A group on Tuesday and Thursday are meeting at Bexhill Leisure pool at 8:00 a.m. It is a bit early but many of us are so much better first thing in the morning. Anyone who wants to join is more than welcome.
This is worth considering as an alternative for all who found hydrotherapy beneficial. The cost per session is £2.50 for a disable swim for as long as you like. Full disabled facilities are available, plus a cafe.
This exercise class works on balance, fatigue management, concentration, muscle flexibility and relaxation. This activity can play an important part in the management of MS.
Still hesitant about joining? Not sure if it’s for you? Worried that you can’t get your foot behind your ear? Well, let me reassure you.
The MS yoga group does not do anything strenuous! The main focus of the class is to learn how to relax, to breath correctly and so to take in as much oxygen as possible and then to focus on some gentle strengthening, stretching and balancing.
Don’t worry if you have a particular problem or health condition additional to MS. Donna our teacher will teach you which exercises you can and cannot do and will help you to either find a different way to do the exercise or to do a completely different one.
If you are interested, the Hastings and Rother Branch have a yoga group specifically for people with MS every Friday morning from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Classes are held at the West St Leonard’s Community Centre at the bottom of Filsham Road. There is ample parking. Lessons are £3.00, and first lessons are free. Contact Donna Sams at 01424 777751.
Following the wishes of a generous donation of £800 in Memory of member Robert Hargreaves, we are asking members to indicate their interest in this therapy to contact
Telephone: 0800 707 6645
E-
Nikki Lofting MFHT MAR
Aromatherapy Massage
Full Body. Allow 60 minutes.
Neck, Back & Shoulders. 30 minutes.
Reflexology
Allow 60 minutes.
Once a month: £10.00
(subsidised by the MS Society)
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Anyone who would like to join in these sessions, please contact Ashley Askham.
MORE ABOUT YOGA (continued)
Yoga can help with pain, stiffness, backache, balance problems and digestive concerns.
Some quotes about yoga from an article in Connections Magazine:
“...most of the benefits that come from yoga focus on relaxing muscles rather then pushing them into positions that they tend to fight against. The most valuable lesson in yoga is the importance of listening to your body.”
“Muscle relaxation can be done while sitting in a chair, on a train or almost anywhere… it helps you to relax and ease tension so that you do not unnecessarily waste energy.”
Do you have or do you know of a good service accessible to disabled people?
If you do, please let us know and we will be able to let others in on your secret.
If you are someone with Multiple Sclerosis and have children I recommend contacting The Disabled Parents Network. They are a group of Disabled Parents who believe that disabled people have the right to have children and to be properly supported. My own experience is of being a parent with Multiple Sclerosis, raising my son with special needs. It was from friends petitioning the local member of parliament on my behalf, that I heard about The Disabled Parents Network and received the advice I needed to obtain support as a disabled parent. Having a hidden impairment like Multiple Sclerosis can make things difficult for professionals to understand the circumstances. If you are contacting social services you may find that there is a peculiar divide between adult services supporting you and children's services supporting the children. The Disabled Parents Network are a contact point to help you steer a course through such divides and obtain the necessary support to continue in your role as a parent, without feeling like giving up.
The Disabled Parents Network also produce useful booklets on topics such as advocacy, advice and legal help. How advocacy, advice and legal support can help you. How to go about finding a solicitor if you need one. What to do if you feel you have been discriminated against and 'What the law says. Setting out the legal background to services for disabled parents in England' also 'Getting your needs assessed ' and 'Making a care plan to meet your needs'.
Also I would like to add that it can be difficult to seek help, because as a disabled parent you do not want to appear as if you are not coping. Speaking to another disabled parent can make it easier to look into the help and support you may need, without feeling like an inadequate parent. Another aspect of The Disabled Parents Network is to provide contact with other disabled parents.
There is a help line number to phone, 0870 241 0450 answered by volunteer disabled parents. Charged at the National Rate.
Also check out the website: www.DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk.
The email address is: information@DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk.
The Disabled Parents Network is registered charity no. 1087662.
Written by Helen Cherry, Local Network Link Volunteer for Disabled Parents Network in East Sussex.
