MGA News May 1997

I may be preaching to the converted, but perhaps a few useful hints on using Local (or National) Radio might be of interest to any group who have not tried this medium yet.

To those who have, this may seem like old hat, but speaking to someone recently I got the impression that a panic sets in if thinking of trying Radio for fear of making a hash of it or even worse, a fool of oneself. Never fear, the microphone can be a friend believe me. From the number of tapes they have at HQ of me doing my bit, we know it can be done. I have just managed to get in a pre ‘Casualty’ plug for MG and our open meeting on the day after the TV programme (pity it was not as strong as we had hoped). From my broadcast we had four enquiries which was encouraging. I also had a very tricky MG versus ME stint which needed a lot of research.

I have found Local Radio to be very receptive to suggestions and requests to go on air provided there is a regional ‘hook’, an event-fund raiser or awareness theme etc to attract their interest. Apart from general programmes where the spur of the moment phone-in can be used, most stations have a medical slot often discussing rare conditions, why not MG!? Perhaps their listeners could be interested?

Whenever the chance to try my luck occurs I always ring up the station (in our area BBC Southern Counties) and find out the name of the producer or who is doing the programme planning for that week and try to have a chat explaining why a little bit of exposure on air could be of interest, or discuss the merits of some event planned. Obviously one has to do a bit of a ‘sales’ job on them but it usually works. I then send them a minimum amount of useful information (too much and they would not have time to read it) enough to prime the presenter with the basic condition and facts. I usually highlight symptoms, work of the MGA and Support groups plus difficulties in diagnosis and the rareness of the disease. So far I have been very lucky in getting air time.

Find one of your group with the courage to have a go - preferably a Myasthenic. Most interviews take place on the phone but can be in a studio near by as in my case.

Try to get as much peace in the house if on phone. Prepare your basic reasons for wanting to talk (on paper) have leaflets with symptoms - numbers of sufferers in area and nationally - help lines - success stories - work of local group and MGA and research etc AND if possible stress quality of life can be much improved. I also always try to get the problem of diagnosis in somewhere and make a point of

‘if in doubt go and insist your GP considers MG and gets you tested’.

Most radio interviews only last five or ten minutes if you are lucky so one has to have as much information at your fingertips in case you are asked. If you can get in 50% of what you wanted to say that is not bad. You can get dealt a question off the bottom of the pack which can throw one, either way try to imagine you are chatting to a friend, be yourself and don’t panic when you have done it once you will be a lot more confident the next time. Give it a go, it can be fun, you are a star for five minutes and in no matter how small a way you will have helped to get the MG message across. Even if one person picks up on it then it was worth the effort. Try to get it taped for your records (and moment of fame!?). Should a Group want a copy of some of our tapes as a guide as to what to expect, our Historian Denise Honeyball could do one if you send a tape and something to cover postage to East Sussex Support Group at:

57 Iveagh Crescent,
Newhaven,
East Sussex
BN9 OGR.

MGA NEWS May 1997

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