There's more to it...

Last night I spent a wonderful evening with one of our members who had kindly arranged VIP tickets to a show. Her past life had meant she was friends with one of the performers who was kind enough to give us this wonderful treat - something I would of never have thought of attending otherwise.

It was a fantastic evening of dance and song - the last night of a crazy tour of 42 shows over 6 weeks - I was exhausted just watching in awe of the dancers stamina, grace and enthusiasm.

What struck me was without the whole NMC experience I would have never had this experience. Without the trauma and pain I would have been never met this wonderful lady who had her own unique experience, incredibly damaging both personally and professionally and yet she continues to smile and share her kindness to strangers. This is only the second time we have me, the first for the friend I brought with me and yet if felt like we had all known each other for years. As we sang and jiggled, laughed and cavorted for a few hours we forget what brought us together, just enjoyed each other's company and those around us.

As we went to the meet and greet after the show, the kindness shown by the stars of the show and fellow performers was overwhelming, Despite such a long tour, incredibly exhausting performance, I am sure, they greeted everyone as friends who waited for their photos and autographs, making them feel the centre of their attention and important in that moment. We had time with them afterwards, shared a drink and despite the main star of the show being approached by others wanting one more signed photo she took her time, made them all feel important and never once brushed them away or ignored them. Once the crowds had dispersed we had time with her, old friends able to catch up and myself and my guest were introduced as new ones. It was obvious that this was a lady who had her feet firmly on the ground, when not dancing, and her humanity shone through. She was candid and honest but above all so very kind to this old friend she had not seen for a few years due to all that had gone on but gave solid advice to move through " you are not that person" " believe in yourself".

The evening taught me that this ever expanding group is about so much more than joining of traumatic events. It's about people, pure and simple. It's about kindness and caring. It's about making new friends and it's about not being alone. When all the rubbish is brushed aside, the multitude of paperwork boxed up, burnt, loaded to the attic... When the lawyers have gone home and the NMC Panels plan for another case. When the papers have moved onto another story and ex colleagues have stopped gossiping, we have to move forward and remember our NMC experience should not define who we are. Whether celebrity or joe-public, everyone faces their demons and has their tales to tell, no one knows the personal struggles that someone goes through either away from the audiences or away from work.

For those that take the time to find out they will know we are more than what's written on paper. We are more than what those that fail to take time to explore the real person in the centre of it all.

Yes we may have done better... Yes we may have behaved differently if circumstances repeated... Perhaps we would have taken a different path or perhaps we would have done exactly the same...

But we did our best and we did it with the right intensions, we tried...

If you failed to see that then you failed not us. Being a nurse does not mean we are superhuman - being a nurse means we are human, treat us that way.

If you are a nurse or midwife who has been through Fitness to Practice and wishes to share your experience, or perhaps just seek further support please contact us via our facebook page here (NMCWatch: registrants care)

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