IV.各国各地域リポート
The New Voice Club of Hong Kong
Annual Report 2000
Introduction
The New Voice Club of Hong Kong was formed in 1984 by a group of patients who underwent total laryngectomy. It is a voluntary and non-profit making organization. The main objective of the Club is to promote the concept of 'self help and mutual help' among laryngectomees. Members are encouraged to learn to speak again and to build confidence for reintegration into the society. Currently, the listed membership of the Club is 1325 and active members are around 500.
Activities of the Club
1.Speech Rehabilitation
a)Fundamental Training Classes
Regular speech rehabilitation classes are held throughout the year. Different speech rehabilitation methods are taught to members who have different needs. A total of 243 sessions were held during the year, among them 99 sessions were on oesophageal speech. The average attendance for each session was over 18. All the teachers of these speech rehabilitation classes are members of the Club who have learned how to speak again. This demonstrates strongly the 'self help and mutual help' spirit among the members.
b)Intensive training course
An intensive oesophageal speech training lesson was held for members from 21 to 23 November 2000. Two AFLA instructors, Hisanaga and Nakamura came from Japan, 60 members of our club attended this course and showed significant improvement.
2.Support for other members
a)Hospital visits
These visits were paid by senior members of the Club to those patients who will undergo total laryngectomy. This helps to reduce their apprehension and to provide psychological support. This has been extended to 15 hospitals in Hong Kong. A total of 1300 visits were carried out for the different hospitals in Hong Kong last year. The visiting team is composed of 28 volunteers.
b)District support groups
A total of six such groups were formed for members living in remote areas in Hong Kong. Around 70 meetings of these groups were carried out last year to provide psychological support and assistance for these members. Each group has attendance of over a dozen patients. Some of these meetings were held at home for elderly and similar areas.
c)Liaison with laryngectomees in China
In November 2000,30 members from China visited Guangzhou in China. Over 40 laryngectomy patients participated at the meeting and the exchange of experience was very rewarding. Different methods of voice rehabilitation techniques were shown. This contributes greatly to the promotion of self-help and mutual help spirit among the fellow Chinese laryngectomees.
d)Participation at International Conference & Public Education Programs
For staff training purpose, the Club had sent staff to participate at Australia Cancer Congress and the local International Cancer Congress in September and November 2000 respectively. Through these meetings, the participated staffs broaden their views on cancer rehabilitation and to introduce the New Voice Club concept to others at regional and international levels.
3.0ther activities
a)Recreational activities
A total of 8 out-door social activities were organized by the club over the past year to provide an opportunity for members and their family members to participate. These included day tours in Hong Kong and China, health carnival and annual dinners. Over 350 members participated with their relatives.
b)Monthly meetings with'health talks'
Every month members gather for a special event. Health care professionals were invited to give lectures on various aspects of health care. Over 120 members participate in every one of the 9 monthly health talks and three extraordinary gatherings held last year.
c)Bulk purchase
The Club negotiates on behalf of the members to purchase various equipments for speech rehabilitation at reasonable prices. These include suction machines and steam vapourizers. All members welcome this service.
d)Publication
The Club publishes our own monthly newsletter and mail to members, related professionals and other concerned parties. For enhancing the awareness of the public concerning about the prevention and rehabilitation of laryngeal cancer, the Club has issued pamphlets and booklets for deliver. Besides, the Club has issued pamphlet to introduce voice rehabilitation and stoma care for public education purpose.
Future
We are gaining support from the society and laryngectomees all over the world and Asia, especially Japan. We are determined to promote the self-help and mutual help spirit not only in Hong Kong but also in China. We plan to organize voice rehabilitation course for them next year. The advisors in Hong Kong have given the Club spiritual as well as financial support and all these are invaluable for future development of the Club to serve our members.
(Prepared by William Wei)
Standing Committee Member, AFLA Hong Kong
