Katie's SHINE Project✨

Myself, Harmony & Kylah are walking 300,000 steps each in June (900,000 in total) to raise money for Katie's SHINE project in memory of our best friend Katie Donnelly. We are 3 girls at university who dont get the chance to be as active as we should so this is a massive undertaking for us all, but we know Katie will be with us every step of the way.

Katie had been suffering from BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) when she died suddenly at the Fermanagh and Tyrone Hospital in Omagh last September at the age of 18. Katie was one of a kind. She always knew how to make someone laugh and her smile could light up any room. Katie never failed to stand up for her friends, she never let anyone go through anything on their own.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) also known as Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) makes everything feel unstable, ranging from moods, thinking behaviour, and relationships. Emotions are often heightened when people are triggered leading them to act impulsively by misusing alcohol, overspending, engaging in self harm and acting without thinking of the consequences. Many people with BPD/ EUPD experience intense anger which makes it difficult for them to feel in control. Feelings of abandonment are often expressed and often in these situations the person with BPD/EUPD is more angry at themselves than anyone else. In some cases they do not feel part of an adhesive society and this leads to depression and/or anxiety as well as BPD/EUPD

Katie's SHINE project was set up by Katie's mummy Erin and it aims to educate and advance the awareness all professionals and support groups have in regard to helping a person with BPD/ EUPD cope better and feel understood within their networks when they feel alone, frustrated, undervalued, and angry; feelings that often lead them to behave in ways they have no control over. Indeed there are many misconceptions regarding BPD/ EUPD. The most common being:

It is the long term goal of Katies SHINE project to provide information to professionals and support groups. The aim of this being, when they encounter a person with BPD/EUPD in a rage, angry, or upset they will cope better when they know how to recognise a crisis, and what to do when a crisis occurs.

"Everyone wants to be the Sun to brighten up someone's life. But why not be the moon to shine in their darkest hour"

Forever 18 Katie D

*All money raised will go directly to Katie's SHINE Project*