On 19th April I will be running the Brighton Marathon for the Psoriasis Association - they raise awareness of psoriasis; provide information and support to people who are affected by psoriasis; and promote and fund research into psoriasis.

"Although psoriasis is just a minor irritation for some people, it can significantly impact quality of life for those more severely affected. The effect that psoriasis can have on physical appearance means that low self-esteem, anxiety and depression are common among people with the condition."

In May 2011, small patches of red dry skin started appearing on my arms, a friend of mine mentioned 'psoriasis', I didn't know much about it at the time and nor did I know the impact it would have on my life (physically and psychologically) as the condition progressed... within weeks I was indeed covered from head to toe, and after months of appointments, ointments, steroid creams and phototherapy (nothing was touching it!), I even tried therapy. I was referred to the Dermatology clinic at Addenbrookes under the care of my wonderful consultant, Dr Norris, and his nursing team. They helped me understand that psoriasis is more than just a skin condition; that the red, scaly patches on your skin can make you feel embarrassed, anxious, and depressed; and that the same process in your body that forms plaques, can also change the levels of brain chemicals that affect your mood. Psoriasis is not a life threatening condition but it is life debilitating.

After 2 years of regular appointments, reviews, care plans, weekly blood tests and non-biological treatments (the latter with undesirable side effects), and with my psoriasis being rated as severe, I was offered the opportunity to apply for a biological treatment (which could keep the psoriasis under control once and for all - one can only hope!); however I had to make the hardest decision I ever had to make: I had to come off my non-biological treatment and let IT all come back! Only then could I be assessed by the Dermatology clinic and for the local hospital board to decide whether I was 'worthy' of the biological treatment (it's an expensive treatment you see!).

I asked my consultant if they realised what they were asking me to do!! It didn't matter; all patients have to go through the process... you have to be at your worse to have a chance to get the treatment approved! It took me over a year to make that decision - it was a very painful decision to make and there were no guarantees this next treatment would be approved or work! When I decided to come off my treatment, I was working from home, I couldn't have done it otherwise... my psoriasis came back with a vengeance, and in less than 4 weeks I was covered from head to toe again, feeling ashamed once again, and more or less confined indoors. I called the clinic, told them I was ready to be assessed, they gave me an appointment straight away. I went, I was assessed, and after what seemed like an eternity (half an hour to 45 minutes at the most really), Dr Norris came back and looked at me - I will never forget the smile on his face when he told me I had been approved. I was overcome with emotion and cried and cried. The nurse asked him why I was crying given the fact I had just been approved, and he said "you wouldn't want to see what she'd done to me if they had said no!" and we laughed! Within a few weeks, the first injection was delivered to my door, a nurse followed a week later to inject me; 4 weeks later another injection came; my psoriasis went into hiding (all except one area - my little reminder of what I will probably carry for the rest of my life), and now with my 12-weekly injections, my psoriasis is under control and I can pretend it was all a bad dream... until the 11th week comes and my body knows it is time for the next injection!

I feel extremely lucky to be on the treatment I am on today, and can honestly say that my life would not be the same without it. And that's an understatement to say the least.

If I had one wish, it would be for biological treatment to be accessible to all psoriasis sufferers like me…

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