Are you hard of hearing, or frustrated when background noise become a nuisance? Help is available through classes in lip-reading, learning to cope with difficult hearing situations and assertiveness training.
The National Association for Deaf People (NAD) is hosting informal support and information sessions in Dublin, tomorrow evening at 8 p.m., for those with hearing loss, and their families, at the following three venues: Dominican Retreat Centre (on the grounds of St Mary's Priory), Tallaght; Mary Immaculate School for Deaf Children, Bray Road, Stillorgan; NAD, 35 North Frederick Street. Information on lip-reading classes for beginners from Margaret or Bernie on (01) 8723800.
On Wednesday the Irish Women - Living Longer conference will endeavour to bring together all available information on post-menopausal women's health issues together with an awareness of support groups and of materials available to women. Delegates have been invited from the medical and nursing professions, healthcare organisations such as VHI and BUPA, patient support groups, women's groups and health centres. Talks will cover women's health in relation to smoking, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer, followed by workshops on the same topics. The conference, which takes place in the O'Reilly Hall, UCD, from 9 a.m., is sponsored by Eli Lilly; members of the general public interested in tickets can ring Jane Curtin on (01) 6789333.
The North Dublin Branch of the Irish Diabetic Association is hosting a questions and answers forum on diabetes and its a.g.m. at the Marino Institute of Education, Charlemont, Griffith Avenue on Wednesday, starting at 8 p.m. Speakers will include consultant physician/ endocrinologist at the Mater Hospital, Dr Richard G. Firth, and a diabetes nurse specialist at Beaumont Hospital, Helen Twamley.
A Beginning Experience Weekend, aimed at helping people who have lost a loved one through death, divorce or separation, takes place next weekend in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin, from Friday at 7.30 p.m. until Sunday at 5 p.m. Beginning Experience is run by a team of volunteers, many of whom have experienced personal loss, but it does not replace one-to-one counselling and it is not a social club. The programme is sponsored by the Catholic Church but it is not overtly religious and welcomes people of all faiths as well as agnostics. Further details from Brian (01) 8461054 or Catherine (01) 4922136. The weekend costs £70; for those in difficulty, financial arrangements can be discussed with the weekend co-ordinator.
Deepak Chopra MD, whose latest book, The Seven Spiritual Laws To Parenting, has just been published, will give a seminar in Jurys Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, next Sun- day. Dr Chopra's theory states that the fundamental principle of perfect health is not just the absence of disease but a lively state of balance and integration of body, mind and spirit. De- tails and bookings from Angel Learning Experiences (01) 2818432.
Love, Marriage and Divorce: The Male Perspective is the title of a one-day conference organised by MRCS (Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services) on Saturday, November 1st in the Royal College of Surgeons, St Stephen's Green, Dublin. The conference will be of interest to those who are interested in the male perspective on emotional life and to members of voluntary groups, both male and female, working with men and boys in the counselling, medical, social, educational and therapeutic fields. Tickets are £30 (£10 for the unwaged) and are available on (01) 6710902.
Joy and Hope is an exhibition of paintings by Limerick artist, Maeve McCormack Nolan, currently on show in the Guinness Hop Store, Dublin. Maeve has suffered from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis since the age of 18, which affects her mobility as well as her sight. Painting has allowed her to continue exploring and enjoying her love of flowers and colour and the title of this exhibition reflects the emotions that have kept her going over the past few years. The exhibition continues until the end of October.