A few months ago I was unable to walk to my local shop without a walking stick, sunglasses, noise cancelling headphones, a pocketful of painkillers and a fistful of backup plans should a migraine attack strike.

The past few months, with the support of my family and friends, I have been able to start running again and it has given me a sense of control and autonomy over my body that I'd lost since getting migraine. I didn't think last christmas that I would be able to walk much more than a mile, let alone run 13 of them!

Migraine makes your world and prospects feel very small, at a time when media, peer-pressure and traddition say you should be pushing harder than you've ever pushed, hustling for a better future and maintaining a healthy 'work life balance' all at once on the frantic hamster wheel that is your twenties. But with migraine you say no to more events than you can actually attend, you measure everything by how much pain it will eventually cause and you feel behind on your career, relationships and personal goals. The flipside, you end up appreciating the smaller things, the days where you're not in pain and can go for a run, you're thankful for the loved ones who stayed and understood and you can help other people living with chronic illness feel less alone. You also develop a resilient and robust sense of humour that helps me on more than one occasion.

My Grandma, Aunt and Mum all struggled with migraine and managed to balance family and work ontop of a disease that feels like a full-time occuptation sometimes. Research is still very underfunded for a disease that is so disabling and common, especially for people of working age. It can contribute to depression, anxiety and a host of other illnesses. It is not just a headache it is a full-body neurological condition that will influence you even on the days where there is no pain at all. These are the days I feel most anxious about migraine funnily enough, as I know there will be another attack round the corner. A bit like waiting for an unwanted guest who never gave an exact time of arrival!

If you're a migraine sufferer, things do get better slowly and having people who can advocate for you on the days you cannot is an enormous help. Be kind and patient with yourself, there are always more things to try. If you would like to donate, please do and thank you for your help :)

Best,

Liz

The migraine trust:

Migraine is the most common and disabling neurological disorder in the UK, which affects 1 in 7 people.

The Migraine Trust is the only research and support charity for people affected by migraine in the UK. We fund and promote research, provide support and information, and campaign for change.

For more information about migraine and how we transform the lives of people affected by them please visit www.migrainetrust.org