Party held for children with facial palsy

Children with facial palsy met with others who share their condition at a special party held for them by clinicians from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).

Hosted at Ronald McDonald House Oxford, based on the John Radcliffe Hospital site, five children aged between five and 10 and their parents enjoyed games and activities as they discussed and shared their personal experiences of facial palsy.

Facial palsy is weakness of the facial muscles after temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve. When a facial nerve does not work, or is missing, the muscles of the face do not receive the signals to function properly. This results in the paralysis of the muscles of the face, which can impact movement of the eyes, mouth, and other areas.

Many children with facial palsy have never met another child with facial paralysis.

This was an opportunity for them to talk about their faces and learn about their emotions, and how to express themselves with their whole bodies. This is important when children might have partial facial movement, and might have a small, different, or absent smile.

Parent Victoria Magowan, whose nine-year-old son Jordi attended, said: "It was wonderful to attend this event, and it was great to chat to other parents in person and share our stories of our journeys with children and facial palsy, each one unique.

"The staff were incredible – they were so friendly and welcoming and full of advice for both parents and kids. It really was a worthwhile afternoon.

"Jordi said that he was glad we went as he was able to meet other children with facial palsy. Until now he had felt like he was the only one."

Madeleine Judd also attended with her daughter Fleur, six, and said: "The biggest impact of the day on me was meeting other mums who have had similar experiences and emotions about having a child with facial palsy.

"Fleur enjoyed meeting and playing with the other children, and seeing other kids with similar smiles was a positive experience."

Seven-year-old Mia also enjoyed meeting other children. Her mother, Sian Berry, said: "This was an absolutely amazing experience for both Mia and me. She loved it so much, and I am so proud of her. I have never seen the confidence in Mia that I did that day – it was fantastic.

"It was also a wonderful opportunity to chat with other parents and to feel so involved. It was a brilliant experience, and we are hoping we will get the chance to go again."

Sarah Kilcoyne, Principal Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at OUH, said: "The Children’s Facial Palsy Party is the highlight of my year as a clinician. It is a pleasure to meet with children and families in a non-clinical environment and encourage them to be confident to express themselves and talk about their faces.

"Thank you to Ronald McDonald House Oxford for supporting this party day, and giving children a friendly and fun space to meet that is not a hospital clinic room."

The first party day was held in 2016, but this was the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic. This will now return as a yearly event.

Kelly Gillet, Deputy House Manager at Ronald McDonald House Oxford, said: "We are very lucky to have a beautiful, convivial Day Room in the House, and it was our pleasure to lend this space to children affected by facial palsy and their families for this special event.

"It was wonderful to see the young people having such a lovely time together and their parents bonding through shared experiences. We hope to welcome them back to the House again soon."

Food and decorations were kindly provided by Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The Oxford Facial Palsy clinic, run by OUH at the John Radcliffe Hospital, is one of the few centres in the country that provides a service to children and adults with facial palsy.

The clinical team includes plastic, reconstructive, and eye plastic surgeons, as well as facial rehabilitation and clinical psychology specialists, who all work together to help children and adults with the physical and psychological impact of facial palsy.