The two Lower Hutt Stroke Club meetings over the month of May were designed for both entertainment and helpful exercise. First we were entertained by a group of retired men and women who sang, mainly extracts from musical comedy. Many of the songs were well known to our members who were encouraged to join in.

Sit dancing was the topic for the second session. This was a most entertaining afternoon. A group of retired men and women who meet every week, demonstrated how, even if we are wheelchair bound, we can exercise our arms, bodies, and legs. All our members entered into the spirit of the activity. In fact they really enjoyed it. Many stroke survivors are able to do little but sit in their wheelchairs all day. The exercises gave them the opportunity to get their bodies active. These exercises continued for one hour although I found that I was unable to exercise my right arm for any length of time. Be that as it may I could exercise my right foot and my left side although I was very tired by the end of the session.

This year sees the general election of the members of the New Zealand Parliament for the next three years. The New Zealand Parliament is based on the British Westminster system. It consists of 120 members, half of whom are elected by the people and the other half appointed by the political parties according to the number of votes they receive. Even though the date for the election has yet to be announced and the various parties to announce their complete policies, the various political parties are already trying to score political points off each other. My own feeling is that little in the way of new policies are being announced to convince or encourage voters. It seems to be a trend both here and overseas that the younger people are disillusioned with the whole process. What I, for one, will be looking for are clear, defined policies, not petty sniping of party candidates. Watch this space for more.