Guest Merel; choir master for the Long Covid kids choir

My guest today is Merel who is the choir master for the Long Covid Kids Choir. <br/>Merel talks about children with long covid and how they lack support and understanding from the wider society. Merel who lives with Long Covid herself wanted to find a way to support children with Long Covid, she contacted Long Covid Kids Charity to find out how she may be able to help and thereafter the Long Covid choir began. <br/>Merel explains how the children find a social element to the choir with peer to peer support, creating a social circle that the children can express themselves in and feel safe and understood. <br/>We also practice a breathing exercise (please join in with us, it is very therapeutic!). <br/>Merel and I discuss her own journey with Long Covid and the impact this journey has on all elements of life, Merel explains how gaslighting has caused a stigma and psychologising of people living with Long Covid and that she has taken comfort in her own part of the Long Covid kids choir. <br/>Children with Long Covid need recognising and have their voices heard, having the choir is a great platform for this, we decide during the podcast the children should aim to be Christmas number 1 and I hope the whole Long Covid community would support making this happen! This is a great episode and I hope to raise more awareness of children, their siblings and parents who are living with long covid. <br/>If you would like to know more about the choir or to join click on the link below. <br/>As always, one day at a time and please take care.<br/><br/>Links from todays episode: <br/>https://twitter.com/@LCKChoir2022<br/>https://www.longcovidkids.org/team/merel-van-der-knoop  <br/>https://twitter.com/@merelpianist <br/>https://twitter.com/@LongCovidKids <br/>https://www.instagram.com/@merelsmusicroom <br/>Choir videos <br/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt7gtBf3Uco<br/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtMyrSZyTSsMy Links:<br/>https://linktr.ee/joulest<br/>https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536<br/>https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/<br/>https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545<br/>https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v<br/>https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner<br/>https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner <br/>https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website<br/>Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information