Marion Burfield
North Wilts. Breathe Easy Group
"Take it easy". That's what I've heard a lot lately and guess what I've actually been doing as I'm told to be truthful I haven't had much option. I've been in hospital twice recently with severe breathing difficulties which put me in good stead for 'saying my piece' at the recent 'Meet the Patients' event held at the House of Commons.
I was delighted at being a representative for our area and the day was very rewarding, memorable and tiring. There were approximately 37 MPs that we know of and most chatted to Breathe Easy members and staff. It is highly unusual for so many of them to turn up for a reception (they must have heard of the excellent buffet on offer, including the yummy cakes and scones).
The Health Minister, Andy Burnham spoke in a complimentary way about the BLF and as usual proceedings were given an uplifting and humourous touch by Dame Helena Shovelton. We all had a chance to put forward the points of the BLF Charter to our respective MPs. I had personally invited Mr James Gray to come along and he did this willingly. He was very interested in our Breathe Easy Group and I will be liasing with him to arrange a date in due course to come along and chat at one of our meetings. Also I'm hoping to arrange a tour of the House of Commons and lunch on the terrace (watch this space).
It was so nice to meet so many people from other groups and to make new friends. The event was a great success because of the hard work that Donna Castle, Katherine Huntly and the rest of the team from BLF had put in. Now we have to keep up our profile to our local MPs and Dianne from the Bristol office will be working with me to do this. Our voice must be heard and we must not be forgotten.
