Awareness event at House of Lords for dystonia sufferers (From Gazette Series)

Awareness event at House of Lords for dystonia sufferers

2:19pm Wednesday 14th May 2008 in

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A WOMAN from Thornbury visited the House of Lords to help raise awareness of a debilitating illness affecting her grandmother.

Sharon Nobbs, 34, attended an afternoon tea there, hosted by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dystonia Society.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder which causes involuntary muscle contractions, leading the affected parts of the body to develop abnormal movements or postures.

Despite there being more than 40,000 known dystonia sufferers in the country, there is currently no known cure for the illness.

Lord Macdonald held the tea because his son, Dylan, suffers from the condition.

"It was absolutely fantastic to be a part of the 25th anniversary at the House of Lords and to meet various people who have taken a special interest in dystonia," said Ms Nobbs.

Ms Nobbs attended the tea on behalf of the law firm she works for in Bristol, Burges Salmon, and was also accompanied by her mother Jennifer Nobbs.

"I wanted to bring my mother along with me because she has helped care for my grandmother for so many years and has never known my grandmother not to suffer with dystonia," said Ms Nobbs.

Ms Nobbs' grandmother, Ruby Russell, 81, of Alveston, has suffered from generalised dystonia, which affects her whole body, since she was 22.

Ms Nobbs has also recently joined the Bristol Committee of the Dystonia Society, which offers support and help and can provide relief for the illness.

She said: "Whilst not having dystonia I have lived with it through my grandmother, who I am extremely close to and I understand that we need to raise awareness of this illness to help others find a diagnosis, understand it, obtain support and pain relief."

For more information about the illness visit, www.dystonia.org.uk.