Members of The TNA UK Executive Committee

Professional background: I have worked in the Forestry Commission for over 40 years, firstly in Forest Management and latterly in Research. I am currently a Forest Pathologist and am in charge of the Forestry Commission’s Disease Diagnostic and Advisory Service. I am closely involved with the scientific community and have worldwide connections with other researchers both within my field and in many other disciplines. TN history: I have had TN since 1979 and in that time I have come to appreciate the value of help and support for sufferers of this most debilitating condition. To date I have had all the currently approved interventions, some more than once! But throughout this time I have been fortunate to find detailed advice whenever I have needed it. Since my second MVD in 2001 I have been pain-free and I am confident that I will remain so. I was one of the small group of sufferers who set up the TNA UK in 2000 and was the Treasurer up to 2007. I am fully committed to the development of the TNA UK as, in addition to providing detailed advice, it can also supply support and understanding, which is so vital in dealing with TN.

Following various secretarial, PR and customer relations jobs - mainly in the motor and airline industries - I was, for 17 years, co-owner and director of a successful limited company operating a small group of fast-fit/MOT centres in South London.

My TN started in 1998 while I was working ridiculously long hours, six days a week, and I’m only too aware of the effect of stress on TN. To date, with the help of various complementary therapies and coping mechanisms, I’ve managed reasonably well on medication and have not had any surgical procedures, though would not rule out anything in the future.

On selling the business eight years ago, my plan was to travel, renew old friendships, enjoy a spot of gardening and decorating and perhaps take up golf. Instead of that, since attending the TNA USA conference in 2002, I’ve become quite heavily involved in the TNA UK - initially as Regional Support Group Co-ordinator, setting up groups across the country, and more recently as Deputy Chairman, responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association.

I’ve enjoyed taking the TNA display stand and literature to various seminars and meetings across the country over the past four years and, in particular, arranging the TNA UK’s first two-day conference at Keele University last summer, which was also attended by medical healthcare professionals. My involvement with the charity has been and continues to be a fascinating and very worthwhile experience, mainly due to the people I’ve come into contact with and their desire to help others in the same situation.

Professional: I am a Medical Secretary in the Mental Health Centre of a large
hospital in Harrow, where I live. My Consultant's special interests are
neuropsychiatry and early onset dementia.

TN: I have suffered with episodic TN for 9 years, which is controlled with
medication.

TNA-UK - My favourite role within the Association is my membership of the
Telephone Contact Support Team, which enables me to have direct contact with
fellow sufferers.

George Cunningham - Treasurer

Professional background: After national service my first career was in the diplomatic service, serving at home and abroad for seven years. I quit to go into politics and was a Member of Parliament for 13 years and during that time also briefly a Member of the European Parliament. After losing my seat in 1983, I was chief executive of the professional body of librarians and information scientists. Now retired. I have been leader of the TNA’s West London support group for three years.

TN history: TN hit me ten years ago. Normally, the manifestations are not severe and I have had several periods of remission. Being allergic to Carbamazepine, I have rung the changes with alternative medications and have sometimes been able to do without any.

Joanna M. Zakrzewska BDS, MB BChir, MD, FDSRCS, FFDRCSI, FHEA

Medical Advisor

After obtaining dental ( Kings College London), medical ( University of Cambridge ) degrees and specialist training in oral medicine Joanna Zakrzewska went on to specialize in orofacial pain. Her MD on trigeminal neuralgia led to further clinical research in this field. She spent ten years as an academic at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry were she was awarded a personal chair in facial pain. In April 2007 Joanna Zakrzewska moved to a NHS post at Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals in order to set up a national centre of excellence in facial pain. She has written four books on orofacial pain, contributed to over 10 chapters and written over 80 peer reviewed papers on the theme of orofacial pain. She lectures extensively both nationally and internationally. She is a member of the TNA US medical advisory board.

Gavin Smith - Membership

Born 1944. Graduated in 1966 in Chemical Engineering. Worked in fertilisation and phosphoric acid manufacture around Europe before going to Australia in 1971, where I managed a chemical plant in Sydney, also met Janet. On return to UK worked for various companies selling equipment to the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries.

Developed TN in 1999, giving up work due to pain in 2001. Successful MVD at “The National” in 2005, pain free since. On the TN Executive Committee since the start but retiring in 2008. Although the odds are quite long against it, we are not the only couple in the UK both suffering from TN.

Janet Calow - Membership

Born 1939. Worked as a secretary in the research department of University of Nottingham Institute of Education, then 3 years for World Health Organisation, Geneva.

Returned to London, working for Alfred Dunhill Retail Director, then spent 2 years in Australia and New Zealand.

Returned to UK in 1974, joined local government, finishing work career as Personal Assistant to the Leader of Kensington Council. Developed TN in 1995, has had one or two periods of remission and presently coping on present medication.

Has been membership officer since TNA UK was formed but will be retiring in June 2008

Hilary Rushton - E-mail Helpline

I gave up work, as a Family Court Welfare Officer in the Probation
Service, 7 years ago.I am married to the long-suffering Bob. We have
three children, one of whom is a full-time mum to our six-year-old
granddaughter Molly, 18month-old Mia and 4-month old Max. Our son is
a police officer, due to be the next Chief Constable of the West
Midlands, but he's just a PC at the moment! Our younger daughter is a
Psychiatric nurse. My TN is as a result of my Multiple Sclerosis,
which I have had since I was 23 (I am now 60) The TN began really
savagely in 2002, and has come and gone since then. I haven't
undergone any procedures, relying solely on drugs to control the
pain. The drugs affect my walking, but as long as they keep the TN at
bay, I'm not complaining! I am now also gripped by osteoporosis, but
still, any pain is minor compared with TN!

Tina Rimmer - E-mail Helpline

Biography TBA

Mary King - Phone Helpline

Professional background: I taught English at prep school level until 1984, then made a career change to financial services consultancy. I practised full-time as an independent financial adviser until my retirement in May 2007.

I have two daughters, both grown-up and with families of their own. When not spending time with them, I enjoy music, theatre, art, books and walking. Since retiring, my music (singing) commitments have increased considerably.

My own TN was first diagnosed in 1978. Having tried many different medications and several surgical procedures, I finally had an MVD in 1989. This has been completely successful, apart from one relatively short-term recurrence, and I am currently pain-free and very thankful that this is so. Remembering how excruciating the pain can be and how desperate I used to feel, I am very glad to be able to offer as much support and guidance as I can to those who ring the helpline either as sufferers or as their (sometimes equally desperate) carers.

Wendy Schilling – Regional Support Group Coordinator

I was in the Pet trade for 25 years, having 2 shops and specialising in reptiles. On selling my last shop in 1996 my plan was to get married to my husband David and start a family, however, my TN started in 1997 and I was immediately experiencing relentless attacks, forcing me to change all my plans. I am unfortunately extremely allergic to all TN medication and from 1997 – 2004 I underwent a glycerol injection, 2 Radio-frequency lesions, 2 MVDs and am pleased to say that since having a Partial Sensory Rhizotomy in 2004 I am pain free.

I have run the Birmingham Regional Support Group for the last 3 years and have recently taken over from Jillie as Regional Support group Co-ordinator. I am also a member of the Telephone Contact Support Team. In my spare(!) time, I am a Dog Training Instructor and Behaviourist, specialising in problem dogs. I really enjoy gardening, reading, artwork and I make semi precious jewellery. I live with my husband David, 2 dogs and a very large python.

I really enjoy my group meetings and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction when people come for the first time and tell me how much they have got out of it and how much better they feel for joining the group.

I am really committed to the growth of the support groups and encouraging members to join as they are so helpful and beneficial in providing understanding, support and information.

Jason Hardware - Web-Site Administrator

I am a software engineer for a regional water company developing automated systems. My mum suffered with TN for over seven years and seeing her have to deal with the pain and suffering will be indelibly etched into my memories. The TNA UK provided her with support, friendship and advice. Thankfully mum underwent a successful MVD procedure and is pain free. She is currently having a renaissance in her life. I live a contented life in the country surrounded by my wife, my 16 year old son, my newborn daughter and two dogs.

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