Page 3 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 3

returns to the town CYCLE REPAIRS
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Eight of the fifteen children from Belarus ready for the check up at Freshbrook dental
practice with, rear, Gin McGiffin, hygienist Rick Jeffery, Brendon Ball, receptionist
Christine Ball, Natasha Ball-Manamsa, nurse Lena Sinclair
Shaw Chiropractic Clinic
There were also check ups at they need,” said Gin. “It’s hard
Specsavers and Freshbrook Den- work but it’s very rewarding to see
tal Practice. Lots of pictures were the children’s faces light up over IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM:
taken and precious memories were the smallest things.” ❍ Backache, Leg Pain ❍ Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain
recorded in scrapbooks for the chil- Swindon Chernobyl Children ❍ Headache & Migraine ❍ Sciatica
dren to take home. Life Line will be hosting children ❍ Sports Injury ❍ Numbness Open
More important than all the ex- in the summer holidays and next ❍ Scoliosis ❍ Arthritis Saturdays
cursions is the experience of stay- Christmas. ❍ Whiplash
ing in a caring, comfortable home For details on hosting or spon-
for these youngsters who live in soring a child, mail: ginmcgiffin YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR
extreme poverty and hardship. @aol.com or call 728251.
“To be in a loving family is all www.swindon.ccll.org.uk SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C. & CLARE DUNCAN-HAWES MSc. D.C.
Members of BCA • Registered with GCC Members of the College of Chiropractors
Family benefits all round Also: Child Screening • Free information Sheets • Ergonomic and Rehabilitation Products
When Kristina and eight year old Andre Shlapakov arrived at the Tel: (01793) 887801
Richards household in Abbey Meads in early February, both were www.shawchiropracticclinic.co.uk
quiet and respectful. Andre was particularly timid and uncertain, and
ate tiny quantities of the food put in front of him.
Within two days the babble of It’s brilliant to see how Kristina has
Belorussian, English and baby talk come on and Andre is delightful.
from 18 month old Zach Richard “It’s sad to think that his teach-
was as you would find in any home. ers did not think it appropriate for
And there were lots of Niet as be- him to come to Swindon because
haviour boundaries were reached. he has a walking impediment.”
“Hosting children is a good way Amanda believes hosting will
for us to do something ‘good’ - a benefit her family a great deal. “Al-
chance to change life for the better though Tom is 4 and Zach is under
for somebody with little,” said Toby two, we’re all learning from hav-
Richards. “Coming to England ing Kristina and Andre with us.
makes a huge difference to the chil- We’re having a lot of fun looking
dren’s health and their confidence. after each other.”
10 years reporting a growing link
with Eastern Europe
This edition marks the tenth anniversary since our first report on children
in the former Soviet block country after Stephanie Glennie from Westlea
rang us and demanded to know what we were doing about Dentaid.
Of course we didn’t have a clue about the charity working in Ukraine
to help children born with cleft palette, who are regarded as outcasts.
The story sparked with us because young Ukrainian ice skater
Marsha Poloushenko was partnering
Andrew Seabrook at Link Centre and we
took them to London to meet children
receiving remedial surgery.
Brendon Ball from Freshbrook dental
practice then became involved and we
have reported his many trips to Ukraine
including falling for and married the
Dentaid translator Natasha Manamsa.
When Gin McGiffin contacted us about
Chernobyl Children Life Line last year
we put her in touch with Brendon.
The story continues.
Right, reporting Brendon’s and Richard
Swift’s first trip in July 1999
www.sevenfields.co.uk

1 March 07 3 16/2/07, 9:32 am