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. Mr Maurice Hawthorne “Despite being past retirement age a while ago, he still travels from Middlesbrough to Penrith to give botulinum toxin treatment to us sufferers of dystonia.”“He’s a kind man putting his patients before his own self interests. He has gone above and beyond for his patients and deserves this nomination. Thank you, Mr Hawthorne, for your time and kindness over the years.” Dr Miles Humberstone “Dr Humberstone is always at the end of a phone or email if my GP is not available, his responses are always quick. Which during flare ups is invaluable. I haven’t felt like a number, I’ve felt like an actual individual who has an active young life.”“The trial and error to get my medication regime right was long, but he always discussed everything clearly and openly with me. He has enabled me to have my quality of life back.” Russell Mills “Russell has been my DBS (deep brain simulation surgery) specialist nurse for many years now, he is based at the RVI in Newcastle." "Russell is the most kind, gentle and understanding person I have ever met.”“He is always available to talk if I need him and will not hesitate to provide letters to various organisations explaining my condition and current treatment i.e. to DWP, and PIP assessors, he always goes the extra mile for his patients.” Professor Tim Harrower “My consultant, who is amazing! Shows compassion and listens, gives me confidence and pride in myself. Encourages me to continue reaching for the stars and achieving as much as I can. My dystonia does not define me.”“He is always happy to see me and put up with my concerns. He deserves everything.”“He is my consultant, and he is very supportive and patient. He gives me hope and encouragement.”
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! Andrea “[Andrea’s’] life centres around her foster daughter (A) who has been with her for over 6 years and has just had her 10th birthday. A has dystonia and cerebral palsy… She is non-verbal, wheelchair bound and tube fed.”“Although A is unable to do anything for herself, she laughs a lot and lights up when Andrea comes into the room. It’s clear that they love each other very much.” Freddie “Freddie is 6 years old and was diagnosed with myoclonus dystonia last year. Freddie is showing people that you can have a disability but still have great abilities.”“His largest run so far is 2.5 miles, without stopping. He has a huge amount of struggles but with the help of mum and dad we are challenging the disability and channelling his strengths.” Matthew “Matthew has quadriplegic dystonia, he did have DBS (deep brain stimulation surgery) but it stopped being effective and was removed a few months ago. In 2022 he became the first person to run and complete the London Marathon on a framerunner.”“He’s constantly positive and looking for more goals to achieve. He never gives up even when he’s told he can’t do it, that usually makes him more determined to try!” Sharon “Sharon has always been there for me and the rest of the group, she has given me lots of advice and helped me with information… An outstanding lady here to fight for more awareness.”“She has a lot of health issues, but she still keeps going.”“Sharon has tirelessly promoted awareness of dystonia to GPs and NHS professionals to seek better understanding and treatment for the condition.”
Popular Podcast Award Expand Our Popular Podcast Award celebrates the incredible guests we've hosted throughout Season 2 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 helped you in your personal journey, whatever your reason we want to hear from you! The 6 episodes of the Dystonia Matters Podcast Season 2 were: Ella's story Joe's story Danni's story Bailey's story, as told by Ryan & Gemma Kimberley's story Luca's story