AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND NEWS

 Welcome to 2002 – may all our readers gain renewed strength and hope from the exciting research and potential therapeutic benefits of that research.
    Talking of research: the active research projects involving families and individuals within families continues from Auckland University.  Dr Lynette Tippett, Professor Richard Faull and Virginia Hogg are the researchers involved.  I attend the HD Research Group meetings and have been a source of contact for people.

 Virginia is looking for more individuals from Auckland-Hamilton areas to participate in one of the projects.  If you are interested contact me and I will discuss it further.  She particularly needs to increase the number of participants who are:

1.                   Presymptomatic and have been tested gene positive

2.                   Symptomatic but with later onset, say 60 years plus.

In participating you will learn how your brain is currently functioning and thereby understand how to best plan and manage you life.

 NORTHLAND VISITS

 Northland families – the visit for 2001 has eventuated, but in March 2002.  At the time of writing I had received six replies from a mailout to 22 addresses and expect to be visiting people in Kerikeri, Mangonui, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei, Dargaville and Warkworth.  The plan includes a Whangarei meeting organised on our behalf by the Northern Disability Resource Centre: Tuesday March 5, 10.30am.

 PROGRAMME FOR 2002

 3/4/5 March               Northland Visits
17 March                   Family Day at the Zoo – meet at 1.30pm outside
9 April                        Gene Positive Group and Carers Group – 7.30pm
18 May                      Saturday Seminar – 10.00am
June                           AGM Saturday  Date to be confirmed
31 August                   Saturday Seminar – 10.00am
24 September            Gene Positive Group and Carers Group – 7.30pm
30 November – Saturday Seminar – 10.00am

 HERE’S A TIP:  COPING STRATEGIES FOR APATHY
Do not interpret lack of activity as “laziness”
Use calendars, diaries, planners, schedules and routines to keep active
If unable to initiate activities, have other people encourage and coach
Be guided by others and enjoy small levels of participation
Start with 30 minutes a day and build up interests and social contact

 OPEN OFFICE HOURS FOR 2002

 Just a reminder that the Office is open every Wednesday 11.30 – 12.30, so feel free to drop by and see the resource, photocopy information or meet with me.  Other visits can readily be arranged at other times.  Just phone.  See our new pamphlet.

 Beth Gordon, Field Officer
Ph 09 815 4264 (Office answerphone)
Ph 09 480 2336 (Home)
Mobile:  025 749 163 (When it is on!!)

 LIVING WITH HD

 Living with HD has been extremely difficult.With the lack of sleep, difficulty to go to sleep and to stay asleep.
And therefore this has brought about lots of arguments with my wife and family.I used to be an extremely calm person and never had arguments with anybody.This change led to my wife wanting to separate and to me thinking of wanting to kill myself.Luckily, I didn’t carry this out but I still felt miserable.I used to feel very lonely whereas previously I laughed and joked a lot.I’ve been single again now for about seven years.The HD was picked up when I was 42 and I am now 49.Luckily, I made contact with the HD Assn and the Field Officer/Beth Gordon and this has proved invaluable.Lots of close friends and family at this same time have also helped tremendously.Friends in the Salvation Army community continue to be an extra large help to me.
Mike Heaphy/Mickey Finn (my nickname) Feb 2002