Amy came to me back in 2017, she found my support group online. She was broken, broken by these debilitating conditions and symptoms engulfing her life. She was very depressed and suicidal, something many of us might experience when these conditions take hold and get severely chronic. She was not in a good place, I felt for her so much as she reminded me of when I was at my worst between 2013/15.
Tag: support
Live to inspire, and one day people will say, because of you, I didn’t give up….
I meet so many people through social media, lots of inspirational, brave individuals. People suffering from debilitating conditions, trying to get through each day as best they can. People contact me at the start of their healing journeys, middle or when they have got better, some people keep me updated years after with how they are getting on, which is lovely. What is really touching is the fact they contact me in the first place, reaching out to thank me, to ask me questions etc, its actually a brave thing to do as you are opening up to a stranger.
I had a lovely message the other day from Jake, who I had never spoken to before. He sent me this message.
Believe in yourself & you will be unstoppable…
I remember the very day back in May 2017 when Laura contacted me and its a day I will never forget. A little voice, in utter despair, did not know which way to turn, what to do about her symptoms, how to get better how to manage them. Her mental health was very much affected…
Me and My MS – Julie’s Story
During the time I was getting diagnosed and having treatment for my vestibular issues I discovered some other symptoms that concerned me. They were feelings of skin numbness, altered sensation on my right hip. I also had tingling and buzzing down my legs and fatigue. My Mum had MS and was finally diagnosed in 1997 after having years of symptoms. With that knowledge I visited my GP and subsequently had an mri and saw a neurologist who diagnosed me with MS in June 2018.
The face behind the mask
I am honoured to know so many brave and courageous people. I decided to be brave myself and share my story back in 2017 to help others and raise awareness, since doing so I have met some incredible people on my journey. So many posts and messages I receive every day touch my dizzy heart so deeply, this message I received this week really did hit home and I wanted to share it with you (I have had permission to do so by the author) .
Never too busy for ME time!
I have heard so many excuses over the years about why people cannot dedicate just 10 minutes of ME time a day and I used to be one of them! “I am too buys with work, I am too busy with the kids, my calendar is chocker, I am too tired, my symptoms are too bad, I do not know how to do it” and many more excuses!
You’ve got this 💪
Over the last 10 years from suffering from chronic illness I have had many many attacks. Panic attack, vertigo attacks, dizzy attacks etc. I have had attacks in all sorts of places, from Hairdressers, restaurants, shops, hospitals, on buses, in cars to walks in woods, in my house, at other peoples houses and numerous other venues! Some of the attacks, people would have no idea were happening, I have managed to keep them silent but suffered inside. However some have been quite visual eg my mum has caught me from falling to the floor quite a few times, my sister stopped me from impaling my head on a corner of a walk as she caught me just in time as I yelled out! etc
Dry January!? Try 6 years being alcohol free! Best thing I ever did!
If you would have told me 11 years ago before I got ill, that I would be alcohol free from 2013 forever, I would have never ever believed you! Pre-illness and in fact pre-children, I was a big drinker! The party animal in fact! Out of all my friends, I was the one that probably would drink them under the table….
You couldn’t make this S**t up!
9 Years ago I fell ill and I have to say one of the most frustrating things about suffering from invisible illnesses is the fact you look and act ok so people assume you are ok inside. Of course, if I was in their shoes, I would think exactly the same thing! If a person looks ok then its hard to believe that they are not ok.
Chronic Invisible Illness – A Mothers Perspective – 2 Years on….
My lovely mum wrote a blog 2 years ago in June 2017. As its Mothers Day it seemed perfect timing to give an update 2 years on from her original post. So she has once again put pen to paper and written the below, which I cried over when I read it! It is so lovely to get someone else’s perspective as an onlooker, as with these conditions you do feel rather lonely and feel its your own battle. I am still waiting for my husband to write his blog, he has promised to do one, one day I hope to share this with you.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, What does it mean to you? To me, its not just about Women’s rights, equality and celebrating achievements. Its much more, its about strong women and women supporting other women instead of bringing them down. Women inspiring others, giving them hope, being their for others.
Self belief….
Over the years I have had an issue with self esteem and self belief. I think when you are chronically ill you can get into the mindset of being a non believer. Thinking that nothing is possible. Even trips down to the local shop to get some milk and bread are a big task! A…
Love and Hate relationship with Meditation….
Before I got ill in 2010, I had no clue about meditation. If you had asked me what it was back then, I would have shown you a blank bemused face, and said “someone cross legged on the floor with the two fingers together humming?”. I had no idea that I would be getting into…
Testing day! And my journey up to now…in brief!
So today was the day I popped back to Royal Surrey County Hospital Audiology (my second home!) for testing. I was going for two reasons, one to have a VEMP test (will explain what that is in a moment!) and the second was to have a positional test done (for BPPV). The last time I…
You are in control….
Whilst I sit here struggling to stay upright on this seat, due to severe rocking after my recent big vertigo attack on the 20th May, I felt compelled to write a new blog post. Although no doubt writing this will put me in more of a spin, as my main trigger is the computer! However I raise awareness of vestibular conditions and mental illness daily in the hope that I can reach more and more people and educate the uneducated on these debilitating conditions. It is important to me, it is my destiny.
Support……lets go deep
Support….what does it mean? To me support means a multitude of things. We need support throughout our lives for a number of reasons, but when the sh*t really hits the fan, who is there to support you when you need it most?
About my dizzy world and where it all started….and where I am now!
I am a very proud mummy of gorgeous identical twin girls who are nearly 8 years old, they are my world. They are my best friends, my companions, my sanity, my little comedy act, they are my WHY. I am also very happily married to a fantastic man, who has been my rock, my sounding board and my therapist!!