A.R.T. NEWSLETTER

ART Adolescent Rheumatology Team newsletters for young people attending the BCH adolescent clinic...

Summer 2005

Autumn 2005

Winter 2005

Summer 2006

Summer 2007

Autumn 2007

Back School

If you have a painful or stiff back, you may be referred to Back School as part of your treatment.

Ø     What is ‘Back School’?

Back School is a group session, lasting about 2 hours, involving 6 – 8 young people.  The purpose of the Back School is to teach you more about the way your back works and how pain and stiffness can be managed.

Ø     Who runs the ‘Back School’?

The Back School is run by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist.  It takes place in the Physiotherapy Gym.

Ø     Who is ‘Back School’ for?

It is specially designed for young people of secondary school age who have a painful or stiff back, or have a condition which may, at some stage, involve the back. 

Ø     What happens at ‘Back School’?

We will look at the skeleton and talk about posture, exercise and relaxation.  There will also be a problem solving session so that we can discuss issues relating to school such as sitting for long periods, carrying heavy bags and sport.

Ø     What will I have to do?

All the sessions are interactive so you will not get bored!  We start off with a puzzle for you to do, you will be encouraged to ask questions and try out lots of different chairs.  There will also be a short exercise programme and a relaxation session.

Ø     What should I wear?

Please wear a tracksuit or something comfortable for the exercises.

Ø     How do I know that ‘Back School’ is for me?

Before you attend the Back School you will have been assessed by a doctor or physiotherapist and will have been given a suitable treatment/exercise programme.  Your physiotherapist will make sure that Back School fits in with this programme.

Ø     But I’m an individual . . . no-one else has back pain like me!

You may be surprised to meet other young people who have similar problems - and together you can help each other to manage them.  Any specific issues you have will be addressed by your own physiotherapist.  Only general issues will be discussed in the Back School group.  This maintains your privacy – you only need to tell the others what you want to.

Ø     Are my parents also invited to ‘Back School’?

No, Back School is only for young people.  If your parents want to discuss your treatment, your physiotherapist is the best person to talk to.

Ø     What happens after ‘Back School’?

Your physiotherapist will arrange a review with you.

‘Truth -  a teenager's survival guide” by Ann McPherson and Aidan Macfarlane. Published by OUP, it has a selection of the questions (with answers) that young people have sent to the www.teenagehealthfreak.org site on drugs, weight, bullying, relationships, stress and sex.

Available from Amazon......

Undergraduate Research Bursaries in Science

Taking students behind the scenes in science

The Nuffield Foundation offers bursaries to first year post-16 science students in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Anyone studying an Advanced or Higher science course may apply. This includes vocational as well as academic courses.

The scheme helps students to take part in science based projects, lasting 4-6 weeks, in universities, industry or research institutions during the summer holidays.

Students work alongside practising scientists. Unlike work experience schemes, students carry out projects which are well defined from the start and have an outcome that is achievable within the time available and which will make a contribution to the work of the host organisation.

Each year they offer about 600 bursaries.

If you are science minded and interested check out:

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/go/grants/scibsc/page_98.html 

Do you want to stay in education after 16 but are worried about money?

You may be able to get up to £30 a week Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if you are 16 and heading for college or sixth form, or staying in a special school.

What is EMA?

EMA is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, depending on your household income. This money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when you stay on at school or college - such as travel, books and equipment for your course.

There are also £100 bonuses if you stick with your course and make good progress.

Who will be entitled to EMA?

You can get EMA if:

- your household has an income of £30,000 or less and

- your course involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week (such as lectures and supervised study.

The course can be at a school sixth form, sixth-form college or further education college. For instance, it might be for AS or A2's, GCSE's, GNVQ's, NVQ's or other vocational qualifications.

For more information visit www.ema.dfes.gov.uk

or ring the free helpline for young people and parents 080 810 16 2 19

Do you have trouble remembering to take your medicines?

Ask one of the adolescent rheumatology team for one of our pill boxes in your choice of colour! You can then keep track of what medicines you have taken that week.....just remember to fill it up!

Want some tips about how to take your medicines? click here

Want to ask the Doc some questions about your meds? Here are a few to get started...!

THE RHEUMATOLOGY TEAM
The BCH Rheumatology Team	Not sure who everyone is in the rheumatology team...and wonder what they can offer you...? This leaflet will tell you who's who and what's what about their specific job!

THE ADOLESCENT RHEUMATOLOGY TEAM
Adolescent Rheumatology Clinic	Information for young people about the adolescent rheumatology clinic at BCH and what makes it different to the other clinics

TRANSITION INTO ADULT CARE
Transition in rheumatology clinics - for young people	What transition means for young people in rheumatology clinics at BCH
Transition in Rheumatology clinic - for parents	What transition means for parents in rheumatology clinics at BCH
Will adult rheumatology clinics be different?	Anxious about leaving the Children's Hospital? Read this to find out what will be different about adult services
What questions should I be asking about adult services?	Starting to think about going to adult services? start with asking the adolescent team some of these questions to help you find out more...

MEDICINES AND JOINT INJECTIONS
Joint Injections wide Awake!	For young people with arthritis, the thought of having joint injections without a general anaesthetic can be a bit daunting. This leaflet helps you prepare for having them awake, in preparation for joint injections in adult rheumatology clinics
Paying for your medicines	Once you hit 19 years, you might have to start paying for your medicines. Read this leaflet to find out more....

GENERAL HEALTH
Are your bones healthy?	A list of the calcium content of frequently eaten food by young people !!
Things to help me sleep	General advice about how you can improve your sleep
NRG saving tips	A guide to making your energy go further!
Feet First!	A guide to insoles

EXERCISE
Get Active! Get fit for life!	Information and advice about how you can keep fit
Stretches Advice Sheet	Advice about useful stretching exercises

PAIN MANAGEMENT
What a Pain!	What you can do for yourself when you are in pain
Pain in the neck!	Information about looking after your neck when you have neck pain
Mind your Back!	Information about looking after your back

JIA RESOURCES
Useful JIA websites	Useful websites for young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
JIA Mindmap	This leaflet tells you all the people involved with the care and treatment of JIA

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Study Skills	Stressed by the thought of exams? Here is some advice to help things not get on top of you!
Disclosing your disability	The when, how, what and to whom about telling others about your condition and/or disability - important if you are applying for jobs and the like

DRIVING
Driving Leaflet	Information about when you can start learning and how you go about doing it!! Tips on who to contact and at what age you can start.

Interested in becoming a doctor?? Read more....

POSITIVE CAREERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Ask: what if? is a new online community for people interested in careers that have a positive impact on other people’s lives and the community they live in. So if you want advice on careers, have questions to ask about jobs in the community and want to hear about other peoples stories this is the ideal website for you!

To find out more, click here www.bseyouthcouncil.co.uk/askwhatif

Arthritis: a guide for teenagers Booklet available on line or booklet (free) from Arthritis Research UK  www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Fancy a quick and easy leaflet to find out about JIA? Have a look at our JIA Mind Map leaflet....

Want a booklet that reassures you that you can still lead a full life even with JIA - then read the Breakout booklet from www.arthritiscare.org.uk

www.pediatric-rheumatology.printo.it

International website which includes

• description for families of rheumatic diseases
• lists of paediatric rheumatology centres
• contact information for family self-help associations
• multiple translations

11+ Secondary school Transition Group

Why is there a need for such a group?

For most children the transition into secondary school is an anxious time, but for those with special needs there may be additional concerns. Particular difficulties may arise from:-

·        The need to use public/school transport

·        Increased mobility demands due to  a larger school site

·        Larger pupil numbers with greater numbers of teachers

·        Increased demands of the curriculum, including homework

·        Increased competitiveness in P.E with more contact sports

·        Introduction of technology involving heavy machinery,  and complex fine motor tasks

·        Fear of bullying due to perceived differences

·        The need to make new friends/disclosure

·        Need for increased personal organisation/time management skills

·        Dealing with increased levels of stress

Occupational therapists therefore felt there was need to develop a specific group to address some of these issues.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists main focus is on every day occupations or activities. They are ‘enablers’ and assist children and young people engage in activities that are important and give meaning to their lives. The OT approach is very holistic and considers physical psycho-social and environmental factors.

Since one of the major occupations of children/young people is going to school/participating in school related activities, Occupational Therapists play a major role in equipping them with the skills necessary for a positive school experience.

During the group Occupational Therapists aim to equip young people with a range of coping strategies to deal with the exciting challenges this transition presents. It is a two day group for young people currently receiving Occupational therapy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital with a variety of diagnoses.

What does it involve?

The group includes a number of activities both on the hospital site and at a local museum. During the group there is opportunity to participate in a mock P.E and technology lesson and discuss issues relating to stress management and organisation. Other sessions involve making friends and problem solving.

Click here to take a look at our 11+ booklet which accompanies our group....

Do you know much about ....... why not test yourself???!!

Your Body

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/index.shtml?lifecycle

Bones

http://www.bonezone.org.uk/factorfiction.asp

Exercise

http://www.lifebytes.gov.uk/phys/phys_quiz.html

http://www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk/phys/phymenu.html

Feeling good about yourself

http://www.lifebytes.gov.uk/emohealth/emo_quiz.html

Every year a group of young people from the adolescent clinic go away on a special residential break with several of the DREAM team staff generously funded by the "Kids Like Us" charity.  In 2003, some of them told the local BBC website, their story. Read on to find out more on the links below....!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/teens/2003/08/teens_weekaway.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/teens/2003/08/kids_arthritis.shtml

Some recent features about the adolescent rheumatology service at BCH...

http://www.arc.org.uk/newsviews/arctdy/125/Teenagersintransition.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/teens/2005/teens_nhs.shtml

A few young people with arthritis eventually need surgery to a joint in view of the damage the arthritis has caused. when this happens at the hip or knee this surgery may require the joint to be replaced.

In Birmingham, if such surgery is considered, young people are referred to a special clinic run by Dr Janet McDonagh and her orthopaedic surgical colleague, Mr Andrew Thomas, who is one of the few surgeons experienced in such work in the UK.

The clinic is held every 6 months at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Bristol Rd, Birmingham.

For more information about Mr Thomas, look up,

www.thomas-orthopaedics.co.uk

FAQs about your condition

	Questions to ask about medicines.....
	Tips on taking medicines.....

            MyHealth Passport

MyHealth Passport is a customized, wallet-size card that gives you instant access to your paediatric medical information. It can be used when you go to a new doctor, visit an emergency room or are writing your first novel and want the names of your medications for your hero.

Click here to start fillilng out the online form.....

This is a canadian initiative so you'll notice a few differences when filling out the form as there are some different health care systems, but not much really!

Have a go at making your own health passport and see what you think. If you have any feedback about it you can send it to me at janet.mcdonagh@bch.nhs.uk and we can pass your comments on to Toronto!!