Headcases are very pleased to see the new chair and lamp installed in one of the SLT clinic rooms. Our fundraising activities allow us to help the Royal Stoke with new equipment like this. The chair is in use now, and features a high intensity LED examination lamp and electrically adjustable chair positions to increase efficiency and comfort for Therapist and Patient alike. We covered the full cost of both chair and lamp – approx £2700.00.

Pictured with the chair and lamp below: left to right… Fred, Jacqueline, Yvonne, Paul and Andrea. Photo by Sophie.

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We had a great turnout of 28 people for our April meetup, including two new friends coming for the first time, and three returning for the second time. We were pleased to welcome Jacqui (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and Wendy (Clinical Nurse Specialist, retired) along with our newest SLT, Julie.

The Easter Raffle raised a total of £122.00 for Headcases funds. I have since heard that those lucky enough to get their hands on a box of Fred’s home-made cakes were very happy with them. These funds are used to support the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals’ Head and Neck clinics in various ways. See separate article regarding one such purchase.

We look forward to welcoming Diane Leopard at our May meeting to talk about the emotional impacts of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Diane uses photographs to illustrate the different stages of the journey. If you’d like to preview some of her ideas, click on her photo below to visit a web article about her work in North Staffordshire.

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During my battle against Cancer, Addiction and Self-Destruction, I attached myself to three groups that would be beneficial to me.

Headcases (Head & Neck Cancer) in remission, Stoke Recovery Service (Alcohol/Drug Addiction) in recovery, Emmanuel Evangelical Church (Restoration of Faith). After 4 years, with the support of these groups, the love of a long-suffering wife, two daughters, step-son and many, many more, I am now Cancer free, alcohol free and finding virtues I never knew I had. But at the beginning of last year, 2022, I realised that there was a void in my life. Enter Mr Paul Rogerson . Paul, his wife Clare and their very close friend and associate Sarah, are the back-bone of Restoke, based in Fenton Town Hall. At one of the SRS groups, Paul visited and asked if anyone was interested in a production that he was putting together, and invited us to a forth-coming Restoke group. I had never been interested in amatuer dramatics, Greek mythology or any other Bull***t, make believe stories he was advertising. However, out of politeness, I went along and never looked back. To begin with, it was a massive jigsaw puzzle that I couldn’t get my head around. But with the patience and guidance of the afore-mentioned plus Gabriella (The writer) and 30 other strangers (who have now become very good friends) I started putting the pieces together.

“The Odyssey” is a story that is told and performed in 5 chapters. Restoke danced and orated Chapter 1 “The Lotus Eaters” beautifully under the guidance of Clare, Sarah, Paul and a couple of professional dancers, the rest of the cast aged between 5 yrs to 75 yrs were amateurs.
The story is all about Resilience and Hope. Something that everyone of us need in the World we live in today. We performed 6 shows at Fenton Town Hall, of which I can proudly say I was part of. What an exceptional and wonderful way to get a message to the people we brush shoulders with every day.

Thank you to Restoke for filling the void. Roll on chapters 2 (Doncaster), 3 (Trowbridge), 4 (Sunderland) and 5 is performed at The National Theatre in London (of which 12 of us from Restoke will be performing in, including me!)

THE SHOW MUST GO ON !!!

Scottish John

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