M.E. Awareness Day (Tuesday 12th May)
Hi everyone!
As its M.E. Awareness Day today I wanted to make a blue card for the occasion!
I chose this stamp as I feel like with ME I've had my "wings" taken away. I can no longer fly at ease like everyone else, no matter how hard we try or how normal we may look on the outside, just trying to fly or do any normal activities can be a real struggle.
I used:
Gorjuss - The Owl Stamp
Promarkers
Papers - LOTV Beach Bliss & Snow princess
LOTV Sentiment tag stamp
WOC - Open Roses, Cosmo Daisies, Chrysanthemum
Ribbons, Lace, Heart Pearls, Heart Pin from stash
I added glitter to the flowers and the feathers on the image
I've had ME for 6 and a half years now after having very bad glandular fever and never recovering. I had moderate ME for the first 3 years before life's pressures finally took their toll and caused me to become very severe and bedridden.
There's so little knowledge of ME, GPs aren't educated on it and always tell patients they are just depressed and keep throwing antidepressants at us!
It takes most people over a year to finally get diagnosed with ME as it did for me!
My doctor, friends, family and boyfriend just kept pushing me telling me to get out and get a job. I lost my benefits as the assessor wrote that I did not "look" ill! Many people cannot understand or believe what they cannot see and unfortunately for me all of these things caused me to end up in this awful situation from all the pressure and pushing myself to the limit.
Friends and family also mocked me telling me I was lazy and didn't want to work, when I wanted nothing more than to live a normal life and have a job!
Unfortunately it's taken me being this severily ill for people to finally believe I'm really ill.
I hope one day the world becomes much more educated and aware of illnesses like ME, and people get the help and support they need!
Thanks so much for visiting everyone and reading my story! Hope you're all having a nice week!
Lucy x
Me with my ME awareness band and badges. All my family are wearing them today bless their hearts!xx
Challenges:
A perfect card to reflect the day Lucy and what very pretty and delicate lace.
ReplyDeleteB x
Hi Lucy brilliant card today,I have to say I really admire,how open and honest you are about your illness,I'm not as brave as you,I have to say I think many people properly never gat a diagnosis,I was first severely ill when I was in my early 20, and had my relapse and remit episodes,it was on in the last 5years I've been to ME,but now it's with me all the time,some times worse than others, I should mention I'm 50 something now,the frustration, upset,and even grief for my old self I can't express enough,who new being ill could be such a fight even a full time all consuming occupation,so for today lets hope just a few more people may get a little more understanding especially,in the health service the people we turn to when we're at our lowest,sending you s hug today Lucy Debbs xx
ReplyDeleteHi Lucy so brave to write this all down and your card is just perfect for today. I'm wearing blue at present as it happens and I'm out this evening with friends so I'll wear my blue trousers in your honour A great post keep strong Love and hugs Carole x
ReplyDeleteHello Lucy. I love your gorgeous card. Pretty lace, fab image and lovely colours. The flowers are so sweet and delicate.
ReplyDeleteI have just added the ME Badge onto my sidebar in support of you and all the other sufferers. Hope this helps.
Take care.
Lots of love, Sandra xxx
A beautiful card Lucy, as always. And from things we've written to one another about in emails I know it will have taken you a long time to make. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm wearing blue today and also my nightshirt is blue so you get a full 24 hours from me :) A very open and brave post too young lady - my heart goes out to you and everyone else suffering from ME and also battling the lack of understanding and medical knowledge about the illness.
Sending you love and extra hugs
Di xx
A pretty card Lucy, perfect for today.
ReplyDeletePauline
x
Gorgeous coloring and love your embellishments! Sending positive thoughts your way. Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage and hope to see you again soon! :) ~Annie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Lucy - such a sweet image - fabulous colours and pretty detailing.
ReplyDeleteDebs xx
I know...I've said it before but you are an inspiration to me and I am CERTAIN that you will find your wings again one day!! I have to say that in Dorset our NHS service (who I work for I might add!!) is fabulous and very forward thinking we have lots of support for all manner of illness and a Chronic Fatigue Service too that encompasses M.E. sufferers. This is such a wonderful card in support of such an awareness day xx PS The blue spotted "lingerie" was under the uniform today!! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, thanks for joining us at Cutie Pie's this month. Sue x
ReplyDeleteOOps...forgot to say, fab layers for The Cuties too xx
ReplyDeleteHi Lucy, thank you for sharing some of your story and being so open. It certainly sounds as if you have been through the mill with your ME, such a debilitating condition and not enough understanding of it. I do hope you find your wings again.
ReplyDeleteWonderful card, sweet image too, hugs Kate x
Such a beautiful card Lucy, I love the sweet image and pretty detailing.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you having to deal with your severe illness, it must be so hard for you. I hope some more research will be done to find a way to help you and others suffering or even a cure - that would be wonderful.
Take care, sending you hugs, Sue xx
Another lovely card for my Patterned Paper May challenge. x
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful card, Lucy and the image is perfect for today. I love the pretty lace and the different shades of blue. You're so brave and I hope one day you'll recover from this dreadful condition - you're in my thoughts this evening and I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Alison xx
Fabulous gorjuss card, love this sweet image and your layout. Thank you for coming over to play with us at Scrap & Craft. Good luck! Hugs Suzi x
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful Lucy - love the image, papers and details. Im so sorry you have had a horrible time with your ME. I can't believe you lost your benefits either, thats awful. I hope in time everything works out for you - big hugs - Michelle xx
ReplyDeleteLucy, this is a very sweet & pretty card to bring awareness of this disease. Love the coloring, and I always like the little touches of pretty lace you add. The flowers added so much dimension & color, and nice little detail to add the blue heart stick pin in the bouquet. This is a disease I know little of, but it certainly sounds so debilitating. I'm glad that you finally got a proper diagnosis and sorry to hear you had such a terrible time with your loved ones realizing that you had this problem. That is difficult when you don't feel you have the support, and you KNOW you are ill. Lupus is another difficult disease to diagnose, as are so many others. If you haven't walked in someone's shoes, it's not good to fluff off their symptoms as is done frequently. I'm thankful that you do now feel at least you have some family support & I hope that you continue to manage your disease with the positive attitude you have. Good for you that you were strong enough to persevere and get to a doctor that could get you some help. Big hugs, and thank you for sharing this information to make us more aware. TFS the beautiful card as well.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful card to illustrate your struggle with ME and I hope one day people will understand illnesses like this that are hard to define and explain. It's so sad that a lack of understanding pushed you to the point of breaking and I hope that one day the cloud will lift and you will improve.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs, Kat xx
Beautiful card! Lovely image and I adore these flowers! Thank you for joining in with Sister Act Card Challenge!
ReplyDeleteKamila DT
Gorgeous card Lucy. Thank you for playing along with our Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage. We would love to see you again … Anet DTx
ReplyDeleteVery pretty card. i lve your Gorgeous. thanks for playing with us at Fussy & Fancy challenge.
ReplyDeleteNathalie
Aww Lucy, I think that you are super brave sharing this post. It made me so emotional. Lacking support and understanding when you need it the most is absolutely devastating and having been there I really do understand your pain. You explain ME perfectly and painfully and I am sure that every person who has suffered, or is suffering from this horrendous illness very much appreciates your candid explanation of your life as it is now. I think you are a complete superstar; you bring much joy and inspiration to those of us who follow your blog and in spite of everything continue to be a ray of sunshine. I am sending you the very biggest of hugs! Agghh - you made me all teary!! You are super brave and I very much hope that one day you, I and all the other sufferers beat this wretched illness. In the meantime, stay strong. Hugs, Jayne xxx
ReplyDeleteYour card is so beautiful. thanks for joining us at Creative Cottage, xxxx
ReplyDeleteA very brave post and a beautiful card. Creative Blessings, Tracy x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous creation, thanks for joining Stamping Sensations, good luck.
ReplyDeleteHappy crafting
Tracy x