Help line free call 0808 800
>
Help line free call 0808 800
Charity number 207495
Leeds and District
A warm welcome from all the committee
Joyce, Peter, Andrea, Barbara, Trish, Tim and Margaret.
Some of the contents in this publication as been taken from the
MS web site
www.mssociety.org.uk
Gibson sentencing statement
26 Jan 2007
The MS Society is pleased Mark and Lezley Gibson were spared a custodial sentence.
Dr Lee Duster, Head of Research and Information said: 00he Society does not support or recommend the use of illegal cannabis but there is evidence that cannabis-derived medicines may help to reduce neuropathic pain and spasticity, common and extremely unpleasant symptoms of MS for which there are few treatment options 00he MS Society is continuing to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in vital research into cannabis-derived medicines and their effects. We hope that results over the next few years will give us a better picture of how cannabis extracts can help people affected by MS.00/font>
A lady rang me after reading the last newsletter and asked if I would like a story on Mark and Lezley, she kindly sent it to me and after reading it myself
I would like to pass it onto you. It is a long story therefore I shall print it in two
Parts.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to this month00 newsletter folks keep them coming in.
Don00 forget the first Social of the year is not to far away 12th March 2007
So come along and let00 make 2007 socials a great success.
If transport does not pick you up please phone Barbara on
07891685762 to arrange alternative transport.
Pot Chocolate
Once a week, a village postman in Pembrokeshire delivers a parcel of the 00agical medicine00that has transformed Elsie Jones00 life. For ten years, as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), gradually conquered her nervous system, Mrs Jones felt increasingly despondent about the loss of both body and dignity00the humiliating incontinence, the uncontrolled muscle spasms, the searing pain that makes her husband Bill00 nights as fitful as her own. The doctors offered little hope to 55-year old Mrs Jones. Her illness was too advanced for her to try the drug beta-interferon-said by its supporters to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, especially in the early stages00 and her pain could not wait for cannabis-based medicines currently under trial.
00he was just vegetating away, quite motionless apart from her left hand, and I would have done anything to give her a better quality of life00 her 61 year old husband explains in their specially adapted fifties terrace house near St David00. 00And then, two years ago someone told me about those wonderful people making the medicinal chocolate. That was everything changed.00Since then Mrs Jones has been receiving free weekly gifts of the chocolate from a group of strangers who risk jail to help her and hundreds like her. The ingredients list, that I can not give for legal reason00 has a warning 00eep out of the reach of children00
According to Bill Jones, has dramatically eased his wife00 symptoms without getting her stoned.
00t didn00 work immediately, but over a month there was a vast change,00he recalls. 00he00 more relaxed now, can move her legs without much pain, and is even getting to sleep again.00/font>
Mrs Jones00who remains unable to talk00still demands the constant attention that caused their family butcher00 business to collapse, but she hints at a smile when, twice a day her husband of 38 years asks her to open her mouth 00or choccy time0000There are a lot of good people out there,00he sighs, pointing to a padded envelope with a Cumbrian postmark. 00eople who00l take a risk to benefit others. I don00 know who they are, but I00 like to shake them by the hand00there are an awful lot of grateful people.00The depth of that gratitude is an extraordinary
Testimony to an underground mail-order network that refuses to wait for cannabis 00ase medicines to be legalised. For two years, as pharmaceutical companies have prepared to tap a market worth an estimated 拢250 million, thousands of cannabis-laced chocolate bars have been arriving free of charge in the homes of MS sufferers across Britain.
The 150g 00anna-choc00as they are known, is made in volunteers00homes. With raw materials donated by well00wishers, and supplied only to vetted MS patients00300 at the last count00of whom most, like Elsie Jones, claim their lives have improved immeasurably. Until now, the internet00based network has maintained a necessary secret, aware that its members risk jail for growing, possessing and supplying the drug. But faced with threats of exposure by online 00igilantes00
Pot Chocolate
As pharmaceutical firms gear up for a 拢250 million market in legalised medicinal cannabis, an altruistic underground network is supplying Multiple Sclerosis sufferers with free chocolate bars laced with the drug.
00f they bust me and Mark they00 put over 200 people out on the streets
Looking for cannabis.
WHAT IS WORSE?00/font>
And aware that the political pendulum is swinging fast towards therapeutic legalisation00it agreed to allow the Telegraph Magazine to follow its work.
The group calls itself Therapeutic Help from Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis (The 4 MS), and is nothing if not consumer-orientated. Inquirers, who must provide a doctor00 note to confirm their illness, may choose milk, dark, vegan, or diabetic chocolate, and are recommended to take one piece three times a day to alleviate symptoms without causing cannabis high.
Typically the 00lients00 as they are known are respectable professionals, mostly
In their 50s and 60s who would have little interest in cannabis had not they, or someone close to them, begun a desperate search for help. No payment is required, but stamps and minor donations are welcome. And although the chocolate does not work for every sufferer, when it does the effect is deeply moving, as revealed in the letters received at the organisation00 north Pennines outpost.
00ear whoever00 writes an elderly woman in Wokingham. 00hanks so much for my first supply of cannachoc. It is wonderful. For the first time in many, many months I do not have 00erking00legs in the evening and can sit still and watch TV!
From Essex, the scribble of a woman00 unsteady hand testifies. 00ince taking cannachoc, I can honestly that the aching subsides and I can usually get to sleep. I don00 feel any highness at all Thank you so much00
From Rhyl! 00ithout it my life would be one long pain, literally. Please can I have another bar? I had six squares of the last one and then I managed to tile the bathroom.00nbsp; And another from Gwent, 00t has taken me several years to take the plunge. I was reluctant to ask my husband to buy cannabis in a pub or street corner and risk arrest.00/font>
None is under any illusion about the crimes they and their unpaid suppliers are committing. But whatever their views about the legality of recreational cannabis, cannachoc users share a consensus that the current law fails people with MS and other diseases who find it brings significant medical benefits.
Few of those we contacted were surprised that GW Pharmaceuticals, licensed by the Government to test cannabis00 based medicines, had recently reported a series of successful trials which the company hopes will allow the NHS to offer its cannabis-based oral spray later this year. 00hat took them so long?00asked a young mother in Argyll. 00t00 not as if we haven00 been telling the Government that it works.00The House of Lords accepted this four years ago, when its Science and Technology Committee stressed 00he need to legalised cannabis preparations for therapeutic use00
Until which time it urged toleration of 00enuine00medicinal users. GPs certainly seem to share this view, judging by the number privately referring patients to the The4MS .org website00as are care home owners and, apparently, some police officers. As Bill Jones says, 00 really don00 care that it00 illegal. It works for Elsie, and I made my mind up not to buy from a dealer, as you don00 know what you are getting. I00e told the neighbours. They just say 00ood for you00/font>
Those bearing the greatest risk are volunteers
Like Mark and Lezley Gibson, a couple who have been making the chocolate from their home in a small Cumbrian town. They ask that the town00 name is not specified, but that may be more to discourage desperate wheelchair-bound MS suffers from arriving on their doorstep, as has been happening. It is not as if they are hard to find after two years making and posting the weekly chocolate packages. Legalised Cannabis Alliance stickers cover the car parked
Outside their terrace house and the local tourist information office directs inquirers to their front door.
They wrote to the Queen last year to explain what they do, and sought a Jubilee year amnesty for medicinal users. Buckingham Palace replied that their letter had been passed to the Home Office. 00nd David Blanket's chosen not to reply00 Mark Says 00ever mind00
To be continued.
Election of Branch Officers and Committee
It is coming up to the time of year when you need to start thinking of who you would like to elect to represent the Leeds and District MS Society.
Branch chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and MS Support Officer
(Welfare Officer) and General Committee Members are the only Positions directly elected.
The Branch chair is elected to serve a 3 year term in office...
Branch chair currently held by Margaret Moody
Branch Secretary currently held by Joyce Blakey
Transport Officer currently held by Barbara Campbell
Publicity Officer currently held by Tim Rodwell
Membership Secretary currently held by Christine Clemmens
Newsletter Editor currently held by Margaret Moody.
Acting Treasurer currently held by Peter Danyluk.
Social Secretary currently held by Margaret Moody
Acting Local Support Officer Currently held by Margaret Moody.
Committee members
Andrea Binns
Trish Cunnison
Vacant roles
Treasurer
Fundraiser
Local Support
Social Secretary
MS Support Officer
VACANT.
Tasks and responsibilities:
*Establish contact with, and support, local people with MS, their families and carers.
* Help people with MS and their families and carers to access services that meet their needs.
Liaise with, and make referrals to, local health and social services and other agencies concerned with the provision of services to people with MS.
Provide information about and access to individual welfare grants available from the branch and MS Society.
Assist with grant applications.
Take telephone calls from and visit all people with MS.
Work with the branch committee and other volunteers to ensure that the welfare needs of all local people with MS are identified.
Treasurer
VACANT.
Tasks and Responsibilities.
Maintain accurate accounting records
Prepare regular reports including accounts for the branch committee
Ensure appropriate financial controls are established and complied with
Prepare annual accounts and liaise with auditors to ensure submission of the branch accounts to MSNC in accordance with the prescribed
Format and timescales.
Act as one of the signatories to the branch bank account and deal with the branch00 bankers.
Fundraiser.
Vacant
Tasks and Responsibilities
* Agree and develop an annual fundraising plan with the branch
Committee and branch members.
Operate a fundraising sub-committee where necessary, to plan and
Arrange support for fundraising events (liaison with the chairperson and Newsletter Editor
Co-ordinate volunteer help in relation to fundraising activities
Ensure that fundraising materials are available to those people wishing To raise money for the branch.
Ensure the branch committee and members are aware of current legislation relating to fundraising and the charities act.
Ensure the branch committee and members are kept aware of national Society fundraising initiatives which can provide additional branch income.
Assist the branch committee in applying for local licences and permits
Relating to fundraising projects.
Liaise with the Society00 fundraising department concerning applications To companies or trusts.
Social Secretary
Tasks and Responsibilities
Find out what sort of outings, events. Speakers ECT would be popular .With local people affected by MS. (liaise with the Newsletter Editor and whole committee)
Arrange talks, outings, events, (liaise with Secretary)
Find and book venues for meetings, ensuring that they are suitable for the event and fully accessible.
Ensure that arrangements are made for any catering that is required.
Contact speakers, confirm arrangements, arrange for payments of expenses where appropriate (liaise with Secretary and Chair)
Plan and produce a 00alendar of events00 for the branch (in liaison with the whole committee).
Branch Committee Meetings.
Any fully paid up member of Leeds and District Branch MS Society is welcome to attend Branch Meetings.
Members will not be able to take part in the meetings but can put forward any question to the committee, these questions must be in writing and received by the Branch Secretary at least I week prior to the meeting.
Dates for committee meeting
All meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at Stanningley Sports Club from 7.30pm to 10 pm.
6th March 3rd April 8th May 5th June 3rd July
7th August 4th September 9th October
6th November 4th December.
Due to the lack of a fundraiser and volunteers the committee has to look at ways in trying to save money, as well on how to raise funds for the branch.
At January00 committee meeting there was a few suggestions on how we could raise some funds, the suggestions offered were, coffee mornings at member00 homes, we could supply tea and coffee to whoever would like to hold one, A lady00 night example, Ann Summers, and cheese, wine and chocolate fountain party, and Peter have a Tarts and Nun night . Stars in their eyes was put forward has was a karaoke night. It was suggested that we ask members to send in their favourite recipes and form a recipe book so we may be able to sell, it was too suggested that we could produce Leeds and District calendar for 2008. All money raised for the branch goes towards Welfare (that takes up a lot of the funding),
Social evenings, transport and outings.
It was pointed out that we need more members to come to the social
evenings 00es we do realise that some members have to be home for home care to put them to bed00 but we do feel that more members could make a little more effort to come along, it was too felt very strongly to remind members that this is your branch USE IT or LOOSE IT.
Then we looked at how we could save money and I came up with the Newsletter.
I suggested why not put it onto a DVD. or by email for those who have a computer. To produce the monthly newsletter it cost00 the branch, 拢316.96p this
Includes ink, paper, postage and envelopes.
Some-one said 00hy not produce the newsletter every two months or quarterly00 I replied 00ome members like to get the newsletter monthly as this is the only way that they get know what is happening with-in the Leeds branch00 By putting the newsletter onto DVD's or sending via email would save the branch money, and the money saved would go towards transport, welfare, social evenings and
Outings.
Holiday Bungalows, Caravans & Chalets the M.S. Society branches own several self catering holiday homes that are set up and equipped to cater for people with M.S. We have our own situated at Hoburne Naish Caravan Park in New Milton Hampshire.
The society does print a small brochure that has a more complete list that is obtainable from Head office Tel. No 0208 478 0750 but those that are not included tend to be booked up very early.
This is one example of some of the holiday homes.
Wiltshire, Bridlington, Yorkshire.
M.S. People interested in booking this chalet
Contact Jennifer Newdall
Wakefield and District Branch
On 01924 256 477
A basic timber built chalet that sleeps up to 6. Close to club house, supermarket and fish and chip shop.
Ideally situated to explore the East Coast. Scarborough, Bridlington, Filey, the North York Moors and much more.
Kitchen First Bedroom
Second Bedroom Shower room
Sorry for the poor pictures.
Think Before You Speak Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch, in between errands It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, she was clean. The realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while. I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No". I kept thinking "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soooooo, I asked one more time, "Danny did you have an accident ? This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over, spread his cheeks and yelled "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!" While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos
laughing, he calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better, thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had! Branch contacts
Branch secretary Joyce Blakey
Acting Treasurer Peter Danyluk
Transport Officer Barbara Campbell
0113 2555615
Membership Secretary Christine Clemmens
Branch Chair Margaret Moody
Dedicated line 0113 2535375
Email margaretmssociety@msn.com
Local Support Vacant
News letter Editor Margaret Moody
Fundraiser Vacant
Social Secretary Vacant
Committee Members
Trish Cunnison
Andrea Binns
Tim Rodwell
Local Contacts
MS Nurses Seacroft Hospital Ward N
Leeds Community MS Team CRU St Mary00 Hospital
West Yorkshire MS Therapy Centre
Leeds Road
Rawdon
Leeds
LS19 6JY
0113 2504528
Philip Creed
Will writer
0113 2174159
Leeds Alternative Travel
Community Transport
0113 279 5050
Leeds and district web site
www.mssociety.org.uk/leeds
Please tick box and return to me Newsletter Editor
Margaret Moody
154 Westerton Road
Tingley
Wakefield
WF3 1QA
I would like the newsletter in
DVD
Paper
Name
Address
Please tick box and return to me Newsletter Editor
Margaret Moody
154 Westerton Road
Tingley
Wakefield
WF3 1QA
I would like the newsletter in
DVD
Paper
Name
Address.
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