Lunch and Learn look-back by Leah Brooksbank and Corrinne Hepworth
Our ambassadors Leah Brooksbank and Corrinne Hepworth attended M4RD’s lunch and learn session recently where they discussed their time at M4RD so far and also heard from a variety of guest speakers on the day.
We hear what Leah and Corrinne had to say about the day.
Our ambassador applications for this year are now closed, but if you would like the opportunity to join upcoming cohorts, keep a look out on our social media and newsletters for announcements!
Leah’s words:
It’s the end of my second year as an M4RD Ambassador, and also my second Lunch and Learn session, where I was able to catch-up with some of the incredible ambassadors from around the UK.
First on our Lunch and Learn agenda was the roundtable, where everyone discussed their year so far. It was inspiring to hear the variety of things that my fellow ambassadors have been up to, including patient advocacy, teaching sessions, and contributing the M4RD podcast! We talked about how working in an increasingly busy NHS means that we don’t always have as much time as we would like to spend with each patient, but that M4RD is a great reminder of how going that extra mile and not forgetting the small things can really make a difference.
This year I have had the pleasure of attending the ‘First, do no harm’ event with FOP Friends, scribing at the EDIRA Symposium, and authoring a knowledge summary for the Genomics Education Programme. I also completed my final year of medical school and graduated as a doctor, and will be starting my first rotation in just a few weeks’ time. I personally reflected on how, after a busy year of rotating hospitals and departments every 5 weeks, it has been wonderful to have the support of the M4RD group there as a constant, and as a reminder of how crucial patient advocacy is.
We heard from 4 speakers during the day, with the stand-out for me being Jono Lancaster, who talked about the importance of being real and relatable with people, no matter the amount of time that you are able to spend with them. Jono also spoke about the importance of checking in with yourself and how you are feeling, which is vital for everyone, but especially people working in healthcare and advocacy settings.
When I make my debut onto the wards for the first time as a doctor, I will take forward the lessons that I have learnt from the Lunch and Learn, and from the wonderful people that I have met through M4RD. I know that there are tough and stressful times ahead, but being involved in this group of student, clinical and patient ambassadors will make me a better doctor going forwards, for both people who live with a rare disease and those who don’t. – Leah Brooksbank
Corrinne’s words:
Being an ambassador, I am heard and I am seen.
Like Leah it’s my second lunch and learn and the difference in myself is noticeable. When I first applied to be an ambassador in 2022, I never could have predicted the twists and turns my own health would take – a story all too common to many rare disease patients and often with bitter outcomes. The grave dangers faced by patients who live with rare conditions are much too real – and I know this first hand.
My first lunch and learn was one year ago, at the time I felt so vulnerable sharing my experiences. It was still raw. I was still raw. But with every personal milestone I have achieved and each activity on the M4RD calendar, I’ve been paving a new way forward. I have so much more confidence in myself now.
My personal highlights include my guest feature on the podcast, where I was given a platform to share my story and significantly raise awareness for Addison’s Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) as well as challenge the perception of hopelessness; and being a judge on the Student Voice Essay Prize panel, which was a unique opportunity to read and review the entries. I’ve also really enjoyed the social aspects of meeting up with the ambassadors and representing at events such as the Unusual Suspects – Rare disease in everyday medicine at the Royal Society of Medicine.
M4RD has become a sacred space where I am heard, where I am seen, where I am believed. It has allowed me to re-build trust in medical professionals and to seek to understand why things are the way there are, and what we can do to change them. Having a patient community around me who simply get it and with who I can relate to, has been invaluable. We understand the difficulties, the pain, the heartache but together we can come together, learn from one another and be so much stronger.
I never expected to receive the kindness, patience and trust that I have with M4RD. I’m extremely grateful to the hardworking team but especially Lucy and Jo. Whilst I’ve officially graduated from the programme, I realise the mission doesn’t stop here and it helps to have gained both friends and a network I can rely on, for life. – Corrine Hepworth
I was reminded of why this mission is important when I took a London cab, it turned out my taxi driver had Sickle Cell Disease. Whilst I’m not an expert, it was a condition I could reference thanks to the powerful work of M4RD. The taxi driver was both surprised and comforted to hear it wasn’t unknown to me and I was able to tell them there are people raising awareness, making positive changes, and to keep their faith. At the end of the day, that’s why we all do this, because life matters, because quality of life matters, because people matter.
