Know your shunt

ASBAH members widened their knowledge of hydrocephalus and related issues at two Know Your Shunt information days.

The Your Voice steering group organised information days in York and Ascot to give people with hydrocephalus the chance to learn more about their condition. The events, held in November, covered topics including the types of shunts available, coping strategies, related medical issues and how to develop independence.

Visitors also got the chance to discover more about Your Voice and become involved in planning future events.

Barbara Robinson, Your Voice co-ordinator, said: "We had an excellent response from the visitors. Everyone learnt a lot and enjoyed themselves.  One of the speakers was a representative from Codman who brought in examples of shunts for people to see. It was the first time any of the visitors had actually seen a shunt, so they found it fascinating."

Other speakers included ASBAH's Rosemary Batchelor (York) and Gill Yaz (Ascot) who talked about medical matters. Student Joanna Clyne (Link 214) gave a presentation on coping strategies at the York event, with Alan Twyford speaking on the same subject at Ascot.

Barbara said: "We asked all the visitors to complete evaluation reports and their comments were extremely positive. It is very difficult to make events like this interesting and enjoyable, but organisers Lisa Cain and Mary King and the rest of the team did just that."