Children with facial palsy have met with others who have the condition at a party organised by clinicians from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).
Five children aged between five and 10 enjoyed games and activities as they shared their experiences of facial palsy, a condition characterised by weakness of the facial muscles resulting from damage to the facial nerve.
The gathering was hosted at Ronald McDonald House Oxford, situated on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.
It was an opportunity for these children to discuss and learn how to express themselves using their whole body, particularly important given those with the condition may have partial facial movement, and might have a small, different or absent smile.
Parent Victoria Magowan, whose nine-year-old son Jordi was in attendance, said: "It was wonderful to attend this event, and it was great to chat to other parents in person and share our stories of our journeys with children and facial palsy, each one unique.
"Jordi said that he was glad we went as he was able to meet other children with facial palsy. Until now he had felt like he was the only one."
Madeleine Judd, who attended with her six-year-old daughter Fleur, added: "The biggest impact of the day on me was meeting other mums who have had similar experiences and emotions about having a child with facial palsy.
"Fleur enjoyed meeting and playing with the other children, and seeing other kids with similar smiles was a positive experience."
The first party day was held in 2016, but this year's was the first since the pandemic. It will now return as a yearly event.
Seven-year-old Mia's mother, Sian Berry, said it was an "absolutely amazing experience" for her and her daughter.
She added: "I have never seen the confidence in Mia that I did that day - it was fantastic. She loved it so much, and I am so proud of her."
Sarah Kilcoyne, principal specialist speech and language therapist at OUH, said the party is the "highlight of my year", and it was a "pleasure" to meet the children and their families in a non-clinical environment.
The Oxford Facial Palsy clinic, run by OUH at the John Radcliffe Hospital, is one of the few centres in the country that provides a service to children and adults with facial palsy.
The clinical team includes plastic, reconstructive and eye plastic surgeons, as well as facial rehabilitation and clinical psychology specialists, who all work together to help children and adults with the physical and psychological impact of facial palsy.
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