MAY 2016

… is a Shine group for anyone between the ages of 11 and 18 who has Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus.

This Is Me...

It’s All About Keeping Positiveby Robin Barnatt, Shine Health Development Officer

Being a teenager can be stressful at times, and having conditions like spina bifida and hydrocephalus sometimes doesn’t help. So it’s not surprising when some ‘This is Me’ members feel low or really anxious.

Firstly, IT’S NOT JUST YOU! Nearly everyone goes through bad phases; no-one has ever found revising for GCSEs to be a ‘relaxing’ experience! You are not alone. Talk to family and friends that you trust. Sometimes, just saying things out loud makes them less of a big deal. If that sounds too scary – maybe write it down: it might just stop it going around and around in your head.

Anxiety and low mood can make you want to avoid things. But TRY to do something – it almost doesn’t matter what. And, afterwards – give yourself a bit of praise.

That said, never beat yourself up for not managing to do something. If you ever hear yourself using words like ‘pathetic’, ‘useless’, ‘disgusting’, to describe yourself (or anyone around you, for that matter) – actively stop yourself; you could even say “sorry” to yourself. And if anyone ever uses those words to describe you, or treats you in any other way that is unacceptable, try to remind yourself that it says a lot more about that person than it says about you!

Things like music, films, TV shows (especially comedy), were invented to entertain and make you feel something – often happy or amused. Don’t let depression and anxiety tell you it’s not even worth trying to watch or listen! Try – give things a chance.

Exercise and sport can be so good for so many reasons: socialising, using up chemicals and energy your body wouldn’t otherwise use, and, often, being outside in nice places and fresh air. All worthwhile things!

These are just some things to try, but if you do feel really low, stressed and anxious for more than a few days, go to see a doctor. There are ways of getting help; please don’t suffer alone.

Keeping positive takes one step at a time…

The Positive Issue!

Very little in life feels as good as doing good things for other

people. If you do get a chance (if you are old enough) is there

any voluntary work you can do – maybe to support Shine?

Robin giving support to our younger members

In the Spotlight

Top tips for revising

Robert is keeping positive!

Hello!My name is Robert Davidson and I am 12 years old. I am in year 7 at Charter’s School in Sunningdale, Berkshire. I now live in Lightwater, Surrey (we only moved 6 weeks ago from Ascot, about 15 minutes from here) and I find it strange still as I have never moved before. The house is older and needs a lot of work so it’s all a bit different to what I am used to.I enjoy playing on the Wii U, games like Mario, Skylanders, Pikmin, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but I do not like football games. I also like YouTube, especially the gamers – they make me laugh a lot.Charters School is very large but has lots of different things to do as it’s a sports school. I hope to start trampoline or tennis next term as I enjoy both of these. I don’t really enjoy school much but I quite like maths and DT where I am making a wooden animal.The school has a very good department for people who need a little extra help with things and I can go there anytime I need to. There is always someone there and also an area to relax and eat lunch if I want.Last year I had a bladder enlargement and a Mitrofanoff* fitted at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It took me a long time to get over it and I’m still getting used to using it. I will need a few more tests later in the year.When I go up to London we try to go and see something else as well, to make the day a bit more fun – next time we go we are going to the aquarium which I am looking forward to.

If you have hydrocephalus or spina bifida, you may find some things a bit harder to do, such as remembering, concentrating, working things out or planning and organising. That can make learning and revising more challenging, so here are some tips to help. (We all learn differently, so use the ones you find most helpful…)Prepare...• Haveaspecialquiet area where you can revise away

from distractions, and where your books and equipment are easy to hand.

• Makeawallchartwithallyourrevisionsessionson,and tick them off as you complete them.

• Drinkregularlytokeepyourbrainalert–keep a bottle of water or glass of squash with you

Bite size chunksIt is easier to remember smaller amounts of information, so break topics into small ‘chunks’ and take regular breaks – work for 20 to 30 minutes and then have a short break.Use colour and pictures• Usecolouredhighlighter pens to make the most

important facts stand out.• Usecolouredpost-it notes to stick facts around your

bedroom – and the rest of the house! Try using different colours for different subjects.

• Colouredpaper–e.g.yellow paper with black print – is easier to read.

• Usingmind maps or spider diagrams, pictures and photos can help too!

Have fun• Creatingfunrhymescanmakethingseasier

to remember.• Repeatingthingscanhelptoo.• Use‘fun’acronyms – e.g. the notes on the lines of

music, EGBDF, are easier to remember with Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit!

• Ifyoufindithardtoreadorwriteonaflatsurfacetip the book upwards. (You can buy writing slopes to help.)

Talk to your teachers• Theremayberevision classes you can attend at

school, and you may be entitled to extra time for exams – your parents / carer will need to speak to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator at school / college.

Reward yourself• Maketimetorelax,seefriends,gotothecinema

or have a swim… Brains work better when they can have some fun and take a break too!

*A Mitrofanoff is a clever way of connecting your bladder to the surface of the skin, which can then link with a catheter to drain the bladder properly.

Robert

Positive Pizza!Have a go at making this delicious recipe – it’s great for sharing with your friends too

French Bread PizzasServes 4You will need –French Bread StickOne small onion – chopped finelyPassata sauce (jar or carton)Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese – gratedToppings of your choice – ham, chorizo, sweetcorn, tomato, peppers, pineapple, or whatever you fancy!1. Cut the French bread into lengths of

about 15cm and then slice in half.2. Spread over a thin layer of passata

sauce.3. Sprinkle on some chopped onion.4. Add your choice of toppings.5. Cover with grated cheese.6. Line a baking tray with foil and place

your pizzas on top.7. Cook for 15 – 20 minutes or until the

cheese has melted, Gas Mark 6 or 200°C.

Art can be a great way to relax and keep positive!

SHINE – Spina bifida • Hydrocephalus • Information • Networking • Equality Shine, 42 Park Road, Peterborough, PE1 2UQ www.shinecharity.org.uk • firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk • 01733 555988Registered Charity No. 249338 • VAT number 135 6056 23

Big Birthday Bash! We will be celebrating Shine’s Golden Anniversary in lots of ways over the year. Here are just some of the events coming up:3rd July – Shine Surrey Picnic in Mogador, Surrey

August – Bowling and lunch at the 02 Arena for those aged 13 to 18, Greenwich, London

August and September – Shine’s Golden Treasure Hunts – anyone can take part in some fun super-sleuthing! Perhaps your school or group would like to get involved? Contact E: shelley.green@shinecharity.org.uk for more information. (Under 16s must bring a parent/guardian.)

There will be other ‘Big Birthday Bash’ celebrations over the year – find out more at www.shinecharity.org.uk/eventsFor more information and to book, contact angela.bailey@shinecharity.org.uk

A quiz is a great way to combine fun and fundraising – and show how bright you are. We’ve made it easy for you to host your own quiz for Shine with the Shine Bright Quiz pack. You can download the quiz questions, answers (keep them secret!) and scoresheets at www.shinecharity.org.uk/quiz. For any additional help or advice email us at fundraising@shinecharity.org.uk

Printing kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell solicitors

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This Is Me is your newsletter! We need your bright ideas! We’d love to hear your ideas about what you would like to see in This Is Me. Please let us know. You can use the sheet with this issue of This Is Me, or email angela.bailey@shinecharity.org.uk or share your ideas via your Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/Shine.ThisIsME

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