Posts filed under 'Health'
Was chuffed to see my friends at local, Walthamstow based, social enterprise Social Spider getting major credit in this week’s Society Guardian for their brilliant magazine ‘One in Four’.
One in Four is a magazine that sets out to assist and give a real voice to people who suffer from mental health problems, from the mildest depression to the severest schizophrenia.
The magazine is specifically aimed at younger people and is packed with loads of practical advice and supportive articles to help people who are ‘down’ to try and lead a normal life.
Before I was put through a series of traumatic experiences, which began in April 2007, I had never suffered any kind of mental health problem, but months of stress and injustice finally took their toll and last year I finally realised I was suffering from what’s called a “depressive reaction” (a form of depression which occurs as a direct reaction to a traumatic experience). I only realised it was a “depressive reaction” when I read an article discussing depression in ‘One in Four’.
Luckily, thanks to the continued and strong support of family and good friends who completely believe in my innocence, the strengthening of my faith, some excellent local NHS counselling, and through reading positive magazines like ‘One in Four’, I managed to get through this awful period and am now completely “myself” again.
I am delighted that the guys at Social Spider are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve for this magazine and the other excellent initiatives they’re involved in.
I would urge any local NHS practictioners reading this blog post to encourge Waltham Forest PCT to support a good local social enterprise, and contact Social Spider to find about more about ‘One in Four‘ and their other excellent work.
Well done again guys!
The borough is lucky to have you.
– To read this week’s Society Guardian article about Social Spider’s ‘One in Four’ magazine click HERE.
May 1st, 2009
This morning, I received an email reply from my good friend Karen who comes from (and still lives in) Mexico City, updating me on what’s happening with the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
For the non-Spanish readers amongst you, Karen basically paints a rather more normal view of what’s actually happening over there than the ridiculously alarmist media reports we Brits are being fed!
The text of her email reads:
Re: Are you all ok over there??
From: Karen Rodriguez (k*******@gmail.com)
Sent: 28 April 2009 05:31:38
To: miranda grell (mirandagrell@…………)
Hola Miranda!
Afortunadamente estamos bien, obviamente tomando todas las medidas de sanidad pero en general estamos tranquilos y manteniéndonos informados para cualquier cambio. Dentro de lo que cabe, estamos haciendo nuestra vida cotidiana y esperamos que todo se normalice pronto! Sé que las noticias que se escuchan fuera de méxico aparentan ser alarmantes pero siento que las cosas se están calmando poco a poco… Te mantendré al tanto!
Un beso y un abrazo de parte de todos!!!
April 28th, 2009
An absolutely lovely day out on Sunday supporting good friend Andrew Lock in his first ever London Marathon bid.
Andrew (pictured above after the race with wife Julia and I) is (amongst many other things) a superb runner and it was therefore no surprise to us that he managed to complete the race in an excellent 3 hours and 54 minutes.
But this year, the cause Andrew was running for made the event even more special.
Back in January, Simon Tucker (pictured above), a local Councillor in neighbouring Newham and a former councillor for the London Borough of Waltham Forest, who was also an extremely popular Leytonstone solicitor and community activist, suddenly passed away aged only 48.
Those of us who knew Simon (Andrew had served alongside Simon as a local councillor in Waltham Forest in the 1990s) were really shocked and many of his friends and comrades from Leyton and Wanstead still can’t believe he’s gone.
It was testimony to how loved Simon was that his funeral, held at St John’s Church in Leytonstone, was absolutely packed and was attended by both Harry Cohen MP and Lyn Brown MP, Sir Robin Wales and his Deputy Cllr Christine Bowden, Newham’s Greater London Assembly Member John Biggs, 33 Newham Councillors (including councillors from the opposition Respect and Christian People’s Alliance Party), at least 10 Waltham Forest councillors and umpteen former Waltham Forest councillors, representatives of local community groups, the Leytonstone business forum, and many many more.
Simon suffered from asthma and so Andrew thought it only appropriate to run for the charity Asthma UK, which supports British asthma sufferers and their families.
We know it might be too late to bring Simon back but Andrew hopes that some of the funds raised may be able to help other asthma sufferers.
Rest in Peace Simon.
You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.
Lots of love,
Andrew, Julia and Miranda
– To find out more about the work of Ashtma UK, go to: www.asthma.org.uk
April 27th, 2009
Good news for those ‘mature’ Leyton ward residents who still love to shake a leg to some funky tunes.
The popular tea dances sponsored by Team Leyton, Waltham Forest Council, GLL and CLM (the delivery partner of the Olympic Delivery Agency) are to continue for another year!
According to the information I’ve been sent, Mix Master Steve Stratton will continue providing the super duper entertainment and caberet.
The only change is now the venue, which has moved to:
The Plum Tree Studios, First Floor, 787 Leyton High Road (opposite Waltham Forest Direct), Leyton E10.
If you’re local, and know a Leyton ward based Senior Citizen who you think would benefit from a nice couple of hours out of the house enjoying some good music and company between 2.30 and 4.30pm on: April 28th, May 26th, June 30th, July 28th, August 25th, September 29th, October 27th, November 24th, December 22nd, January 26th 2010, February 23rd 2010 or March 30th 2010, why not let them know about the tea dances and encourage them to go along?
I don’t know……a Freedom Pass to zoom around London and now the continuation of the Tea Dances – Leyton’s Senior Citizens have never had it so good… 
March 31st, 2009
At last!
The news I’ve been waiting for since November!
The Obamas have finally decided which breed of dog will be White House pet to their adorable daughters Malia and Sasha!!!
According to this article, they’re going for a Portuguese water dog. Can’t say I know much about Portuguese water dogs – have always been more of a Labrador girl myself….
Anyway, now the Obamas have completed the first part of their decision, millions of canine aficionados around the world will be waiting with baited breath until April, when we’ll get to see which lucky pooch will be brought home to the White House.
I still think the girls would love little Deela but I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun with whoever they choose…
February 28th, 2009
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