CLICK HERE to read the BBC article about the misuse of blue badges.

Hopefully this will encourage members to stop by the office for a chat when they’re in the area.

We are based not far from the Southern General Hospital at Festival Business Centre, 150 Brand Street, Govan G51 1DH, and are always happy to receive visitors.

Tom Doughty, (www.tomdoughty.com) a Professional Lap Slide guitarist who has been a tetraplegic since 1974, has secured Arts Council funding to hold a series of workshops and concerts at every Spinal Injuries Centre in the UK and Eire. First priority for workshops will be given to in patients and ex patients with the initiative taking place between mid April and May 2012. Confirmed dates can be found on Tom’s web site www.tomdoughty.com As well as gigging, session work and recording, Tom teaches lap slide guitar from his home and the internet using Skype.

An amateur guitarist before his accident, Tom spent years re-learning and inventing ways to play the guitar without the need for finger movement and now has an International following and recognition. Recent projects include collaboration with the classical guitarist Craig Ogden where the Duo play duets from Renaissance music to Jazz.

Tom has released 3 CDs, and tours throughout the UK and abroad. Information about some of his work is featured in this short film:http://youtu.be/XavkjayLHQM and here http://youtu.be/5biLdNnC-L8

The workshops will be held at each spinal centre, spanning half a day and will include methods and techniques, equipment and advice on how to teach slide guitar. Yamaha Europe are supplying a guitar for each centre and Bose are loaning an L1 sound system to Tom for the tour. the project may also be professionally filmed.

Evening concerts will be open to all.

To book a place, or for further information, contact tom: tom@tomdoughty.com or on 07989 919 486

We have begun preparing a project to update and refresh the main SIS website and we would encourage any interested SIS members to send us their thoughts on what they would like to see. Are there sections you would like to find out more about? Are there functions you feel we could add to improve your use of the site?

Work on Clober Farm is under way and we hope to have this ready to welcome our first guests in the Spring. Please keep up to date with all of the developments on the dedicated Clober Farm section of this site. Updates and images will be posted every fortnight. If you receive Newsline through the post you should have received a questionnaire card to register your views and specific areas of interest. If you would like to receive a copy of this please let us know your preferred format. If you would like to find out more about using Clober Farm, don’t hesitate to contact the SIS Office.

If any of our readers, registered members, or members of the general public would like to find out more about what we have scheduled for 2012 please get in touch through the office.

info@sisonline.org

Everyone at SIS would like to thank Chris and all of those who contributed, its an amazing effort and one which is very much appreciated by the organisation.

You can see footage of Chris’ jump on our youtube channel here

In recent years the organisation has gone from strength to strength reacting positively to its changing role within the wider community of people with Spinal Cord Injury in Scotland.

For more infomation and how to apply please click here

If the answer is yes why not go along to the next training session on Saturday 17^th December 2011 and see what is involved.

This training session will be held in the following venue:

EASTERHOUSE SPORTS CENTRE,

Auchinlea Road,

Easterhouse,

Glasgow,

G34 9HQ

Training will start at 10am prompt also bring plenty of drinks and lunch for yourselves.

Adrian wants even more players to attend to gain an introduction and further experience of the game.

If you are able, bring along a sports wheelchair.

If there are any questions please contact Adrian on:                     07577 709 600

If you are going to go along can you please confirm with Adrian on the number above or by email: adrian.n.kennedy@hotmail.co.uk

CLICK HERE to read about previous training sessions

Driving in winter is challenging at the best of times but if you are in the car and are unfortunate to be caught on a flooded or snow covered road hopefully the following preparations will help you.

How do you deal with bladder control? Do you use intermittent catheters or do you have a leg bag that will require emptying?

Carry extra catheters in the car with you, not only in your bag but in the car just in case you need to use more than you would normally carry with you. It might also be worth carrying a couple of overnight drainage bags in case you have to empty a leg bag or use with a catheter.

You might think you are going to loose dignity by using a catheter in the car but I am sure this would be far better than having an accident.

Remember to take the overnight bag out of the vehicle with you when you leave as you don’t want that freezing overnight.

If you use medication, carry spare medication in your car but remember to change it regularly as it will go out of date.

Carry a blanket or extra clothing in the car as you might get into a situation where you are not able to keep the car running so extra clothes will help keep you warmer than you would have been.

Keep a spare pair of warm gloves in the car for occasion like this as well but if you use them, remember to put them back.

Always carry something to drink with you but be careful not to leave full bottles in the car as they might freeze over night and possibly burst. This not only means that you have lost your drink but you might also have soaked the car.

Always carry an ice scraper in the car with you as well as de-icer as you never know how quickly a frost can set in. You can get ice scrapers with extended handles on them to help reach the centre of the screen and some have brushes on as well to help clear snow off your car.

If you are able to, check your washer bottle is topped up in the car with plenty of screen wash added. Most screen washes have an anti freeze agent added to them so this will hopefully stop the windscreen from freezing up after it has been defrosted.

These are only a few things I have done over the years but if you have any more tips that other could benefit from, please let us know.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list by any means so feel free to get in touch with any tips you have and we can share them with others.

On the 11^th of November the Spinal Injuries Scotland Winter Dinner Dance courtesy of Digby Brown was held at The Thistle Hotel in Glasgow. Over 400 guests were treated to a night of fun, entertainment and just the right amount of education courtesy of a range of speakers and acts on the night. Guests were invited to take part in the casino, prize draw and tombola. Prizes ranged from a knitted doll portraying a paramedic to a brand new Nissan Pixo car! Another feature of the evening was the silent auction. Up for grabs were items such as signed football jerseys, luxury cottage breaks, VIP tickets to music and theatre shows and 2 hours of tattooing time amongst many others. 

We were delighted to see so many SIS supporters and members alike in attendance. The special guest for the evening was comedienne Ruby Wax, who brought her customary brand of humour.  Ruby launched into an equally hilarious and candid routine about her experiences of depression and mental illness. Talking about his own experience of spinal injury was athlete and SIS member Kenny Herriot. Kenny’s message and spirit hit home with the audience, highlighting the effects of a spinal injury and also the need for a determined and positive attitude. Kenny and Clober Farm Project Coordinator Shaun Dargan spoke of their cross country cycle which took place in August.

Also included on the night was a live version of the Noel Edmonds game show ‘Deal or No Deal’, which saw the lucky winner take away £1111.11, the sum chosen to reflect the date of the event.   

The evening came to close with the announcement of the raffle winner – who got to drive off in the brand new Nissan Pixo donated by Digby Brown. As much as the Winter Dinner Dance is a celebration and a brilliant evening of glitz and glamour, it is also phenomenally important in gaining extra support and raising awareness. Without the generous contributions of all involved we would never be able to raise the funds necessary to continue and expand on our work. Speaking of which, the total raised from the event was …..£55,000!!! In the current economic climate this is an exceptional amount of money to come from this type of event. Everyone at SIS would like to thank all of those who took part in making the event a success once again.