Officially Closing This Petition

Dear friends,

I regret to inform you that, after much consideration, I have decided to officially close this petition.

Despite my efforts to raise awareness of TMJD and the difficulties people can face when seeking appropriate assessment, treatment and support, the petition has attracted just 1,666 signatures.

Out of a UK population of approximately 72 million people, I find that figure genuinely difficult to believe. Given the number of people who may be affected by jaw disorders, chronic pain and problems following dental or orthodontic treatment, I had hoped for considerably more interest and support.

I recognise that not everyone will have seen this petition, and that signing one is not the only way to support a cause. Nevertheless, I cannot keep pushing something forward indefinitely when the response has fallen so far short of what I had hoped for. I have raised these concerns with relevant organisations and explored opportunities to bring the issue to wider attention, but I have reached the point where I feel I need to draw a line under this particular effort.

Frankly, I am disappointed. If people genuinely want to see improvements in how TMJD is recognised, assessed and managed, then awareness alone is not enough. People need to get involved, speak up, share their experiences and support efforts to bring about change. It cannot always be left to a handful of individuals to do the work while everyone else watches from the sidelines.

I am not suggesting that the number of signatures proves how many people are affected, nor that everyone who cares about this issue must support a petition. But meaningful change requires people to take some part in the process, in whatever way they realistically can.

For now, I am officially closing this petition and stepping back from this particular campaign. That does not mean I no longer care about the issue or that I believe the concerns raised were unimportant. It means I am no longer willing to keep investing my time and energy in an effort that has not received the level of engagement I had hoped it would.

If you would like to get in touch, share your experiences or discuss these issues further, you know where to find me. You can contact me by email at lawrence__williams@hotmail.com. 

Thank you to the 1,666 people who took the time to sign the petition. I appreciate your support, even if the overall response has left me somewhat disappointed.