Your stories
8th November 2024
"I would urge the general public to support Shine Charity this Festive Season if they were able to, so that the charity can continue to help people like me to achieve their true potential"
Meet Marion who has received support from Shine from childhood to her adult life. “With support from my various Shine Support and Development Workers, and other Shine staff, I have achieved so much more than I would have thought possible!” Her story is a testament to the significant impact that a dedicated support network can have in helping individuals navigate challenges, reach their potential, and thrive.
"I was born with spina bifida occulta and then diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus. I had an operation to close the gap in my back as soon as was possible. I think it was a few days later that I had shunt inserted into my skull to drain the build-up of fluid on my brain.
I learned to ride a bike and yes, I gave my poor mother several hairy moments, but I would fall off a lot and then get back on again.
I attended mainstream school, and was able to carry on riding till I was 16 years old. This was my choice to stop because I wanted to see what qualifications I could gain.
I did a Youth Training Scheme when I left school and achieved several qualifications. I got a full-time job working for the London Ambulance Service Patient Transport as a control Assistant Grade 1, I was later promoted to Control Assistant Grade 2, then became a Patient Transport Co-Ordinator for nearly 18 years until I was forced to give up the job I loved in 2007, due to ill-health."
"Since my birth, my parents were made aware of a charity called ASBAH, now known as Shine, this charity supports parents, children and adults and those who discover they have got spina bifida much later in life.
The charity supported my parents through what was a very uncertain time and helped them understand what both conditions were and what to expect. Some of this information was on the negative side, which luckily for me they decided that they would take things one day at a time!
With support from my various Shine Support and Development Workers, and other Shine staff, I have achieved so much more than I would have thought possible! I am back to the person I was before my health problems, the person who trusted herself to make decisions.
All the staff at Shine that I have had advise and support from have helped me with the process of applying for benefits, advised me how to get help with occupational therapy when I needed certain equipment, and been at the end of the phone when I needed - reminding me that I am not alone."
"I would urge the general public to support Shine Charity this Festive Season if they were able, so that the charity can continue to help people like me to achieve their true potential. I know with the right support what can be a negative diagnosis can be turned into a positive future."
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