Rare disease awareness: European-wide information campaigns highlight Rare Diseases every February. And February 15th has been designated the first International Angelman Syndrome Day.
Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder of chromosome 15 affecting one in every 25,000 people. Those with the syndrome have severe intellectual disability, a lack of speech, sleep disturbances, and yet usually a happy demeanour. There are about 350 people living with AS in Ireland.
See angelman.iefor more details of the new support group.
Information evening: Better Bladder and Bowel Control for men and women is the theme of a free information evening in Total Physio, Slievemore Clinic, Old Dublin Road, Stillorgan, Co Dublin next Monday at 7pm.
It will be given by Anne de Lacey, chartered physiotherapist and former head of the continence clinic at the Rotunda Hospital. Advanced booking on info@totalphysio.ie or tel:01 2000555.
Fit to drive: Driving Safely with a Medical Condition is a public meeting on Friday, February 22nd at 6.30pm in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 6 Kildare St, Dublin.
The aim of the meeting is to help drivers understand the new medical fitness-to-drive guidelines, issued last month.
There will be opportunities to ask questions about how temporary, permanent and progressive conditions may affect driving.
Advanced booking via the National Programme Office for Traffic Medicine, email DirectorTrafficMedicine@rcpi.ie or tel:01 8639 699. A live webcast will be available on the night.
Caring information: Male carers looking after people with a brain injury are invited to an information day on February 23rd, 10am-4.30pm in the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Topics to be discussed include managing behaviours and emotions, difficult relationships and situations.
More details from Ned Rispin of Brain Injury Ireland on 086 3821033 or ned@briireland.ie.
Lollipop Day: This year's national Lollipop Day to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer and funding for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 22nd and 23rd.
Ireland has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe with about 450 new cases diagnosed each year. Risk factors include smoking and obesity, while early detection is vital. See lollipopday.ie
