Interview with Donna

Our final interview for the #WhyPANDAS? day of #PAW21 is with another of our fabulous volunteers – Donna. Thanks so much for sharing, Donna! ❤️ 🙌

When did you first hear of PANDAS?
I saw a post on Facebook by PANDAS after searching for perinatal support groups. I liked the fact that they support parents free of charge via the helpline & online social groups.

What made you want to volunteer for the charity?
After going through so much after the birth of my son & utilising so many resources in my path to recovery, I felt the need to give something back & help those who may be experiencing the same or similar issues. Just knowing that I can help others by being there to talk with them, whether it be on the helpline or via a face-to-face meeting at a group session. PANDAS has given me the opportunity to give something back to the local community, supporting parents at a time where they need help & resources are stretched.

Tell us a bit about the roles you do & what you enjoy the most about it.
I started working on the PANDAS helpline in August 2021, volunteering my time to speak to parents who are struggling pre or post-natal. Talking to them about their concerns, how they are feeling & making them realise that they are not alone. There are people out there who they can talk to, who have been through the same or similar experiences. At times conversations can be triggering, but overall they reinforce that I am not alone in what I went through & I can help others to feel better.

What would you say to anyone who is perhaps thinking of calling the helpline?
If you are struggling, don’t struggle alone. PANDAS are here for you to talk to & if there is a group nearby, please go & speak to other people who are in the same or similar situation as you. Talking really does help & we can point you in the direction of other organisations or support that you might need so that you don’t struggle in silence. My story, along with many others, shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel & with the right help, you can get things back on track & start enjoying life again.

What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering for PANDAS?
Volunteering is so rewarding in helping someone feel just a little better. Some of the conversations can be tough, but when that person thanks you at the end of the call & they have some steps to follow, you know that you have made a difference. Just a simple conversation can make things seem less scary & overwhelming – the power of talking is most definitely underrated.

Donna, thank you so much for sharing your experiences of volunteering with us, we appreciate you & all the volunteers so much ❤️ 🙌 🙌