WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1983, PAGE 7 Between You and Me By RUTH COLES Dignity does not consist in possessing honours but in deserving them. Aristotle. (384-322 B.B.) For all of you who remember columns about Sue Harkness a few years ago, we will tell you a happy birthday story to brighten our New Year. Sue has M.S., Multiple Sclerosis, which has been an ongoing thing with her for many years. For some time, she has been a patient at the Ajax Pickering Hospital and is a great favourite with the staff. This past week she had her 30th birthday and her mother Kay arranged another wonderful party. Always a happy occasion, a happy but shocked Sue, friends and relatives all gathered to celebrate with her and wish her well. After she was wheeled int the physiotherapy room where the party was held I asked her if she was very surprised and her only reply was, "I'm in shock". The secret had been well kept. Her head was raised a bit on the pillow, that beau- tiful luxuriant brown hair around her shoulders and her lovely eyes sparkling as she greeted her friends and kinfolk. A table piled high with presents to be unwrapped for her by her mother and close friend Donna. Sue is given stuffed animals on these occasions and they are put above ber bed, beside her bed and wherever there is a space. Very little space left now so some- one will have to come up with a few new ideas. For a few years Sue's food had consisted of a pro- tein and vitamized drink which she can swallow and how she loves popsicles, but has to change flavours as the same old ones become tiresome. No doubt a drink may be good for her especially when she wants to give her friends something when they visit. She got no less than five or six mickeys of liquor including Crown Royal. On occasion the hospital gives ber a bottle of beer. Sue loves music and I think rock is a favourite. We had background music supplied by her stereo. At this point the Xmas music coming over the P.A. system was cut off. - Sue's friend, a professional singer and guitarist, Lady Elaine, played and sang as we all sipped wine and ate birthday cake. I have never liked birthday cake and if I do eat it I always ask for a sliver. However, this cake, and the icing especially, was out of this world. Friends of Sue's who own the Tiara Cakes in Ajax made it. A huge cake, white icing and in the centre a sim- ply huge red phone made with icing. The phone is a symbol of Sue's activity and life. The phone in her room is put on her bed in the morning very close to her so she can touch the dial without too much ef- fort. Then at bedtime it goes back on the bedside table. Sue is high spirited and no one can outdo her when it comes to quick and witty quips. The words just pop out and as a rule they are terribly funny. She puts this activity to good use and has raised a lot of money for the M.S. Society to the tune of $1,600 or $1,700. What a feat! When you hear that gentle, soft and quiet voice on the other end of the line there is no denying ber. She won an award this year and I know she will win many more. For such an effort she deserves a thousand thanks. THe space around ber bed on the walls and on the ceiling over her head is filled with pictures of Terry Fox, her idol. Sue can talk non-stop about Terry. She admired his courage and guts, to put it bluntly, and she too has these qualities. One of her mother's presents, a phone, a special kind of phone, a service for special needs. Dialing a phone can be very difficult for some people and we all hope this new one will ease the way. Hands free, programmed numbers and the receiver can stay in place. There must be many people who have such a need, so phone Bell. I don't know the cost. Because Sue is unable to see the time on her wat- ch or a clock her mother found a wonderful substi- tute. A small box, wood grain in colour with a mesh top in silver; push a button and a voice gives the time "it is two minutes after three p.m." or "10 a.m " On the bottom of thetcase another button to set the speaker to speak out, say every hour on the hour. This will be a godsend to Sue or to others in need of a vocal timepiece. Now news about another wonderful "gadget", or in many cases a necessity or life saving aid. Protect Alert, a service of Amicare, the home care division of Extendicare. This little receiver whidli can easily be held in the hand or set down anywhere, could save your life, give your children, parents or friends great comfort to know that at any given moment you can summon help. I cannot remember all the details but basically the idea is that you program numbers, maybe five, your doctor or police, fire department, a relative, friend or neigh- bour. You push the button, the office is alerted. I think they call you back and then go on to alert whomever is needed. If you don't answer they immediately call the pro- per number. For elderly people, the sick, the young or a babysitter here is the answer. The price I think might be around $20 a month. 'Éhe best to the last. Wonder of wonders for Sue. A birthday present arrived in a very intriguing box and, Io and behold, inside was - you'Il never guess, the T-shirt worn by the young actor in the Terry Fox movie! He wore the shirt throughout the movie. A white T-shirt with red lettering. Sue's joy knows no bounds and this is hier rnost treasured possession. Given toaher by the Canadian Cancer Society who in some way heard of her admiration for Terry. Another birthday Sue, another year; we all love you and wish you well. God bless you and blessings from all your friends. For your special friend, Donna Mahoney, who is so devoted, helpful and kind we send greetings and thanks, especially from Kay. Donna now works with M.S. patients because of her interest in Sue. Mask means mobility for lung sufferers As winter draws on, Durham Region Lung Association is again of- fering Cold Weather Protection Masks to people with severe res- piratory problems. For such people, win- ter's icy blasts add a whole new dimension to the difficulties of daily living. Abrupt. changes of temperature encoun- tered on leaving warm environment can cause the bronchial tubes to go into "spasm" so precipi- tating a painful struggle for breath and an over- whelming sense of suffo- cation. For many, there is only one solution -.stay home until the spring. The Cold Weather Mask can help respiratory patients to maintain some winter mobility. The plastic device is basically an oxygen mask, with a soft adhe- sive fabric added around the rim to pre- vent frozen condensa- tion from chafing the wearer's face. A short length of plastic tubing is attached to the mask, then tucked beneath outer clothing to provide a supply of air already warmed by body heat. A one-way valve sys- tem ensures adequate ventilation. Angela Tibbles, Exe- cutive Director of the local Christmas Seal Organization, stresses that the Cold Weather Mask is a protective device only. It does not supply oxygen or fulfil any other therapeutic function. Until recently, the masks were provided free of charge - funded entirely by contribu- tions to the Christmas Seal Campaign. How- ever, rising costs and increased postal charges now make this impossible, and a $3 donation is required for each mask. For more information on this service call Durham Region Lung Association at 723-3151. St Clair The pint and paper people Midtown Mail Sale begins January 5th - January 22nd 200 John St. 576-2431 OSHAWA Paper drive canceiled The 2nd Brooklin Cub Scouts and Beavers have cancelled their paper drive planned for Saturday, Jan. 8,'1983. There will be no paper drive in the month 0f January, but the Scout paper drives Will resurne in February. For the February date, please see the Brookiin By-lines column in tlie last week of January in the Whit- by Free Press. Safeway Plaza 1150 Simcoe St. N. 576-9971 576.997 TYPE WR ITE RS ADDINE MAGHNES • CALCULATORS SA s AnVIe.RENTALS PR TNGaND) OFFICE SUPPLIES 218 Harvwoodý Ave S Ajax. Onta o( 68 3 1968 "tsa poor day when we haven't helpeda customer"