Product Working Group Research

Are you a disabled person or carer?

Would you like to tell other disabled people or carers about products or adaptations that you have found useful or had difficulties with? These could be showers, handrails, toilets, baths, stairlifts ... in fact the list is endless.

This is your chance to recommend products that have made your life easier or highlight any difficulties you are having with any particular products.

To complete the Product Working Group online questionnaire, please click here.

Please note that the closing date for this survey is Friday 23 April 2010, so please get your responses in by that date. For further information on how you can take part please contact Laura Cleland at Disability Action on:

Telephone: 028 90297880

Textphone: 028 9029 7882

Fax: 028 9029 7881

Email: lauracleland@disabilityaction.org 
 

MS Society NI branches focus on access to physiotherapy for people with MS

MS Society branches throughout Northern Ireland are campaigning and lobbying for more access to physiotherapy for people with MS. A Northern Ireland wide survey carried out recently by the MS Society NI demonstrated that people with MS are disadvantaged through the absence of adequate physiotherapy provision. The branches are keen to gain support from as many MLAs as possible to ensure people in Northern Ireland with MS have a service that is as fair and equitable as the rest of the UK.

Local branches are hosting meetings with their MLAs to gain support and raise awareness of the campaign. Everyone is welcome, if there is a meeting near you please do come along and support the campaign.

The meetings will take place on:

• Monday 22nd February at 7.30pm - Omagh Branch, Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
  


• Wednesday 24th February at 7.30pm - Belfast Branch, Resource Centre, Annadale Avenue, Belfast
  


• Thursday 25th February at 7.30pm - Coleraine Branch, Pavestone Centre, Rugby Avenue, Coleraine
  


• Monday 1st March at 7.30pm - Ballymena and Ballymoney Branch, George Sloane Centre, Ballymena
  


• Thursday 4th March at 7.30pm - Newry Branch, Arts Centre, Newry
  


• Wednesday 10th March at 7.30pm - Antrim Branch, Antrim Day Centre, Station Road, Antrim
  


• Tuesday 16th March at 7.30pm - Larne Branch, Gloucester Day Centre, Larne
  


• Thursday 18th March at 7.30pm - Portadown Branch
  


• Tuesday 30th March at 7.30pm - Mid Ulster Branch, Rainey Business Centre, Magherafelt
  


• If you would like any further information on the meetings please do not hesitate to contact us on 028 9080 2802.

 

MS Society Manifesto

Get involved in Campaigning and support the new MS Society Manifesto!

A general election has to be called before 3 June 2010 and the Campaigns Team needs your help to influence the next government.

What is the Manifesto?

It is important that we increase awareness of MS and hold government to account on priority issues for people affected by MS. We've prepared the MS Manifesto to help you do just that. The Manifesto sets out ten priorities that the MS Society wants the next government to focus on, in three main areas.

Healthcare: the right to quality and specialist healthcare throughout life including fair access to the right drugs and treatments.

Independence: the right to wheelchairs and enabling equipment including personalised care and support.

Support: the right to support in and out of work including the right to support for carers.

What can you do?

It doesn't matter who you are or what your interest in MS is, everyone can do something to support the MS Society Manifesto.

We've put together an activity pack, full of easy and effective ways you can get loud, whether you have just a few minutes or a whole day to get involved. The pack features easy to use template letters, step by step guidance, e-petition help and more.

If you don't have a lot of time, simply sign up to the Campaigns Network or add your signature to a No.10 e-petition.

If you have ten minutes or more, you can send a letter to your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates, or arrange to talk to them about MS and the MS Society Manifesto.

You can read the Manifesto and download our activity pack here.
 

New Children's Title from the MS Society

Our Dad Makes the Best Boats by Jo Johnson

The twins' dad makes wonderful boats, and every year they win the boat race at school. The twins think their dad is great, but sometimes his MS makes him tired or a bit slow when they go for a walk. This delightful illustrated book, aimed at children under 10, gives a realistic but reassuring picture of how families deal with MS. reading it with a child can help to raise some of the issues of MS in a natural, non-pressured way.

We hope to produce a complementary book, Our Mum Bakes the Best Cakes, in 2010.

If you would like a copy of the book, please order online here or contact Mark Hatte on 028 9080 2802.

  

Latest Issue of MS Society NI Magazine Now Available

Please click here to download a copy of our latest magazine. The magazine is also available in audio format. If you would like to receive a hard copy or an audio copy please contact Clare McBride on cmcbride@mssocietyni.co.uk or 028 9080 2802.