Carole doesn’t hesitate when asked to sum up
the CLT’s biggest achievement: “It’s the fact that
we’re still here, still relevant and still appreciated.
We’re proud to go on serving our members, and
so pleased that they appreciate the work we
do. Through the CLT we’re able to help so many
people – and we get lots of feedback from family
members as well as patients who just don’t know
how to react following a diagnosis. To them we’re
able to say: we know what you’re going through.
And we support them and help them right through
the process.”
Readers who would like to find out more about CLT
should visit the website: www.cancerlt.org. You
can also call for more information: 01422 205522,
or email: [email protected]. Alternatively you can
write for more information to this address:
Cancer Laryngectomee Trust
National Association of Neck Breathers
PO Box 618
Halifax
HX3 8WX
?
- Ask The Expert
Lesley Dempsey and Sally Lane are
Clinical Nurse Specialists at the
University Hospital Aintree in Liverpool.
Their extensive combined experience
with larys makes them the go-to people
for all your questions and advice.
This issue, reader Michael Nelson – a
member of the Heads Together group in
Sheffield raises a very interesting issue.
Come fly withholiday in
me
“We’ve just returned from a lovely
Benidorm. We had a great trip – even though
the customs officer wanted a look in my stoma!
But when the stewardesses went through the
safety procedure, I wondered how I’d cope
in the event of an accident – obviously the
breathing apparatus is not designed for larys!
I’d just like to know who I’d write to in order
to find out about whether there are breathing
masks available on planes specially for neck
breathers?”
Well, the good news from Sally and Lesley is that
they are, already, very well aware of this issue.
“We give our patients a letter to take on board
the plane with them – telling cabin crew they are
a neck breather. In fact, one of our secretaries
here at Aintree also works as part time cabin
crew for Easy Jet. So, if anyone wants to know
more, get in touch. We can let you have a
copy of the letter, and if you have any specific
questions, we’ll pass them on to our colleague,
who’ll do her best to answer them for you.”
Michael also sent an email to the Aviation Health
Unit (AHU) asking for their take on things:
“I am classed as a neck breather due to having
28 THE VOICE | Summer 2010