3 December 2020

Anna Kent, CNWL’s Neurological Conditions Clinical Specialist in Milton Keynes, will be part of a panel presenting at the Allied Professionals Forum, International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations Virtual International Conference tomorrow (4 December).

The Allied Professionals Forum (APF) is an educational and training forum for Allied Health Professionals, who specialise in ALS/MND.

The international forum offers healthcare professionals from around the world an opportunity to share ideas on good practice in the daily management of people with ALS/MND

The topic the panel will be discussing is: “Family Caregiving: Consider the Children.” 

Also on the panel will be Jodie O’Donnell-Ames, founder of the Hopes Love Company and Melinda Kavanaugh, Associate Professor, Social Work Director, PhD program in Social Welfare, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

The moderators will be Rachael Marsden, Consultant Nurse MND Care Centre Oxford and Sara Feldman, Senior Physical Therapist, Assistive Technology Professional, MDA/ALS Center of Hope, Temple Neurosciences, Philadelphia.

Anna says: “I was asked to be involved because of the work I have been involved in relating to supporting children from families affected by Motor neurone disease (MND).

“Back in 2017 it became apparent there was limited support available for the children of these families.

“Working with colleagues from Willen Hospice and also the local branch of the MNDA an initial support event for children and young people children was arranged to provide an opportunity to meet up with others in a similar situation, meet staff from the hospice in a very informal way and also to have some fun – this was the first event of this type in the UK.

“This then led to further work involving pilot projects, in conjunction with the MNDA, with Milton Keynes being one of two pilot sites, a member of the MNDA ‘s Children and Young People’s project board   which has led to wider national service development and initiatives.”