Health matters

Yesterday we re-entered a rainy season here in London. It was the same in Folkestone. Just miserable for most of the day. Fortunately, the rain stopped to catch a breath when it was getting dark and we could go out.

As soon as we went out, my octogenarian friend began to feel better. She was so happy to be outside, like everybody else. I cannot understand this 21st-century, developed country's system which puts old people in 'care homes' they can never leave, even into a private garden unless there is somebody like a family member of friend to take them out. The staff tells me that they ask them if they want to go to the garden on a nice day, but my friend always refuses. Well, she is lived long enough and not on a bed of rose buds to have reached the stage when she is more like a child who would say 'No' to anything, even a chocolate lolly, just for the sake of it. But the box is ticked, regulations met, procedures followed... Those old people sit there waiting for the day after day to pass. They have their own rooms. There is a big communal area with two TV screens downstairs, always on with their silly programs and advert blocks. Some of them are too unwell to leave their beds. They lay flat, a private TV or radio on as they dose or howl for attention. Well, she or he always calls, they are like that, there is nothing wrong with them, I would be told... As long as they have eaten and taken their medicines, they are fine. No entertainments, games, nothing.

I won't dwell on it now, but I am most concerned. There must be a fault in the society if it allows this to happen... I wish I had more time to elaborate on it.... I have a strong feeling that something has to be done.

...
And now about a young person's help. We can help here and now or very soon. It's a friend's friend, this girl. Let me paste in this info now:

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CONCERT IN AID OF SARCOMA UK

www.sarcoma.org.uk  registered as a charity in England and Wales (no. 1139869)

AMY'S SARCOMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Sunday, 5^th January 2014, 7.30 pm

St Barnabas' Church, Pitshanger Lane , Ealing, London , W5 1QG

Conductor: Christopher George

Programme includes:

Rachmaninov, 3rd Piano Concerto

Sibelius, 7th Symphony

Nicole Wilson, principal second violin of the English National Opera, is putting on this concert with her professional musician friends for her sister, Amy Wilson, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer called an epithelioid sarcoma 3 years ago. Amy is still battling this aggressive disease but is doing so with strength, grace and humour.

There will also be a performance of special piece written for Amy by Colin 'FunKey' Skinner.

Tickets are £10 each.

You can pay for your ticket on the door,

or by making a donation here

https://www.justgiving.com/Doctor-Amy/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Doctor-Amy&utm_campaign=pfp-share-mobile

and your ticket will be put aside for you.

Please come along to support Sarcoma UK and hear a magnificent concert.

The musicians have kindly donated their time to rehearse and perform.

Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts.

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