T H E N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F L A R Y N G E C T O M E E C L U B S N E W S L E T T E R

Issue No. 132 March 2015

Inside this issueHospital Cleaners Beware! . . . . . . 2

Boogie Board Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Resuscitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Top Ten Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Not Lost For Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

No Stigma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

News from the Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Plus lots of other news, thoughts,

poems, letters and views

KNEE HOW!Well, I’m back from our tour of China(including Hong Kong and Macau) and Singapore. This meant I missedediting the December issue of CLAN. Butdidn’t Kerry do an excellent job? It wasan amazing holiday as we travelled allover China (nearly 5,000 miles) bycoach, train, plane and ship. Welearned some Mandarin: “Knee how” is“Hello”; “Knee how mar?” is “How areyou?” and “Ding, ding how” is “Very

good.” Guides would tell us that their city was only a small one – just 7 million people!We climbed the Great Wall, saw the Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Giant Pandas,the Stone Forest and sailed up the Yangtze River. Between us, we took over 4,000photos. Thank goodness for digital cameras! We didn’t get to meet any Chineselaryngectomees but there must be quite a few as they love their cigarettes! The photoshows us with our daughter, Louise, in the Botanical Garden in Singapore. She cameacross from Cambodia to join us for a week of luxury compared with her volunteerlifestyle. This year we’ll be travelling to New Zealand to see our other daughter. TheEditor’s life is non-stop….

Ian Honeysett (Editor)

For all items for Clan:Ian Honeysett (Editor), 53 Combe Road, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3SL email: Honeysett@btinternet.com

For all other matters (including requests to be added to or removed from the mailing list): Vivien Reed (Association Secretary), NALC, Suite 16, Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road, Battersea, LondonSW11 2PJ Tel: 020 7730 8585 Email: info@laryngectomy.org.uk Website: www.laryngectomy.org.uk

The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or NALC. Great care hasbeen taken to ensure accuracy but NALC cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

Deadline for issue No. 133: 1 May 2015

To make a donation please complete andreturn this form to: NALC Suite 16,

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Hospital CleanersBeware!I read with interest the article headed“Don’t Tell The Doctor” (issue 131,December 14). The LCD Boogie BoardWriting tablet – what a great idea. I shallbe investing in one. Which brings me toyour request for stories…

Some may recall my lengthyreminiscences in CLAN no. 65 (June 1998)under the heading “Letters From AHospital Bed”. Yes, I am still here and inreasonable health. One incident does,however, come to mind which yourreaders may be interested to read. Acouple of days after my laryngectomy, Iwas able to sit at the side of my bed in acomfortable chair with all the tubes andassociated paraphernalia still attachedwith advice from the Senior Staff Nurse tohave tissues readily available to wipe mystoma when I coughed. No problem.

I sat in my comfortable chair watching theTV armed with a set of large tissuesbeside me, coughing and cleaning myopen stoma a couple of times. Noproblem! Until…

Nurse!Coughing aside, I felt that I was going tosneeze. Yes, you’ve guessed it – I put myhand to my mouth and nose. The result,finger on the ‘call buzzer’ to summon thefirst available nurse to clear up the unholymess on the floor and on my pyjamas.

Conclusion, to all Consultant Surgeonsand Nursing Staff: strongly advise futurelary patients to treat a sneeze as an‘earthquake cough’!

Graham Rock

Boogie BoardsI wasinterested tosee yourarticle aboutthe BoogieB o a r d sbecause thisis somethingthat I’vethought for awhile wouldbe reallyuseful to laryngectomees. My suggestednomination for the ‘lucky recipient’ of thefree one you are kindly offering would bethe ENT Department at Manchester RoyalInfirmary for use on the ward wherepeople are recovering from the operation.This is one of the leading centres in theNorth-West and the one where my fatherwas treated but of course it would be abrilliant addition to a similar departmentat any other hospital. This way, it could beused as a lifeline by many people whomight then go on to buy their own, ratherthan just one person benefiting from it.

Wipeable?I appreciate, however, that strict hygienerules in hospitals might prevent it beingused by multiple patients on wards. I'mwondering if it is wipeable? Dad had anassigned nurse whose job it was to sitwith the patient and their families andexplain about communication post-op,demonstrating use of portable nebulisersetc. I wonder whether someone in thatrole would find it helpful as a demo modelto give patients ideas of how they couldcommunicate?

I remember that Dad had a notepad butkept losing his pen or pencil in thebedclothes and finally we attached a penwith a piece of string to the notepad. As afamily we managed to lip-read him quitewell but this was difficult when he wastired and so mumbled rather thanenunciated clearly. I think a wipeableboard device such as this would bebrilliant for use in those dreadful weeksthat a patient cannot speak whenrecovering from having vocal cordsremoved and before they begin speechtherapy.

Hope you find a worthy place to pass onthe donated board, ideally where multiplepeople could use it and the idea could bespread to others.

Anne Greenwood

A Thief Called TimeA thief called ‘time’, despoils our life,stealing our years away.Entreating pleas won’t change his course,not for a single day.

And this thieving, callous ‘time’so oblivious to our pain,will have his way, without remorse,and tears are all in vain.

This monster lays his fiendish hand,on beauty and on plain.Those rich or poor, or good or bad,will all display his stain.

Try as you may to cir-cum-vent,his slow and crafty crime,and to beg the villain to repent,will not discourage ‘time’.

Nothing really will protect,the high born or the low.No one, no-where is sac-ro-sanct,there’s no place, that ‘time’ won’t go.

Len A. Hynds

Boogie BoardsResult!In the December issue of CLAN weannounced that NALC had a free BoogieBoard for the best story explaining why itshould win the board. Well the winner isAnne Greenwood, whose story appearsin the column to the left.

Congratulations Anne!

Interesting Facts(from the Plymouth Club

newsletter)

The more attracted you are tosomeone, the easier it is forthem to make you laugh.

Sharks are the only animalsthat never get sick. They areeven immune to every knowndisease including cancer.

The sentence ‘The quick brownfox jumps over a lazy dog’ usesevery letter of the alphabet.

If you electrically shock aperson's brain, their maths skillscan greatly improve for about

six months!

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Servox TipsIn 25 years of servicing and dealing with electrolarynx clients, my experience has beenthat very few people use the second button on their Servox unit. The Digital ServoxElectrolarynx offers a unique opportunity to correct this. Unlike its Intone predecessor, theDigital Servox cannot only be adjusted in frequency on both buttons but also preset todifferent volumes.

If both buttons are tuned to the same frequency for normal speech (instead of the usualHi/Low pitch), increase the volume on the rear button by holding the button down whilepushing the rocker forward, until maximum volume is attained. Then adjust the volumeon the front button in the same way, but rocking the control backwards or forwards untila suitable volume for a normal conversation is attained. This allows the rear button to beused in the case of emergency or if you want to attract attention. Remember thatincreasing the volume by pushing the rocker forward may lose valuable time. It must beremembered, however, only to adjust the volume on the front button while holding itdown, otherwise both will change.

Alan Beale, Axion Biomedical(from Still Talking, NSW Newsletter)

NALC AGMThe 2015 AGM will take place onMonday 18 May at St Peters EatonSquare Church, 119 Eaton Square,London SW1W 9AL. It starts at 2.00pmbut lunch will be served from 12.30pmin the Parish Hall. NALC need to knowwho will be attending by 17 April andwhether there are any special dietaryrequirements. Attendees should usethe entrance at the side of the churchas a service will be taking place at12.30 in the church itself.

Poor UK SurvivalRatesAccording to figures released last week,UK lung cancer survival rates are worse inthe UK than in most of Europe, at around10% after five years, and experts havewarned that although awareness is notan issue in the UK, the so-called stiffupper lip might be. Sara Hiom, CancerResearch UK’s director of early diagnosissaid: “Making that doctor’s appointment isimportant. It’s not a waste of time for theGP or the patient. Diagnosing cancer earlysaves lives because it gives patients abetter chance that treatments will besuccessful.”

Symptoms dismissed as harmless thatcould point to cancer:

l Unexplained cough or hoarseness(lung cancer).

l Change in bowel habits over threeweeks (bowel cancer)

l Persistent unexplained pain (severalcancers, depending on where it hurts)

l Change in the appearance of a mole(skin cancer)

l Unexplained bleeding (several cancersincluding bladder cancer if in urine)

l Unexplained weight loss (severalcancers)

l Persistent difficulty swallowing (throatcancer)

From the Plymouth Club Newsletter

Celine Dion’s Husband Still RecoveringMontreal – Rene Angelil is “doing better,”but still recovering nearly a year afterundergoing surgery for throat canceraccording to his mother-in-law. “It’s like myson Daniel who is fighting a second battleagainst throat and tongue cancer,” saidTherese Dion on Monday. “Rene is 73-years-old, it’s hard for him. It takes time atthat age, he needs to have patience.” Dionis a well-known TV personality in Quebec,as well as being mother to Angelil’s wife,Celine Dion. He underwent surgery on 23December 2013 to remove a cancerous tumour. It was his second bout with thedisease, having first gone into full remission in 1999. “I haven’t spoken to Celine or Renerecently, but listen, they say no news is good news,” said Dion. “If the news wasn’tgood, I’d know. Rene’s resting. I think it’s so beautiful and smart for Celine to be with herhusband and children. She reassures the kids. I know she has a big heart and amother’s soul.”

PLC Newsletter/The Edmonton Sun, 2 December 2014

Locked In?In a Spanish holiday resort, a womanthreatened to call police after claimingthat she’d been locked in by staff. Infact, she had mistaken the “do notdisturb” sign on the back of the dooras a warning to remain in the room.

(from Still Talking, NSW Newsletter)

1. Lie the person on their back and removeany clothing from the neck, but don’tremove any tubes.

2. Check the stoma for obstructions andwipe away any mucus from the stomaor tube.

3. When the stoma is clear check forbreathing.

4. Watch to see if there is any movementfrom the chest and abdomen.

5. Listen and feel for air escaping from thestoma.

6. Tilt the person’s head backwards – puta coat or cushion under the neck to

ensure that the neck is fully extended.

7. Kneel by their side, place two fingerson each side of the nose with yourthumb resting under their chin.

8. Close your fingers to prevent any airescaping from the nose and mouth.

9. Take a deep breath and place yourwidely open mouth over the stoma tocreate a seal.

10. Blow into the chest until you see it startto rise. (Release your fingers betweeneach blow.)

(from Still Talking, NSW Newsletter)

ResuscitationThe first thing we need to do is forget a lot of what we think we know about CPR.Because obviously laryngectomees don’t breathe through their nose and mouth, wehave to resuscitate by breathing into their stoma. Otherwise the principle is the same.

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1. Stay positive; this cancer is verytreatable. So surround yourself withpositivity, love and practical help to getyou through.

2. Get the PEG tube fitted (the one directlyinto your stomach); don’t be fooled.Eating will become hard, if not almostimpossible with radiotherapy. Saveyourself the stress of getting nutritionwith the PEG. This is no time to be amartyr, stubborn or complacent!

3. Have a portocath fitted if you arehaving chemo; you will never have toworry about them finding a vein.Simply hook up and go!

4. Take the medication: you will probablyhave more medication prescribed thanyou’ve ever had in your life. However,this is about getting through the bestway possible. It sucks so do what youneeded to do and take the meds!

5. Carry your toothbrush, paste andmouthwash everywhere in a bag: youmust keep your mouth clean andrinsed. It really can and will make ahuge difference. And remember to seethe dentist and hygienist before youstart. I brushed and swilled everyHOUR!

6. Create a chart of people to get you toand from treatment and rally people tobe with you: treatment is not easy.Having people around to support you,

get you to appointments and simplyhold your hand somedays really willmake the difference!

7. Sleep: some days you will just want to‘get away’ from the side effects. Gettingsome sleep can really help you cope.And consider a triangular/hospital stylepillow arrangement to prop you up tosleep better. Nozinan at night can giveyou enough sleep to raise your spiritsand help you cope better.

8. Keep a diary: tick off the days throughtreatment, record a little each day ofwhat you did, how you feel... It reallywill help you out the other side to seehow far you’ve come, because you willfeel that progress is slow.

9. Don’t be a martyr: this is an endurancetest of the worst kind! This is NO time tothink you have to go it alone either. Youmust allow yourself to accept help sopeople can feel like they are doingsomething positive for you. Take themedication to keep you as comfortableand calm as possible and never beafraid to admit you are scared! Thistreatment is tough and challenging butyou will get through and we can help.

10. Plan for the future: get things to lookforward to in the diary say five-sixmonths after treatment. Something tochallenge you to start eating againand be fit enough to do!

Ten Top Tips for LaryngectomeesJanet Waddell, mainstay of the ‘Strictly Speaking’ Facebook group page, recentlypublished these top tips for laryngectomees:

NHS Gateshead Teams AwardTwo photos showing (left) Bob Carey holding a Teams’ award from NHS Queen Elizabeth,Gateshead and (right) Keith with Bert Culling whom he helps enormously in hispresentations even though he cannot communicate orally. Keith’s letter was featured inDecember’s article “Don’t tell the Doctor”

Head Office Has Moved!It’s official – NALC HQ has now movedinto its rather compact new home inBattersea. Same telephone numberbut much cheaper! The new home isat: Suite 16, Tempo House, 15 FalconRoad, London SW11 2PJ Tel: 020 77308585 Fax: 020 7730 8584. Email:info@laryngectomy.org.uk

How you can help NALCBy Joining Us:Do you have some experience and skillsin fundraising? We will be setting up acommittee to develop activities to raisefunds to replace the cuts in our grant fromMacmillan, phased over the next two years.We would welcome the involvement ofmembers of our wider community whocould add their expertise. As is usual forour committee members, travel expenseswill be paid for attendance at meetings.

Please contact Vivien Reed at the NALCoffice if you are interested and willing tohelp us in this way. Contact details are onthe front of this Newsletter.

By Donating:Please consider supporting NALC in oneof the following ways:

USE THE FORM ON PAGE 1 to:

● Send a donation to our office

● Make a donation via a card payment

By Visiting the Website:www.laryngectomy.org.uk

There is a facility on our website to makea donation using a debit card or creditcard. Please also submit the details thatallow us to claim Gift Aid.

By Organising a Fundraising Event:Could you or your club organise a coffeemorning or similar event? We canadvertise such events on the website andin CLAN, to help maximise your success!By Sponsoring Events:Could you or a friend or family membertake part in a local or national sponsoredactivity to benefit NALC? We will help byappealing on our website, andelsewhere, for sponsors to support you.Again, that would help with your efforts.

Whichever way you could help us, itwould be most appreciated, and ofenormous benefit in helping us tocontinue – and expand – the vital workwe do at NALC in helping to support thelaryngectomee community, and improveservices, across the UK.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Malcolm Babb, NALC President

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ProblemsI found the article from the SunderlandLaryngectomy Club member veryinteresting, as it reminded me of theproblems my husband John had. Hisoperation took place about 16 years agowhen there was the problem with beefand mad cow disease but, without mince,he could not have survived. Swallowingwas a major issue but slowly thingsimproved and, eventually, he could eatalmost anything.

As regards his speech however, the mainproblem was that he was not fitted with avalve, which meant the chance ofspeaking was very remote. Writing notes;knocking; sign language of a type, werehis only forms of communication and lifewas very frustrating for both of us. With nochance of a valve, we started working withthe Speech Therapy Department in theFreeman Hospital and, after months ofpractising to make simple sounds, he wasable to use words and eventuallysentences.

A Geordie AccentHe developed a remarkable level ofoesophageal speech and even had aGeordie accent. We continued to supportthe Speech Therapy Department as,without their help, we could not have hadthe life we did. We travelled to manyplaces abroad and my husband evenbought a Harley Davidson motor bike.Unfortunately my husband died suddenlywhen we were on holiday abroad lastyear and, after the trauma of getting himhome etc., decided that, instead of flowersat the funeral, we would ask for donations

for the Speech Therapy Department.Without their help, we could not have hadthe life that we did and it was a way ofshowing our appreciation.

After my months of red tape, apresentation took place recently where Iwas able to see the equipment that hadbeen bought. It is a specially adapted iPadwhere a patient can write in a commentand then with a press of a button, thephrase is spoken by the machine. There iseven a picture form for those who are notconfident with their writing. It is anexcellent piece of equipment which saveswriting notes and even messages on aniPhone as you do not have to be sittingclose together. Though expensive, Ithought that this is something that patientsand clubs should be aware of and I havebeen assured that the one we havedonated to the Freeman will be well usedand appreciated. I am enclosing aphotograph of the presentation at theFreeman Hospital.

Mrs Audrey Scott (former member ofSunderland Laryngectomy Club)

A TOTAL of 4,248 people in the South Westphoned Macmillan Cancer Support during2014 seeking help. New figures from thecharity show how many people contactedthe Macmillan Support Line during thepast 12 months. In Devon, there were 551callers. Of these, 73% of requests were forclinical information and emotionalsupport. Earlier this month, Macmillanrevealed there will be a record high 2.5million people living with cancer in the UKin 2015… an increase of almost half amillion in the last five years. TheMacmillan Support Line is availableMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., on0808 808 00 00.

To read the complete article on line,please click on:

www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Thousands-phone-charity/story-25942460-detail/story.html#ixzz3QIyBULEG

Plymouth Club / Plymouth Herald

Presentation at the Freeman Hospital

MobilityLen Hynds, our resident CLAN poet, hassent us this picture of the front cover ofLifestyle magazine. It’s sent out to 330,000disabled drivers in the UK – of which he isone. You can read it online at:www.motabilitylifestyle.co.uk

The Yellow Spot SchemeThe Sheriff’s Office in the State of New York have started what they call, “The Yellow SpotScheme.” It affects all people who have an illness or disability, includingLaryngectomees, when an ambulance or first responders such as police or fire brigadeare called, where the patient is unconscious or cannot speak.

If in a car, the yellow spot is on the rear window, and another on the glove compartmentwhere inside they will find an envelope containing all medical details, including if a neckbreather or other complications. A list of all medication, and importantly, a photograph ofthe patient. That envelope and details are handed to the doctor on arrival at A&E. Ifcalled to the home, a yellow spot is on the front door, with another on the fridge door,with an envelope as above also held on the fridge door by a magnet. They also advisethat all these details are kept in your wallet but, my details are too numerous to go intothe wallet.

This scheme seems fine, and most of us have a red plastic sticker on our carwindcscreens, but they seem to fade so quickly, and I am now on the third one aftereleven years. I also have all the details, typed out, ready for the ambulance crew, whichis a godsend to them.

Len Hynds

Before my laryngectomy operation, I had avisit from the speech therapist to explainhow the operation would take away myvoice and how she would afterwards beable to teach me to develop ‘oesophagealspeech’. At the time it was all prettyacademic and deep down I believedneither her prognosis nor the hope sheheld out. As I have said, one cannotimagine oneself without a voice while onestill has it. I am not alone in havingsometimes imagined whaty blindnessmust be like byshutting my eyes for awhile; but, of course, blindness is so muchmore than that and those of us with sightcannot imagine it. So it was with myperception of voicelessness. When SylviaPaine, the therapist, revisited after theoperation, I began to understand what Ihad lost but not yet how I could acquiresomething in its place.

The speech therapy sessions startedwithin two weeks of my coming out ofhospital and I shall always be grateful tothe NHS for providing this service, forSylvia’s skill and not least her tolerance ofmy impatience. I was determined to talkagain and quickly. Unfortunately, learningoesophageal speech is hard and slowand can only be done in short steps. Itwas a great help to both of us that Diane(my wife) was allowed to be with me atthese sessions. She was able to assist memore efficiently with my “homework” andto support Sylvia’s work of slowing medown.

So, in those early days, I had to learn“TAH” and then two “TAH”s and then threetimes and, finally, “please practice athome to five times”. After TAH came THEand TEE, TIE, TOE and TOO. Then, verygradually, we progressed to carefullyselected consonants and, later still, toactual words, but not yet, not for a longtime, and words beginning with a vowel.“Stop” and “flop” come after a while but

“after”, “echo”, “uniform” are very muchmore difficult and always will be. Thehardest are the inflections in voice whichlaryngectomees are not supposed to beable to master but on which I arrogantlyinsisted. Thanks to Sylvia’s enormouspatience, we were able to practice “I saidNo”, “It’s under the table” and, mostdifficult of all, “Now?” with the questioninglift of intonation.”

If you would like to read more, you canobtain the book “Not Lost For Words”from Amazon and on kindle or from Rev G. Helft, 7 Cripplegate House,

St Clements Close, Worcester WR2 5BGat £7 incl, p&p.

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Not Lost For WordsBack in 2013 we mentioned the book, “Not Lost For Words” bylaryngectomee Gunter Helft. He has had a fascinating life: born inGermany in 1923, we witnessed the beginnings of Nazi brutality inBerlin. He was brought up as a Marxist atheist in a Jewish familywhich fled to England. he went on to become a Christian and a priest.He contracted throat cancer and had a laryngectomy but masteredoesophageal speech and has exercise an active retirement ministry inchurch and education in Worcester. More recently he has suffered astroke but continues to be supported by his wife of over 60 years.

Here are some extracts from his book:

RESEARCHAre you a laryngectomee?

Are you interested in taking part in a project?A team of researchers from City University London are interested in your experiences

For example,

This research is being undertaken by Lizz Summers as part of a Masters Degree at City

by text or phone on 07931 215 271 by email on elizabeth.summers@city.ac.uk or by post c/o Dr Madeline Cruice, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB

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Unfortunately, three of their members whowere down to attend the Christmas Lunchwere unable to do so at the last minute,but they had eight attending at the TwoBridges Hotel on Dartmoor and what anabsolutely superb occasion it was too! Themeal was one of the best yet, the servicewas beyond reproach and a wonderfultime was had by all!

On 5 January they held a Mini BurnsLuncheon which, of course, includedScotch Broth, Haggis, Neeps ‘n Tatties anda ‘Scottish Trifle’ (perhaps with added

whisky?) Then, on 25 January, was theactual Burns Night celebration!

The photos are of the Christmas Lunch.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy CancerSupport Club is celebrating after receivinga monetary donation from the Galaxy HotChocolate Fund. The charity aims to offersupport and understanding toLaryngectomees, people who have hadtheir voice box removed, and their carersand/or families. Established more thanfour years ago the charity is run solely by

volunteers who providesupport sessions, wellbeingdays and away trips.Geoffrey Read, charityChairman and Secretary,says: “This donation from theGalaxy Hot Chocolate Fundcouldn’t have come at abetter time. Every othermonth we aim to take our25 members on a trip toraise their morale. However,there are often high costs associated withthis. This donation will help us to cover theoverheads for these monthly trips as wellas contributing toward the postage costsof our monthly newsletter.”

Galaxy Hot Chocolate is looking to helpsmall, local community groups andcharities across the UK and Ireland bydonating cash awards to support warmhearted people and projects. However,the deadline for 2015 was 23rd January.

Plymouth

Percy Furneaux (left) and Jean & Geoff Read (right)Fiona & Ron Martin (left) and Christine & Jim Reid (right)

News from the ClubsNews from the Clubs

20:20They’ve been doing a lot of fundraising.The Bike Ride raised over £2000 but,sadly, one of the riders had their £800bike stolen a couple of nights after theRide.

They also held a Christmas Quiz, hostedby local Radio Leicester star, Rupal Rajani.Their Patron, Willie Thorne, organised a

Snooker Team. Although only nine teamsactually turned up on the night it was areal battle between five of them until thefinal round where the winners, ‘The PukkaPie Boys’, played an absolute blinder:10/10 using the Joker = 20pts… victoryindeed.

They also have a US Patron in Bob James,C&W singer/songwriter. He will bedonating a couple of songs fordownloading.

On 16 October, they held a meal night inLeicester and presented Andy Moir fromthe hospital with a cheque for £12,455.55– the cost of a new FVR (Flexi-Video-Rhinolaryngoscope), the marvellous pieceof equipment that transports videopictures (in full colour) on to a 30” TVmonitor, enabling Consultants theopportunity to espy any problems. The

event, with some other monies from theBike Ride, raised over £3000.

Bert Keith and Bob Carey from theNewcastle club

Speak Easy Club,Cornwall

In the last quarter of 2014, they have hadlunches at the Inn for All Seasons and atBodmin Jail where we met four of theirlatest members – John & Caroline andTerry & Bridgette. In December Janet andMartin invited members over for afternoontea at their cosy farmhouse, withscrumptious home made cakes. Then on14 January 2015, they held their‘Christmas’ lunch at The Victoria Inn,Threemilestone. And Matt hasvolunteered to bring the ambulance withall the latest equipment along to one oftheir meetings.

© The National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs 2015 Printed by The Ludo Press Ltd, London SW17 0BA

Ashford Laryngectomy Club They had a busy December, a day trip toLille was enjoyed by laryngectomees andtheir families. The Rotary Wardreceptionists organised the annualChristmas tombola which raised over£500 for the club funds, many prizes weredonated by local businesses andorganisations. The club are veryappreciative of the receptionists’ support.The festivities continued with a lovelyChristmas meal at The Drum Inn inStanford, many of their club membersattended and enjoyed a very pleasantevening. The club continues to meet bi-monthly and are always keen for ideas onfuture events. Caroline Mackenzie, WardManager of Rotary Ward, Ashford Hospital,is always keen to receive any comments,suggestions or questions. Her contactnumber is 01233 616260.

The photos show their coach trip,Christmas meal and the Tombola prizes!

The Windpipers,Blackpool

Sandra Waddington adds to the item(CLAN no. 131) on the Embarassing Bodiesprogramme on Channel 4 by saying:“When we were approached by Channel4, I was looking forward to a make-overand looking 20 years younger but no suchluck! The film crew were great people andwith us for three days. Obviously a lot offilming was edited like me running downthe drive to meet Duncan from workwhich I have never done! Everyone whohas watched the programme said it wasvery good and portrayed daily living forlaryngectomees. We believe theprogramme (made five or six years ago) isstill being shown as last year we were inthe waiting room at the hospital and oneof the staff said, in a not too low voice,‘super star’ – which was quiteembarrassing as everyone started lookingat us. Unfortunately, even though it is stillbeing televised, we are not receiving anyroyalties!”

On 14 December 2014, the Cancer TrustLaryngectomee Luncheon was held at theSavoy Hotel in Blackpool and groups fromthe North West attended. The Windpipers’Christmas Party was at The DalmenyHotel in St Annes-on-Sea and was anexcellent night as it was a new venue forthe club. But their group sadly didn’t winthe novelty balloon table decoration.

When a person cries, and the first drop of tearscomes from the right eye, it's Happiness. If it's from

the left, it's Pain.

Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar made so muchmoney, he spent $2,500 every month just onrubber bands to bundle up his stacks of cash!

News from the ClubsNews from the Clubs

No StigmaFirst of all I welcome members of NALC to the New Year 2015 especially the President ofthe Club and the editor of the CLAN Newsletter, well done for your good work.

Ever since NALC started supporting me, especially Kerry, who has been behind me asa mentor and has provided me with stoma protective equipment, this has encouragedme to do voluntary work to support youths with disabilities by offering them basiccomputer skills. Then they can do something for themselves rather than being helplesswithin their communities. I did this because Kerry showed me an example ofvolunteering. Without her, it was going to be difficult to achieve my career ambitions.At least now I have a small computer training workshop that is open to all individualsand gives opportunities to youths with disabilities to obtain skills at no cost. The photoshows a group of these youths in my workshop. Two girls are deaf, two boys arephysically disabled. Through practice and engagement with others, they no longerface a stigma in the community!

Bychance Emmanuel