SFCSC March Speaker Series draws a crowd at Sydenham's Grace Centre

Mar 12, 2014

On March 10 over 20 guests attended a talk in Sydenham given by Thomas Martin TegTmeyer on “Ultimate Wellbeing”. The presentation was part of Southern Frontenac Community Services’ third Speaker Series.

Organizer Lorraine Creighton said that she is pleased with the number of listeners the series is attracting. Creighton decided to host a speaker series at the SFCSC back in February 2013 as a way to engage local residents on a number of health topics and issues that concern them. “I thought that a speaker series would be a great way to offer information to residents in the rural community here since often we can tend to miss out on information sessions that are more readily available in larger communities. My goal has been to bring people in from different sectors to provide information on a number of different topics,” Creighton said on March 10.

The information sessions, which take place every Monday in March and are free of charge, often will include two speakers on related topics. Creighton said that she aims to match up topics that relate to one other so that listeners can get a wealth of information in any one visit. The series is definitely growing in popularity.

TegTmeyer is a practitioner of Touch for Health, an alternative health practice that originates from traditional Chinese medicine, specifically acupressure. His practice originates from a practical guide book written on the subject by John Thie and Matthew Thie titled “Touch For Health: A Practical Guide to Natural Health with Acupressure Touch”. TegTmeyer gave an in-depth talk and demonstration on the technique, which aims to “facilitate the flow of energy and communication between all of the cells, organs, and organ systems in the body as well as between the conscious and unconscious mind.” He said the system includes using metaphors based on the five elements that are identified in traditional Chinese medicine as a way of “realizing a more holistic sense of what exactly is happening in one’s life.” TegTmeyer invited participants to explore many of the movements associated with the practice and he performed a demonstration on one volunteer from the group.

The speaker series is for anyone, not just seniors, who is looking for information on a variety of health-related topics. Mary Gaynor-Briese, who heads up caregiver and bereavement support as well as palliative care at the SFCSC, will be speaking at the next installment of the series on Monday March 17. She will speak on the topic of caregiver support in a talk she has titled “Taking Care of You”. In it she will focus on how caregivers should take the time to care for themselves. “My thrust will be on how to keep a balance in our lives in order to stay contented and happy. I am a firm believer that unless we take care of ourselves first, we will not be able to care for others.” Briese said her talk is not only geared to caregivers but to all who want to maintain balance in their lives. The talk will focus on exercise, sleep, diet but also on taking the time to have fun and play.” Her talk will coincide with Evelyn Sideen’s talk on the practice of Reiki.

On March 24 topics will include “Hypnosis for Relaxation” and on March 31 the staff from KFL&A Health Unit will present a talk on “Falls Prevention”. The talks take place from 1 –3pm at the Grace Centre, located at 4295 Stagecoach Road in Sydenham.