THE National Rehabilitation Board's new information centre in Dundalk opened last week, as a resource on disability issues for people living in, counties Louth, Meath and south Monaghan.
Among the services the new centre offers are occupational guidance for people with disabilities and advice on financial and technical support for employers of people with disabilities.
The centre is located at Adelphi Court, Long Walk, and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. on Fridays.
THE construction of the Abbey Sense Garden, intended specifically for the recreation of the disabled, is continuing apace at the old walled garden of the Brigidine Convent at Abbeyleix, Co Laois.
The project is in the care of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, under the European Union's Horizon Employment Initiative. The garden is being constructed with wheelchair access, and will feature a braille labelling system. It is already open at Dove House on Main Street in the town, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.
LAST Friday saw the celebration of "Lucia Day", the birthday of James Joyce's only daughter, who was schizophrenic. The day formed part of Schizophrenia Ireland's ongoing campaign, "One in a Hundred", which is designed to create greater public awareness of the illness.
The day coincided with the launch of the Information Guide on Schizophrenia, which is available from Schizophrenia Ireland's national office at £2.99.
THE Really Useful Teenage Food Guide is a newly published book by Janette Marshall, on the subject of healthy eating.
Stuffed with common sense recommendations, the book examines what youngsters eat, looks at ways to improve their diet and spells out why slimming diets aren't a good idea.
There is also a section with advice on vegetarianism. It stresses the importance of a well balanced diet for teenage girls in particular, as they may become anaemic if they don't get enough iron which is, concentrated in meat products. Published by Vermilion, the book costs £7.99 in the UK.
SKIN nutrients in tablets form, called Imedeen, is the latest weapon being offered in the battle against the appearance of ageing. "In complete contrast to skin creams this natural skin nutrient, taken daily, works to improve over all skin health," according to Dr Charlotte Clifton, medical adviser to the Danish pharmaceutical company Ferrosan which is manufacturing the nutrient.
Available from pharmacists and health food shops, Imedeen contains fish extracts and should not be taken by anyone allergic to seafoods.
LEPROSY in Ireland Surely not! Well read all about it in Leper Hospitals in Medieval Ireland by Gerard Lee SC, which includes a short history of leprosy in this country, its associations with art and literature, and the disease's connection with St Lazarus. Also included is a short history of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, the order which deals with leprosy in Europe and the Holy Land.
The book is published by Four Courts Press at £7.95 in paperback.
MEMBERS of the Irish Blind Sports Paralympic Squad undergo their final fitness evaluation at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin this afternoon before flying out to Atlanta on August 5th for the Paralympics.
Five of the squad going to Atlanta will be competing in, track and field events two are competing in judo events and the other two in dressage.