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 taking a greater interest in local wildlife as well as the wealth of animal sanctuaries and breeding programs in Britain, and photographing them came quite naturally as a way to record the memories of the rare days out that I could manage around my illness.    

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 that other people could have mementos of their hobbies or pictures to show their friends and family, I started taking photos of local sports 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 much needed advice and support when I first became ill. 

If you wish to support Action for M.E. through my Just Giving site, please click here.   

*10% of all profits from sports and events photography is donated to Action for M.E.