Laura Hickman in the Times Newspaper (4th Plinth Trafalgar Square)
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 12:40 | 
Chris 
Laura Hickman managed to get even more publicity for Chiari Malformation Awareness project as the Antony Gormley One and Other project on the 4th Plinth at Trafalgar Square closes amid cries of a great success.
Laura is mentioned in a round up by The Times newspaper as one of the best Plinther's.
Laura Hickman: "held up placards carrying the words of 30 sufferers of rare brain condition Chiari Malformation. Has since persuaded the NHS to recognise the condition, started work for Chicago's Chiari Centre Foundation, and plans to open a UK branch of the charity"
But the project's many legacies extend beyond mere art. Laura Hickman , 29, from Cardiff, who took her turn at 11am on August 15, has been inspired to found the first UK charity devoted to sufferers of a rare condition called Chiari Malformation, where the base of the brain presses on the spinal cord causing numbness, headaches, vision problems and loss of balance.
"I was petrified before I got up on the plinth, but since there has been this snowballing of awareness about Chiari Malformation, it has spurred people on to recognise it and keep working at it," said Laura. She reveals proudly that the NHS is now going to give official recognition to the condition for the first time.
Although not the first UK charity to support Chiari Malformation, she has taken an idea forward and tells me that she has managed to get NHS Direct and the NHS Choices website to improve their information from the poor level they have now to a much higher profile.
She has achieved so much more in a short period of time with regards to awareness in the UK, than that of the more established charity (Ann Conroy Trust) has ever seemed to have done.
Laura had also managed to get herself on TV on the Sky Arts channel rounding up the One & Other arts project repeated on Sky 1 at different times of the week being interviewed by Sky on her plinth experience.
Well done Laura!
Other Links that you might find interesting:
My Own Brief Story
Early detection of Chiari and Syringomyelia in the womb?
NHS Choices News...
How to contact me? Why should you join us?
A Quick "What is Chiari and Syringomyelia?"
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I was slightly mis-quoted in the Times but can't complain, getting 'Chiari Malformation' in two articles is great, although I'm not sure I should have been included amongst the best plinthers I'm glad my hour has a legacy that will live on beyond the project.
To clarify what I actually said to the reporter, when she says the NHS now recognise Chiari, I was talking about Chiari being added to the NHS Choices directory. She was also aware that there are UK charities that support Chiari sufferers but that this will be the first dedicated solely to Chiari Malformation.
I was also featured on the final One & Other programme on SkyArts 1, I'm hoping this will be repeated on its usual repeat slots on Sky One so that it reaches a bigger audience. The more we can get the words 'Chiari Malformation' out there the better!
Laura (who forgot to log in!) :)
Yeah, remember to sign in lol!
I expected that you were mis-quoted, don't take it to heart and yes you can't complain really as they don't understand the complexities and details. Although in a blog where it is going to exist and keep its integrity it has to be pointed out.
You have every right to be included in the "top plinthers" because your energy and dedication has shone through enough to be warranted with your legacy. Feel proud and have recognition for your achievements.
I did mention in the blog that you have achieved far more than the "other" charity.......they are also dedicated to Chiari but have not achieved anything remotely to what you have achieved in such a short time.
I did actually see the programme on Thursday night on Sky Arts 1.....but did not see you on it!
I agree...the main object is to raise awareness of Chiari!
Have you noticed also that this blog ranks very highly on Google for your 4th Plinth endeavours? Infact under direct search terms this blog has the top 2 spots?
We need to hook up and do an interview slot......we need to take advantage of the google rank and push it even further?
let me know what you think?
Well done again Laura!
Catch you soon
Its unforunate that the reporter took so much information down yet I was misquoted in both articles in just a few lines, my GP said she had seen them and I was quick to point out that wasn't what I'd said about the NHS!
Which show did you watch? I was wandering about in the live show but my interview was on the one recorded later in the day. I do have a copy of it which I'll try and get uploaded sometime this week, they sent me the wrong episode of the other show I was on but I will try and get a copy of that along with my audio interview and photo shoot too.
Theres also a book in the pipeline and another docu to come, I'll let you know as and when I hear anything!
I have noticed how high up it is in the search results, I was surprised when I googled myself at just how many posts come up! A neuroscientist has posted a few bits on his blog too so theres quite a few pages out there, much more than I thought!
I'll try and get everything updated asap, Im a bit snowed under atm and the ol' brain isnt being too co-operative but I'm getting there :)
Laura
Oh PS you know what I mean about 'the others' no offence to them ;)
Hey Laura
Thanks for signing in this time ;) lol
The one I saw was where you were leaning against the wall....saw it last Sunday in the afternoon on Sky Arts 1.
I heard about the book, brilliant news and there is going to be a permanent record of the project stored somewhere I believe. You are part of history now lol!
Don't worry Journalists misquote everyone....something I may have to get used to as I have pushed a few press releases out about the blog etc and to my local ones about my own situation. I will probably say something about awareness and the plinth if thats ok, so if you want to send me an official (post plinth) release, then that would be awesome.
I got NHS Choices to admit that they have Chiari and SM on their list for the new year.....I didn't want to ask them directly, but instead bated them a little on twitter. The came back withthe answer unpromted so they must be taking it seriously....woohoo good work there Laura.
Next stop is the DWP!
Anyway, I hope you get a good day soon enough, but remember that sleep is the best thing for us sometimes ;)
TC
Chris