A bit about me and my challenge by Olivia:

I am Olivia and I am 9 years old.

For the last 3 years, I have lived with symptoms that we
believe are caused by the condition of PANDAS. The Dr’s are now helping us but it’s taking a long time.

It’s not very nice to live with, it makes me feel anxious,
scared, and sometimes angry. There are times where it’s hard to control my emotions, I feel sensitive to clothing and change which makes things difficult sometimes.

Over the last few days, my Mum and Dad had been talking
about special breathing and having cold showers and I wondered why. I asked them and said I wanted to try it too so they introduced me to it. They showed me where they had learned the breathing and I tried it by watching a video and then I watched Joe Wickes, the body coach take his first ice bath after doing the same.

I said I wanted to try the cold shower too so Mum and Dad
helped me prepare. I had a warm shower, got washed and then I started to turn the temperature down, a bit at a time - but then I just turned it to the coldest it would go. I focused on my breathing and kept looking at Mum.

After a while, I wanted to get out but Mum and Dad helped me
get control of my breath again and I kept going. When I said I was done again, Mum said there were only 5 seconds till I reached 1 Minute and so I kept going. They cheered me on and counted me down and Mum stood ready with a couple of towels
to wrap me up in. When I hit 1 minute I stepped out and wrapped up. I cried but not sad tears, happy tears.

I was so cold so I got dried and dressed and did some moving
around to get my blood moving again and I felt really really emotional in a good way. Mum and Dad were so proud of me and I felt so proud of myself.

I decided to set myself a challenge and want to raise some
money for Pans Pandas UK whilst I do it.

I am challenging myself to take 30 cold water showers of 1
minute or more over the next few weeks and would love it if you could help me to try and raise £300 for the charity Pans Pandas UK.

Pans Pandas is a horrible condition that really makes children
and young adults suffer lots of symptoms and have mental health struggles. The charity really helps make a difference in raising awareness and helping children and families cope.

About PANS and PANDAS:
PANS and PANDAS are conditions causing inflammation in the brain resulting in neuro-psychiatric symptoms such as OCD, tics, eating disorders and anxiety along with many more. More commonly affecting children, these conditions can be isolating and life-changing. PANS PANDAS UK's mission is to ensure speedy diagnosis and effective treatment for sufferers by educating the medical community as well as offering support to sufferers and their families.For more information please see our website www.panspandas.org.uk