Reaching out and making connections

Sometimes it doesn't feel like reading about other people in the same situation will help. However, when they understand, are strong and weak, capable and know what it means to fall apart it can be such a comfort.
A complete stranger and their story often helps me feel more normal despite my defect.

Through my recent delve into Twitter Claire reached out

auntymbraintumours.com

Here is my first guest post

It's  her about page... you'll see why we connected

Hi, I am Claire Bullimore

I am the author of A Brain Tumour's Travel Tale and Founder of Aunty M Brain Tumours.

My goal is to raise awareness for brain tumours and support any person who has or had a benign brain tumour.

This blog is here to give my opinion on a number of this that I feel with be helpful to a person who is affected by a brain tumour.

This blog is part of the social media platforms under Aunty M Brain Tumours. People can connect on the Aunty M Brain Tumours Facebook Page or Twitter. There is also a private Facebook Group where you can speak to others and support one another.

Aunty M Brain Tumours was set up in 2011. Social media was only just getting going, and there were very few places to find support online for brain tumour sufferers, or survivors unless you searched the web hard.

Why the heck would I want to get involved with brain tumours?  Well, because being told you or your loved one has ‘a brain tumour’ is a life-changing event, whether it is cancerous or benign.

I was told I had a brain tumour in 2008 when I was only 25. I had a 10cm Intraventricular Meningioma and had to go through surgery to have it removed. I know the struggles that come with this devastating diagnosis and the life-changing effect it can have on a persons life.

Claire's MRI Scan of her brain tumour in 2008

I started Aunty M Brain Tumours on the 23rd May 2011. It was my 3rd Cranniversary. I wanted to celebrate my 3rd year since my brain surgery (craniotomy) and start something new.

I set up a facebook page to connect with others. That grew and I was soon on a number of other social media platforms with over 16,000 followers. In 2013 I was invited to be a radio presenter at a local station which was via podcast and was able to have a show dedicated to people affected by a brain tumour. I interviewed a number of people and you can listen to their stories HERE

To show I am not just talking the talk, I also walk the walk. You can find me in a number of publications raising awareness for brain tumours. Such as The Sun, Choice Magazine, Best Magazine and Bella Magazine.

I went on a UK Book Tour to promote the first book and was able to do this through Crowdfunding. I met so many wonderful people See Photos

I am here to inspire and motivate you. Let’s do this journey together.

Claire

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