I never thought I would have to write this, or indeed have a chance to write this as I believed there was no hope for me available. But with medical advancements, new insights and new understandings, through access to the right doctors there is now hope for me to have a healthy life, free from pain and fatigue.

My Story:

From the age of 13 I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) which left me bed bound for a couple of years and unable to continue at school or have the life I could have. Though my symptoms eased and I have acheived many things I thought I wouldn't, I still suffer with fatigue on a daily basis, unable to hold my children at times and often living with pain in my body. On top of that, I have been increasingly unable to tolerate food groups, limiting my ability to eat and maintain my weight. I have been told by NHS doctors that there is nothing that can be done and to just not eat the foods that make me ill and for many years I have accepted this. However, I now know that there is help and support available and I am determined to seek as much help as I possibly can.

Why I am seeking help:

Many people see that I am raising a young family with 3 children, working and enjoying some social engagements. But they do not see the pain I suffer and the constant battle for having to rest. A day of activities means 2 or more days of struggling to be upright and functioning. I cannot easily play with my children because I have to conserve energy for school runs or work. I am always cold and struggle to regulate my temperature which causes me more pain and stops me being outside with my family. At times, others have to cut up my food because I do not have the energy to do it and then eat it, or because the pain in my hands is too much. I am unable to go out for meals and struggle to eat with my family due to not being able to eat the foods they do. I spend my days "covering up" my pain and struggles and hide all the food difficulties so that my family and friends still get to go out and enjoy meals with others. This is not life, this is only surviving and I want to be able to change things now whilst my children are young.

What the money is for:

I am raising money to access private healthcare with specialists who treat cellular health and how the body is functioning, rather than individual conditions or ailments. Their work has seen many people healed of chronic fatigue, digestive problems and even cancer using the body's own healing mechanisms and pathways. The money raised would allow me access to the specialists and to be placed on a 4-6 month programme in order to receive the help I need.

I believe this is currently my only hope of help through medical channels and I would love to think that I could heal and enjoy the next 40+ years without pain and restrictions in life and for my children to grow up with their mum around them, joining in with family life.

Thank you,

Amy xx