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New Help for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis in Durham

Wednesday 5th November 2008

People diagnosed with MS are being urged to take advantage of a special free information day designed to make sure they know about the help that’s on offer. The event, at Abbey Leisure Centre, takes place on Saturday November 8th and offers support and advice as well as complementary therapy and specialist exercise class tasters.

The idea follows concerns that many people diagnosed with MS are unaware of the full range of support services on offer locally. Apart from services offered by health professionals, Abbey leisure hosts specialist physiotherapy care and gentle exercise classes to try and help sufferers enjoy a better quality of life.

Abbey Leisure Manager Paul Lysaght says supporting programmes like this is part of what Durham leisure is all about, "We want to promote community based health initiatives by offering rehabilitation services for anyone who needs help and support; this could be post operative surgery, GP referral or a huge variety of medical conditions. We offer 1 to 1 or group physiotherapy sessions and gentle exercise classes."

The information day is being organised by the MS Research and Relief Fund (MSRRF). Cynthia Atkin is the charity's Funding Manager , "Sometimes people diagnosed with MS think they can't take part in exercise any more but we want to let them know how they can and the many benefits the correct classes can bring. Evidence has shown that exercise with support, can help to alleviate some MS symptoms such as fatigue, balance and muscle tone and aids general well being." We welcome the opportunity to work with partners who want to improve and broaden support services for people living with multiple sclerosis. Complementary therapies and gentle exercise classes are all part of the whole range of services that we hope more people will learn about and take part in. "

The information day on Saturday November 8th is free, runs 10am- 4pm and includes a whole range of taster sessions and useful information for anyone living with MS. Please call Cynthia Atkin on 01670 505829 or Abbey Leisure on 0191 301 8301 for more information.

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