World Voice Day Celebration, Cairns. 16th April 2009

Are you a health professional or a person with a diagnosed neurological movement disorder in or around the Cairns area? If so, consider joining us in celebration of World Voice Day 2009.

For Health Professionals Thursday 16 April at General Practice Cairns,
6:00PM– 7.15PM.

For interested clients, family members and carers, Friday 17 April 2009 at GPC,
10am - 11.15AM (Corner Arthur and Sheridan Streets, North Cairns).

Viewing of the film Twisted presents qualitative analysis of diagnostic process and treatment options including Deep Brain Stimulation for patients diagnosed with a neurological movement disorder. The first event is suitable for Medical practitioners, Nurses and Allied Health practitioners. The second event is suitable for interested clients, family members and carers. Tea, coffee and finger foods provided.

These events are hosted by the Cairns Neurological Movement Disorders Support Group and are supported by the Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group.

For further information please contact:

• Cairns: Sue Bayliss (07)40321063 / 0407624578 or Gail Rogers 0412906241;

• Atherton Tablelands: Maureen Slocum (07)40917137.
  

For catering purposes, confirmation of attendance would be appreciated by 14th April.

(Follow the highlighted links in this article for great information)

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia

Belated news: Celebrating 2008’s World Voice Day in Cairns, Australia.

Allergan Australia and Australia’s branch of Ipsen Pty Ltd generously supported our Atherton Tableland and Cairns Dystonia Support Group in hosting 2008’s World Voice Day Celebration at the Colonial Club in Cairns.

In planning stages for that event we thought how great it would be to get about 30 locals from our professional community to come along. When we passed 30 RSVP’s we were so excited, realizing we could comfortably reach the 50 mark. Reaching 116 RSVP’s resulted in our decision to cut off at that point or we would not have enough funds to feed them all!

Networking was a major opportunity not missed by anyone present. Trade displays offered good insight into what is available and by whom. Photographic displays bore a pride of place for our support group and was of keen interest to all attending. During pre-dinner meet and greet drinks and nibbles we were serenaded by Raymond James Molloy, a local musician with a delightful Irish brogue.

Impressive presentations by Dr John O’Sullivan and Dr Steven Dommann focusing on neurological movement disorders and specifically on dystonia, gave many of our local family doctors and other health professionals first-rate information. Supporting presenters gave good overviews of the following areas:

• The role of Clinical Nurse Consultant, Neurological Movement Disorders,

• Diagnostic process, referral protocol and role of MS Queensland for patients with Multiple Sclerosis,

• Team work focusing on the assessed needs of patients by Allied Health professionals. Specifically, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.

• Dystonia Support Group. Two member’s overview of living with Dystonia and attendance at a National Spasmodic Dysphonia Symposium in the USA.

Evaluation sheets completed by guests gave positive feed back and great encouragement to host another event at a future time. This outcome has given us renewed enthusiasm!

Amazing things happen when we take a step in faith. It is that very first step that makes such a difference!

World Voice Day 2009 will be celebrated in Cairns with our Support Group offering two screenings of the film Twisted. The first screening is on World Voice Day, Thursday 16th April 2009, and is suitable for local medical, nursing and allied health professionals. The second screening on Friday 17th April is for patients, family members and other interested community folk. If you would like more information, watch this spot!

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.

Media release: Cairns World Voice Day Neurological Movement Disorders Symposium.

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.