Hi, my name is Peter.

I am living with a benign brain tumour called a trigeminal schwannoma. Although the tumour is non-cancerous, the effects it has had on my nervous system, mobility, independence and ability to work have been life-changing.

My tumour affects the trigeminal nerve, and I now live with severe facial pain, frequent headaches, vision impairment and intense facial spasms. I also have weakness and muscle wastage on the left side of my face, including weakness in my jaw, which can make speaking, eating and carrying out normal everyday activities difficult and exhausting.

My neurological symptoms have also progressed beyond anything I expected.

I experience non-epileptic seizures and have lost much of the sensation in my left arm and left leg. Although I am still able to move them, not being able to properly feel them creates significant difficulties with balance, coordination and safety.

My mobility has declined to the point where I now rely on a walking stick to help me get around safely.

Living with chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, seizures, sensory loss, weakness and vision problems means that my condition can be extremely unpredictable. Unfortunately, this has made continuing in traditional employment unrealistic and unsafe.

Why I Am Fundraising

One of the hardest parts of becoming unwell has been losing the ability to support myself in the way I once could.

I don't want to give up on working or building a future for myself.

Instead, I am trying to adapt.

My goal is to build a sustainable way of earning an income from home through streaming, YouTube and online content creation Working from home would allow me to manage my symptoms, take breaks when necessary and continue building something productive without placing myself in the same physical situation that conventional employment would require.

For me, this isn't simply about buying equipment for a hobby. It is about creating an accessible way for me to work, remain independent and rebuild some financial stability despite my condition.

## What Your Support Will Help With

Money raised through this fundraiser will help me create a safe and accessible home environment, including:

- Essential streaming and content-creation equipment

- A suitable computer and equipment for recording, editing and producing content

- A sit-to-stand desk so I can regularly change position and reduce physical strain

- An ergonomic workstation adapted around my mobility and neurological difficulties

- An adjustable electric bed to make getting in and out of bed safer and easier

- Other accessibility equipment that helps me remain as independent as possible

- Basic living expenses and financial stability while I undergo medical care, treatment and recovery

These adaptations would give me the opportunity to work around my limitations rather than allowing them to completely determine my future.

## Why This Means So Much to Me

I want to be completely transparent about my situation.

My tumour is classified as benign, and I would never want to suggest otherwise. But **benign does not mean harmless**.

The neurological effects I experience every day have significantly affected my mobility, independence, health and ability to work.

There are days when pain, spasms, headaches, fatigue or neurological symptoms make even ordinary tasks difficult. The uncertainty of not knowing how I will feel from one day to the next has changed almost every part of my life.

What I am trying to do now is adapt to that reality.

I want to create a home environment where I can function more safely, maintain as much independence as possible and build a way of supporting myself that works around my condition rather than against it.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, will help me move closer to that goal.

And if you aren't in a position to donate, **sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me.** Reaching more people could make an enormous difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for sharing it, and for any support you are able to give.

It genuinely means more than I can put into words.

Thank you,

Peter