Lifelines

Combating torture

Dr Ling Kituyi, medical doctor and human rights campaigner in Nairobi, Kenya, is visiting Ireland this week to give a series of lectures. She will speak about the prevalence of torture in Kenya, its devastating consequences and what measures can be introduced to prevent it. She will also discuss her medical work with the Independent Medico Legal Unit (see www.imlu.org) and her campaigning work with the Kenya Medical Associations Committee on Human Rights and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Survivors. Dr Kituyi is Norwegian and is married to a Kenyan politician. The lectures take place tonight at 8 p.m. in Dooley's Hotel, Waterford; tomorrow night at 8.30 p.m. in O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, Co Cork; on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Jury's Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick; and on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Education and Resource Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4. Contact Amnesty International on tel: 01-6776361 for details.

Behaviour to help heal the brain

The role of mental imagery in areas such as rehabilitation following brain injuries and sports training and coaching are subjects which Prof Ian Robertson will elucidate in his free public lecture in the Walton Theatre, Arts Building, TCD on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin and director of the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Robertson is a leading researcher on brain rehabilitation and neuropsychology. Contrary to much established medical thinking, Robertson believes the genetic expression of inherited conditions and diseases can be altered by experience, and that behaviour can cause immense changes in brain chemistry and body physiology as well as vice versa. His new book, The Mind's Eye (Bantam Press), will be published in March 2002. The lecture, organised by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and the School of Physiotherapy at Trinity College Dublin, is a commemorative lecture in honour of the late Dr Paul Wagstaff, director of the School of Physiotherapy.

Alleviating childhood trauma

Acute Psychological Trauma in Childhood is the theme of a one-day conference on Friday in St Patrick's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin. Of interest mainly to healthcare professionals, the conference will discuss the psychological effects on children of experiencing horrific events, the value of post-traumatic stress counselling and other related issues. The conference is organised by the Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Cost £61.35 ACPP members / £73.63 non-members. Booking on tel: 0507-32461 or e-mail gordonlynch@eircom.net

Regaining balance

The Alexander Technique is a recognised way of improving balance, posture and co-ordination. Alexander Technique teacher and author, Richard Brennan will give introductory workshops on the technique in the Healthy Way Centre, Leixlip, Co Kildare on November 10th to 11th (tel: 01-6244288) and at Limerick University on November 23rd to 24th (tel: 061-202047).

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