NEWSLETTER

January/February 2010

Although it is late (sorry my fault – I was on holiday until end of January!) I would like to wish a very happy New Year to our members. I do hope that 2010 will be a very good year for all of us, with continued improvement for our injured members. For all those families with injured loved ones remember that acceptance is part of the healing process – move forward and try to set different goals from those you had previously for this ‘new person’ in your life. Remember the 3 “C’s” – Courage, Compassion and Commitment.

The following will be the last of the article on caregiving. This is an important subject that applies to most of our members. Thanks to Alison Gitelson (one of our volunteer counsellors) we have been donated a book for our library on caregiving by Karen Twichell called “A Caregiver’s Journey” as well as a DVD. These will be an asset to our small library and we thank Alison for organising the donation. If you would like further information on Karen have a look at her website – www.caregiversjourney.com.

“Taking Care of Yourself
Some caregivers are reluctant to acknowledge the strain associated with the many tasks responsibilities and long hours devoted to the caregiving role. Many feel overwhelmed or burned out. It is important not only to give yourself credit for the work you are doing as a caregiver, but also to arrange for some support and an occasional break from daily duties. While extended vacations may not be realistic, it is critical for everyone to schedule some relaxation time for themselves. This may be a short outing, quiet time at home, a visit with a friend, etc. In order to get time off, the caregiver may require respite care/assistance from others to stay with the patient.

Monitor your own health, as stress may contribute to a variety of health problems. Balanced meals, adequate sleep, and attention to persistent ailments are essential ways to take care of yourself. They will also enhance your physical ability, coping skills and stamina to provide care. By taking care of yourself, you will be better able, both physically and emotionally, to provide care for your loved one.

The isolation often felt while caring for an impaired loved one at home can be devastating in itself. For many, this is eased by attending support group meetings with other persons in similar situations. Support groups provide emotional support and caregiving tips as well as information on community resources from others who have learned from experience. Therapeutic counselling may also be beneficial for further problem solving. A professional counsellor can help you cope with feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, loss or competing personal, work and family demands.

Defining Needs and Planning for the Future
Financial and legal planning are important to consider. Issues such as financing long-term care, protecting your assets, obtaining the authority for surrogate decision-making, and other matters often need attention. Make an appointment with an attorney knowledgeable in estate planning, probate, and if possible, public benefits planning.

Other areas often requiring planning include coordination between community services and other involved friends and family members. Decisions about placement in a nursing home or other care options can often be facilitated by a professional familiar with brain impairments, caregiving and community resources.

It is a good idea to take some time to evaluate, in writing, both short and long-term needs. This can be done by first listing the things you may need help with, now or in the future. Next list all your informal supports (eg family, friends, neighbours) and decide how each person might help meet the needs. List any advantages and disadvantages which might be involved in asking these people to help. Write down ideas for overcoming the disadvantages. Repeat the list for formal supports (eg community services, home care workers, day programmes). It is important to set a time frame for any action or activities planned.

ANIVERSARIES OF ACCIDENT/ILLNESS:

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS:
We would like to welcome Marge and Milton Peiser, Theresa and Jean-Marc Vogt and Cathy Rocher and Grant Bennetts as new members of Headway. We hope their time with us will be a long and happy one.

GET WELL SOON:
Headway sends special get well wishes to Hermann Arendt who has not been well for some time.

THANKS FOR DONATIONS:
As usual we have so many kind people to thank for their donations. Tebogo Molobi’s sister brought in a large parcel of groceries and reams of A4 paper, and Daniela Cassuto and Sasha Traub brought in boxes of bisucits. We would also like to thank Kath and Charles McRobert who have donated two boxes of photocopy paper in the last few months. Groceries and photocopy paper are items that get used on a regular basis at Headway and we really appreciate these donations.

Thank you to the Gevers family for a very generous donation of toilet paper.

Geoff Whyte from Cadburys has once again spoiled us with a delicious donation of Easter eggs for our attendees. Thank you Geoff!

Thank you to Loreen Horwitz who donated stoma and urine bags. Quite a few of our attendees do use these bags which are very expensive. This generous donation will, therefore, save them a fair amount of money.

We would also like to thank ABSA Trust, Fry’s Metals, Aberdare Cables, Battery Technologies and the Hermann Ohlthaver Trust for their generous monetary donations. Without our corporate sponsors we would be unable to keep operating. In this regard we would like to thank VR Dragline and Airport Media for their monthly donations specifically for Khomelela.

We also thank Andrew Delmont, Danya Danilowitz and David Graham for their monthly donations. It would be great if other members could also see their way to donate on a regular basis. Every little bit helps!

If you have visited Headway recently you would not have room to move due to computers and printers stacked all over our lounge. We would like to say a big thank you to Willard Batteries for this generous donation. Many of these computers will be used at Khomelela where the attendees are just starting to learn computer skills.

THE ONE DOLLAR GOLF DAY:
Headway feels especially blessed to have the One Dollar Golf Tournament sponsor us on a yearly basis. This tournament was started in 1997 and is played the weekend after the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, on exactly the same set course as the Challenge. In 1997 we were delighted to receive a donation of R2000. The amount has of course increased over the years, however, this year we were presented with the incredible sum of R140 000 – the best ever! As you can imagine running a tournament of this size takes an enormous amount of organisation and we would like to thank Gary Elmes and his wife Kim as well as the rest of his family for their hard work and dedication in making sure that everything runs like clockwork. I believe that this has become a prestigious tournament and we are truly grateful that Headway continues to be the designated charity.

CONGRATULATIONS:
It’s a girl!! Headway sends special love and congratulations to our Manager Glenda Davidson on the birth of her third grandchild and first granddaughter; Jessica Lee. We would like also like to congratulate Gail Verdonck (our longstanding Wednesday volunteer) on the birth of her second grandchild – Claire, a sister for Brian. We wish both Glenda and Gail and their families much joy with the new arrivals.

CAREGIVERS LOOKING FOR A JOB:
Zama 073 818-5112 comes highly recommended by Nola 084 506-2742. Zama has been looking after Nola’s dad who has just recently passed away and she is therefore looking for another caregiving position, either live in our out.

Buli Mtshemla is looking for a job either live in or out. Her contact details are (011)943-21223 or 083 344-9357. Buli has been looking after a lady with Parkinson’s Disease for 2 years. For references contact Mrs Petronela on 076 322-1899.

FAREWELL:
This month we unfortunately say goodbye to Jenilee Etsebeth who has been our admin assistant/receptionist for the past few months. During that time she has endeared herself to everyone, both attendees, volunteers and staff alike, being a naturally compassionate person with a wonderful sense of humour. We are really going to miss her cheerful presence but wish her well in her future endeavours.

EASTER EGG RAFFLE
Alex Rose, one of our Volunteers has organised a wonderful raffle in aid of Headway. This is a giant Geldhof Chocolate Easter Egg (weighing 14kg) worth R2000! Wow - can you imagine eating all that chocolate! The Raffle tickets cost R5 each and can be purchased here at Headway or at the following Geldhof Chocolatier Easter stands –Sandton City fountain court, Eastgate mall Edgars court, Cresta Shopping Centre and Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. For corporate or large numbers of tickets contact Alex Rose directly on 084 209-1263.

A big thank you to Alex and her stepfather Marc Geldhof for this wonderful donation. We are sure that a lot of money will be raised for Headway.

SMALLER FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES:

Mondi Bin:
Thanks to all those people who religiously bring in their newspapers, magazines old books etc our Mondi Bin brings in quite a lot of extra money. Please keep it up.

Cartridge Recycling:
Our cartridge recycling initiative is really going well thanks mainly to Neels from Total Coal and Stan from Office Stationery Connection. You can also help by bringing all your used printer cartridges into Headway. This swells our coffers and also swells our hearts because we are helping to ‘save our planet’ if only in a small way.

“My School” Card:
It costs you nothing to get a “My School Card” and make Headway a beneficiary. When shopping at any participating outlet (this doesn’t need to be Woolworths) a portion of your spend will come our way. If you haven’t yet got a card, please contact me at the Headway Office and I will give you a form.

Headway Tins:
We still have a few Headway tins which you can keep at home for your spare change or put in your favourite supermarket. It’s amazing how the money mounts up. We have just banked R800 from the latest batch of tins! Please come into Headway and get your tin. You will not only raise money for Headway but also create awareness of our organisation.

HFC MEETINGS:
Our Headway Friendship Circle meetings are well underway for the New Year. These very popular meetings are run by our Psychologist Talita Da Costa who organises wonderful guest speakers on brain injury as well as stimulating debates by both injured members and their caregivers. This is the place to come if you need to discuss your problem or get practical advice. It is also a very social environment where brain injured members can feel accepted and comfortable amongst their peers. The meetings take place at our Headway Centre in Hyde Park, (85 – 1st Road) every 2nd Thursday evening from 6pm. Everyone, (including family and friends) is welcome to attend and a snack will be served after meeting. The next meeting will be held on 4th March. If you require further information please contact Talita on (011)442-5733.

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Editor and compiler : Annie Coe

Thought for the day:
“People see God every day; they just don’t recognise him.” Pearl J Bailey

APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE EXPRESSING A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH; AN ADAGE

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don't have a sense of humour, you probably don't have any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
9. Scratch a cat and you will have a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for the wrong number at 4 am - it could be the right number.
13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
14. I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
15. Be careful reading the fine print. There's no way you're going to like it.
16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old men and old ladies running around with tattoos? (And rap music will be the Golden Oldies ! ) No! Say it isn't so!
18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than in a Yaris.
19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead!
20. Always be yourself. Because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones that mind, don't matter.