Creating understanding of hidden symptoms and disabilities - HMSA Patient Event

Communicating about hidden symptoms or disability in a way that is understood and accepted by those around us is not easy. Attempts to explain are often seen as complaining or being negative. Other times people over-react and only see limitations, believing that life with disability means constant tragedy. Actually what we want and need is to have people around us who understand the hidden challenges we face, can provide support when needed, and step back when it’s not.

Hear about some of the tips and tricks which have helped Hannah address these issues as she goes through life with a hypermobility syndrome and postural  tachycardia syndrome.

Feedback from the last time we ran this webinar includes:

"What I found most useful was Advice & Support delivered by someone who has an extensive knowledge of the challenges that can arise as a result of being hyper mobile as well as extensive personal experience too."

"Useful to think about communicating in a different way - keeping things simple - and asking for what I need."

“My partner listened to some of the webinar - it really helped him to understand.”

(Please note that this is a patient-focused webinar, although professionals may find it useful too.)

Tickets for this webinar are £10 for non members, and free to family and individual HMSA members.

Presenter biography: Hannah Ensor has a BSc (Hons) Environmental Health then was medically retired at 28 due to hypermobility and autonomic dysfunction. Meeting misunderstandings when communicating about her conditions, she founded Stickman Communications® (‘Trusted Information Creator’ accredited) which uses stickman cartoons and simple explanations to break down barriers and communicate positively about a wide range of conditions. Her products, blogs and talks are used worldwide by disabled people and HCPs.

Hannah is a longstanding volunteer and speaker for the HMSA, and has worked with various charities including the HMSA, MIND, Whizz Kidz, and PoTS UK, and was featured in the 2016 and 2017 ‘Power 100’ lists of Britain’s most influential disabled people.