The first photo was taken this time last year when I was in the darkest place I’ve ever been in. My body had completely given up on me, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, and I could barely walk. I burst into tears every day because I just couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. My chronic illness had completely taken over my life for the past two years, I was in pain all the time from my joints constantly dislocating and I was so fatigued, most of the time, I could barely talk. Because of this, I developed severe mental issues, most of which I’m still dealing with to this day.
It was one thing after another until I found the fibro guy’s hypermobility rehabilitation programme online, suggested to me by a relative. The NHS couldn’t do anything for me, so by this point, I was desperate and thank god for that. Almost immediately after starting the course, I saw improvements almost right away. Through lockdown, Jonny and I, at the Edinburgh studio, worked and worked and worked and thanks to him I graduated from the program in August. Since then, my quality of life has improved massively, I could go back to gymnastics, I started college, I went to concerts and I’ve never been happier.
The second picture was taken on my birthday and for one of the first times since March 2019, my smile is genuine. I didn’t take that picture then have to sit down for 20 minutes because I was so tired, after taking this pic, I went out and enjoyed life. I could never have gotten anywhere near the place I’m at now without the massive support from my family and friends, and I’m eternally grateful for that.
If anyone struggling with a fatigue-based illness, chronic pain or unstable joints, I cannot recommend reaching out to the team enough!