Page 12 - Phonebox Magazine May 2013

Dear Editor
In praise of Olney’s local carers
A recent article in the Sunday Times reported on the Marie Curie campaign, which this year had a slogan of “Your last moments should mean as much as your first”, and went on to discuss the merits of being cared for at home in the last days of your life. This prompted the writing of this letter, as our family have recently been through this experience.
Our mother, Lillian Callow, was a private person who felt most comfortable in the company of her immediate family, whilst our dad Les, who died in hospital, 5 years ago (as over 50% of people do) was the outgoing social one. During January, Mum became severely ill with terminal cancer and expressed her wish to be allowed to stay in the home, where she had lived for 55 years. Although there are four of us daughters (one in the US), we were worried about how we would cope. However the rapid response of
the district nurse and the local carers was impressive. Within days the MK Home-care team began their twice daily visits and were cheery, caring,
kind and sensitive to her needs. Mum’s bed was moved downstairs by
Age Concern to save her having to negotiate the stairs. As her condition deteriorated, specialised equipment was provided by ASCAT to make her comfortable and drugs to ease her pain were provided by other carers.
We were still acutely aware that we needed to be there for Mum for the
best part of each day, and took turns throughout the day and night, but the District nurse, MK Home-care, Hospice at home, Marie Curie nurse plus warden support at the touch of a button, really helped us through.
On a sunny day in February she took her last breath with her family around her, just as she had wished in her own bed, in her own home. Those carers who had helped us through the last few weeks were back immediately to support and guide us as to what to do next. The Hospice at Home team said that in their terms this is the “perfect death” whilst Marie Curie nurses are trying to ensure everyone in their care has a “good death”. For our mother it was quiet and dignified. It’s a funny old subject to talk about and to experience, but with the wonderful help and support in our own local area, it is possible and well worth considering if you have a terminally ill relative.
In closing we would like to thank all of the special people mentioned above who made this possible. We would also like to thank all of those who attended the funeral, sent cards and letters and generously donated over £800 pounds to Cancer Research. Susan, Judy, Jennie and Penny (nee Callow) and families.
Susan Bailey, Daughter of Lillian and Leslie Callow formerly of 47 Dagnall Road Olney.
Dear Editor
MK signs
Readers cannot fail to have noticed the new MK signs and may have read the article in The MK Citizen “All roads lead to Milton Keynes?” on 11th April. According to Cllr John Bint they are well worth the £1000 per sign cost (apparently there are 16 of them) and are intended to make people aware that MK “is a county
and a borough” - I’m not sure they’ve succeeded in getting the message across!!
Early in 2011, shortly after the opening of the new Coachway,
I tried the “Park and Ride” service which is heralded on road signs on the MI and local roads. Having parked my car I found myself at a loss as to what to do/where to go next!! I asked in the National Express building but none of the staff, understandably, could help with local services. I was eventually “rescued” by a young man who told me to catch a number 300 from stop no. 9. He said he was forever helping people out and didn’t know why “they don’t put up a sign”. Since this initial experience I have assisted numerous visitors (some having travelled a significant distance) who have found themselves “abandoned” having parked their vehicle.
I e:mailed MK council and suggested that it might be a welcoming gesture to erect a clearly visible sign, something along the lines of “Park and Ride. For Centre MK use service 300 from Bus Stop 9” and was eventually contacted by an MK employee who said that he had visited the site, completely agreed and thanked me for taking the time to draw the issue to their attention - he would refer the matter to “Signage”.
Since then - nothing!!! MK council have erected several prominent Disclaimer Notices in the Coachway car park and there is an A4 laminated poster, at knee height on the far side of the bus stop but nothing to point visitors in the direction of Bus Stop 9 in the first place.
It is regrettable that money can be found for the new (and, some would argue, meaningless) MK signs - can someone please explain the “extra section” at the bottom - designed specifically to encourage graffiti maybe? - when the council fail to welcome visitors to MK who chose to use the much publicized Park and Ride option.
Pauline Montague, Lavendon, Buckinghamshire
North Crawley Bowls Club Open Day
North Crawley Bowls Club who are Affiliated
to Bowls England & Buckinghamshire Bowls Association are holding an Open Day on Sunday 12 May 2013 at the Bowls Club, High Street, North Crawley from 2.30pm - 5.30pm.
Visitors of all ages are welcome to come and see and use the facilities, to meet our members and, if new to the game, try their hand at bowling. Stop wondering if bowling is for you and come and try out your skills.
The only requirement is a pair of flat soled shoes.v We are particularly looking for new members from North Crawley Village and surrounding local areas.
For further information about the Open Day, please contact either Sheila Hart (01234 750221) or John Clifford (01234 391551)
Tea Party
Brooklands Carers Group are hosting a Tea Party on Friday 24th May from 10am – 2pm as an opportunity to raise awareness of Dementia. Come and join us at The Brooklands Centre, Ousebank Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8AN where you can chat to staff and volunteers over a cup of tea and experience some pampering before you leave!
Contact: Nicki Ward, Carer Support Officer on 01908 252978 or Karen Russell, Community Matron on 01908 619919 for further details.
12 Phonebox Magazine
Dear Editor,
Last month 660,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable households will have to move home or pay £728.00 a year with the introduction of the new Tory/Lib Dem bedroom tax. Comfortable of Olney may think...... “Not my problem!”
Tax Credits Cut ... “Not my problem!”
Council Tax Benefit Cut
Currently claimed by 5.9m low income households and the changes will leave them facing an average bill of £247 per year... “Not my problem!”
Legal Aid Cut
Thousands of low income people will no longer have access to Legal Aid..... “Not my problem!”
Homelessness Up
The number of people with nowhere to live has increased by more than 30% over the last two years...... “Not my problem!”
Benefits Capped
For the first time benefits will rise below inflation......“Not my problem!”
Disability Living Allowance Scrapped
Replaced with Personal Independence Payments, based not on your condition but how your condition affects you - which will narrow the access to this benefit...“Not my problem!”
However, we know that sooner or later it will become our problem. If they take away the safety nets, then we will all feel the impact, not only those directly affected.
Domestic violence, suicide, burglaries and crimes against the person, will now all increase. Do we want to live in the kind of society where we all will have good reasons to live in fear?
Contrast other changes that also came in last month, more than 13,000 of the very richest people in the country received a £100,000 tax cut.
This isn’t about tough choices; it’s about the wrong choices.
Best regards,
David Trend
Olney Labour supporter