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www.cornard.info |
The Great Cornard Information Website |
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Motor Neurone Disease - MND |
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Page updated - 22 January 2006 |
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Call Suffolk Support Group for MND - Jen Hamilton on 01449 675905 & Jane Fletcher on 01449 744079 Call the MND Association National Office on 01604 6112825 Call the Regional Care Advisor - Liz Hooper on 01362 687950 or Email Regional Care Advisor Liz Hooper
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Suffolk Support Group |
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The Support Group came into being in July 1999 to meet the needs of members with MND who had found that attending the evening Branch Meetings at Stowmarket Football Club difficult because evening meetings were too tiring. Some Sunday meetings were tried but in the long term did not prove successful. Members still wanted to maintain contact so it was decided that Mondays were least likely to be taken up with other things and 10.30am onwards was flexible enough for time together and still be home by early afternoon. This basic pattern has remained with variations for bank holidays, venues that do not open on Mondays and special occasions.
From the outset Group members, their families and friends have raised funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, helping to fund both the vital research into a cure and the provision of equipment, care and professional support for those with MND.
That first meeting was held at the home of Bob & Helen Cotton at Parham and it was there that the simple formula of meetings arranged three monthly and no committee was decided and it has continued ever since. The group also goes out and about and meetings have been held at a Beach Hut in Felixstowe, Woolverstone Marina, Stonham Barns, Alder Carr Farm Shop, Wyevale Garden Centre at Woodbridge and The Stables at Chantry Park although we try to meet in the comfort of a home during the winter months.
Over the past 5 years 14 members with Motor Neurone Disease and their carers have been regular members of the group. Others have been supported in other ways with visits, telephone and e-mail contact as required. Sometimes it has just been a one off contact made when someone needed some advice. We also now have an Association Visitor who is based in the Sudbury area and offers support to those with MND and their carers either with home visits or by telephone.
We are well aware that such groups do not appeal to everyone but for those who come, support borne out of personal experience is available. It is specially helpful for those with MND to be able to meet together in a friendly and informal atmosphere whilst their carers also have the opportunity to help and advise each other.
There has been much shared laughter over the past five years, friendships have been formed and we all know that it is somewhere where acceptance is instant and no explanations are ever needed.
Jane Fletcher
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