23rd May Meeting - Macular Degeneration

Julianna chaired the meeting

The International Toast proposed by Alan was to RC Sucre.  One of two clubs in the capital of Bolivia, it was chartered in 1931 and has 42 members

A notable apology was from Merv who has had a foot operation and needs visitors as he is driving Anne mad

Makeups from Roger, Deborah and Genta who attended a social media workshop and may have mentioned Rotary

Peter gave the President's Address and introduced us to the marvel which is "next year"

Changeover is on Friday 7th July so keep it free

Peter's year will have a mental health focus

Check out the web site if you have not already done so

If you have, check it out again, but properly this time

Les got mentioned in dispatches for his significant contribution

He will give us a full picture when he is speaker in two weeks time

 

For Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, Speaker Alan pumped up his three minutes and shared his personal story as well as critical information

MD causes degeneration from the centre of the eye moving out.

Glaucoma is a different condition caused by pressure in the eye with deterioration of sight from the outside moving in to the centre

There are two types of MD, "wet" which can be arrested by an injection, and "dry" which can only be slowed down

Make sure you get an eye test each year

 

Alan sees it is a "challenge" rather than a disability

In his case the onset was sudden - while playing golf, he found he couldn't see the green

For three months, he couldn't see anything

Win needed to tell him to "Get up or get out" (something like that)

He now uses a reading machine on 10x zoom, and a white cane (but no badge)

 

Vision Australia in Melbourne helps with training. They have 35,000 books on line

 

Alan handed out these Amsler eye charts to put on your fridge.  If the lines appear to wobble, get to your optometrist ASAP

The cause is unknown, maybe genetic, diet or sunlight play a part

Julianna needled us about the flu vaccine - Have you had yours yet?

You cannot catch flu from the vaccine as it is not "live" virus, but you may get flu like symptoms from the immune response

Flu symptoms include death and is particularly problematic around pregnancy, so take it seriously

Sept/Oct is the peak season, and the shot is free for over 65s

Tamiflu is effective within 48 hours of onset

The shot is not "100% effective" but will still lessen symptoms

And if you think flu is bad, man flu is, of course, much worse

 

Gerry about tomorrows BBQ

Bernie- POW next week

Julianna - outbound Rotary Exchange camp soon - find out in July

Helen - Mooloolaba got in first with the sandcastle comp grant

& we have two candidates for NYSF

Les - website talk 6th June. Log on and explore - have your questions ready

Biggest morning tea 10:00 Thursday & McArdles on Friday

Sue - invite to Bendigo's 10th birthday 25th May - ring the bank

Deborah - Changeover $35/head semi formal - wear the colours of the year's theme

Pam - vale Bruce Johnson

 

Sergeant Deborah

Full of sympathy as usual "ah ha ha ha ha"