions. There were no nominations from the floor. The slate of officers was approved by unanimous vote.

              Several door prizes were given away. Thanks go out to Autoshine, the Pit Stop BBQ Restaurant, and Cheryl Brackin for donating prizes. Thanks also to Dot and Bob Parkhurst, Beverly Jarvis, and Sher Blackwelder for great refreshments.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet DiClaudio, secretary

ATTENDANCE AT OCTOBER MEETING

Beverly Jarvis                 Dave Vance                   Gene Jarvis                     Dan Shehan

Sher Blackwelder           Nancy Hess                   Steve Hess                      Marty Foxx    

Cheryl Brackin               Jim Veccia                     Adrienne Stallworth         Betty Goff 

Dot Parkhurst                Diane Davis                    Sissy Morel                      Bob Parkhurst

Velma Underwood         Ruth Parham                   Janet DiClaudio                Junie Parham           

Tom Newcomer             Eunice Newcomer           Gigi Veccia                      Lorraine Frew              

B. J. Vance                    Richard Graham               Joey Carroll

Announcements

CEPSA received recognition at the Health and Wellness Fun Fair in Brunswick, GA

CEPSA participated in the fair on Saturday, November 11 from 9:00 to 4:00 at Colonial Glynn Place Mall in Brunswick, Georgia. Ruth and Junie Parham and Hattie Evenson were the coordinators of the CEPSA Polio Awareness display and Velma Underwood’s son, Joey Carroll helped with the set up. CEPSA was awarded a certificate of appreciation in recognition of valuable contributions to the YWCA of Brunswick, Georgia - 2006 Health & Wellness Fun Fair.

Thank you goes to Ruth Parham… CEPSA’s Newest Care Team Leader.

Ruth is doing a great job locating polio survivors in her area to let them know about CEPSA. She will be covering the Brunswick/Darien district and surrounding areas.

Ruth Parham’s Team:

Hattie Evenson               Velma Underwood                       Allen Igou                         Ron Gay

Ann Chance                   Theresa Chapman                         Lamar Jackson                 Glenda Walker

Member Concerns

Our deepest condolences to Jim and Gigi Veccia on the death of Jim’s sister.

Ann Chance’s mother is very ill.

Post-Polio International Conference is April 9-11, 2007 in Miami, FL.

Do any members want to attend this event? In the past, CEPSA has assisted members by paying the registration fee. Please let Diane know as soon as possible if you want to attend.

                                            Happy Birthday to … 

November 21  Deloris Manor                                  December  15  Sally Luck

                 23  Judy Frick                                                           22  Betty Goff

                 25  Hilda Fields                                                         27  Diane Davis

Polio Global Case Count as of November 22, 2006: 1685

At same date in 2005: 1528