Veins, verse and voices: How poetry helped Local families with bleeding disorders be heard

The first in a special Haemcast series in collaboration with Local families with bleeding disorders, exploring aspects of family life.In this episode, members of Local families with bleeding disorders discuss the online workshops that helped them explore their experiences and express their hopes, expectations and worries about the bleeding disorders that impact their families. They are joined by community advocate Rich Gorman, and poet and arts practitioner Dawn Gorman (no relation).The poetry collection resulting from the workshops, Bleeding and Belonging, is available online as an eBook.For more information about Local families with bleeding disorders, visit www.bleeding-disorders.co.ukCREDITS:Participants: Dr Rich Gorman, Dawn Gorman, Lisa Steadman, Hannah Brunning, Marie Dolton, Alex Akrimi, Claire BrownInterviewers: Kathryn Jenner, Dr Kate KhairMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

Morris Okello lives in Northern Uganda. In this episode of Haemcast, he tells Dr Kate about the childhood experiences that eventually led to him being diagnosed with haemophilia B. As well as describing his own journey towards becoming an advocate for people with haemophilia in Uganda, Morris highlights the work of the Ugandan Haemophilia Society in raising awareness, improving rates of diagnosis, and providing access to treatment and care. CREDITS:Speaker: Morris Okello GriffinInterviewer: Dr Kate KhairMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

Dance teacher and Haemophilia Society trustee Helen Tate talks with Haemnet's Dr Kate Khair about living with Factor V deficiency, a rare bleeding disorder that affects around one in a million people.Helen leads an active life despite her condition and is a passionate advocate for the rare bleeding disorders community. She discusses diagnosis, coping with bleeds when treatment options are limited, and what she thinks needs to change to improve life for everyone who lives with a rare bleeding disorder.CREDITS:Speaker: Helen TateInterviewer: Dr Kate KhairMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

Following our six-part mini-series 'Reflections on a life with severe haemophilia', with Terence O'Rourke, Haemnet's Dr Kate Khair considers some of the things that have changed in haemophilia care during Terence's lifetime – and some of the  things that perhaps haven't.Kate discusses the importance of remembering times when haemophilia treatment wasn't so readily available, getting a diagnosis, treatment decisions, feeling isolated, and the importance of support and understanding.CREDITS:Speaker: Dr Kate KhairInterviewer: Kathryn JennerMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

The final part of our mini-series featuring Terence O'Rourke, in which he reflects on living with severe haemophilia A.In this episode, Terence discusses his approach to making decisions about treatment, and the importance of teamwork in both his working life and in relation to his haemophilia care.CREDITS:Speaker: Terence O’RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

In part 5 of Terence O'Rourke's story, he again reflects on his working life and how this was impacted by both his haemophilia and its treatment.He discusses his approach to and choices about treatment and managing his haemophilia, and about eventually overcoming hepatitis C.Terence continues to be driven by determination and confidence in his own problem-solving ability throughout.CREDITS:Speaker: Terence O’RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

In part 4 of our mini-series in conversation with Terence O'Rourke, he reflects on changes in treatment for haemophilia and the arrival of Factor VIII.  Terence describes some of the prejudice he experienced as a person with haemophilia, and the faith his wife had in him. He also discusses the progression of his career, and how it shifted and changed around his haemophilia. CREDITS:Speaker: Terence O’RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠⁠bensound.com⁠

In the third part of our conversation, Terence O’Rourke looks back on his young adulthood in the late 1950s and early 1960s, starting work in an architect’s office and becoming a student.  This was an important time for Terence. He was studying with his peers for the first time and embarking on the early stages of what would become a very successful career. Terence also reflects on how his haemophilia was treated during this time – and how he questioned the accepted methods of treating bleeds at a time when most people accepted that doctors knew best. CREDITS:Speaker: Terence O’RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via ⁠bensound.com⁠

We rejoin Terence O'Rourke to as he reflects on growing up with haemophilia, not being able to go to school, his education, and the impact of this on his life. Now in his 80s, Terence also looks back on his career aspirations and goals. What comes through is his determination to pursue these despite the obstacles he faced as a young person with haemophilia and limited access to treatment.Credits:Speaker: Terence O'RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via bensound.com

In the first part of a six-part mini-series, Terence O’Rourke looks back on his childhood memories of living with severe haemophilia, including his education and experience of treatment. Terence, who is now in his 80s, has an exceptional mind and has enjoyed a successful career. Over the course of this series he reflects on how his relationship with haemophilia has both impacted and shaped his approach to life, from childhood through adulthood.Credits:Speaker: Terence O’RourkeInterviewer: Dr Meila RoyProducer: Chris CatonMusic: Once Again Royalty Free Music by Benjamin Tissot via bensound.com