January 20, 2023
We are very sorry to share that Mandy Brailsford, our wonderful Chair of Trustees, sadly passed away on Tuesday 17th January.
Mandy was involved with Facial Palsy UK from the very beginning as part of the Community Advisory Board. She joined the charity’s Trustee Board in January 2020 and since autumn 2021 had acted as interim Chair of Trustees.
A few words from our CEO, Charles Nduka:
“I feel honoured to have known her, and grateful for what she taught me. She was the embodiment of kindness, compassion and good humour in the face of adversity. She told her story at the Facial Palsy UK AGM which I would encourage you to read. Having had facial palsy since birth, she underwent her first operation when she was six years old. It was her experience that first made me realise that surgeons need to think about the potentially negative effect of not involving the patient in decision-making about life-changing surgical procedures. Parents and carers can only follow what we as medical professionals advise, and Mandy helped me to understand the important need for psychological input alongside surgery.
“She and her husband Martin have worked tirelessly for the charity, raising awareness at events across the country. They were regulars at our family days, connecting children with facial palsy. In a way, I feel she was righting the wrong that she had experienced – Mandy did not meet anyone else with facial palsy until she was aged 34. Parents of children with facial palsy also did not receive support years ago and Mandy recognised that an important part of the family days was for parents to be able to share experiences with each other.
“Mandy persevered with courage and grace to the end. Despite being diagnosed as terminal and being in severe pain, she still attended the charity’s 10-year anniversary event in London last November. Mandy is survived by her husband Martin and son Jamie. She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are very much with Mandy’s family at this time.”
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