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Feature16On Saturday 12th March LHM held its Annual GeneralMeeting and Open Day at the Bethel Convention Centre,Birmingham, below is an overview.We attended our first Open Day in2010 when Naomi was about sevenweeks old, and she spent most of theday asleep in my sling, which was solovely. Things were a little differentthis year, as we now have a toddlerrunning about enjoying herself, andgetting into everything, particularlywhen she saw Barnaby Bear sat onthe welcome table.This year's Open Day was held atBethel Conference Centre, whichwas an excellent venue. The stafflooked after us well, and it was veryeasy to get to. Naomi particularlyenjoyed the huge lobby that wasgreat for running around.We were very eager to return tothis year's Open Day. One of the bestthings about LHM is the relationshipsthat are built, and the opportunitiesto talk to people who understand.Where else could you have asensible conversation about what todo if your toddler won't co-operatefor an echo?! Last year we had justbeen through the antenataldiagnosis, birth and stay in hospitaland got great encouragement fromattending the Open Day. It was sowonderful this year to catch up withfriends we made last year, and findout how their little ones aredoing,as well as makenew friends, andWritten byTracey Baker and Joe Hollingworthput faces to names from the LHMforum.The main topic of discussion wasthe Safe and Sustainable review,which was the topic first session. Itwas quite eye opening to see howthe quality of care differs across thehospitals, and how different eachperson's experiences have been. Itreally brings home the importance ofmaking our voice heard in theSafe and Sustainable process.Suzie gave a clear explanationof the different options and agood discussion followed.After the AGM we had reports fromthe quality of life study and the youthresearch which was very interestingand thought provoking, especiallyhow the views of parents and childrencan differ! This cutting edge researchcould make a real difference to thecare of our children in the future.Over lunchtime Ian Ash, along withEmma and Shelagh, ran a sessionabout the new ambassador scheme.The idea is to have LHM representativesacross the country to help with theoutward facing side of the charity. It wasa really productive discussion, andmade me feel really proud to be part ofa charity that is so caring,and so well run. Theambassador schemeshould hopefullyreally enhancethe work ofLHM.In the afternoon we attended thesession for parents of 0 - 5s, whilsteveryone else went off to enjoy thesession working with their childrenand discussing issues that come upwith the different age groups. The 0- 5 session was a great opportunityto share experiences, and get advicefrom friends who have been throughsimilar issues.The children's provision wasexcellent. Naomi had a super time incrèche, and the youth and childrenhad a varied and exciting set ofworkshops. It is such anencouragement seeing the otherchildren and teenagers at the OpenDay. It gives us such hope for thefuture to see the teenagers doing sowell. The youth produced an excellentLHM Open Dpuppet show at the end of the daywhich was enjoyed by all.This year we booked a local hotel sowe couldstay for theevening entertainment. The eveningsocial was fantastic, one of the bestbits, and chance to eat, chat andswap stories whilst the kids runaround in a safe place. Naomireally enjoyed the magician (wewere most amused by his brummieaccent, pronouncing 'line' with an 'o'in it!).We look forward to the next OpenDay. Thank you to all the team fororganising it.See you next year!
Relaxing with my mates,grabbing a bite to eat,having a laugh - anormal Saturday, right?That's what I thought when my mateSam asked me if I wanted to go tothe 'Little Hearts Matter' Open Day inWest Bromwich: a chance to meetnew people and have some laid-backfun. I entered the doors to the aweinspiringBethel Convention Centre,not knowing that I would leave withorange hands and a piece ofcardboard that looked like HarryPotter.It's a long story.ay and AGMTo kick off the morning, we set upan ice-breaking session. I wasexpecting a circle of intimidatingeyes staring down every person whowas forced to stand up and nervouslymutter, "H...h...hi my name is... andI'm f...f...from..."; instead we wereseparated into age groups and askedto reassemble a butternut squash.Yes, it's exactly what you heard.Through this, I met many new peoplein a fun way, even though my agegroup (the 15-18) lost to the youngestage group (10-12) who weremysteriously quick at repairingvegetables!The groups werebrought together totalk about the problems they facewith their heart conditions and how'Little Hearts Matter' could help. Myeyes were truly opened to the day-todayproblems of coping with activitiesI would find menial, such as exercise(light exercise anyway!), whichbecame a struggle with a heartcondition. But these difficulties werehugely outweighed by how supportivethe group was with each problem,telling their previous experienceswith the problems and howthey themselves got throughthose situations.While the younger membersof the group prepared apuppet show to entertaintrustees and parents, my age groupformed the Youth Council to discusswhat could be done to improve thecharity. Within five minutes, the YouthCouncil had prepared a pitch to theHead Trustee, with their plans for thefuture and how to finance them. Tosee real decisions being made bypeople my age was incredible! Eventhe Head Trustee was blown away byhow well thought out the pitch hadbeen. My only contribution was ahandshake to the Head Trustee -unfortunately this was when I realisedmy hands were still covered inbutternut squash.The Youth Council then met up withcardiologists and psychologists for arevealing question and answersession. It was fantastic to seepeople my own age not only dealingwith medical issues so seriously butalso asking some thought provokingquestions and taking in every wordfrom the professionals' mouths.Astounding to think that kids asmature as medical experts werehelping put on a puppet show fiveminutes later! Each age grouppresented an everyday issue in theform of puppet theatre, ranging fromPunch and Judy at school to the castof 'In The Night Garden' going tohospital for the first time. Anyonewho missed the group of 15 -18 yearolds' puppet production of 'HarryPotter and the Half Prince' trulymissed out!So a regular Saturday? Oh no,much better! The people I met at theOpen Day had the biggest hearts inthe world. I'm not going to forgetthem or how they helped each otherout with warm advice and brilliantsmiles, or how they knew exactlywhat they needed and how to givehelp to every child out there with aheart condition, or how they hadjoyous, friendly fun. And I'll neverforget the sweet, sweet smell ofbutternut squash.17
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Page 11 and 12: 10 ways you can help usto raise vit
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Page 20 and 21: Zipper ZoneBelow Jon gives an updat
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