Jean supports two charities through fund raising and by raising awareness of these conditions.

Details are provided below:

Trigeminal Neuralgia Association

TN is an extremely severe facial pain that tends to come and go unpredictably in sudden shock-like attacks. The pain is often described as stabbing, shooting, excruciating, burning, extremely strong. The pain usually lasts for a few seconds, but there can be many bursts of pain in quick succession. It is a chronic disorder of the trigeminal nerve (or fifth cranial nerve) and affects about 8 people in 100,000.

There are two trigeminal nerves, one on each side of the face. They both have three branches or divisions (hence “tri…”). The first (Opthalmic) runs across the forehead and eye, the second (Maxillary) through the cheek, upper jaw, teeth and nose, and the third (Mandibular) through the lower jaw and teeth.

The aims of the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK are to provide information and offer support to members, and to raise awareness of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) amongst medical professionals as well as the general public. Above all, they provide hope and encouragement for patients who can feel isolated and depressed as a result of this excruciatingly painful condition.

For further information visit the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK website - www.tna.org.uk

Ménières Society - Helping people with dizziness and balance disorders

Ménière's disease (MD) is a disease of the inner ear. The Ménière's Society provides information and support to people affected by vestibular (inner ear) disorders causing dizziness and imbalance.

The inner ear is composed of the organ of balance (semicircular canals) and the organ of hearing (the cochlea). Ménière's disease is a long term, progressive disease which damages both the balance and hearing parts of the inner ear. The main symptoms of the disease are vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss.

It can occur at all ages, and most frequently starts between ages of 20 and 50 years. About 7-10 per cent have a family history of the disease. It affects both sexes equally.

Initially the disease usually affects one ear, but 15% of people have both ears affected at the start of symptoms. As the disease progresses, up to 50% will develop the disease in both ears. The cause is unknown but many factors are probably involved in the development of the disease.

If you have this condition, the Ménière's Society (UK) can help by providing information and support. The Ménière's Society was founded in 1984, acquired charitable status in 1987 and membership now stands at over 5,500.

For further information visit the Menieres Society website - www.menieres.org.uk