Michelle Mitchell OBE’s Post

Day 91 of 366: Reflecting on Endometriosis Awareness Month 🌼💛 As March, Endometriosis Awareness Month, comes to a close, it's a poignant time to reflect on the profound impacts of a condition that affects 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years. This month is not just about raising awareness; it's about understanding, advocacy, and supporting the millions of women like my fiancée, Amy, who have battled with endometriosis. Amy's journey with endometriosis has been long and fraught with pain and misunderstanding. For years, I watched helplessly as she struggled with debilitating symptoms. Like many, I didn't fully grasp the severity of her pain. Society's callous advice to "toughen up" only adds to the isolation many women feel. However, Amy's decision to undergo a hysterectomy marked a significant turning point in her life. The transformation post-surgery was nothing short of miraculous, offering her relief and a new lease on life. Witnessing her journey has been eye-opening and deeply moving. The Role We All Play; Educate and Share: Let's dismantle myths by sharing factual information about endometriosis. Knowledge is power. Support and Empathy: Creating supportive environments that acknowledge and adapt to the needs of those with chronic conditions is essential. It starts with empathy. Advocate for Research and Better Care: Supporting organizations focused on endometriosis research and advocacy can lead to breakthroughs in treatment and awareness. Endometriosis Awareness Month may be drawing to a close, but our commitment to supporting those affected shouldn't end here. By fostering understanding and pushing for advancements in care, we honor the resilience of endo warriors like Amy. Their battles remind us of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of community support. As we move forward, let's carry the lessons of this month with us. Through education, empathy, and advocacy, we can contribute to a world where endometriosis is met with the seriousness it deserves, and those affected receive the support and care they need. Together, let's continue to make a difference in the lives of those battling endometriosis, today and every day. 🌟💪 #EndometriosisAwareness #EndoWarriors #WomensHealth #MarchAwareness #Day91of366

Inspirational Innovators Series...Meet Afsaneh Parvizi-Wayne. We are excited to launch a new series, celebrating the achievements of inspirational innovators in women’s health. The first woman featured is Afsaneh Parvizi-Wayne. Here are some facts about Afsaneh: -Afsaneh founded freda, the award-winning natural and organic period and bladder care products company -She was inspired to inspired to start freda after seeing refugees on the news who didn’t have access to hygiene products and were impacted by societal taboos related to menstruation -freda has been created by women for women. A portion of every freda purchase is donated to initiatives worldwide tackling period poverty. -Afsaneh also founded Modern Menopause when her cancer diagnosis was misdiagnosed as menopause by her GP -Modern Menopause provides women with a reliable platform to learn about menopause Who inspires you to reach higher? We'd love to hear about it! #ExecutiveCoach #InspiringInnovators #Leadership #FounderStory #FemaleFounders

Wondering what awareness days are coming up in October? Look no further, we’ve created a calendar of the month’s events. This is our new monthly series where we will share awareness days coming up to help you plan your diversity plans. Awareness days and months are important as we can use these dates to focus on issues often overlooked and neglected in society. So here are a few ideas on how you can make the most of these dates: 👉 Hire a speaker to share insights and ways to show up as an ally 👉 Put together a list of resources to share with your colleagues and peers 👉 Review your policies and process to ensure they are consciously inclusive 👉 Update your practices and encourage others to be inclusive 👇 What else would you do to recognise and celebrate these awareness days? Share in the comments. [Visual description: image is designed in bright yellow, pink and blue. Title, Awareness Days in October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, UK Black History Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month, Menopause Awareness Month, World Cerebral Palsy 6th October, International Lesbian Day 8th October, World Mental Health Day 10 Oct, International Day of the Girl Child 11th Oct, World Sight Day 12th October, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 17th October, International Pronouns Day 18th October, World Menopause Day 18th, Intersex Awareness Day 26th, Halloween 31st.] #AwarenessDays #DiversityAndInclusion #DiversityMatters #InclusionMatters #UnconsciousBias #DiversityEquityInclusion #DiversityInTech #Inclusivity #InclusionAndDiversity #BelongingAtWork #WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceInclusion #WorkCulture #Workshops #DEI #Inclusion

Today, as we celebrate #Juneteenth, we reflect on the ongoing fight for equality and honor the enduring strength and resilience of Black women. As we celebrate freedom, we must also recognize the ongoing struggles Black women face, particularly in accessing adequate healthcare. Black women have historically led the charge for civil rights and social justice, yet they continue to encounter severe healthcare disparities. Perimenopause and menopause are significant phases in a woman's life, yet Black women often experience unique and severe challenges during these times: 🖤 Earlier Onset: Black women tend to enter perimenopause earlier than white women, sometimes as early as their late 30s or early 40s. 🖤 More Severe Symptoms: Black women often endure more intense symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, which can significantly impact their quality of life. 🖤 Under-Treated and Overlooked: Black women frequently report that their symptoms are dismissed or inadequately treated by healthcare providers, a reflection of systemic bias and inequity in medical care. 🖤 Higher Risks: They are at a higher risk for conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis during menopause, yet they receive less preventive care and support. Today and every day, we honor Black women by advocating for their health and well-being. Here's how we can make a difference together: 🔸 Educate ourselves and our communities about the healthcare challenges Black women face. 🔸 Support organizations dedicated to improving healthcare for Black women. 🔸 Push for policies that address racial bias and improve access to quality healthcare. By standing together, we can ensure that the spirit of Juneteenth extends to creating a future where Black women receive the healthcare they deserve. #BlackWomenMatter #HealthEquity #Juneteenth2024 #perimenopause #menopause #helloperi

17 November marks World Prematurity Day.⁠ ⁠ This year's theme is 'Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-to-Skin Care for Every Baby, Everywhere.' According to UNICEF, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between parent and infant promotes breastfeeding, lowers stress levels, and strengthens family bonding. ⁠ ⁠ Every year, an estimated 13.4 million babies are born preterm, with nearly 1 million dying from preterm complications. Despite its devastating impact, preterm birth has been a long under-recognized issue in improving children's health and survival.⁠ ⁠ Future by Design studio, in partnership with Fantasive, was proud to work with the World Health Organization - PMNCH as the lead creative agency on a project focused on preterm birth, which included the development of a new brand identity, and a series of digital and print products to raise awareness and promote action on this critical issue. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠To find out more visit https://lnkd.in/dnthtagJ ⁠ #borntoosoon #futurebydesign #WorldPrematurityDay2023

As a business owner, I know firsthand the value of being part of a supportive community. I remember my early days being on my own and experiencing the highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship, it was the community of like minded individuals who were my greatest source of strength and support... virtual strangers united by a common cause. It was in this moment that I recognised the gift of being part of a community and part of something that was separate to my usual friendship and family group. It opened my eyes to a new world and that people just want to help other people. That's why I'm so passionate about our Let's Talk community. It's a place where women coming into and experiencing menopause can come together to share their stories, seek advice and find support. We know Menopause is a transformative phase in a woman's life and having a community to lean on can make all the difference. Belonging to a community isn't just about finding support during tough times, though. It's also about celebrating the wins, big and small, with people who understand and uplift you. It's about forming connections, building friendships and knowing that you're not alone on this journey. If you're navigating menopause and craving connection, I invite you to join our Let's Talk community. It's more than just a space to share; it's a place to belong. Together, we can support each other, learn from each other, and embrace this transformative phase with confidence and strength. Check out the link below to learn more or join our Let's Talk community today. Here's to finding your tribe and embracing the power of community! https://lnkd.in/g8BEYD5U Special shoutout to Michelle Redfern Sheree Rubinstein Frances Goh Nickie Scriven GAICD who have all given me the gift of wonderful communities to be part of and belong too. #menopausesuppport #menopauseawareness #communitysupport #communitybuilding #womenempoweringwomen

October was #menopauseawarenessmonth and there have been lots of posts in support of raising awareness. I'm going to unapologetically hop on that too, and help spread the word a little wider 📣 A couple of weeks ago, team Breathe were invited to attend a webinar run by Professor Dame Lesley Regan of the Wellbeing of Women charity. Joined by Lisa Snowden and Dr Naomi Potter, all things menopause were discussed, from symptoms through to treatments, and all of the often very turbulent journey in between 🎢 One point that stood out for me, was the reminder that ALL women will go through this.... Some of us may go through pregnancy, some of us may have lighter periods than others, some of us will struggle with our mental health, some of us will have cancer, yet ALL WOMEN will go through the menopause 🙋 I'm lucky enough to have some fabulous women around me, Lynn Bertram, Kerry Tottingham, Tessa Basson (that's us in the pic!) to name a few, but not everyone has people around them to support when things are tough 💞 Let's talk about this, let's increase awareness, not just in the month of October. Let's not make it taboo, and if you take one thing from this post, let it be - talk to a fellow female; a bestie, a stranger, a colleague about this topic ✅ Thank you to Charlie O’Brien for organising the session, and a special shout out to the men who attended! 🌟 #conversations #menopauseawareness #peoplefirst

Action Month is an opportunity to raise awareness, demand change, and show support for the 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth with endometriosis. Every Endometriosis Action Month, and in fact every month, Endometriosis UK campaign for better care. For greater understanding. For better treatment and management options. For more research. They want to ensure that all those with endometriosis have access to the right support at the right time. Endometriosis Action Month in the UK holds profound meaning for me, having been diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis in June 2020, followed by stage 4 in 2023. The statistics highlight its widespread impact, affecting 1 in 10 women/people assigned female at birth in the UK. The intricacies of daily life with endometriosis are challenging, as flare-ups vary unpredictably. I've experienced days where a walking aid became a necessity, highlighting the fluctuating nature of this condition. Beyond the physical toll, endometriosis can significantly affect confidence, grappling with the unpredictability of each day. Questioning your capability, trying to maintain relationships with friends and loved ones, questioning your identity because you’re not sure who you are due to a combination of hormone treatments. My journey and every other person with Endometriosis shows the importance of fostering understanding in the workplace, recognizing the complexities of invisible illnesses, and cultivating an environment that embraces resilience and compassion. We may be dealing with an ongoing illness with no hope of a cure yet, but our skills are not defined by our illnesses and disabilities. #PersonalJourney #InvisibleIllnessSupport

Are you quietly going mad? Or not so quietly raging? Or worried sick that you're bleeding in a brand new way? I probably speak to over 100 menopausal and perimenopausal women every week - and I'm neither a GP nor an psychotherapist - and I'm deeply concerned how many women are experiencing worrying symptoms, and haven't a clue what they're going through. No women escapes menopause and - the lunacy of attempting to classify it as a disability aside - we are failing the younger women in our workplaces by not opening conversations. Mainly so fewer women will say, oh thank heaven, I'm not actually going mad/dying/close to stabbing someone with a biro. Bookmark April 4th 1100-1130. We've devised a free half-hour webinar, part of a larger series, that looks at demystifying and reassuring - we've got the wonderful Olivia Hum who'll give us a checklist for when we finally get that all-important GP appointment. What to note, what to ask for, what to not be fobbed off with and how to be as prepared as possible for this liberating, creative, next stage of life. Register here, bring a coffee and your symptoms and arm yourself with some dangerous knowledge and a few much-needed laughs. https://lnkd.in/e3Sa82AT

🌸 Embracing September as a Month of Empowerment 🌸 As we step into the first day of September, a month that signifies transitions and new beginnings, let's take a moment to reflect on the journeys that define us as individuals. In the spirit of growth and empowerment, I want to shed light on an important aspect of life that often goes unnoticed: the menopausal phase in a woman's life. Let's make this September a month of enlightenment, advocacy, and empowerment. Together, we can change the narrative and empower women to not only embrace menopause but also thrive during this transformative phase. 💐🌼 #menopausesupport #menopausehealth #womenshealthcoach