Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 3 Pages: 1

l

Posts: 1
From: Wolverhampton
Registered: 15-Dec-2006

Piece in Paper
Posted: 15-Dec-2006 21:28

Reply

Hi Everyone,

Our regional newspaper was asking people to send photos in of their family by their xmas trees, and to write a couple of lines saying why christmas is going to be special. I sent a pic in of my 2 children Ollie 5 wocf and Abbie 8 months wcf, just saying that after what we went through just after her birth and obviously with the ilness itself her first christmas would be extra special to us. They are in the paper tonight (Express & Star Wolverhampton), but I have also received an email from them asking if they can come and do a piece on Abbie for the paper. Has anyone ever done anything like this and do you think its a good idea.
Thanks
Lyndsey xx

MarkR

Posts: 5
From: Lebanon, Oregon USA
Registered: 16-Dec-2006

Re: Piece in Paper
Posted: 16-Dec-2006 00:34

Reply

Hi Lyndsey,

That depends on your daughter. I know when I was 5 and When the kids in school found out I had CF there was a lot of teasing and kids making fun of me.

frizzymum

Posts: 37
From: Suffolk
Registered: 07-Nov-2006

Re: Piece in Paper
Posted: 16-Dec-2006 10:06

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Hiya Lyndsey - we do lots for our local media and despite the odd cringe at a journalistic turn of phrase or embarrassing pic of 'mum' we've always found it extremely worthwhile and rewarding to raise awareness of CF.

I think the biggest consideration is how you will feel seeing your story in black & white (it's common to have a wobble when your story appears - it's almost as though it becomes more 'real' by appearing in print!).

Also, how will it impact on the kids? Ollie may face questions and/or comments from his friends as a result....or (more likely), get a little bit jealous if his sibling appears in the paper without him getting a mention too!!!

I'd be happy to talk to you off the boards (details on profile) - or feel free to talk to Gemma Foy - the press officer at the Trust who could possibly put your mind over some of the key facts and details about CF generally, if you decide you want to do an interview.

Ultimately it's up to you...but if you decide that you don't want to do it, perhaps you could contact Gemma (gfoy@cftrust.org.uk) with the journalists' details, then she could put them in touch with another local family rather than miss the opportunity all together?

Incidentally - I'm from Wolverhampton originally (my folks are still in Penn!) and I've always found the Express & Star to be a pretty responsible publication.

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: Piece in Paper
Posted: 16-Dec-2006 13:13

Reply

I'd agree with Paula - I think it's great to do stories, especially for local papers, but they can be quite hard sometimes.

It's important to remember that when you talk to a journalist, they will be looking for the most "sensational" angle, and so will be quite likely to talk up the negative implications of CF, even if it's in the context of how positively you're dealing with it.

Personally, I think you should do it, because it's always fun and it gives you something to chat about if nothing else, but you do have to be sure with yourself and your family that you're OK with the possible slants of the story.

I suppose it boils down to anticipating the "worst case scenario" for the article, so that if it doesn't come out how you expected, you're OK with it.

For what it's worth, I'd say if you're unsure, then Paula is a great person to chat to about it - she's got her head screwed on, that girl!