webinar – Page 2 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Reality of kidney disease highlighted by transplant recipients for World Kidney Day

Two kidney transplant recipients have spoken about the reality of living with kidney disease ahead of World Kidney Day (Thursday 11 March 2021).

Fiona Davies, 39, from Airdrie, and Ross Young, 48, from East Calder, both diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), have shared their gratitude for the transplants that have given them their lives back, and the chance to see their children grow up.

Fiona and Ross have backed the campaign to raise awareness of the forthcoming organ and tissue opt out law, in the hope that it will get people thinking about their donation decision.

There are currently around 420 people in Scotland waiting on a kidney transplant, many of whom are on dialysis to keep their kidneys working.

Ross was diagnosed with PKD in 2003, and has since found that his two sons, now 13 and 16, have the same hereditary condition. His kidney function deteriorated to the point that he was listed for transplant in March 2010, and received his transplant in November 2010 after only ten weeks on dialysis.

Fiona was diagnosed with PKD as a teenager, which she successfully managed until the birth of her son James in 2012 impacted on her kidney function. She reached end stage kidney failure in October 2016, and was listed for transplant in March 2017. Her transplant went ahead just three weeks after she was put on the waiting list.

Scotland’s opt out law, which will be introduced on 26 March, means that if people aged 16 and over haven’t recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered a possible donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate.

People have a choice – to be a donor, or to opt out of donation – and the campaign is encouraging people to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and share it with family.

Informing family is important, as under the new law, they will still be consulted to check what their loved ones latest views on donation were. This is to ensure donation doesn’t proceed where the individual didn’t want it to.

Speaking about the impact kidney disease and her subsequent transplant had on her life, Fiona said: “Looking back, I had no idea how ill I actually was towards the end. I was getting through life, but was constantly tired and had no concentration. Motivating myself to do things became harder and harder.

“I wanted to hold off dialysis until my son started school, but could start to feel things dipping. I had restless legs and couldn’t sit for any length of time, I felt sick when I ate and was in bed for 7.30pm every night.

“I got the call just minutes after my son’s fifth birthday party and the transplant surgery all went to plan. I was home six days later and things just got better and better. It’s quite unbelievable the change it’s made to my life and I have my donor to thank for that.

“I am very pleased that Scotland is moving to an opt out system. You don’t truly understand the impact of organ donations until your life is touched by it and I hope that the move will help increase the number of viable organs available and help those waiting. Because of organ donation, my son has his mum back, and I have a future.”

Talking about the law change to an opt out system from 26 March, Ross said: “I wouldn’t say life on dialysis was easy, but I knew it was keeping me well, and then the transplant changed everything.

“I have always felt strongly about the law changing to an opt out system, and I even approached the Scottish Parliament, which is when I learnt the wheels were already in motion for the Bill.

“I am really pleased to see the law finally coming into action. It’s the simplest way to make a difference while making sure everyone knows they’ve got a choice. If you don’t want to be a donor you just have to opt out.

“Knowing that both my sons have the same condition as me, I’m grateful for developments like the law changing before either of them finds themselves in the position I did.”

For more about the law change, and to record your donation decision, visit organdonationscotland.org or call 0300 303 2094.

Kidney Care UK is hosting a webinar tomorrow (Thursday), which will involve a range of speakers and experts answering questions around living well with kidney disease, kidney health, and the forthcoming organ and tissue donation law change in Scotland.

The event is open to anyone affected by kidney disease, and you can book your place here: www.kidneycareuk.org/scotland-webinar

ERASMUS +: How can Scotland rejoin the largest education programme in the world?

Erasmus-Plus webinar: 4pm, Monday 8^th February

The UK Government has withdrawn from a proven scheme that has involved over 10m young people – students, apprentices and more – in exchanges across Europe in favour of an untested one-way scheme. But the Scottish and Welsh Governments are talking to Brussels about rejoining Erasmus.

How good are the prospects? Join us at 4:00 pm on Monday 8 February when we will examine why Erasmus-Plus has been such a success, why the mooted replacement Turing scheme is no alternative and how Scottish and Welsh young people should continue to enjoy the huge opportunities the EU scheme offers.

Chaired by Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland, we draw on the expertise of three/four authorities, including the founding spirit behind Erasmus, to explore the challenges and options ahead.

From Glasgow, Prof Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University and senior advisor to the Scottish Government, will give us his in-depth knowledge of an extensive range of economic and European issues. The university has been Britain’s biggest HE participant in the scheme.

From Cardiff, Hywel Ceri Jones, former European Commission director for education, who led the design and implementation of Erasmus and became director general for employment, social policy and industrial relations, will give a Welsh and European perspective.

From Glasgow, Rachel Sandison, vice principal, external relations, Glasgow University, will offer insights into we can best negotiate Scotland’s and Wales’s re-entry to the scheme.

From Glasgow Mary Senior is Scotland’s official of the Universities and Colleges Union since 2009 and has been STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress ) President since November 2020. Originally from the West Midlands, Mary has two decades of working within the trade union movement in Scotland.

This event is organised in association with the Young European Movement.

At the end of the webinar, the President, Julius Lajtha, will speak about their campaign on Erasmus.

Brexit drama misses the point

There has been much posturing, many false dawns and plenty manufactured fury over the last many months concerning the negotiation of a deal (or not) to govern the UK’s trade with the world’s biggest and most integrated market which just happens to be on our doorstep, the EU.

But whether it’s a Deal or No Deal, future trading with what is easily our biggest trading partner will become much more difficult following the end of Transition on 31 January. Even the Bank of England, not known for expressing extreme opinions, has said that the hit to the UK economy over the medium term will be worse than that caused by the Covid pandemic.

The damage has already been done. For some, that is a price worth paying but not for the majority of Scots, and not, if the polls are to be believed, for the majority across the UK either now.

But regardless, the damage is done. That is the real point. The UK is out of the EU. Relationships have been damaged in the process, and not just trading relationships. The locks on the doors are about to be changed. The weather is growing colder while the UK is outside and is no longer trusted by those who might once have given shelter.

So where do we go from here? How do we rebuild? Well a reasonable place to start might be to better understand what others think about us after all the recent sound and fury. Plenty of uninformed opinion is thrown about every night on TV by “spokesmen” who see mainly an opportunity to further their particular agendas.

Is it time to hear from some non-politicians? Real people who live in European cities and who know what is going on in their respective countries?

The European Movement in Scotland certainly thinks so and is organising a webinar on 14^th December with experts from Rome, Berlin, Brussels and Edinburgh to explore how Europeans now think about the UK and Scotland.

You can find out more at www.euromovescotland.org.uk

Tonight: Scotland Talking Europe – Latvia and Estonia

How much do you know about Estonia and Latvia and their economic, cultural and social links with Scotland?

This evening Edinburgh4Europe, supported by the European Movement in Scotland, is hosting a live webinar that aims to take a deep dive into these two Baltic countries that both joined the European Union in 2004.

Scotland now needs to use soft power to maintain our links with EU member countries. But to do this effectively it is essential to audit our relations with each of the 27 members. With that in mind this evening’s webinar focuses on Latvia and Estonia.

The two speakers this are Christopher Kenmore Consul for Latvia in Scotland and Peter Ferry, the Consul for Estonia in Scotland.

The event will be chaired by Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland.

Despite their size and recent membership Latvia and Estonia already hold considerable influence in the EU. Yesterday it was announced that the past Prime Minister of Latvia, Valdis Dombrovskis, will take on the key Trade portfolio, and another Another strategically important portfolio – Energy – is held by Estonia’s Kadri Simson.

Whilst research by Kirsty Hughes from the Scottish Centre for European
Relations has found that irrespective of the constitutional context “it will be hard for Scotland to influence future EU developments from the outside. But bringing expertise, building long-standing bilateral relationships, participating in debates and stepping in early and constructively …. will all pay dividends”.

So, increase your knowledge of Latvia and Estonia and join in the conversation this evening from 7pm by registering your email using this link:

https://lu.ma/EMiS-Scotland-EU-Relationship

and engaging on social media using the hashtags #ScotlandTalkingEurope #Latvia #Estonia.

Scottish independence “inevitable,” says former Liberal leader in the European Parliament

Sir Graham Watson, former Liberal leader in the European Parliament has said that Brexit will mean that Scottish independence is “inevitable” and will see Scotland joining the EU as an independent member state.

Who is Sir Graham Watson?

Sir Graham, a Scot born in Rothesay, is a Liberal Democrat politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England from 1994 to 2014.

He was leader of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group (2002–2004) and the first leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (2004–2009). From 2011 until 2015 he was the President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party.

He told a European Movement in Scotland webinar: “I see no reason to fear that provided Scotland is prepared for it.” But he warned: “I see precious little of that preparation going on, sadly” and accused the Scottish Government of “dither and drift.”

Sir Graham, who lost his MEP seat in 2014 and is now based in Edinburgh and Brussels, suggested that Scotland currently resembled more Slovakia than Denmark given its poor record on productivity and export trade and urged the Scottish Government to set up new “hubs” in Bratislava, the Slovak capital, as well as in Copenhagen and Helsinki in order to boost economic links.

Hubs already exist in Berlin, Paris and Dublin. He suggested Scotland might join the Nordic Council but rejoining the EU via the European Economic Area, he argued, was a “pipe-dream.”

Former SNP MP and Europe spokesman in the Commons, Stephen Gethins, urged business, universities and local authorities to invest in Scotland House, the Scottish Government centre in Brussels, and in wider links with the EU and Europe.