Hi, I'm Eleanor and I am doing my PhD in stroke rehabilitation. I also have a disability. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes joint and nerve pain, chronic fatigue, nervous system dysfunction, and mobility issues.

My illness has progressed since starting the PhD, and I now rely on mobility aids and flexible working schedules. Because of the chronic pain and fatigue EDS causes, I'm no longer able to take on regular part-time work to fund my living costs.

Over the last few months, my health has become more difficult to manage, and I've been staying with friends and couchsurfing to save on rent. I've applied for a grant from a charity to help support me in my final PhD year, but I still have a difficult few months ahead trying to support myself while meeting my study expectations. Being an international student, extra government or university funds are not available to me.

I'm halfway through my PhD, and I hope that the work I'm doing will have a positive impact on people living with stroke. I want to finish what I've started, and in future help make sure more people with chronic illnesses and disabilities have the support to do research degrees and work in academic research.

It's very hard to ask for help. But, part of coming to accept my disability means accepting that I'll always need help, even if it's just asking for a seat on a bus or help to carry a bag. This is part of my everyday learning now, and I'm lucky to have a wonderful network of kind people that keeps growing.

So I'm taking a deep breath and reaching out, not for the first time. Thank you for being here and taking the time to read this.