My Blog

I arrived home after a wonderful few days away and once the cases were unpacked and washing machine on, I settled down to open my post. You all know what this is like; all I was expecting was junk mail and bills (doesn’t that also tell us something of the mindset that we allow ourselves to have at times)!

To my complete delight, I opened an invitation to the All-party Parliamentary Group on Maternity, summer reception and presentation of Maternity Services Awards 2012.  It is to be an afternoon cream tea held at the Houses of Parliament!

The event is sponsored by Pampers   and nct  (the National Childbirth Trust).

I asked why my name had been included and I was told that it was due to my mention of the ‘nct’ parenting classes in this article in the Mail on Sunday, which their press officer had noticed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2150343/You-CAN-tackle-post-natal-depression-Gwyneth-Paltrow-says-youre-left-feeling-like-zombie-doesnt-make-bad-mother.html

There are more details of the event here

I feel honoured to be going to represent The Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundationand also proud that after seven years of personal writing, speaking and campaigning for better services and awareness of postnatal illness, that I shall be attending a government event where this is part of the agenda. My work with informing as many people around me about PND started with a personal journey that many of you know about. The fact that I can be part of this event makes me feel both very humble and very excited.

I am looking forward to the event and meeting new and familiar faces.

On reflection I feel I should:

1. Always remember that you never know what a simple ‘quote’ can lead to

2. Remain enthusiastic and optimistic that government policy will one day support great improvements in sustainable services for the mental health of young families.’

I shall of course send a full report of the event!

Elaine

http://www.greatvine.com/elaine-hanzak