As members of a social group we were asked if we would make a presentation at a conference to improve all aspects of the NHS and also to relate the NHS to our personal circumstances . Eventually it came down to three of us to fill a 30 minute slot . I will admit that apart from making a speech at my daughters wedding I haven't done any public speaking at all. Carole had prepared an intro another member who was into transition and on hormones and myself who had counselling through the NHS .
The lecture theatre wasn't quite full but when we walked in I did think Oh **** what have we let ourselves in for . Our slot was after mid morning coffee so when the chair lady announced us and we filed towards the rostrum my mind had gone a complete blank, Carole did the intro the second member read her story from a script , as I listened my mind was empty then Teresa was asked to speak . So no notes or script I stepped from behind the rostrum and approached the delegates , I broke the ice by saying how scary it was to stand in front of a group dressed as I was and then added it may be equally scary for them looking at me . So then I just flowed into my story and experiences involving the NHS, before I knew it Carole was having to step in to finish our time slot with her closing lines . We had a really good questions session and were well applauded back to our seats .
I know the other two were concerned knowing I hadn't prepared anything , I was sacred in those few moments when my brain felt totally empty !
I felt so proud of all three of us , we were worried that we would never fill the slot instead we received some very nice comments and the great and most important aspect is we put the TG community a little more into the open and to the right audience because that is where most of us seek our help from .