National support for all neurological conditions December 2018

The BrainCharity

• Subarachnoid haemorrhage - Kavita’s story

• The Snow Ball 2018

Carols by Candlelight

Glance

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I was taken into the accident and emergencywing of the Salford Royal hospital, on 17thMarch 2015, with a l i fe-threatening subarachnoid haemorrhage. I was onlythirty-eight years old and had always beena healthy person. I was successful, career-oriented, and travelled the world whileworking too many hours with no time torelax and think. Then, one night, I suddenlybecame extremely ill, and my whole world fellapart. I was in the hospital for nearly twomonths and, after four intense brain surgeries,I had difficulty understanding what washappening to me and why.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage Kavita’s story

I had to relearn how to do the simplest tasks like climbing stairs, retuning noises due tolosing some sense of hearing, using my mobile devices without having motion sicknessand I had severe constant headaches as a result of watching any TV.

My personality changed and I was left with short term memory loss, intense moodswings, an emotional state of mind, being very direct when talking, having ‘black andwhite thinking’ and losing that middle ground of understanding. This new life also hada major effect on my relationships, family, and view of work.

My memoir, Room 23, covers my journey to recovery and how my perspective hasdrastically changed as I now see the important things in life. The materialistic thingsdon’t matter to me and I want to focus on the true meaning of life.

Throughout my struggle to recover, I force myself to have new experiences and showby example that anyone can bounce back from such adversity and live life to the fullest,as it should be lived.

Room 23 can now be purchased on Amazon. It is my story of learning the most valuable lesson of all, that life is precious and should never be wasted.

For more information about me please visit: www.kavitabasi.com

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In December, The Brain Charity will launch an innovative new series of 12-week therapy work-shops for people with dementia. We are offering Speech & Language Therapy through Singingand Physiotherapy through Dance, and these workshops aim to empower participants througha love of music, in order to improve their communication and mobility.

Both workshops will take place on Wednesdays. The singing session is being held here at The BrainCharity and the dancing session over at Merseyside Dance Initiative, on Hope Street in Liverpool.

Music makes us…Music makes us…

Participants can expect a warm, inclusive atmosphere and access toperson-centred therapy within the hour-long sessions. There will alsobe a chance to speak to the therapists one-on-one, either side of the workshop. There is absolutely no experience necessary (an operabackground isn’t required!), and everyone can join in at their own levelof comfort and challenge. Even better – the workshops are free ofcharge to participants, and refreshments will be provided.

Places are limited and will fill up quickly! To book a slot and get yourdance card filled, please ring us on: 0151 298 2999Or drop a line to: kym@thebraincharity.org.uk

The morning will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and will include some short talks to learn howthe neurology service provided by the Walton NHS Foundation is working to support the ongoingcare of patients closer to home. We want you to get to meet the team and ask questions in relation to the service. Please note we will not be able to discuss any specific aspects of yourindividual care, but we are keen to hear your thoughts on whether there are ways in which theservice can better meet your needs, in the most cost-efficient way.

We are delighted to invite you to come along to The Brain Charity on December 12th, 2018 for a morning of tea, coffee and a chat with key members of the Walton NHS FoundationTrust community and acute neurology team.

The morning will then be followed by a light sandwich lunch.This is a free event, but we ask that you let us know if you're coming by calling Sian on 0151 529 8383 or emailing: sian@thebraincharity.org.uk

A Coffee Morning with the Community and Acute Neurology Team

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Upcoming Events

Snow Ball- 2018 -

xperience a magical evening to remember at Liverpool’s Snow Ballon Friday 14th December.

Tickets are £65 each which includes: Drinks reception at the British Music Experience, 3-course Christmas meal at Signature Living’s hottest new venue Cunard House, plus live entertainment from The Mersey Boys and lots more. All in aid of The Brain Charity.

To book your tickets, contact fundraising@thebraincharity.org.ukcall Carolyn Garlick on 0151 298 2999 or visit our website:

www.thebraincharity.org.uk/ball

Get in the mood for Christmas at our carolservice which takes place from 7pm, onWednesday 12th of December 2018, atthe beautiful and historic St Francis XavierChurch on Salisbury Street in Liverpool. It will feature our choir and special festivereadings as well as plenty of carols for youto join in with too.

Tickets are £5 per person which includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Under 12s gofree with an adult and there will also be free entry for volunteers of The Brain Charity. Get yourtickets from The Brain Charity reception or on our website: www.bit.ly/carols18

Carols by Candlelight

Snow Ball- 2018 -

E

The Brain Charity will be holding our next annualBurns Night celebration from 7pm on the evening ofSaturday 26th January 2019. Tickets are £8.50 eachwhich includes a traditional meal (with vegetarian/vegan options).

Don’t miss out – book your places online today:www.bit.ly/TBCBN19

Burns Night Supper

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THE BRAIN GYMGive your brain a workout in our Christmas-themed Brain Gym.QUIZ

1 "Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of

Stephen". In which country was Wenceslas king?

2 Apparently, while poking at the fire, the London sweet shop owner

Tom Smith got the inspiration to make what?

3 Advent calendars are a popular Christmas tradition in many cultures.

What does the word advent mean?

4 In which city is Kevin left alone at Christmas in the first 'Home Alone’

at Christmas?

5 When exactly is 'Twelfth Night’?

6 Traditionally Father Christmas did not dress in red. What colour did

he wear?

7 “All ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies” is a lyric from which

Christmas carol?

8 Why were Joseph and the expectant Mary on the road to Bethlehem

in the first place?

9 What does the word Christ mean?

10 The original St. Nicholas (born around 280 AD) was the bishop of Myra,

or modern day Demre. In which country is Demre located?

11 Plus or minus one year, when did Queen Elizabeth II deliver her first

televised Christmas message to the nation?

12 Who dueted with The Pogues on the song Fairytale of New York?

DINGBATS

Dingbats are visual word puzzles from which a well-known phrase or saying has to be identified.

1. LEFT TURKEY

2. CCCCCC FESTIVE

3. ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ,

ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZFind the Brain Gym answers on Page 7

RIDDLES

1. What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa when she looked up in the sky?

2. What did Adam say the day before Christmas?

3. How did Darth Vader know what Luke Skywalker was getting for Christmas?

4. What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month?

5. How do you turn a Christmas turkey into a soul star?

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A catch up with Knit and NatterAs well as being the smiling face that greets visitors to The BrainCharity on one morning a week, our reception volunteer Amanda hasalso set up and runs our Knit and Natter group on Wednesday afternoons. We caught up with her and asked her a few questions:

Why set up the group?

Your Information Officer, Janet, and I challenged each other to get knittingagain. It occurred to me that if I could knit in a group it would be easier tokeep it up. I thought it would be nice to knit with other people.

What is your highlight so far?

I hadn’t planned to teach anyone how to knit, but I have. I’ve taught quite a few people now and just seeing thosepeople move forward has been very rewarding.

What would you say to someone who wants to join in the new year?

The Knit and Natter Group is a very informal group. You can come and go as you want and you can come as you are.It’s a great way of making new friends, picking up new skills and meeting like-minded people. Give us a try!

Ahoy there! The charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, working with neuroscientists at British universities and with hi-tech gamesdesigners, have developed a smartphone app called Sea Hero Quest.

The aim is to research the brain’s ‘navigation’ skills. Very often, one of thefirst signs of dementia is that people lose their ability to find their way around,and get lost all the time. Scientists need to understand how you are able touse your brain to navigate. They need to set a benchmark for comparisonwith people who are developing dementia and losing their sense of direction. So they have developed this game where you have to memorisea map, and get your character in their little boat around some islands to findwhere the sea creatures live. In its first year, the game was downloaded

BE A DEMENTIA HERO

nearly three million times. This has provided scientists with huge amounts of research data thatthey could hardly have dreamed of before. They know now, for example, that your sense of directionis one of those things that just gets a little bit worse as you get older. This is a natural change andit would have to be worse than that before you start worrying about dementia.

The game is not testing you for dementia, you’re helping research into the how the brain doesstuff. And having fun at the same time! This is all completely anonymous data, which Alzheimer’sResearch UK is helping to analyse. You won’t get any test results. Sea Hero Quest doesn’t diagnose people with dementia – at least not yet, but they will be working on it. Scientists willeventually be able to use this data to compare individuals, providing the possibility of recognizingthe issue and providing an early diagnosis.

So, incredibly, you can help dementia research just by spending a few minutes playing a game!

Visit the Sea Hero Quest homepage to download the game to your phone for free: www.seaheroquest.com

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Answers to The Brain Gym Quiz

Quiz1. Bohemia (Czech Republic)2. Christmas crackers3. Arrival4. Chicago5. The evening of the 5th of January6. Green7. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Dingbats1. Leftover Turkey

2. Festive Season (Cs On)

3. Noel, Noel (There’s No L)

Riddles1. Looks like rain dear!

2. It’s Christmas, Eve!

3. He felt his presents!

4. The letter D.

5. Put it in a microwave until it’s Bill Withers!

8. To pay tax and take part in a census9. Anointed, from the Greek Xristo10.Turkey11.195712.Kristy MacColl

New neurological patient experience surveyThe Neurological Alliance’s latest neurologicalpatient experience survey is now open, to collectvital information about the experiences oftreatment and care, social care and welfare received by people affected by neurologicalconditions in England. The survey aims to collectenough data to positively influence future neurology services and make life better for millions of people in England with a neurologicalcondition.

The survey is open from 17th October 2018 to 17th January 2019. It is for anyone with aneurological condition living in England. It maytake around 25 minutes to complete and yourresponses are completely confidential andanonymous.To take part in the survey visit:www.bit.ly/NA18PS

The Brain Charity will be open until 3pm on Monday 24thDecember. We will then be closed between Christmas and New Year to reopen at 9am on Wednesday 2nd January 2019.

The staff and trustees of The Brain Charity would like to wish all our readers a happy and peaceful Holiday Season and offer you our very best wishes for 2019.

The BrainCharity

Around the world for charityWell done to the staff, residents and service users atElysium Healthcare who covered more than 44,000miles in the company’s huge wellbeing initiative over the summer.

The target was to collectively walk, run and cycle24,901 miles in 70 days – the equivalent distance ofthe circumference of the Earth. However, the hundreds of people who took part smashed thetarget - almost doubling the distance required!

A big thank you to everyone who got involved andraised thousands of pounds for lots of fantastic charities,including The Brain Charity, through their efforts.

THENEUROLOGICALALLIANCE

Christmas&NewYearOpening

Wed 2nd We reopen after the Christmas break 9am O.C.D. Support Group 5-7pm

Sat 5th North West Ataxia Support Group 11.30am-3pm

Mon 7th English Class, weekly, 9.30am-12.pm Tea, Coffee & Company 10.30am-12pm Reading Group, weekly 1-3.40pm

Stroke Friends, weekly 2-4pm Community Choir, weekly 5-6pm

Wed 9th Knit & Natter, weekly 1.30-3.30pm Merseyside Spinal Injury Group 2.30-4.30pm

Thur 10th Computer Course, weekly 10am-12pm Photography, weekly 10am-12pm Art Group, weekly 1-3pm Boccia bowling, weekly 3-4pm

Fri 11th Maths Class, weekly 9.30am-12.pm Advice Drop-in, weekly 1-4pm

Fri 18th Maths Class, weekly 9.30am-12.pm Advice Drop-in, weekly 1-4pm Film Night 7-9.30pm

Sat 26th Burns Night Supper at The Brain Charity 7pm

Mon 28th English Class, weekly 9.30am-12.pm Brain Tumour Support Group 1-4pm Reading Group, weekly 1-3.40pm Stroke Friends, weekly 2-4pm Community Choir, weekly 5-6pm Tues 29th MND Support Group, 1-3pm

Thur 31st Epilepsy Action, coffee and chat drop in 11-12.30pm Computer course, weekly 10am-noon Art Group, weekly 1-3pm Boccia bowling, weekly 3-4pm

Sat 1st North West Ataxia Support Group 11.30am-3pm

Mon 3rd English Class, weekly 9.30am-12pm Tea, Coffee & Company 10.30am-12pm Reading Group, weekly 1-3.40pm Stroke Friends, weekly 2-4pm Community Choir, weekly 5-6pm Wed 5th Knit & Natter, weekly 1.30-3.30pm Merseyside Spinal Injury Group 2.30-4.30pm O.C.D. Support Group 5-7pm

Thur 6th Computer Course, weekly 10am-12pm Photography, weekly 10am-12pm

Art Group, weekly 1-3pm Boccia bowling, weekly 3-4pm

Fri 7th Maths Class, weekly 9.30am-12.pm Parkinson’s UK Support Group 2-4pm Advice Drop-in, weekly 1-4pm Wed 12th Meet The Walton Centre’s Community and Acute Neurology Team 10.30am-12.30pm Knit & Natter, weekly 1.30-3.30pm Carol Concert, St Francis Xavier Church 7-9pm

Fri 14th Maths Class, weekly 9.30am-12.pm Advice Drop-in, weekly 1-4pm Snow Ball at Cunard Building 7pm-1am Tues 18th MND Support Group, 1-3pm Thur 20th Photography course, weekly 9.30am-12pm Computer Course, weekly 10am-12pm Art Group, weekly 1-3pm Boccia bowling, weekly 3-4pm Film Night 7-9.30pm

Fri 21st Advice Drop-in, weekly 1-4pm

Mon 24th We close for the Christmas break 3pm

December 2018 January 2019

The BrainCharity

The Brain Charity, Norton Street, Liverpool L3 8LR Tel: 0151 298 2999 Fax: 0151 298 2333 Email: info@thebraincharity.org.uk Helpline: 0800 008 6417

The Brain Charity is registered as a charity (No: 1114999) and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (No: 5741930) Glance is available in large text on request. Glance is available on The Brain Charity website: www.thebraincharity.org.uk

If you wish to be added to the Glance mailing list, please contact our Information and Advice Officer using the telephone number or email above.

The Brain Charity does not necessarily share all of the views or opinions expressed in Glance.

ABOUT THE BRAIN CHARITYThe Brain Charity offers practical and emotional support to people with neurological conditions and to their families, friends andcarers. For more information contact the Centre or visit our website: www.thebraincharity.org.uk

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