Well, there was an awful lot we didn't know about the work of the Red Cross in the Neath Port Talbot area. The Neath Port Talbot Hospital Discharge Service is invaluable in helping people get home from hospital early, knowing that they will have support for six weeks with shopping, cleaning, personal hygeine, companionship and a host of other things.
They also have the Practical Aids to Living Servive - PALS - which offers trials, advice and sales of many gadgets which make life easier for those living with a disability, from wheelchairs, to pencil grips to commodes - and all things inbetween. There is also a Mobile Medical Loans Service. There are many items for loan or for sale. These are available from the Neath Branch of the British Red Cross, The Ropewalk Neath, 01639 643818, or Carmarthen 01554 749374
or check out their website http://www.redcross.org.uk/
Then we had an informative chat from Donna about the Expert Patients Programme (EPP) which is funded by the Welsh Assembly. It is a six week programme, free to anyone who is living with a chronic condition and well worth taking part. As well as teaching techniques to combat stress, pain etc it is a wonderful social opportunity to meet other people with different problems, which can often put your own into perspective, or give you another angle to look at and tackle your own difficulties. http://www.eppwales.org/ http://www.eppcymrru.org/
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Breathing easy in Baglan
Donations from our Breathe Easy Group have helped purchase new exercise equipment for the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team in the Medical Resource Centre at Baglan Moors.
The group spent £1,500 on the equipment. The money was raised by holding a sponsored abseil event, when seventy people, adults and children, abseiled down the spectacular 130ft Dinas Rock in the Neath Valley.
The new equipment which consists of a treadmill, two bikes, set of pedals, a set of weights and a tea urn for that important cuppa will help the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team in delivering a valuable service.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme helps treat patients with Chronic Lung Disease. Specialist Physiotherapist, Cath Harper who is based at the Baglan Resource Centre said:
“I just want to say a big thank you to the Breath Easy Neath Valley for all their hard work and to everyone who took part in last years abseil.
“This equipment has a huge benefit for patients who attend the six week rehabilitation programme. It is very important that patients with a respiratory disease try and exercise a little bit more; which will help expand the lungs and improve breathing for the patient.”
Patients attending the programme have already seen health changes by using the new equipment.
Giving the thumbs up to the new equipment and programme is Philip Jones from Port Talbot, who is just completing his fifth week. Philip said:
“The new equipment is fantastic and having this facility locally is brilliant.
“I’m doing really well, feel great and everyone is very helpful.”
Linda Davis, also from Port Talbot is just starting her first week and added: “Sometimes I panic when I can’t get my breath and the team have been teaching me how to control my breathing. Everyone is very supportive and helpful.
“I don’t think I’ll be using the treadmill, but I am very happy with the small floor pedals that I use when sitting on the chair.”
The Breathe Easy Neath Valley are a group of people who are all living with lung conditions, mainly COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which can be debilitating.
Secretary for the group Margaret Barnard said: “Pulmonary rehab is an important part of our treatment and understanding of our condition.
“It teaches us a new way of tackling life with a chronic condition and enables people like us to live full and active lives. As well as the information we receive during the programme, we learn the value of exercise in maintaining muscle tone and keeping our lungs working as well as possible. All this helps to keep us out of hospitals as exacerbations are reduced.
“It's thanks to the generosity of the people who take part and give, that we are able to present this equipment. Thank you to all of you.”
The group are setting up the 2011 abseil event, if you would like to support them or give a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Margaret-Barnard1 For more information on British Lung Foundation Wales visit - www.lunguk.org helpline 08458 50 50 20
Wales Office 01792 455764
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