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November
2003 Newsletter
Editorial
Here we are in
November and the weather is now beginning to show us what time of
year it really is. Considering how mild and dry the weather has
been we almost forgot what season we were in. The trees were late
in turning their beautiful autumn colours but now we can expect
the wet cold weather we are used to. The positive side to the cold
spells in winter is that the bugs which are responsible for our
colds and flus can get killed off by the frost.
Happy Thanksgiving on 27th to our American Friends and cheerio for
now as we are going to be busy getting ready for our Christmas Celebrations.
These will kick off with our mulled wine morning in early December.
If anyone has
any articles or comments they would like to submit please e-mail
them to us at: platinumclubhouse@eircom.net
Until next time
Platinum Clubhouse
Congratulations
to one of our members, Siobhan who won first prize at the Dublin
Exhibition of the Lundbeck Art Initiative which was held at the
Office of Public Works in St. Stephen’s Green Dublin and ran for
one week. Siobhan’s Art piece was called Phoenix and the medium
used was Sculpture and Acrylic. There were 100 Artists participating
from the Dublin Area and the Greater Dublin Area. A special thanks
to Jackie Clarkin from Lundbeck Ireland who sponsored and organised
this competition, which was a wonderful success. We all at Platinum
Clubhouse wish Siobhan the very best in her Art Career.
Mary
Halloween
Employment Dinner
Eleven of us
gathered in Platinum Clubhouse for the Halloween Employment Dinner.
As dinner was served by Breda and Tom, we sat around tables and
started eating under dim candlelight. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
All who attended enjoyed it immensely. Towards the end of the evening
members and staff had a long discussion about Clubhouse and all
aspects of Clubhouse life. It was a great success and we look forward
to the next one.
Eileen
and Cathy M
Poetry
Corner
ELVIS
A rock and roll hero was he
with handsome face and unique voice
with charm changed the course of society
a talented man been many ladies choice he
brought romance to all he sang
danced and played with great style
gained many an admiring fan
expressed personality in his lovely smile
a Casanova he was to all the crowd.
Really intriguing in all he done
his singing was so nice, soft or loud
yes he really & truly was such fun
he flashed his fancy gear on stage
a performance of a genuine star
in his time he was all the rage
although deceased his songs still go far
all we have is the memory of this man
a tape or record to relive our dream
as for me he is always my best fan
on a stage where stars forever gleam.
Paddy
Conference Report
The Irish Association
Of Supported Employment Conference 2003, was held on the 16th
and 17th of October in Hotel Westport, Co. Mayo.
The Conference was opened by Michael Fleming the chairperson of
I.A.S.E. There was an address from the mayor of Westport.
As with last year’s conference there was an emphasis on Mental
Health, and how we support people with Mental Health issues in
Employment.
Mark Logan gave a very interesting presentation on Mental Health,
people's attitudes and how best practise works with people with
Mental Health issues. After his presentation I had an opportunity
to speak to Mark and he was very interested in the Clubhouse Model
and may visit in the future. As usual at the Conference, Work
link North West gave a presentation, and gave very healthy fads
about how many people with Mental Health problems, once out in
work, were very positive about their work and the support they
were getting from the Health Board.
There was a presenter from a recruitment firm who agreed that
Supported Employment is needed for people with Disabilities as
they cannot Job Coach or Support people in their jobs after the
initial contact.
The Hotel Westport was a fabulous venue and the Gala was a great
success. The Conference while very similar to last year, was valuable
for Networking.
Carmel
Irish Advocacy Network Conference
The
Irish Advocacy Network Conference under the Heading Talk Back-Take-Back
took place on Oct 13th-15th 2003 at Jackson’s Ballybofey, Co Donegal.
Who are they? What do they do?
The Irish Advocacy Networks exists to promote and facilitate Peer
Advocacy on an island-wide basis. This is achieved though the provision
of Information and Support for Mental Health service issues and/or
survivors. It aims to support people in speaking up for themselves,
and in achieving empowerment by taking control of their own lives.
The aim of the conference was for people with Mental Health difficulties
to explore their needs, and assert their rights in order to control
their own paths to recovery and examine the practice of peer-Advocacy
Island-Will.
Two members and two staff from Platinum Clubhouse attended. Eileen
M and Linda F attended on Mon., Tue. & Wed. and they were joined
by Raymond & Eileen D on Tue. evening. After registration, there
was a Welcome & Introduction to Paddy McGowan; followed by the official
opening by Pat the Cope Gallagher, T D.
Throughout the three days all aspects of Advocacy were discussed
by various people who were experts in the relevant fields. There
was a ‘Questions to the panel’ were Martin Rogan, Assistant CEO
S. W. A. H. B.
Overall it was very enlightening. It was very heartening to see
a lot of Mental Health problems are being highlighted and taken
on board. The chairman of the Mental Health Commission had a lot
to say regarding how the Mental Health System is now at the moment.
Though soft spoken, there was a determination and an urgency in
everything she said. Things such as ‘the Mental Health System is
a second rate system, very much medievalised’ and ‘Day Hospitals
are working as a rather low-image, repetitive work shop’.
And he says ‘they simply have to go’. An attendance to the revolving
door was discussed-expectation to recovery. A key to its elimination.
It is important that Mental Health people are valued for their strengths
rather than their weakness. Focus on Mental Health rather than Mental
Illness. Education, personal development and the building of self-esteem
are most important. It was even suggested that the word ‘Mental’
should be banned.
Of course, it was not ‘all work & no play’. On Tuesday night there
was a Gala Dinner. Together with the members and staff of Phoenix
& Suaimhneas Clubhouses, and our General Manager –Margaret Webb,
we enjoyed a lovely four course meal with a few beverages thrown
in for good measure. Everybody looked really well and were in great
spirits (pardon the pun). After the meal there was plenty of dancing
to a local band. It was great to see everybody getting on so well.
We all let our hair down and there are plenty of photographs to
substantiate the evidence. We returned after Wednesdays Conference
much more enlightened and encouraged than when we went, and delighted
to have had the opportunity to go. A very special word of thanks
to our chauffeur Raymond Fenton who was responsible for our safe
journey to and from Donegal. Many Thanks Ray.
Eileen D, Eileen M and
Linda
Announcements
Get
Well wishes to:
All our members who are unwell.
Birthday
Wishes to: Garry,
Robert, Declan, Margaret O'B, Kevin O'D, Daniel, Margaret P, Alan
R, Simon, Dara.
Welcome
to our new members: Annette
Q: What
goes into the water pink and
comes out blue.
A: A swimmer on a cold day. |
Mother-Jimmy
you have lost a tooth.
Jimmy –No I have not, it’s in my pocket |
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|
Husband-Why
are you driving with a
bucket of water on the passengers seat.
Wife-So I can dip my headlights. |
Q: How
did the man tell the weather with a piece of string?
A: He hung it up and he knew if it moved it was windy and
if it got wet he knew it was raining. |
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|
Doctor-You
need glasses.
Patient-How did you know.
Doctor –I could see it as soon as you
walked through the glass window. |
Q: Why
is grass dangerous?
A: Because it is full of blades. |
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|
Q: When
is an operation funny?
A: When it leaves a patient in stitches |
Q: Why
did the brilliant scientist disconnect his door-bell?
A: To win the NO-BELL prize. |
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|
Q: How
do people dress in mid January?
A: Very quickly. |
Q: What’s
grey and squirts jam at you?
A: A mouse eating a doughnut. |
| |
|
Q: Why
did the flea fail his exam?
A: Because he was not up to scratch |
Q: Why
did the cat want to be a nurse
A: She thought she would make a good first–aid kit. |
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|
Q: Why
are false teeth like stars?
A: Because they come out at night. |
Q: What
did one hare say to the other?
A: Nothing-Hare’s cant talk. |
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|
Are you
and your husband not talking
asked a friend. No we are not. I was really annoyed last night.
Why?
Because I wanted to ask him something. |
Mary and
her husband were celebrating their golden anniversary. They
had stood the years well, now she was a little deaf . When
everyone had gone, he said, Mary I am proud of you, to which
she replied, that’s all right love, I am also tired of you. |
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|
Q: What
did the big chimney say to the
little chimney?
A: Nothing –Chimneys can’t talk |
Q: Why
is adding six and seven like a lame dog?
A: Because they both put down three and carry one. |
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|
Q What
has fifty heads but no hair?
A: A box of matches |
Q What
washes up on a small beach?
A: Micro waves. |
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|
Q What
training do you need to be a litter collector?
A: None- you just pick it up as you go along. |
Q What's
another name for a telephone booth?
A: A chatterbox. |
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|
Q When
is a green book not a green book?
A: When it is read. |
Barry-
My wife has a very bad memory.
Harry-Very forgetful.
Barry-No she remembers everything. |
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|
Customer-‘Two
soggy eggs on burnt toast please?
Café Owner-‘Sorry we don’t serve that. Customer-‘Well you
did yesterday. |
Q What
kind of apple is not an apple?
A: A pineapple. |
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|
Q What
do you call a building with a lot of storeys?
A: A Library. |
Q What
did the boy squirrel say to the girl squirrel?
A: I’m nuts about you. |
| |
|
Q What
begins with ‘T’ Ends with ‘T’ and
has ‘T’ in it?
A: A Teapot |
Q What
has teeth but cant eat?
A: A comb. |
Patricia
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions and beliefs expressed in this newsletter are
not necessarily the views of Platinum Clubhouse.
Any articles, items or pictures in this newsletter may only be
reproduced following permission from Platinum Clubhouse.
Contributors:
Eileen D. Patricia, Philip, Des, Tom, Carmel, Michael
Editorial
Team:
Tom, Cathy, Caroline, Stephen D
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