Penny Biggs

 Hi I’m Penny ~ Married to James

We live in a village called Pyrford in Surrey near Woking, we are the Parents of twins ( boy / girl so non identical)  Jack & Olivia who are 14 years. Jack who has 22q & was diagnosed with 22q ( 22q 11.2 deletion/ di George syndrome / vcfs ) at age 9 months old, we were  given a Max Appeal card then by Muruel Mcentarget  his Geneticist. 

 We then found that we were not alone & we had  an extended family our 22q family.

I feel passionate about empowering, informing, encouraging & helping  22q families and children & young people be the best they can be. To fulfill their potential & see their light & parents be informed so they can  be armed & confident to help their 22q superstars like everyone  at Max Appeal. 

I have always been eager to be as informed as possible & part of the 22q family & events to help  Jack as much as we could. Our first Max Appeal meet up was in the lake district camping weekend when  our 2 were babies . The first conference I attended was in London led by  Max Appeal where I learnt so much &  international conference in Birmingham , the 22q Ireland  Dublin conference as part of our holiday & we have  always loved over the years the 22q at the zoo days. 

Jack has had a lot of hospital stays & surgeries since tiny at GOSH like so many families  which  has helped Jack be the amazing  superstar he is today.

 I am thrilled to now be on the Amazing Max Appeal  team & so thankful to Julie & Paul in all they do for us all connecting to the wider 22q family & campaigning.

I was honoured to be part of the Max Appeal campaign for the 22q consensus at Parliament a few years ago. 

This last year since covid even though apart we have become even  more connected helping each other  through via various fun zoom sessions . Baking.  Quiz nights . Mens virtual pub. Ladies night . Afternoon tea and evening drop ins to help with any concerns. 

 I am excited to help our children, young people & families to connect & feel empowered as part of the Max Appeal team