I am excited to announce that I will be on BBC radio Lancashire tomorrow afternoon from 2pm. Talking about the European Diversity Awards and Lyme Disease. So tune in and take a listen.
I am lucky enough for this to be my third time on BBC radio Lancashire in the space of six months and I am so grateful to them for all the support they offer me and the fight we are battling.
I think it is important to raise the point that we are not trouble makers in anyway, shape or form. Many sufferers have had bad experiences with the NHS but we still stand up and speak out to help their work load. We want them to understand better, we want people to be able to help them decode their health issue and enable them to receive the correct treatments. We want people to protect themselves so they don't have to make a trip to the doctors / hospital and most importantly NOT be on life-long treatment. I think that is an important message to understand and a concept to get our heads around. People fighting the system are seen as the bad guys, the trouble makers when really we are trying to lighten the load, lessen the blow and help in anyway we can.
I always believe that all sides to any story should be voiced and listened too, before judgement is made.
A lot of the time thought-out society as a whole people in higher places are the voices that get heard. Troops on the ground and the real life suffering is simply ignored and not accounted for. We want to shake this up and over history we have clear evidence of individuals breaking the mould and standing up for themselves. This is never an easy task and often they face punishment, death or harm. They don't just fight for themselves, they fight for others and future generations and that is where I get my inspiration from.
I know my condition and the life I am leading, I make the best of it but I don't have my head in the clouds. I am very in tune with reality. It takes a lot of bravery, time, effort and hard work to fight for change and we do this because we love people and we love life deep down. Life hasn't always been kind to us but we have to learn to forgive and not carry round added guilt and sadness with us.
I often share my experiences, symptoms, thoughts, feelings and stories. Often it doesn't really feel like I am telling them. I, am so underconfident and always fear judgement & I still can't quite believe how open and honest I have become as a person. My fears are pushed aside but I receive lovely messages and comments everyday explaining how my story, my blog and experiences help them. I then realise that is all that matters.
It isn't just about helping patients and carer's though, it is about helping doctors and consultants understand too.
Most of you know the roller coaster journey I have been on when it comes doctors. I don't hold any anger towards them or the way I have been treated. I understand why first they didn't understand but over the last 12 months they have chosen to watch and listen and have come on leaps and bounds in trying to understand and educate themselves on Lyme Disease.
They cut my articles out and keep them at their desks to refer too and they watch all my media appearances on the news.
So doctors may still be on the fence but it only takes a few to lead the way and especially in the last few months with all the hard work and awareness going on, we are getting there. My local GP's are amazing now compared to how they were, even six months ago.
The medical community and professionals can carry on being dismissive and ignorant towards the disease but they are only adding to the global issue. A fire we are trying so hard to put out before we are faced with massive forest fires. I think it is quite old-fashioned and narrow minded now a days to not want to learn more about new up and coming things. Knowledge is power after all and life and the people who surround us are our biggest lessons. We learn from personal experience. We need to be motivated to take on challenges, really LISTEN instead of closing our ears and running for the hills.
I know in time we will get there and everyday we are one step closer.
There are many days I feel loss, worthless and lack a sense of purpose. I put pressure on myself and expect such a lot from myself that it is easy to fall into a trap. My campaign work, the blogs I put together, the people I talk too, the messages and replies I write is what reminds me that there is purpose and meaning behind my struggling and that giving up isn't an option.
I am quick to get dissatisfied if my schedule lightens even just a little. I know how much work there is to be done and what needs doing. Often times my body is pulling me back, screaming at me to simply STOP but I know my soul and my heart want to carry on. It's finding the balance and having to learn to listen to our bodies and hearts. There is no right or wrong answers and we do the best we can. We often make mistakes, miss opportunities, take on too much work and so on, but I always make my decisions with my heart. I have to find peace in that fact and accept that.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
I can't wait to go on radio and Lancashire all about the work that have featured quite heavily in the media and behind the scenes.
I am always SUPER excited and NERVOUS about going back to Kirkham Grammar School and giving a talk to all the pupils in the main assembly about my experience and journey with Lyme Disease but also awareness & prevention methods. To speak in front of so many people will be daunting for sure but the impact it will make will make a lot of difference I am sure.
I think it's finally important to be truly thankful to everyone because I wouldn't be given these amazing opportunities without the support of my readers, friends, followers, family and loved ones and I am truly grateful everyday. I try to make the most out of every adventure and do as much as I can to get the best from them, for all of us. I HOPE AND PRAY I do you proud.
So tune in, keep your eyes peeled and THANK YOU for your support - I am truly grateful and excited by what lies ahead.
S
xoxo