My Story

In 2003 I became ill with glandular fever. This never went away but turned into post viral fatigue syndrome or M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Every day was a struggle to get out of bed as I felt exhausted, fatigued, achy and confused. Relapses every few months left me housebound, in terrible pain, unable to rest or sleep and incapable of coping with distractions like TV to pass the time. I’ve been struggling with the illness ever since.

Hope of full recovery in the first couple of years has changed to learning to understand the limitations of the illness and do what I can to still live a full life. The joyous discovery that the persistent “brain-fog” didn’t stop me learning to take photos developed this hobby into a regular pastime.

I started fen photos because of a problem I realised only too late. I missed the more active hobbies that I used to have (swimming, judo, football, cycling), which I had given up due to time pressures of a modern life but now can no longer do. But worse is that I don’t have any photos to remember them by. I had taken for granted that I could just go back to them, so didn’t think to capture the moment.

So other people can have mementos of their hobbies or pictures to show the everyday fun and heroics of sports and weekend activities, I started taking photos at local sports matches and events. I now sell the pictures to raise money and awareness for M.E. charities such as Action for M.E. and the M.E. Association who gave me such invaluable advice and support when I first became ill.