May is the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) awareness month and this year, I would like to raise money for The Ehlers-Danlos Society which does so much to help impacted individuals and their families by driving forward care, research and education into these debilitating, still poorly understood, often invisible and under-diagnosed conditions.

I spent nearly forty years dealing with a variety of strange and seemingly unrelated health issues before finding out that hypermobility can have a far greater effect on the body than simply being good at gymnastics!

People with EDS/HSD have lax connective tissue and, as this is present in every system in the body, the effects are widespread and varied, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Since there is a genetic component, whole families can be affected.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society‘s work in raising awareness, especially among medical professionals, is crucial if people are to be diagnosed and supported earlier.

On Saturday 1st July I will be taking part in the Boulters to Bray 2.8km swim. It’s the longest swim I’ll have done for quite a while but as it’s downstream I’m hoping it will be doable!

Any sponsorship you are able to give will be hugely appreciated.