ME

'M' and 'E' are two perfectly normal letters. Non-threatening.  Just two out of a possible twenty six. Put them together. ME. Me, myself and I. Me. A harmless word. Meaning 'yourself'. A word used everyday. But Add a full stop. A period, in the middle. Separating them, that's when they become dangerous.  And they have the power to change your life forever.  M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

GlamSticks

I was reading my mums Take a Break magazine this afternoon, saw this story and thought I'd share it with you!

'Super Sticks'
"I loved being a teacher and life was always busy. Then I was diagnosed with ME. I had to give up work, and leaving the house was a struggle. When I did, I hated using my dull crutches.
I came across a packet of rhinestones in a drawer and had an idea. I stuck them on my crutches and added glitter. People complimented me on my crutches and it gave me a boost. It got me thinking.
Soon after, a box of crutches was delivered. I painted and varnished them and cover them in crystals. 
Then I set up a company called GlamSticks. Customers came to me, embarrassed to go out with their crutches, and left feeling fashionable and confident. Last year, I won an award for GlamSticks. They've featured in two fashion shows and have been auctioned for charity. I'm proud to be transforming the lives of those with disabilities" 
Debbie Deboo

I thought this was great! Not only do you hardly ever read a story about ME in a magazine but to read a positive story about ME, is just amazing! I think that Debbie is very inspiring and has done really well!! She should be proud of herself! You can follow her on twitter @GlamSticks
Thanks for reading
Love and hugs xxxx

Wheelchairs and hospitals

For the last 4 or 5 months, I've been thinking about hiring a wheelchair from the Red Cross. I think it would help me be able to go out more and enjoy life. Hopefully it would make me more independent! 
At the moment, the only time I go out the house, is to the doctors! About 3 weeks ago I tried to go to Asda but only managed to be in there 20-30 minutes before I had to go and sit down in the car. 
My legs have been bad for about a year now. The first time I had any problems with them, was April 2011. I woke up one morning and I couldn't feel them at all. I struggled out of bed, got dressed and went to school. It was really hard to walk. If you imagine, not knowing whether your feet are on the floor or not because you can't feel them! I was in a wheelchair all day at school and I still couldn't feel them when I got home. I ate my dinner and dad decided to ring the NHS helpline. I spoke to a really nice nurse who asked me lots of questions. At the end of the phone call, she suggested I go to A&E. 
We arrived at A&E about 9pm, me and my dad. I had a blood test (I nearly passed out and I had a panic attack) and the nurse checked me over, about midnight.
They couldn't find anything wrong.
So we waited another 2 hours in A&E and then they send me along to the childrens ward. Another doctor checked me over but still couldn't find anything wrong. They said they wanted me to stay the night but I had a panic attack and said that I wanted to go home. They agreed and said that I should go home, get some sleep and come back at 8 the next morning.
The next morning, I came back and they did loads of tests on me again. Still nothing wrong. 
At 11am, my dad went to the hospital shop to get me something to eat and some magazines. I feel asleep and when I woke up I was really confused. Where was I? Where was this strange place? Why was i on my own here? 
I had another panic attack and I can't really remember much but a nurse had to give me an oxygen mask thing to put over my face. Dad came back and mum came to visit me. Another doctor came to check me over. Still nothing wrong. They sent me home.
Since then, I have been getting severe pain in my legs, as well as numbness and other symptoms. I can't walk too far and I think a wheelchair would improve my quality of life. I get really upset and frustrated that I can't go out and do things.
I have spoken to mum about hiring a wheelchair and at first, she wasn't too keen and explained all of the negatives to me, but I am sure about this. I have thought long and hard about the positives and the negatives. 
I am a bit worried that people will stare and ask questions but I guess I'll just have to deal with that when it comes to it. 
I would only use this wheelchair when I go out, once a week or so. I won't use it round the house because I want to use my legs as much as I can. 
I haven't spoken to dad about this yet but hopefully he will see how this can help me. 

My first attempt on posting photo's

This is the mug i made for my cousin Shannon, for her 6th Birthday in November :)

This is me and my little brother at the beach, last October. I wasnt too bad then, although i was in a lot of pain, i still managed to go out.

Me, enjoying Legoland, in October last year. Thinking about it now..... I probably over did it in October!! lol i really didint feel well that day, i was in a lot of pain and just wanted to be at home in bed :)

I cant work out how to get this picture up the other way! Never mind! will post some more pictures another day :) i havent actually taken many photo's recently. i guess, you take more in the summer because you go on holidays, have BBQ's and most of our families birthdays are in the summer too!