ASBAH Service User's Your Voice Weekend - a review by Bonnie Harris
Although diagnosed at birth, I have to say that up to a few months ago my use of ASBAH's information and support networks has been somewhat limited, particularly in terms of meeting other people in the same situation.
I attended mainstream school, where I was the only one with spina bifida and hydrocephalus throughout the entire time I was there; also, I never had many opportunities to meet other people locally of my own age with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Not being at all outgoing when I was little, I would not have been overly keen to go on social activities. However, having rather come out of myself I really enjoy this sort of thing now.
And so I eagerly attended Your Voice's late August weekend in Birmingham which focussed on beauty, skincare and health (and yoga!).
When I first arrived at the hotel I was pleasantly surprised by the number of delegates; speaking of the hotel, I thought that (apart from the most minor hiccup concerning an oversight over the preparation of my room) it was absolutely flawless.
The staff could not have been more helpful, accommodating and friendly. I felt nothing would have been too much trouble. Apart from there being just steps and no ramp to the check-in desk there was not a place in the whole hotel where we could not all have gone unaided.
After a lovely dinner on the first night we found an attractive and relaxing bar to go and sit in. There I made all the acquaintances I was to keep all weekend.
The two workshops I attended were yoga in the morning and then skincare and beauty in the afternoon. The skincare one was fascinating: I found out what skin type I am (I always complain of dry skin, but now it's official!) and which skincare products from the Body Shop's range are the most suitable. I got the most relaxing makeover; which also proved useful, as we had arranged to go out straight after dinner and I was half ready by four o'clock!
On a more serious note, I also learnt about the important work the Body Shop does to improve conditions in third world countries and to minimise exploitation of farmers and labourers. At the same time they ensure that these people's crops are used in making the cosmetics, and as a result the Body Shop's products all have something of a selling point in that they are very natural and plant based.
Finally, we had a very interesting presentation on the work of ASBAH and the Your Voice committee on Sunday morning; this was followed by a feedback session, which I think was very valuable. It was then that I was asked to write this article, as a reminder to those whom I hope enjoyed the weekend as much as I did, and to attract new people to come on future ones. If you haven't been before you may not be sure that you will get anything out of it, but believe me you will!
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