An invitation to the MND Scotland Open Day
Stirling Management Centre, 7th September 2013
MND Scotland will hold an Open Day at Stirling Management Centre on the 7th of September for people with an interest in the work of MND Scotland and Motor Neurone Disease.
The Open Day will begin with an introduction from the Chair of the Board of T rustees, Alastair Baillie. This will then be followed by a presentation from our CEO, Craig Stockton, reviewing events over the past 12 months. Board member, Liz Findlay will discuss MND Scotland’s plans to move forward with a new strategy and our progress to date. One of our funded researchers, Jo Ferrie, will talk about results of a social research project she has carried out and will present her findings and recommendations alongside our Head of Policy and Campaigns, Susan Webster. Susan will talk about our recent welfare reform campaign at the Scottish Parliament and the potential impact the results of the social research may have. Each year an award is presented to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the MND community in Scotland. Known as the John MacLeod Award, in memory of our founder John MacLeod, it has been received in the past by fundraisers, volunteers and branch members. The award presentation will take place just before the formal part of the day, the AGM, where members have the opportunity to ask questions of our Chairperson, Board of Trustees and CEO. Following Professor Shaw’s talk (see blue box), three break-out sessions will be held. You can choose to attend the two you feel are of greatest interest. Welfare and benefits sessions will focus on the impact of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and will highlight how other changes to benefits may affect you. Carers workshops will include advice on the best sources of information available, and an informal discussion about MND Scotland’s carer services and how they can be improved. A complementary therapy session will be carried out on a first come first served basis and will give you time to relax and enjoy treatments such as neck/shoulder massage, hand massage or Reiki. All treatments are provided by qualified therapists and will be carried out whilst seated and fully clothed. A full version of the Open Day programme can be found via our website at www.mndscotland.org.uk This year’s annual meeting is of an informal but well structured nature. Call 0141 945 1077 or email: mairi.hughes@ mndscotland.org.uk if you require more information or wish to book your place.
Autumn 2013 • Issue 22
7
Afternoon keynote speaker
Professor Chris Shaw
We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker after lunch is Professor Chris Shaw from King’s College, London. Professor Shaw is Professor of Neurology and Neurogenetics and is the Director of the MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research at King’s. Professor Shaw is a consultant neurologist running a clinic for people with Motor Neurone Disease. Over the past two decades his work has involved the genetics and pathobiology of amyotrphohic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His group was the first to discover mutations in the TDP-43 gene and gain a better understanding of why these mutations occur and cause Motor Neurone Disease. More recently his group, in collaboration with the group of Professor R.H. Brown in the US, discovered another gene called FUS, which functions in a similar way to the TDP-43 gene. Professor Shaw’s talk will focus on the genetics of familial MND.