Great AGM

[Thelmarina]

Zoom made it possible for me to attend my first AGM and the speakers were reassuring and inspirational. Dr Vanessa Quick gave a clear informative presentation of the results of her research into a fast track pathway for accurately assessing the sometimes misleading symptoms for GCA. The results are a dramatic improvement in recognition and treatment with all the implications for saving eyesight. Dr Andrew Bennett is a muscular skeletal consultant and trustee Dorothy Byrne was brilliant in facing him forthrightly with our plight of not being taken seriously and managed effectively, without giving offence. Fierce but truthful - fantastic! Then PMR sufferer in remission John Robson, endearingly eccentric climbing mountains - literally 😱😅👍. A reminder that we can get too fearful and underestimate our capabilities. Thanks to Candy, Fran and the others for setting this up and for the hard work going on behind the scenes. Such great support.

[Highlandtiger]

I agree 100%. I’d come online this morning to say something very similar but you’ve said it all already!

While Zoom can have its limitations there’s no way I could have travelled almost 600 miles to be there so it opened the AGM and members' day up for me and I suspect many others too.

[Theziggy]

Was the AGM recorded? Be interesting for those unable to go or to catch on Zoom to see.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

It was recorded I think but not with the intention of putting it up like the webinars are since they were for members at the AGM, the webinars were a general awareness effort. However, I did suggest to Fran that the presentations should be available if the presenters were amenable.

[123-go]

Am I glad I registered for this! Dr Quick was amazing and John Robson inspirational although I can't see myself taking up mountaineering (a very clever analogy here reminding us that we all have our own mountain to climb and we will get there in the end). Dorothy Byrne's honest reply to Dr Bennett's informative presentation was praiseworthy and he took her comments seriously and gracefully.

It was a lot to take in and I, too, would appreciate a link so that I can watch again.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do hope they decide to keep the zoom format - and get away from the London-centric concept! It is hard/expensive enough getting to London from other parts of the UK even without Covid!

The only thing that would have been better live was being able to support DB's very clear message. However - it still seemed rather GCA-biased, I know that GCA brings with it the risk of unnecessary loss of vision when not recognised but undiagnosed or badly managed PMR robs people of their livelihoods and personal lives without it being as obvious as loss of sight, Vanessa's presentation showed how many GCA patients are wrongly suspected of GCA - the same must apply to PMR.

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Yes the Zoom Format would be a great addition if they decide it can be held as a Meeting Next Year.

Dr Quick was very engaging & interesting and it was good to hear about John’s Trip to Annapurna.

Hidden Fran_Benson could we consider a Talk on Long Term PMR? as there are many of us around & it’s obviously something many could be facing in the future......

Thanks

MrsN

[Theziggy in reply to PMRpro]

Even more difficult to get there from Northern Ireland at the moment especially when I am the sole carer for my partner and can't leave them bt themselves.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

Try northern Italy - same situation!

[Telian]

Hear Hear!