Click
Here for the October 1999Newsletter
Click Here for
the MAY 1999 Newsletter
Issue No. 62
September 2004
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
This will be the last opportunity the
Association has to wish all members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
- rather early we hear you say, but fear not, before you know it Christmas will
be on the doorstep. Once again
there will be no Xmas cards - apologies to members who have supported us with
purchase of cards, but we are afraid that unless demand is greater we are unable
to supply. Members will find
enclosed our usual raffle tickets, and once again fabulous prizes are on offer,
and we thank you in advance for supporting this important fund-raising for the
Association and if further supplies of tickets are needed please contact the
office.
We take this opportunity to extend
grateful thanks to members Martyn Frewer and Sarah Nichols. Martyn and Sarah raised substantial funds for the Association
from arduous tasks. Their stories are printed in later pages.
Serious difficulties have recently been
encountered with our e-mail system with many letters and application forms for
support not being received. It
appears there are problems with our provider, and as of yet, they have been
unable to identify and correct. May
we ask if you are not receiving a response by email, please do contact us by
phone and let us know, and more importantly, if you hear of anyone who has
applied for support via email with no response from us, please let them know to
contact us by phone or letter.
(Update: Problems now seem to have been ‘ironed out’ so
all should be OK from now on)
UNSUNG HEROES
A floral tribute has been sent to Poala
James from the Association. Michelle
Garwood nominated Poala as her unsung hero.
Michelle and Poala live at opposite ends of the country and correspond
via email - technology working well! We
take great delight in printing Michelle's letter of thanks to Poala :-
"Hi.
Just to let you know I am feeling much better, it has taken time and I am
still on some medication, but a very small amount.
My volunteer Poala is fantastic, she is my friend - I have never met, but
she has helped me so much. I would love her to have some flowers or something
just to let her know how very fab she is.
I
have been to France once this year and am going on another holiday. Poala has
been such wonderful support and encouraged me to go on holiday ....I feel I want
to do something for her. I am truly grateful for the wonderful support I have
had from your organization.
Michelle Garwood"
If you would like to nominate your
volunteer as your unsung hero please write and let us know.
One volunteer will be picked at random to receive a floral tribute with
your letter of thanks printed in the newsletter.
APNI'S VERY OWN MARATHON MAN
Readers will remember from previous
newsletters the wonderful efforts for fund-raising achieved by Martyn Frewer.
Martyn and the Winged feet team (ING Banking) raised substantial sums from the
London Marathon last year. Martyn
personally went on to participate in the New York Marathon in November last year
donating all of his sponsorship money to the Association.
With Martyn's efforts this man alone virtually covered the running costs
of the Association for nearly one month - this allowed the Association to
provide hundreds of free information packs to sufferers and their families,
contribute to the cost of our help-line, cover administrative costs for
providing volunteer support, and not to mention, boosting the moral of staff (we
very often despair when the kitty is empty).
A very big thank you to Martyn for helping us to help you.
If you feel that you may like to
participate with any fund-raising that may help us, do please let us know.
BOOK CORNER
The Association is often asked to review
new publications that have arrived on the market. Jessica Kingsley Publishers have advised about a new book out
on the market called 'Understanding Your baby' by Sophie Boswell priced at £8.95
this book covers most problems encountered with new arrivals.
Sophie is a child psychotherapist and a mother of two children
(professional and personal experiences of all problems encountered with our
precious little bundles). Just in
case baby is now a toddler, have no fear, Sophie has published more books to
cover all stages - the next books up are Understanding Your One Year Old and
Understanding Your Two Year Old. A
full review of these books will be in the next newsletter.
If you had read any new books covering
motherhood and post natal depression, do please let us know if you have found
them helpful.
KEEPING UP TO DATE
If you know about any new groups or
organizations that you think are useful, please write or call to let us know.
We very often receive requests from mums who are looking for extra
support and friendship via group meetings.
We try to keep our records up to date, but very often new groups are set
up that we have no knowledge of. We
would also ask if any groups close that you let us know - very often other
organizations do not let us know they are no longer operating, and it can be
quite upsetting for mums to be given information that is no longer correct.
While we are talking about keeping up to
date, can we ask for members to keep us informed about any change of address or
phone numbers? With a variety of
phone companies battling with competition special offers are always on
offer...this is wonderful that people can save a quids, but as many people
choose to remain ex-directory, it can make tracking down or returning calls very
difficult (actually impossible) if members only leave their name on the answer
phone.
Sarah's Mammoth Challenge
Member Sarah Nichols undertook a
daunting task with Charity Challenge on behalf of the Association.
Sarah raised a magnificent sum - more than £6,000 -
Heart felt thanks are extended to Sarah and all that sponsored her. (Just
in case you're wondering Sarah is 63!) We
take great delight in printing extracts from Sarah's record about her Inca Trail
exploration.
Just to reassure you that I got there,
whoopee, and back, as you see. It's
hard not to feel guilty that I actually enjoyed myself hugely, which seems
contrary to the spirit of the exercise.
Peru is a magnificent country; everybody
should go and see it. The Andes are
spectacularly beautiful, whether snow-capped at 23000 feet, or rocky at 14000,
or covered with dripping cloud forest at 11000, or supporting terraces at 9000.
I have never been out of Europe before, so naturally I was completely
bedazzled by the plants and trees - arching bamboo one moment and giant ferns;
ceanothus and bougainvillea the next; orchids,
sunflowers, woody nightshade 30 feet high.
Birds too - no condors, but eagles soaring around, iridescent navy blue
thrushes pecking about in the early mist.
I have never been in a pre-industrial
landscape before either. I suppose there are tractors somewhere, but I didn't
see any. It was autumn, so what I
saw in the river valleys and on the lower slopes was a patchwork of tiny fields,
some about the size of our sitting-room, in shades of brown and ochre and honey,
ploughed and harrowed by small grey horned oxen.
Some strips lay waiting for the next sowing of quinoa, which makes
excellent soup and seems to be billed as the protein of the century, some were
dotted with tall stooks of oats, some covered with maize cobs drying in the sun.
All the women spin all the time with
spindle and distaff, and dye the alpaca wool quite startlingly brilliant colours
using roots, seekd and ground-up rock and beetles, all of which you can buy in
the markets. Then they weave it
into patterns which may be simply geometric, or symbolic, or clearly
representational of animals and birds. Then
they wear it. I have a cardigan to
die for with crabs in the pattern on the sleeves;
some ancient pots are made in the shape of penguins, and killer whales -
clearly they got about 1000 years ago!
They are very kind, welcoming and
friendly; enormously hospitable and endlessly patient with lunatics like me who
can only say please and thank you in Spanish.
Goodness knows what they think of us as we lumber about in our strange
plain coloured clothes, some of them inscribed with incomprehensible messages
(Save the Whale, Parents for Inclusion, Abolish Post Natal Illness), loaded with
bottles of mineral water, cameras, back-packs full of sun cream and
anti-mosquito spray, blister packs and Imodium.
Mercifully Andean porters carried our
tents and sleeping bags on the actual trail, or I would certainly not have been
able to do it. They carried the
stove as well - and the gas cylinders, and a huge
pot to boil the water, the lavatory tents, and the dining tent
(would you believe), and 20 little stools for us to sit on at supper.
In fact I reckon each porter carried upwards of a hundred weight, at a
rapid trot. Most of them claim
descent from the runners who held the Inca Empire together by carrying verbal
messages along the trail in relays.
Our party of 16 walked just under 26
miles of trail, but the Inca Empire actually constructed about 20,000 miles,
they say, most of it now
overgrown. The
path we walked was
built of granite and basalt slabs, chiefly in staircases.
The trick was never to look up, or one became discouraged by the enormous
heights to be scaled above. Simply
set a target, "I shall do 15 steps more and then stop". If the slopes
had been in Wales or the lakes they would have been OK, but the lack of
oxygen makes one pant, gasp and stop frequently.
You can read all about Macchu Pichu I'm
sure, but I have to say it's pretty startling at dawn.
The autumn sun finally rises over a great peak and its first ray strikes
the 'Hitching Post' on the summit of the temple at the top of the Sacred
Pyramid. The Incas may not have got
round to writing, but their maths musts have been ace.
Specially their 3-dimensional geometry; all those huge stones you see cut
into irregular lumps and fitted together without benefit of mortar are locked in
an earthquake proof 3-D jigsaw puzzle of pinions and sockets, on the inside as
well. Cut and shaped with stone and bronze.
The mind boggles a good deal.
- Sarah
tells us her daughter Beatrice who suffered with post natal illness, is
recovering - 'on the mend'. Sarah
raised a magnificent total of £6,255
ANY INCLUSIONS?
If you have any items you would like
included in our newsletter, please send them in - this could range from
house-hold tips of the week (although the use of paper plates to avoid washing
up is a little extreme - good idea, but extreme) fast and easy recipes - and not
to mention a collection of ideas to keep kiddie-winks mentally stimulated and
amused.
INCREASE IN DEMAND
The increase with requests for volunteer
support continues to grow. We hold
a register of volunteers who offer telephone support to current sufferers of
post natal illness. If you have
suffered and recovered from post natal illness and you feel you would be able to
offer some support please do contact us for an application form. We should also
say support can be offered by way of letter and email - some volunteers prefer
this method of support as they find
it can fit in with their busy schedules with greater ease.
And - Our
famous quote for this newsletter comes from President Abraham Lincoln (1809 -
1865)
'The best thing about the future is that
it comes only one day at a time'
And finally - may
we take this opportunity of wishing you all peace, good health and happiness for
the Christmas season and New Year.
************************************************************
************************************************************
Issue No. 61
April 2004
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
Once again it seems time has flown
by since our last newsletter, with the office continuing to be very busy -
apologies to all who have experienced difficulty getting through by phone, the
demand for our services continues to grow. Please remember that if you
experience a continual engaged signal and need to speak with us a message can
always be left after hours and your call will be returned as soon as the office
is manned. By the time members receive this newsletter,
we would expect all to have gained a few pounds in weight - especially if the
necessary detailed sampling of children's Easter eggs has occurred along with
eating the left over pieces they didn't want - remember to console yourself that
extra body fat that’s needed during this cold weather to maintain
body heat'
Some
members will have enclosed with this newsletter results of the study carried out
at St. George’s Hospital (London). This important
study was done with a view to improving services
for women with post natal depression. If you
do not have a copy enclosed,
and would like to know more about the results,
further information will be published in our main newsletter in
September with details on how to obtain a
copy.
We take
delight listing the lucky raffle prize winners for the Christmas 2003 draw:
1st
Prize Mrs. Jennifer Smelliee
High
Blantyre, Glasgow
(weekend trip for two or cash equivalent)
2nd
Prize Zoe
North
High Green, Sheffield.
(Portable TV)
3rd Prize Mrs. Edna Jury
Mill
Hill. London
(Champagne, flowers)
Unsung
HERO
A floral tribute has been sent to
Mary Tait from the Association. Mary was nominated by Kim as her
'unsung hero'. We take pleasure in printing Kim's letter of thanks to Mary:-
‘I
would like to nominate Mary Tait as my Unsung hero. APNI put me in touch with
Mary when I was at my lowest ebb.
She was
incredibly supportive and non-judgmental and did everything she could to assure
me that the PND I was suffering was temporary.
Mary
took the time to call me when I hadn't phoned her. to check that I was ok. I'd
like to say thanks to Mary for being there at such a terrible time in my Life,
and for the invaluable assurance that I would eventually recover -
Many thanks.'
If you would like
to nominate your volunteer
as your unsung hero, with a floral tribute sent and your letter of thanks
printed please send in your nomination
to the office. One volunteer will
be picked from the hat for each newsletter.
SARAH'S WORTHY TREK
Member
Sarah Nicholss contacted the Association to
advise of her fund-raising efforts for the Association. Sarah told us she wanted
to participate with an organization called 'Charity
Challenge' - this organization arranges
different tasks throughout the world in order to raise funds for worthy
charitable causes. Sarah has picked a grueling trek through Peru to
explore the Inca trail - this
involves reaching a height of no less than 13,280 feet. Sarah,
who lives in Wales, tells us she likes to walk through the hills, but somehow we
think she may find this climb a little more
exhausting. Sarah is 62 with 3 children and 10 grandchildren - what a brave
women! Sarah has already raised a considerable sum for this trek in June via
friends and colleagues, and if any readers would like to sponsor Sarah (no sum
too small) please send in your donation to the office. We will be printing
further details of Sarah's challenge in the next newsletter her expedition
starts on 4th June and finishes on 13th June - a lot to achieve
in
such a short time. Good luck.
BOOK
CORNER
The Association review books that
we feel may be of help and benefit to
members. 'Postnatal Depression'
by Paula Nicolson and published by Wiley
belongs to the Family Matters Series.
This book is packed with useful information and tips on post natal
depression along with lots of personal stories and detailed accounts. Readers
will find this book covers a whole range of questions and may find it a helpful
tool for family members to understand more about post natal depression.
'Postnatal
Depression'
by Paula Nicolson can be ordered at most book stores and is available at £8.99
Please let us know if you would like us to
recommend any books that you have found helpful.
HIDDEN
SUPPORT
Many members contact us looking for
extra support via group networks. The Association tries to keep an up-to-date
record of groups that continue to run, but we do find
that many groups are hiding from us! Can we ask if you know of any established
groups to let us know? It is important for women to have easy access to any
facilities that are available, but locating sources can be a draining experience
if you are feeling unwell and family demands leave little time to explore. If
you have found any groups for post natal depression and family support that have
been helpful, please let us know. It is important for our database to be kept
up-to-date.
As always -
we are looking for new volunteers. If you are available to offer telephone
support to a mum in your area and would like to register as a volunteer, please
contact the office for an application form.
If you
have any items you would like included in the next newsletter, please send in
details to the office.
And finally..
...our light-hearted quote for the day (Mae West 1893 - 1980)
'Love
conquers all things except poverty and toothache'
!!
************************************************
************************************************
Issue
No. 54
September 2000
WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR
NEWS
FROM THE OFFICE
It seems just a short time ago that we were preparing for the
arrival of the new millennium and already we are coming to the close of the
first year of a brand new century.
The office has been working very hard during this year,
setting up and working the new electronic mail system, although I should say the
idea of being able to correspond and deliver mail in minutes rather than days
still seems a wonder – the days of waiting for 'snail mail' appear to be fast
approaching as a quaint thing of the last century as many homes are now
acquiring computers.
The Association has had many visitors to the website on a
national and international basis; we still have difficulty comprehending that
people from Boston USA have access to information just as fast as members from
Bolton, Lancs.
Back by popular demand, you will find details of a Christmas card
available from the Association. We hope the design picked will be pleasing to
you all and remove a little from the huge shopping list when traipsing the high
street! Once again
raffle tickets are enclosed with fabulous prizes at hand and we hope, for
members who wish to participate, this important fund-raising event will be a
success. Apologies for members who have received raffle tickets when they have
specifically requested not to have them enclosed with their newsletter - unfortunately we get a little carried away when stuffing the
envelopes on the organised assembly line at the office!
Members will also see information for new pilot
schemes that we hope to set up m the near future, and in order for us to get
these ideas right we would really appreciate your views, ideas and requests.
'UNSUNG HEROES'
A floral tribute has
been sent to Annette Aylwin from the Association.
Gabrielle Paterson nominated Annette as her 'unsung hero'.
We take pleasure in printing Gabrielle's letter of thanks to Annette.
"I
should very much like to nominate my volunteer
Annette as my 'unsung hero'. During the
worst period of my life which included a thyroid problem and a divorce on top of
my post natal depression, she gave me lots of encouragement and understanding
and never failed to
cheer me up.
Annette
told me that I would reach the end of the tunnel, and I did She was my light during a
period of great darkness and her unfailing help always made that uncomfortable
step forward so much easier. I always think of her, and the greatest gift of all
she gave me –the gift of wanting to live again - she is positively my hero and
always will be."
If you would
like to nominate your volunteer as your 'unsung hero' please write and let us
know. One volunteer will be picked at random per newsletter to receive a floral
tribute and letter of thanks.
PICK 'N' MIX FOR
VOLUNTEERS
The Association would like to
set-up a special news and information sheet for volunteers. Our volunteers are
spread out far and wide on a national basis, mostly without contact from other
volunteers and more importantly no way of sharing ideas and thoughts. The Association would like to set up a contact letter
specifically for volunteers that will be sent out with the general newsletters
of the Association. Can we ask our volunteers what they would like to be
included?
Volunteers may like the idea
of sharing recipes, household tips, information on local events that may be of
interest, fund-raising ideas etc. In
short we are leaving the ideas to you! It is essential that we meet your
requirements and needs, so please let us know the items that you would find
enjoyable, and more to the point, worth reading.
Drop us a line with your thoughts.
WEBSITE WONDERS
Readers will
remember from last year's newsletter, the introduction of a website and. email
facility for the Association. Dave Page has, with great patience, been showing
the wonders of the computer (we definitely now know how to turn it on!).
We thought
members may like further information to be included on the website regarding new
approaches and alternative treatment for post natal depression,
along with dietary information that may be beneficial. Can we ask any members
with professional backgrounds if they would be willing to contribute?
We must
emphasise the importance of professional approach, along with information for
input to be reviewed by medical members of the committee -some members may have
found eye of newt mixed with leaves of a Congolese tree helpful but they are not
always readily available! Please let us know if you can help.
(Members who do not have access to a website will still be able to obtain any
information by contacting the office)
BOOK CORNER
The
Association is contacted on a regular basis and asked to review new books on
post natal depression. The latest arrival at the office was 'Surviving Post
Natal Depression - At
Home, No One Hears You Scream' by
Cara Aiken (Jessica Kingsley Publishers).
We feel this book covers many aspects of post natal depression and great
attention has been used for accurate detail. The book also contains stories of
other women who suffered with various symptoms of post-natal depression, and,
quite rightly, applying the rule that any woman can suffer with post natal
depression - there are no rules used for this illness. More importantly a
positive approach on recovery will help a sufferer to recognise there really is
a light at the end of the tunnel.
WITH MANY
THANKS
Every
year the Association is lucky enough to receive important donations from members
who have worked endlessly with fund-raising events and sponsored tasks. With
many thanks we mention details of the latest cash arrivals: -
Mr. A.W. Newbury ran the
London Marathon this year and raised through friends and colleagues the
wonderful sum of £290 Our grateful thanks are extended to Mr. Newbury who has
participated in this grueling event over previous years, donating his sponsored
rewards to the Association.
Mr. & Mrs. G. Sedgwick along with a
friend took part in a sponsored slim. Mr. Sedgwick informed us that 6 1/2 stone
was lost between the three. They managed to raise £170 -Mr. Sedgwick works for
Barclays Bank who operates a 'pound for pound' scheme for charities making the
grand total of £340. A heavy thanks (6
1/2 stone)
to the Sedgwick's.
Mr. & Mrs. W. Tissington
make large batches of marmalade every year (recipe available at office) and very
kindly send in the proceeds. This year they sent in £43.50 Pots of thanks to you both for your hard work.
Lincoln Smith from Al Fitness at Crawford
Youth Club raised £100 via a fund-raising event. A very big thank you for your
efforts.
If members would like to have any item of news or
fund-raising events printed in the next newsletter please do send us the details.
As always when coming to the end of the newsletter, we
appeal for new volunteers that may be able to provide assistance and comfort to
a current sufferer of post-natal depression. Please contact us if you feel you
could help.
may we
take this opportunity of wishing all members a very happy and peaceful Christmas
and a prosperous New Year for health, wealth and happiness.
*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************
October
'99 Newsletter click
here to GoTop
The Association for Post Natal Illness
Issue
No. 53
WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
Once
again the Christmas season seems to be arriving with speed - one moment summer
holiday time and at the blink of an eye Christmas has arrived.
The Association has been busy during '99 updating office equipment and
working to provide information about post natal depression readily on a wide
scale. We are pleased to say information can now be obtained from our website,
and email correspondence can now be used, a message and details are listed by
Dave Page later in the newsletter. Dave has dragged office staff into the age of
technology and worked tirelessly teaching us the magical wonder of computer
gadgets, this we have to say, was a huge task; especially when we at the office
thought we were high tech having smith-corona word processors at hand. We are
also pleased to say that information has now been translated and printed in five
Asian languages and copies are available directly from the office, please let us
know if you would like to receive this information.
Once
again raffle tickets are enclosed with this newsletter and we apologise
beforehand if members have received any tickets when they have requested not to
have them enclosed with their newsletter. For members who wish to purchase
further supplies of raffle tickets please contact the office, we hope the
exciting prizes on offer will tempt friends and family to participate with this
important flind4aising event.
APNI
GO HIGH TECH click
here to GoTop
We are on the Web!
It's
finally happened, we have joined the electronic super highway, APNI has bought a
new computer and has signed up to have our own website.
Let's
hope we don't get ourselves in a tangled web, but despite our trepidation we
seem to be coping with emails, dotcoms, forward slashes and the like.
As
we are very new to this kind of thing, and if you have access to the world wide
web, you can help us by going to our website - have a look around and send us an
email back
Below
is all our information:-
Website www.apni.org
email
info@apni.org
We
also have our own personal emails and they are:-
diane.apni@btinternet.com
linda.apni@btinternet.com
jan.apni@btinternet.com
marian.apni@btinternet.com
dave.apni@btinternet.com
Please
feel free to contact us on any of the above, but be patient - this is quite new
to us. See you in hyper space!
FUND-RAISING
CELEBRITY JEWELLERY AUCTION
click
here to GoTop
(In
aid of
volunteers training video fund)
Readers
will remember from previous newsletters the wonderful fund-raising efforts of
member Simone Plaut. We are delighted to print details of Simone's spectacular
plans to raise funds for the Association.
Dear
Friends
I
have committed myself to raising £10,000 for APNI this year and need
your help to do so.
Do
you know any famous women who might be prepared to donate a piece of jewellery
(dress or real) to the auction, in exchange for the opportunity to help APNI and
earn some excellent and very positive publicity!
If
so please put me in the picture, and I will do the rest. The booty will be sold
at a cocktail party at the Hendon RAF museum sometime in March/April 2000 and
hopefully philanthropists will come forward to cover the cost of the canapes,
room hire and champagne.
The
event itself will be great fun and a raffle will also take place on the evening,
so please watch out for more details
My
contact details are:-
Telephone
0208 830 1371
Fax
0208 451 9706
e-mail
simoneplau@aol.com
I
look forward to APNI members volunteering to help with the event
Sincerely
Simone Plaut
'UNSUNG
HEROES'
click
here to GoTop
A
floral tribute has been sent to Helen Wilson from the Association.
Lucy Barnes nominated Helen as her 'unsung hero' We also print Lucy's
word of thanks to Helen
'I would like to thank you, yet again, for the help I
received from Helen who was my volunteer. The help she gave me was invaluable,
and the only thing that got me through. Helen
helped me through difficult times and was even there for me when I moved house.
I think of Helen a 1ot and think I have a real friend out there. I will never
forget the support that was given by Helen and would like to pass on my message
of thanks.'
If
you would like to nominate your volunteer as your 'unsung hero' please write and
let us know. One volunteer will be picked at random per newsletter to receive a
floral tribute along with your letter of thanks.
BOOK
CORNER
click
here to GoTop
The
British Medical Association have published
(Dorling Kindersley)
a number of family doctor guide books to provide clear understanding of
many conditions Iii particular, the
Association was asked to review two books from the series that our members may
benefit from. 'Family Doctor Guide to Stress'
and 'Family Doctor Guide to Migraine
& Other headaches'. We have to
say that we found these two books very easy to read and more to the point,
understand the clear directions and advice being given to help cope with
symptoms that come along. Both books are available from major book shops for £4.99.
If
you find any books that have been helpful to you, please write and let us have
your views and opinions.
JANE'S
STORY click
here to GoTop
'I remember
the day very clearly. It was November 12th 1996. We were told at my scan that I
was going to have a baby girl and we were overjoyed, especially as we already
had a little boy, then aged 4.
The
happiness was to be blighted, and very soon, my world was to turn up-side down.
Following
the birth of Annalise I quickly developed a severe post natal illness. I
couldn't understand what was happening to me, as when Alexander was born in 1992
I was fine. Now I was overtaken by anxiety, I was unable to sleep, feelings of
unreality and a total feeling of detachment from my family.
I was in despair. I didn't know some days how I would get through the next 10
minutes let alone the next hour. It was sheer torment.
I was
fortunate to be referred to a psychiatrist who specialised in the care of women
suffering from post natal illness. I
responded well to my treatment, but it didn't alter the fact that I had months
ahead of me on my road to recovery. There are no short cuts - I'd got a very
supportive husband and Mum, and a lot of friends - but to talk with someone who
had been through the same thing really made the difference (I spent hours on the
phone to the girls at APNI)
Annalise is
now 2 1/2 years
old and she's absolutely beautiful. I would say I am now close to being 99%
recovered. There are still the odd
times when I might feel a bit "squiffy' but I am lots stronger, and looking
forward once again to the future.
To
all of you out there suffering from this frightening illness, my advice to you
all is to hold on and don't let go. It does end eventually, and you will
gradually make a full recovery. So
don't give up hope, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
My
best wishes to all of you
Jayne
Nowell, Nottinghamshire'
MOTHER
TONGUE click
here to GoTop
The
Association is trying hard to have general information about post natal
depression translated into different languages. As previously mentioned we have
just completed the successful translation of the leaflet 'Baby Blues and Post
Natal Depression' into five major Asian languages.
If your first language is not English and you feel
you may be able to help with translation of our smaller leaflet into another
Ianguage, we would love to hear from you. We must stress the importance of being
able to translate accurately - as you can appreciate, one careless mistake could
cause lots of further worries and stress. In
many languages the word depression may not be used and it is essential the
alternatives used compare well with the description of post natal depression.
Please let us know if you can provide any help - you may well be a
professional translator with a wealth of experience - your help may just make an
important difference.
MILLENMUM
APPROACH click
here to GoTop
As a final
note we would like to say a very big thank you to all members for the continued
support offered to the Association.. The
network of volunteers continues to grow, with mothers who are currently
unwell advising us how thankful they are this service is available
Now
with the up-date of office equipment we are ready to keep up with technology and
expand the support and service of the Association.
Technology
really can be a wonderful thing sometimes!
We are already building a network of volunteers who would like to offer
support via email, the advantage of this method prove to be beneficial to all -
instant access, no time restrictions, local call costs etc. If any volunteer
would like to offer email support, please let us know.
And finally May we take this opportunity to wish you all a
very Happy Christmas and a spectacular New Year
***************************************************
***************************************************
The Association for Post Natal Illness
Issue No.52
May1999
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE click
here to GoTop
The Association would like to say a very big thank you to all members for the
wonderful replies to the Christmas 98 newsletter. As always the response to raffle ticket
sales along with donations made from members was truly amazing. Details of some of the
donations are in this newsletter - unfortunately we do not have room to print individual
thanks, but please remember appreciation is sent to all.
Details of the Christmas '98 winners are:
1st Prize Mrs. P. Bryand, Blackley
2nd Prize Mr. A. Churchill, Laleham, Middx.
3rd Prize Mrs. B. Carr Crosby, Liverpool
The prizes for '98 draw were (lst) 14" combi TV and Video, (2nd) a Case of
Wine, (3rd) Olympus Trip camera - or cash equivalent respectively.
A huge thank you to Mr Churchill our 2nd prizewinner - Mr. Churchill thought he
would like to donate his prize back to the Association! Over the years Mr. Churchill has
been a valued supporter of the Association and it's work. His continued understanding and
assistance about our work and ambitions for the Association are invaluable.
If any member has any ideas for next year's raffle - please let us know - of
course we do understand that celebrating the rnillennium on the other side of the world
would be a fabulous prize, we think it may be a touch, just a touch out of our league!
'UNSUNG HEROS' click
here to GoTop
Cheryl Fisher sent in a letter of thanks for her volunteer Patricia Douglas and
asked if a floral tribute could be sent. We take great delight in printing her letter
about Patricia
"I would like to nominate my volunteer Patricia Douglas of Gateshead She's
such a caring person and a credit to your organisation, Through her support over the
telephone she is seeing me through this terrible illness, from which I have had a severe
depression. I am now on the road to recovery thanks to her positive ways and 'never say
die attitude!'
I needed re-assurance all the time and she was there to give it to me. Not only
does she help me but she finds the time to help other charities - as well as being a
school teacher. I would be extremely grateful if she could receive this floral tribute
because without her contact I don't think I would have believed this illness would
go"
If you feel you would like a letter of thanks printed for your volunteer along
with a floral tribute, please write and let us know, and her name will be placed in the
hat. As always, please remember that all support from our volunteers is immeasurable
'HEART BEAT!' click here
to GoTop
Member Simone Plaut held a recent fund-raising bash for the Association Simone
is a tireless fund-raiser and always comes up with wonderful events that continue to
inspire people's imagination. Simone writes: -
"I held a costume party for Valentine's weekend on Saturday 13th February
at my home. The ladies had to wear red, and the men in dinner jackets and black tie. I
charged £5 a head and raised £120 for APNI. It was enormous fun. I used my Christmas
lights to make a big heart in the front window so people could see where the party was. We
counted down to midnight (when Valentine's day really started). It took very little work
and I heartily recommend holding such an event. People are happy to give £5 to charity in
this way."
Simone tells us that she would like to do something for rnidsummer night, but
has some exams to sit - so her next event will have to be postponed until Halloween. We
think we would like to bottle Simone's enthusiasm and energy, how does she do it!
Raising Happy Children - What Every Child Needs Their Parents to Know - from 0
to 7 years by Jan Parker and Jan Stimpson
Just in case there are any problems that the joys of motherhood may bring we
thought you may like to hear about this book, it seems to cover just about every aspect of
children's behaviour - even if you do not find the advice useful it is always nice to have
another opinion on why Johnny is searching for rice crispies up his nose continually and
Sarah likes the sensation of meat and vegetables rubbed into her eyes!
The book is available in paperback at £9.99 and is published by Hodder and
Stoughton. "The aim of this book is not to create perfect children and parents, but
happier ones. It could change your life. If it doesn't, it will help you get to the end of
the week"
M(ARMAL)ADE BY TISSINGTON'S click
here to GoTop
Mr. Tissington recently sent in a cheque for £35 He tells us this sum was
raised from selling marmalade, a recipe that he and his wife have worked on for many years
-perfecting an easy4o-make recipe. Mr. Tissington says that his recipe is available for
anyone that may like to raise funds via school fates etc. Any takers?
'SNOW DELIGHT' click
here to GoTop
Mrs. Angela Snow raised a staggering £130 from Christmas carol-singing in her
local village. Angela and friend Pat Roe must sing like angels, shall we watch this space
for a sell out tour Angela!
And finally if you feel there is anything you would like printed in the next
newsletter Please write and let us know, and if you have already sent something that has
not yet been displayed - please be patient we will eventually get there - Remember
Christmas is coming!!
Click here for:-
Home Page / Our Function / Leaflets on PNI / Contact
Us / Other Helpful Info
Newsletter / Help Us / History / Management
