May/June Newsletter MAY/JUNE 2002 Newsletter- Thirty members attended our March 9th meeting incredibly a whole year on from the formation of our new Committee. Marjorie Howie as Chairperson opened the meeting and especially welcomed new members. The Speaker was Dr Zoma, Consultant Rheumatologist of Stonehouse Hospital, Lanarkshire had last addressed our meeting in September 1991 and we were anxious, to take every advantage of his available time, in a very heavy work schedule. We enjoyed a really wonderful talk, with marvellously simple word pictures, which so skilfully illustrated the difficult concept, of the workings of our over zealous immune systems. The remainder of the meeting had to address the problems that threaten our organisation with the still unresolved National Secretariat replacements. Thank you to those of you, who made donations /contributions to the group. Thank you also to those of you who made use of the Christmas Catalogue which, added £80 to our funds.- Contact Christine if you wish to receive a copy of the Summer Catalogue We still have a few copies left for use.. CONTACT LINKS: We are receiving requests from people who for varying reasons are unable to attend meetings; we are looking for people to link up with those who are isolated from us. This would allow us to help/assist in alleviating this isolation for many. A link person could visit those who are unable to leave the home, meet up with new members who may be unable to attend meetings in Glasgow. In general be a support for BSSA in your own area, a local contact link. Some areas where contact has been requested: Thurso, Inverness, Perth and Glasgow. Home visits/local contact link will assist in giving support and keeping others up to date with what goes on at meetings. It will help to make the person feel less isolated, as their link contact can relate to Sjogren's. Contacts are already set up in the Edinburgh and St Andrews areas. It is the Committee's intention to make home visits to the Glasgow and surrounding areas. If you are no longer able to attend, or cannot attend meetings for whatever reason, please let us know and we will arrange for someone to be in touch It is important that we know of any members/supporters who are unable to continue to attend or keep in touch. "Please contact Christine or Marjorie" 1 If you are interested in being a contact link person, in your area.. 2 Would be happy to receive our support or that of a local contact link. "If for whatever reason you are no longer able to attend meetings please contact us"