Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events

Haemochromatosis information meetings, handwriting workshop and arthritis talk

1) Haemochromatosis, or iron overload, is a genetic condition which results in too much iron stored in the body's organs. If not diagnosed, it can lead to organ damage and ultimately organ failure. Symptoms include chronic fatigue and joint pain. The Irish Haemochromatosis Association is hosting information meetings in the Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Co Mayo on Thursday, October 4th at 7.45pm and in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, County Westmeath on November 7th at 7.30pm.

2) Children's charity Sensational Kids will host three "Handwriting Without Tears" workshops in October. The one-day workshops will be facilitated by occupational therapist Tania Ferrandino and will draw on multisensory techniques to make handwriting a natural and automatic skill for children of all ages and abilities. They will take place in Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare on Saturday, October 6th; the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo on Monday, October 8th; and the Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork on Wednesday, October 10th. Tickets cost €249 per person, which includes the 'Handwriting Without Tears' resource pack. Booking on sensationalkids.ie

3) Specialists from Tallaght University Hospital are contributing to a series of free public talks this autumn. Consultant rheumatologist Prof Ronan Mullan will speak about how to prevent or cope with arthritis in the Firhouse Community Centre on October 10th at 11am. Prof Rónán Collins, consultant physician in Geriatric & Stroke Medicine; Dr Áine Connolly, senior psychologist and Anne Marie O'Neill, patient and founder of Thrombosis Ireland, will speak about thrombosis (blood clots) in the Rua Red Theatre, Tallaght on October 17th at 6.30pm. Email info@thrombosisireland.ie or call 087 363 4828 to register your attendance in advance.

4) Dr Harry Barry, GP and author of books on mental health will give a public talk on emotional resilience on Thursday, October 11th at 7.30pm in the Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. The talk is organised by the Sanctuary, the mindfulness and meditation centre set up by Sr Stan Kennedy. Admission €20. Book on sanctuary.ie or tel: 01 6705419 or email: enquiries@sanctuary.ie.

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5) ClonRevive, a one-day health and wellness festival, takes place in Clonakilty, west Cork, on Sunday, October 7th. The "feel-good day with a difference" comprises an exercise/activity stage, workshop and demo area. Hosted by comedian Julie Jay, the day at Fernhill House Hotel promises a cooking demonstration, pilates, yoga and stretching for back pain. See irevive.ie.

6) The Irish Yoga Association is holding talks and meditations in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire on October 13th and 14th. The keynote speakers, Sraddhalu Ranade and Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati will discuss how the practice of yoga extends beyond the yoga mat and into people's daily lives. Email: info@iya.ie. Tel: 01 493 4672 for more details.

7) Skin specialists and patient advocates will offer free advice and answer questions about living with psoriasis at the third annual "psoriasis shout out" in Dundrum Town Centre on Saturday, October 13th from 9.30am-5.30pm.

8) International experts on neurodiversity Jo and Richard Todd will present the 2018 summit for adults with Dyspraxia/DCD at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.    The summit will explore the key areas of Dyspraxia/DCD that impact on day-to-day activities at home, work and education. On from 9.30am to 4pm, go to dyspraxia.ie/Summit-for-Adults-2018 for more information and tickets.

sthompson@irishtimes.com

Sylvia Thompson

Sylvia Thompson

Sylvia Thompson, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about health, heritage and the environment