Empower Lives, Transform Narratives: Support The Lyme Museum

Angela Stienne is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello friends and supporters,

My name is Angela, and I am a Paris-based museum historian, author, and storyteller specializing in museum ethics.

I am the proud founder of The Lyme Museum (www.thelymemuseum.org), the world’s first virtual museum dedicated to the lived experiences of invisible illnesses and disabilities. At The Lyme Museum, we challenge traditional narratives and foster understanding by turning everyday objects into powerful symbols of resilience and identity. Our inaugural exhibition, 'The Materiality of Invisibility,' has already touched countless lives and sparked important conversations.

Our mission extends beyond the digital walls of our museum. We have partnered with hospitals and universities as well as private org to train staff on the lived experiences of invisible illnesses, hosted impactful in-person exhibitions, and provided consulting services for places like the National Trust in the UK. Our innovative approach has been recognized with awards such as the 2023 University of Leicester’s Dr. Mark Sims Memorial Award for Public Service. Additionally, we have been featured in the Museum Association Magazine as the museum to visit!!

Now, we need your help to take our mission further. We are launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise 3,000 euros to support our ongoing efforts to promote accessibility and inclusion. This fundraiser is especially meaningful as it coincides with my 33rd birthday next week. As someone living with two chronic illnesses, celebrating another year is a miracle, and I want to use my time on earth to make a difference.

Here's how your contribution can make an impact:

Expand Our Volunteer Program: We currently have a team of 9 volunteers across 7 countries who are undergoing a unique training program focused on access and inclusion. Your support will help us provide them with the resources and tools they need to become the disability leaders of tomorrow.

Cover Operating Costs: Although we are all volunteers, running The Lyme Museum incurs significant costs. These include:

Website hosting fees

Subscription fees for essential editing apps

Zoom membership costs for virtual meetings and training

Purchasing books and materials for our volunteers' education and development

Expenses for our next in-person exhibition (printing, flyers, exhibition design cost, mounting etc)

Enhance Digital Accessibility: We are committed to making our entire Instagram and website fully accessible, ensuring that everyone can engage with our content seamlessly. Your donation will enable us to implement these crucial accessibility features.

Develop New Exhibitions: With your help, we can continue to create powerful exhibitions that highlight the lived experiences of invisible illnesses and disabilities, fostering greater understanding and empathy.

Community Engagement: Your support will allow us to deepen our community and stakeholder relationships, ensuring that The Lyme Museum remains a beacon of inclusivity and a hub for public engagement.

Join us in our mission to empower lives and transform narratives. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Thank you for your support.

Angela