From May 22nd to May 29th 1998 a group of 39 from the North West Lancashire and Merseyside branches went away together to the Oasis Forest Holiday Village near Penrith in the Lake District.

The accommodation was first rate with disabled chalets available to those who needed them. There had been some concern whether the venue was suitable as it was very hilly and several needed the use of wheelchairs. We found that there were usually sufficient able bodied persons to push the wheelchairs and there was always a courtesy bus to take you from one part of the site to another.

There were plenty of activities on offer ranging from one of the best fun pools in the country (the rapids were exceptional) to ten pin bowling, badminton, tennis, short-tennis, flat green bowling, squash, gymnasium, spa, and many many more.

There were lake activities such as canoes, pedallos, windsurfing etc.

There were cinemas, shows, restaurants, take aways.

Our group included 7 persons with HD (Phd's) 5 of whom needed wheelchairs. All of them went in the pool. Several of them almost every day, in some cases for the first time in a decade. The centre provided a special wheelchair that could be taken into the water and the staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. The swimming was such a success that we are looking into the availability of a suitable pool and/or hydrotherapy facility for regular visits.

Another popular activity for young and (older) able bodied and Phd's alike was ten pin bowling. Again, disabled facilities were available. There was wheelchair access and special ramps for those unable to bowl in the conventional manner.

The Lakeside Inn was a popular venue for many in the group. It was great to see so many from the Huntington's community getting together and enjoying themselves. On the last evening we took over a sizeable section of the pub. Over 30 of us, having a great time.

There were 15 young people with us. Almost all of them at risk of HD and many of them actively involved in caring for a parent with HD. The bonding that took place bodes well for the future of our Young Carers Group.

[We have some good video footage of the week. I hope to edit a section of the videos and publish on this page together with many photographs. Please be patient as I have to learn how to do this.]