UpDate
Living with Polio.
A charity film was premiered on 7th January 2010 at the Apollo Cinema, Piccadilly, London entitled ‘Sex & drugs & rock & roll’. It tells the life story of a man, Ian Drury, born in 1940 and who contracted polio in 1949. Despite being left partially paralysed, he went on to become a pop star, touring the world, marrying and having children (who thought the world of their dad, in spite of his ‘wonky walk’).
Sadly, Ian died of cancer in 2000. Guests, artists and performers attended the performance as did 300 people, despite the dreadful winter weather. After speeches about the film, about the work of the British Polio Fellowship and Macmillan Cancer Support, at the request of the Drury family, the evening concluded with a sale of two of Drury’s CDs and some donated merchandise sales, resulting in the Fellowship earning £6,000 from this collaboration.
The interest in the film led to various articles being writing about living with polio. One particularly high profile article about Jemima Drury (Ian’s daughter) appeared in the Mail on Sunday, which prompted several ex-polio victims to join the Polio Fellowship. Read the article at www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1247318
The epidemic which spread throughout Britain in the 1940s-50s caused panic. Most of the victims were children, though some adults were also affected. Polio is a viral disease, which manifests itself with flu-like symptoms, headache, aching muscles and joints, double vision and fever. Many people just experienced those symptoms and no more, but many suffered paralysis and respiratory problems too.
It was in 1947 that I contracted polio, experiencing paralysis along with all the other painful symptoms which went with the condition. I was paralysed for about 8 weeks, (during which time I never saw my parents), and if you can imagine how weak one feels after a week in bed, just think how utterly helpless a person feels when the actual paralysis leaves them. It was a complete shock to find that to try to move an arm I broke out in a sweat. The strain of trying to move again was almost more than I could cope with. But in the end I more than coped, as did many thousands of others. One fought every bit of the way, striving to do as well as able- bodied people, and in some cases, even better.
It took 7 years of physiotherapy and electric treatment to my right leg, trying to build up wasted muscles, until in the end, the physiotherapists had to admit defeat.
Having my feet reconstructed in the 1980s was a bonus, although I did wonder what I had done at the time. It meant that following my recovery from the vast amount of surgery, I was able to teach watercolour painting, which turned my life around, giving me the confidence I lacked before and helping me meet many new people and make new friends, from very different backgrounds.
Life has been very good although there have been quite a few physical challenges along the way.
Probably the greatest challenge still faces me. I have now been diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome or the Late Effects of Polio. After 30-40 years, polio manifests itself in the form of extra pain and muscle atrophy (which I am trying to fight by doing one and a half hours of exercise each day to keep the strength going in my legs. The left hip and knee are beginning to complain of the overuse of years of standing, bending, kneeling, etc. because the right leg cannot take my weight.
I need patience. Learning to pace myself is not easy when what I really want to do are activities and to do my garden, which I love and which is my retreat. On reflection, perhaps I see common ground between myself and Ian Drury, (not that I have been a pop star)! That is determination to reach your goal, however battle-scarred you are; whatever the odds, and to continually strive to achieve that freedom giving independence which is so essential to self-fulfilment.
Ann Tomes(Erdington)
…to JESSICA DAVIDSON on her B.Sc degree (2.1) in Psychology from Bangor University at the end of her three year course.
After her graduation in July she is going again to Belarus to work in the Sanatorium. This is the beginning of a ‘year-out’ for Jess. We wish her well there and look forward to receiving news from her of her experiences in that wonderful voluntary work.
For the future, she has plans to go to Sheffield University in September 2011 to study for a Masters degree in Social Care.
JOTTINGS FROM THE JUNE CHURCH COUNCIL
After Opening Devotions led by the Minister, chairing the meeting, the Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Matters arising from the Minutes – under the new Government, the Safeguarding regulations were now under review, those involved with recent Jubilee events were congratulated and thanked; JMA collectors will be presented with awards soon; photographs of Jubilee events will be requested to accompany the individual photographs taken recently when a Jubilee folder is compiled; it was announced that the Friday Club will close at the end of the current session in July as after 15 years the numbers of children attending has fallen to a low level and the leaders, with increasing age, have decided it is time end their commitment. On behalf of the church the Chairman thanked all involved for their service over the years. The children will be introduced to ‘Deck 7’ at St. Philip’s before the Club closes.There was no financial report. Members may be contacted with a request for increases in giving. The Ministerial Pension Fund is currently under review with the possibility of reductions in the level of pensions to be paid. Thanks were expressed for the skilled work done to construct the new communion table. The Church Anniversary (Sept.12th.) will welcome Revd. John Bates as preacher in the morning and a “Songs of Praise” style evening led by United Christian Voices. The Superintendent Minister (Rev. David Milner) joined the council meeting to inform members of Circuit plans. There will be a Circuit meeting soon to consider the recommendation that Brunswick Circuit (including St. Paul’s) will agree to the plan to create a single Sheffield Circuit from 2012. From September there will be monthly planning meetings by 3 Circuit representatives to carry the details forward. The new Circuit would stretch from Unstone to the north of Stocksbridge and from the Tinsley viaduct to the west of RivelinValley. The aim would be “Regrouping for Mission” and would allow for a redistribution of resources. There might well be ‘clusters’ of churches either geographical or by shared interests/experience (e.g. rural or housing estates or other criteria). The experience of other newly formed large Circuits around the country would be used in this planning. He informed the meeting that our minister has expressed his wish not to be re-appointed to the Circuit in September 2011 after his 9 years’ appointment ends. Planning is taking place for the ministerial oversight in the period leading up to the new Circuit. (From a ‘web-site’ in the Brunswick Room).
Dronfield and District Feast
God’s world in flowers, art, music and poetry
25 - 27th June 2010
The churches together Feast this year was based around the Christian assertion that this is God’s world and that he is the creator of all who live in it.
Once again a voluntary team (five years older) achieved a minor miracle in producing another floral display at St. Paul’s under the theme “INTO GOD’S FUTURE”. Over the weekend well over three hundred visitors visited the church to enjoy the displays along with approx. seventy children and staff from LenthallSchool. The children had also provided examples of their artwork and this was displayed in the Beeson Hall.
Each floral display cleverly interpreted the words of the verses from the Hymn 343, “God in his love for us lent us this planet”. For instance, children from the school were mesmerised by a collection of toys which was part of a display depicting Transport and Communication in the 21st Century, particularly as they are owned by a 75 year old man! Other displays showed our neglect of the environment, the seasons, music, bygone days and the pleasures of the seaside.
The weather was hot and dry throughout the weekend and despite all efforts some flowers suffered with the heat, as did the volunteers !
Fortunately one of the floral artistes saved the day with some floral wire, hope and a prayer.
Superb refreshments and meals were served to approx. two hundred people by Beryl Potts and her team of ladies in the kitchen.
Judging by the comments in the visitors book visitors thought the displays provoking, peaceful and inspiring. A very big thank you to all the folk who came along and everyone who gave of their time, and talents to make our contribution to the feast at St. Paul’s so worthwhile. PL
SUMMER NEW TESTAMENT QUIZ
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Which Gospel opens with the words, “In the beginning was the Word”..?
2. To which woman did Jesus say, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” ?
3 Only one of Jesus’ miracles is recorded in all four Gospels. Which miracle?
4. After meeting Jesus, who said that he would give away half his possessions to the poor?
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Where did Jesus attend a wedding reception?
6. Which top Jewish religious leader visited Jesus at night?
7. To whom did Jesus say, “Get up, take your mat and go home”?
8. When Jesus told the professional mourners that the ruler’s daughter was “not dead but asleep” how did they react?
9. What did Jesus promise he would give to the weary and burdened if they came to him?
10. Jesus had four half-brothers, Joseph and James were two of the brothers. Name one of the other two.
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