Harrison, Barbara

19/07/2009

Audio file duration: 00:21:05 Format of original recording: wav 44.1 khz 16 bit MicportPro.

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Barbara Joan Harrison is from Cheadle in Staffordshire. She has a rare condition called scleroderma and will use her time to raise awareness of it and also the stigma around mental health. She is going to give a presentation to explore the needs of people with scleroderma and mental illnesses. She has sufferred from depression for a long time and has often felt reluctant to talk about it. She thinks there needs to be better and quicker access to health services for people with mental health difficulties. She will be promoting the Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association's work. She had a happy life as a young child but when she was 11 she was attacked and then her father died suddenly, she later suffered from depression. She applied to be a member of Mensa and passing their test gave her confidence to advance, which eventually led to her studying a law degree. Her employer is funding her to study for a diploma in landlord and tenant law. She works for the Local Improvement Finance Trust at Stoke on Trent Primary Care Trust that builds new health practices. She is taking part for other people who suffer from the conditions she suffers from. She likes reading, socialising and going to music concerts; enjoying life is important to her.