“Diagnose and adios”. This was the phrase used to describe the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) up until the mid-1990s

Source MS Trust: The Risk Sharing Scheme: What is it and how has it made a difference for people with MS?

Diagnose and adios

“Diagnose and adios”. This was the phrase used to describe the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) up until the mid-1990s.

It’s hard to fathom today, but back then neurologists had little to offer people with MS by way of drugs and treatments and many were left to deal with complex and unpredictable symptoms alone.  “Neurologists routinely told people like me ‘You’ve got MS – go home and learn to live with it’,” MS Trust co-founder Chris Jones remembers.

The landscape was bleak. MS specialist nurses were few and far between, research into the condition was limited and, understandably, hope was in short supply.  Read on.

Get around with these apps for accessible travel

Source Independent Living: Travelling around the UK is certainly not easy for wheelchair users. Many wheelchair users have, in fact, faced prejudice while attempting to get around independently.

Comedian, Tanyallee Davis, recently suffered and expressed her humiliation on a train journey during which the driver insisted she move from the disabled space she was rightfully occupying, to make way for a woman boarding with a pram.

Unfortunately, the situation escalated to the point where she was taken more than 50 miles away from her destination.

Situations such as this only highlight the need for accessible venues and spaces. With that in mind, Karma Mobility – specialist suppliers of powered wheelchairs – are sharing their greatest apps for accessible travel.  Find out more here.

Making a lasting power of attorney has never been easier!

Making a lasting power of attorney for your health and wellbeing and financial affairs has never been easier! You may never need it, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead just in case!

The government online service will guide you through the process to create a lasting power of attorney. Find out more here.

Encouraging news for people with primary or secondary progressive MS

Source F1000 Prime: Fox et al. present the results of the eagerly awaited SPRINT-MS trial – a multi-centre phase II double blinded placebo controlled study of ibudilast in decreasing brain atrophy in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Ibudilast was previously trialled in relapsing MS and whilst it did not prevent the reduction of new T2 lesions, it had an effect on decreasing brain atrophy and conversion of gadolinium-enhancing lesions to T1 black holes. Coupled with its immunomodulation properties and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, ibudilast was felt to be worth studying in progressive MS (PMS).  Read on (click on the abstract tab)

Generation Games in the news and Powerlifting!💪 Plus new classes across the county🆕

 

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Dear Readers,

Did you see the Oxford Mail yesterday? We were featured about our Strength & Balance classes alongside a 71 year old powerlifting lady from Oxford – very inspiring!
You can read the article on the following link  Powerlifting Oxford professor proves it’s never too late to lift


Updates on classes:

We have LOTS of new classes for the back to school season. Please call us to book your place!

NEW classes
Strength & Balance – All Saints Youth and Community Church Hall, Didcot – Thursday 1.15 – 2.15 pm (starts 4th October)
Zumba Gold SEATED – Abingdon Community Support Centre (old Health and  Wellbeing Centre, Audlett Drive) – Thursday 10-11 am. This class was supposed to start today, unfortunately we had to cancel today’s session at the last minute, so as an apology, anyone who comes to the first session on 4th October will receive a FREE T shirt
Strength & Balance – Southmoor Village Hall – Wednesday 9.30 – 10.30 am
Strength & Balance – Sonning Common Village Hall – Friday 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Strength & Balance – Witney Methodist Church (Bethany room) – Wednesday 11.45 am – 12.45 pm
Strength & Balance – Bloxham Ex Servicemen’s Hall – Friday 11.30 am – 12.30 pm (starts 12th October)
Strength & Balance – Cropredy Sports Pavilion – Monday 11.15 am – 12.15 (starts 8th October)
Strength & Balance – Bradwell Village Hall, Burford – Tuesday 10 – 11 am
Big Bold and Balance (Parkinson’s class) – Bradwell Village Hall, Burford – Tuesday 11.30 am – 12.30 pm

Changes to classes:
Dancercise (chair-based and standing exercise to music) Radley Village Hall – Monday new time of 3.00 – 4.00 pm
Most of our classes run alongside the school terms; if you are unsure whether a class is on, please feel free to get in touch by email or phone info@generationgames.org.uk or 01235 849 403

We also have Therabands (latex resistance bands) and exercise booklets, available together for £5. If you would like one, please send us an email with your address.

Theraband
Copyright © 2018 Generation Games / Age UK Oxfordshire, All rights reserved.

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Want to know more about how what you eat can affect your MS?

Source MS Trust: Want to know more about how what you eat can affect your MS? We put some of your questions to Dr Conor Kerley, a registered dietitian who was diagnosed with MS at 16.

Every week there seems to be media coverage of a new piece of research, suggesting that what you eat or drink could make a difference to how your MS progresses. But diet is a hugely controversial topic in the MS world, partly because it’s so hard to do research. As two new large-scale studies of diet begin in the US, we put some of your questions to Dr Conor Kerley, a registered dietitian who was diagnosed with MS when he was 16. Read on.

VAT Exemption on Disability Living Products

Source Independent Living: For anybody who is about to purchase equipment to help them manage with a disability, don’t forget about VAT exemption.

Here are the rules regarding VAT exemption for disabled people. Find out when you can buy mobility products and daily living aids without VAT, and how to go about it.  And most importantly, don’t forget that you need to get the VAT taken off BEFORE you buy, you can’t claim it back afterwards…Find out more here.

Tips to save money – Independent Living

Source Independent Living:   Here are some ideas about ways that you may be able to save money on essentials if you have a disability, are elderly, and receive certain benefits, and/or have a low income.

Warm Home Discount Scheme – This scheme provides £140 rebate on electricity bills during winter 2018-2019, for people who qualify. You may be able to get the rebate on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both. Two million low-income households should benefit each year.  Find out more.

Fuelmii – get your car refuelled at a place that’s convenient for you!

With  Fuelmii, you just phone and they come to your car wherever it is – so disabled people or anyone else do not need to get to a garage.

They work 24/7 with no delivery fee. You only pay for the fuel you get and this is at or below supermarket prices.
This was advertised in the Disabled motorist magazine which we subscribe to and the service is worth recommending to all who attend the Centre.”  Find out more here.