Are you a health professional interested in neurological movement disorders?

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
f. 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


RSVP by 4th April to:
Sue Bayliss,
M: 0407 624 578
E: s(dot)j(dot)bayliss(at)bigpond(dot)com(dot)au

Dystonia and nutrition. Why bother?

Eating a well balanced diet based on good nutritional value is essential for us all, no matter what our age or physical condition may be. For those of us with dystonia, we need to be aware of foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt, to keep us in the best possible physical condition. In this way we can overcome fatigue, depression and physical stress, resulting from constantly spasming muscles and twisted bodies.

Healthy people, those affected by life threatening diseases and all who are somewhere between, need to be aware of the range of choices we have that directly relate to our day to day well-being. That old saying, 'we are what we eat' has a haunting ring to it when we acknowledge the high rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal failure, cancer, and mental illness affecting so many people within our global community.

Wherever we live exercise, appropriate to our age group, level of physical fitness and the climatic conditions in our area, is as important as our diet.

I hope this gives you food for thought and also inspiration for improving your diet. For those people with a medical condition requiring a specific diet, please speak to your family doctor or a nutritionist before changing any of the food groups you are now using.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.