CELEBRATING WORLD VOICE DAY, 16TH April 2008.
In celebration of World Voice Day a Neurological Movement Disorders Symposium hosted by the Atherton Tablelands and Cairns Dystonia Support Group will be held on Wednesday 16th April at the Cairns Colonial Club Conference Centre commencing at 6 PM. Dr Nichola Davis is Medical Chair for the symposium.
Specialist speakers are providing information to our local medical and allied health professionals about a variety of movement disorders, many of which affect voice. Consultant Neurologist Dr John O’Sullivan from the Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital Department of Neurology is principal speaker. Another prominent Consultant Neurologist, Dr Steven Dommann from Townsville General Hospital Department of Neurology, is also speaking at this event.
Ms Karen O’Maley, Clinical Nurse Consultant from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Department of Neurology and Ms Maree Brockie from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland are also travelling from Brisbane and presenting papers at the symposium.
Ms Gail Rogers from Cairns Speech Pathology Clinic, Ms Melanie Mirotsis from Diagnosys Physiotherapy and Ms Kerry Stingel from Cairns Occupational Therapy are all local practitioners presenting papers at the symposium. Two additional speakers from the Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group have recently returned from a dystonia symposium in the United States of America. They are Ms Maureen Slocum, a workplace assessor and trainer and also a numeracy and literacy tutor and Ms Sue Bayliss, a retired social worker.
This event is possible due to very generous support by Allergan Australia Pty Ltd and Ipsen Pty Ltd. These companies provide botulinum toxin (BTx) in Australia. BTx is the preferred treatment recommended by neurologists to treat muscular spasming associated with symptoms of dystonia and other neurological conditions.
Dystonia is a neurological syndrome characterized by involuntary, sustained, patterned, and often repetitive muscle contractions of opposing muscles causing twisting movements of abnormal postures. It can affect just one part of the body or several different areas. Dystonia can also be secondary to other illnesses that affect the nervous system such as Wilson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Specific goals for the event are,
. to present the opportunity for the medical / health professional community in FNQ to increase their knowledge from specialists regarding movement disorders,
. to communicate with the medical / health professional community in FNQ educational and promotional material specific to movement disorders,
. to establish a network of medical / health professionals in FNQ interested in movement disorders,
. to establish a movement disorders network / support group in FNQ,
. to increase support from the community by raising awareness of movement disorders,
. to increase resources for individuals to access
1. timely referrals,
2. specialist assessments,
3. management services and,
4. appropriate equipment & support.
Anyone interested in further information may contact Sue Bayliss, 0407624578 or email s.j.bayliss@bigpond.com.au.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Media release: Cairns World Voice Day Neurological Movement Disorders Symposium.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Moving and overseas travel
Sue and Darren are on the move. Priority housing has been granted to Sue because of the disabling effects of the multiple forms of dystonia she has. Struggling to keep a full house and garden going, Sue is moving to disability friendly and smaller accommodation with a yard kept by somebody else.
For those who have moved house before, you will appreciate the stress and time it takes to pack, clean and vacate- especially with a weeks notice! Lucky Mum (this is Megan from Imaginif writing this)! Because of Easter public holidays this week, Mum needs to be out of her house by Maundy Thursday.
While this may be no mean feat for an able bodied veteran of the suburban move, for a person with a disability it becomes a little more difficult, particularly given Mum's impending trip to the U.S.A to attend a Dystonia conference. Add to that an incredibly busy work schedule this week for Paul and I and we are all a bit behind the eight ball. But, a move is warranted and a move will occur.
So....Sue won't be around much this week, or for the following two weeks after that while she cripples her away half way around the world. Neither the blog or Australia have been permanently abandoned. If there's anything to report from the U.S, Mum will no doubt let me know and I'll post it here to keep you all informed.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Images of local wildlife around Cairns.
You can see these images and many more by following the link to our local paper,
The Cairns Post.
Never smile at a crocodile - he will smile right back so watch out!
It was not the garden hose these folk tripped over in their garden. We really do need to watch where we walk!
Migaloo (Aboriginal for 'white fella' or white man) the one and only white humpback whale enjoying sun and warm sea whilst cruising the Great Barrier Reef waters on his annual migration journey North from Antarctica.
Fishing is good for locals and the birdlife too!
Black-necked Jabiru looking for a feed.
World Voice Day 16th April 2008 - 6 PM until the fat lady sings!
.Members of Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group planning a Neurological Movement Disorders Symposium in Cairns, Far North Queensland.
Principal speaker, Dr John O'Sullivan MBBS, FRACP, PhD.
Consultant Neurologist, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Are you are a health professional with an interest in movement disorders?
This event is for you!
The Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group invite you to attend a Movement Disorders Symposium on Wednesday April 16th 2008 at The Cairns Colonial Club Conference Centre, Lockhart Room, Behan Street entrance.
This exciting event brings together a panel of expert speakers discussing various aspects of a range of movement disorders; options for referral and treatment, recent research outcomes in Australia, Britain and the United States of America and the bio-psycho-social effects of movement disorders on patients in Far North Queensland.
Principal speaker :
Dr John O'Sullivan (MBBS, FRACP, PhD.), a Consultant Neurologist, Neurology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, (R.B.W.H.) will be speaking about dystonia.
Additional speakers :
Dr Steven Dommann, Consultant Neurologist, Townsville General Hospital. Movement disorders.
Ms Karen O'Maley R.N., C.N.C. Neurology Department, R.B.W.H. Parkinson’s disease & other movement disorders.
Ms Maree Brockie, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland. Brisbane.
Ms Melanie Mirotsos, Physiotherapist, Diagnosys Physiotherapy, Cairns.
Ms Gail Rogers, Speech Pathologist, Cairns Speech Pathology, Cairns.
Ms Suzanne Bayliss, Social Worker (Retired). Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group.
For your information & interest the specific goals for the event are:
a.to present the opportunity for the medical / health professional community in FNQ to increase their knowledge from specialists regarding movement disorders
b. to communicate with the medical / health professional community in FNQ educational and promotional material specific to movement disorders
c. to establish a network of medical / health professionals in FNQ interested in Movement Disorders
d. to establish a Movement Disorders network / support group in FNQ
e. to increase support from the community by raising awareness of movement disorders
to increase resources for individuals to access
· timely referrals
· specialist assessments
· management services
· appropriate equipment & support.
With great pleasure we are able to provide this evening free of charge thanks to very generous educational grants by Allergan Australia and Ipsen Pty Ltd. whose representatives will be attending the evening. These grants will enable our local health professionals to continue their professional education in the areas of neurological movement disorders.
Programme:
6.00PM – Meet and greet on Lockhart verandah.
· Registration.
· Welcome drinks and canapés.
· Complimentary juice, soft drink and iced water.
· Bar available to self-purchase alcoholic beverages.
· Poster, trade and pharmaceutical displays.
7.00PM – Move through to dining room.
Buffet dinner with banquet style seating.
Guest speaker presentations.
Panel forum receiving and responding to questions.
Completing evaluation forms and collection of same.
Conclusion approximately 9.30pm. Early confirmation of attendance is essential.
RSVP by 4th April to:
Sue Bayliss,
M: 0407 624 578
E: s(dot)j(dot)bayliss(at)bigpond(dot)com(dot)au
Friday, March 7, 2008
Our family's intergenerational celebration of International Women's Day in Cairns.
Today is International Women's Day. I am celebrating with other women including my daughter Megan at a relaxed afternoon tea hostessed by the talk doctors of Imaginif.
Unfortunately for us, my grand daughter Jade (with my first great-grandchild well on the way) is unable to celebrate with us in person today. Jade left with her husband for a holiday in Thailand yesterday. However, before Jade left, Megan managed to get three separate photos so we could showcase three generations of women who believe strongly in the rights, stories and experiences of women:
My grand daughter Jade looking very proud about our special baby bump. Jade is 25 - I think.
My daughter Megan (from Imaginif) is around about 44 or maybe 45 this year. Megan is our beautiful Jade's wonderful mother
Myself in our lush, tropical garden - it is all the rain making it so green, not my tender loving care! I am around 60 + something.
Pop over to Megan's post about how we celebrated International Women's Day here in Cairns, Australia.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Dystonia: overpowering the reign of muscular spasms in our life is easier
when we are awed by the influence and strength of Mother Nature.
The magnificent sight below brings together tourists and locals alike to marvel at Far North Queensland's Barron River in flood.
Join me in forgetting for a little while an aching body and funny dystonic voice.
Click here to read of our amazing deluge bringing bitter-sweet experiences of both relief and hardship to many people living in the Far North East of Queensland, Australia.
Picture: EVE STAFFORD
Friday, February 29, 2008
