Prader Willi Syndrome

On 16^th September, Barrie, Ryan and Gayle set off for Gatwick airport at what felt like the middle of the night (0430).  At Gatwick, we boarded the aircraft destined for Glasgow.

 

We arrived at Glasgow airport at 0900 and got straight into a taxi to the Southern General Hospital where we were met by Laura McCarthy, the research assistant who looked after us for the two days of our stay.

 

Barrie and Ryan then spent all day at the hospital undergoing various tests for this research.  We left the hospital at 6.15pm that evening.

 

We went to the hotel ion Glasgow City centre and checked in.  It was decided that we would go out and have our evening meal first, and then go on to the cinema.  The lads decided it would be great to see ‘The Final Destination’ (in 3D).

 

We enjoyed our meal at a local Harvester and then headed for the multiplex.  It was our first experience of 3D (and Gayle made it clear that she did not like horror type films).  The two lads thoroughly enjoyed the film (which seemed to include various dismembered bodies flying toward us through the 3D glasses) – Gayle, not surprisingly, was not so impressed, and spent a great deal of time looking around the cinema!

 

After the film, we walked back to our hotel to get some much needed sleep.  The plan was to get up about 8am the next day.  However, at 0730 the fire alarms all went off in the hotel, so everyone was up and about ready to evacuate the hotel.  Just in the nick of time, the alarms were silenced.  Anyway, pleased to report that the Premier Inn was not on fire!

 

After a delicious breakfast in the hotel, we decided that we had a couple of hours spare before we needed to be back at the hospital, so we went around Glasgow on an open top sight seeing double decker bus.  It was very informative and the three of us enjoyed the trip.  It was then back to Southern General for about 2 hours more of tests before we were on our way back to Glasgow airport for the journey home.

 

The trip was great, the lads were super and uncomplaining of the time they spent at the hospital, Laura was very helpful and attentive and we really hope that the research is useful and helps people with PWS either now or in the future.

 

GAYLE, BARRIE AND RYAN

 

 

Bishops Lodge ran another successful car wash on Saturday 12^th September 2009.

 

Due to the effort and hard work of all living at Bishops Lodge together with help and support from a willing staff team, (and we were fortunate with great weather) a total of £100 was raised for the PWSA.

 

We will be sending a cheque to the association and, hopefully, a piece for their next newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh has been attending Friary Gardeners, which is a horticultural project run by Parchment Trust, for a number of years now and he goes there two day each week. 

 

Last week he was awarded this cup for growing the largest vegetable.  As you can see from the picture, this is probably the biggest garlic in the world! (Well, at least the biggest garlic in Hastings). 

 

Josh intends to take this wonderful specimen to his family home next time he goes to see his mum and dad, just as well it is not going to be used at Bishops Croft, that much garlic, and they might not see any visitors for some time!

 

Yes, have been open for a whole year now. Sometimes it seems like five minutes, others a lifetime – just kidding we all love it here.  There have been quite a few changes in the past twelve months, but all for the better I think. We are now very settled and things are progressing well. 

 

All the residents are achieving goals, such as target weights, one-to-one outings, Day Services trips and other pleasurable activities. In celebration of this and their developing camaraderie, we are going to Butlins for a holiday later this month.

 

The staff team has seen a few faces come and go (in more ways than one!) but are as committed as ever. More than ten of us have either achieved or are working towards NVQ qualifications at various levels.

 

I would like to thank the Service Users for their patience and understanding, the families for their valued support and encouragement, the Way staff team for their indefatigable dedication and flexibility, external professionals for their faith in us and, last but not least, the other New Directions houses and senior management team for their unquestionable desire to see us succeed and all the help and co-operation they have given us. 

 

Without all of the above, I doubt that our inaugural year would have been as smooth, enjoyable and positive as it has been.

 

Thank you all,

 

Sue and the Bishops Way team.