Masked Hero Award Expand The 🦸 Masked Hero Award 🦸 celebrates a medical professional who has made a difference to your life from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and professionals all dedicated to the dystonia community. We want to recognise those special people whose care, attention and commitment have gone beyond the call of duty. Dr Colin Dunkley “This doctor goes above and beyond in his care for the children he looks after. Always puts patients first and always listens. He finds new ways for parents to communicate with him with ease so we are never alone on this journey." "I couldn’t wish for a better paediatrician for my son and although he isn’t a neurologist I feel safe and confident in him and he leaves less of a worry in the long gaps between neuro appointments.” Professor Mark Edwards “His tireless effort to educate on a local, national, and worldwide setting is incredible and trying to break down the boundaries of the ignorance that surrounds dystonia and its complications.” “I have no hesitation in nominating Mark for this award on behalf of his patients, his research work, his tireless work to raise awareness, his work with Dystonia UK, but actually on a more personal note I nominate him for all he does for me, for making me feel I’m not alone, for empowering me to do better and for his expertise, friendship and willingness to fight my battles.” Dr Miles Humberstone “Miles was my neurologist until I moved to Scotland. He fought and fought for 9 years to get my diagnosis of the very rare form of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency generalised dopa responsive dystonia.” “His commitment to my case but me as a person will always live in me. I’ve met other patients and they all say how kind he is. How he explains things in his time. He’s a top guy and I wish I could still be under him in Scotland. He’s even helped the neurologists here to understand my rare condition. He’s the best!” Dr Santiago Catania “…one Christmas […] I arrived with a painted dystonic foot which depicted different Christmas characters on each toe. Santiago took this in great spirit and was more concerned about injecting Rudolph in case he flew around in dystonic circles. This was a wonderful demonstration of how Santiago places the importance on acknowledging the person, quirky sides and all, at the centre of the condition, and not allowing the condition to totally define the person or the consultation.” “He is one of the rare breeds of neurologists that really put the patient first. There is no person more deserving!”
Dystonia Superstar Award Expand The 🌟 Dystonia Superstar Award 🌟 is your chance to recognise a superstar in the dystonia community - whether they have dystonia themselves or not, they are someone that has made a difference to you or others. It’s up to you to decide what makes them a Dystonia Superstar, we know there are many and fully expect this to be a really hard category to pick a winner from! Gill “Gill works tirelessly to get funds for Dystonia UK despite being an author, retail assistant, heritage guide, heritage charity organiser and grandmother. Her husband suffers with dystonia and is facing further health issues with impacts on day-to-day living." "Gill always gives 100% to fundraising having put herself through multiple 40 mile walks, although these are now reducing to 20 mile walks due to her age, she organises teams who gain monies for Dystonia UK. She does it to help give something back without personal show!! She is truly unsung as a hero!!!” Jill “Jill raised, via the medium of JustGiving, a total of £4,628.23 at the age of 78 years by cycling virtually on her exercise bike 280 miles through Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and London, recollecting past times of attending the Royal Ballet school at age 11 years, progressing to the Royal Opera House and of many other interesting times through an interesting life." "She suffers herself with dystonia and is always keen to spread knowledge by carrying constantly leaflets about the condition which she hands out at every suitable opportunity.” Kimberley “Since 5 years old she has struggled walking and went to three different hospitals to get answers to be told it was focal dystonia.” “She inspires me every day how she cares for her baby. She’s in pain daily, never moans but gets upset that she cannot just take him for a walk. She’s cared for her 7-year-old stepdaughter since she was 5 weeks old.” “She had worked since leaving school as a nursery teacher but doesn’t think she will be able to go back with looking after her baby.” “She has a heart of gold and smiles through her pain.” Matthew “Matthew has attended [Dystonia UK] support group meetings since the age of 3 months and is a massive part of the group.” “He has attended fundraising events held by others and taken part in runs to raise funds himself too. He is always at the awareness events and happy to talk to anyone who attends. At the first children’s conference he played a huge part in making a young girl attending with us and her family feel at ease.” “Not only is he my son he is also a Superstar - a view held by the whole group."
Popular Podcast Award Expand Our Popular Podcast Award celebrates the incredible guests we've hosted throughout Series 1 on our Dystonia Matters Podcast. We are asking you to vote for your favourite episode and the winning award will go to the guests featured in the episode with the most votes. It might be that one person’s story really resonated with you or that an episode’s subject helped you in your personal journey, whatever your reason we want to hear from you! The 6 episodes of the Dystonia Matters Podcast Series 1 were: Faces of the dystonia community - featuring Louise, Katie & Andy Working with dystonia - featuring Gemma & Nick Parents and carers - featuring Sylvia, Neil & Julie Fundraising brings communities together - featuring Tim, DK & Bethany Awareness raising - featuring Karl, Graham, Carol & Sarah Dystonia and mental health - featuring Lucy & Dylan