Laura Hickman has kindly given me permission to post the press release that she used to publicise her plinth event. Although the date has since passed, there is still a lot of useful information within it.

Press Release 21st July 2009

Laura Hickman wins August place in Antony Gormley’s One & Other for Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square

Laura from Rhondda Cynon Taff is one of the 2,400 people selected to make an exhibition of herself on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square this summer.

Laura, 29,is one of the first group of 1000 participants for celebrated artist Antony Gormley’s One & Other project. 1000 ordinary people have been selected at random from more than 15,000 applicants across the UK to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in August.

Laura is one of 67 participants from Wales who have been chosen for the month of August from the 15,000 applications that have been received to date for the project.

Laura is planning to use her hour on the plinth to raise awareness of Chiari Malformation, a brain condition she was diagnosed with at the age of 19. She has sponsorship from The Chiari Center Foundation in Chicago and through involvement in this project has been offered help with funding for further investigation into her own symptoms.
Laura’s mother also has Chiari Malformation and the day she takes to the plinth (August 15th 2009) will be the 20th anniversary of her mother’s surgery for the same condition.

Laura will spend her hour writing postcards to friends across the UK and USA who are affected by Chiari, there will also be a group of ‘Chiarians’ in Trafalgar Square to give support and help raise awareness.

Laura hopes not only to raise awareness amongst people who have never heard of the condition but that this will also be an opportunity for fellow Chiarians to find other sufferers and get the support that they need.

Laura will be on the plinth on Saturday, August 15th 2009 from 11am-12noon.

Chiari Malformation
(Kee-AR-ee)
The Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the lower part of the brain called the cerebellum. There are several different forms. The most common type is the Chiari I malformation (CM) which this article addresses. Less commonly, it may be known as Arnold-Chiari malformation, tonsillar herniation or tonsillar ectopia. Most cases of Chiari are congenital, meaning they are present from birth.
In normal anatomy, the cerebellar tonsils are located just above this line called the foramen magnum. But in an individual with Chiari, the tonsils hang below the line (herniate) into the spinal canal. The degree to which the tonsils extend can vary tremendously.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of Chiari malformation is a headache, which begins at the back of the head (neck) and radiates upward. The pain is often made worse or can be brought on by coughing, sneezing or straining. These activities are known as valsalva maneuvers.
Visual problems such as nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), double or blurred vision may occur. Balance difficulties, vertigo and dizziness also may be present. Some people may have cranial nerve compression. This can result in apnea (cessation of breathing), gagging, swallowing difficulties, facial numbness or syncope (temporary loss of consciousness).
Patients may have muscle weakness, particularly in the upper extremities, coordination problems, and gait abnormalities. Imaging of the spine may reveal a fluid collection inside of the spinal cord, known as a syrinx. Some individuals may have hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

The project, which is commissioned by the Mayor of London with funds from the Arts Council, and produced in partnership with Sky Arts, will see a different person take their place on the Fourth Plinth every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days. It will run from Monday 6th July until 14th October 2009. Applications are still open and can be made at www.oneandother.co.uk. All applications for the remaining two draws have an equal chance of success within each region, whether old or new.

Contact Laura Hickman by email at laura.hickman@sky.com
Laura’s profile can be accessed at www.chiaricenter.org/fourthplinth

Visit www.oneandother.co.uk for more information about the project and to register.

For further media information, please contact emily@ideageneration.co.uk or by telephone on 0207 749 6853.

Having just spoken to Laura she told me that "It was a brilliant day and I would do it again tomorrow!"

Laura continues in her work to raise awareness of Arnold Chiari Malformation, and I am sure she will build upon the awesome results that she has achieved to date!

If you feel that you can help out in any way then please contact her.