As a teenager with CMN, I have been through a lot, including name calling and mimicking. My CMN is located on my nose and right cheek. I had my first of 6 operations at 8 months of age at Great Ormond Street Hospital, all performed by the wonderful Mr Bulstrode.
I first attended a Caring Matters Now family day at 4 years of age, this was a great relief for my parents to find other people in the same position as us. Caring Matters Now have given me and my parents’ great support and are like a family to us now.
The support days are great fun for the children and adults to socialize with other families and charity helpers and trustees. As a result of the family days, my Mum is now London support contact and my dad is the charity treasurer and also a trustee.
As a family, we attend the London support day with my younger brother Alex too, an event I personally really enjoy attending and helping at. A couple of years ago, I felt that I wanted to get more involved, so I asked Jodi if I could say a few words at the London support day about my experiences and explaining how I cope with having CMN. Speaking at the support day has given me self-confidence and helped me with my public speaking, which is an important skill in life.
I would encourage everyone to share their experiences at the CMN support day. Just speaking one-to-one to other children who are there, particularly those who are attending the event for the first time, because it might help others who are in a similar position to you, and it can help you to grow in confidence too.
