This May I am participating in Dazzle Walk 2026 to raise money for The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK.

I’m taking part in the EDS UK May Dazzle Walk and for me, this is so much more than just a 5K around Sefton. This is something I never thought my body would allow me to do.

I’ve struggled with my health for as long as I can remember, experiencing symptoms across my whole body that were constantly dismissed, minimised, or blamed on anxiety. For years, I was made to feel like I was overthinking my own experiences whilst battling complex, chronic conditions. In 2021, after COVID, I began experiencing symptoms consistent with PoTS but again, I was dismissed and I went on to uni burying it all. Then in 2024, everything changed.

I went through a deeply traumatic time, and my body simply couldn’t keep going. I tried to push through finishing university and getting my degree which is a massive achievement of mine. I even worked full time postponing my masters thinking this would all pass. Sadly my health declined rapidly and I became unwell in a way that affected every part of my life physically, mentally, and emotionally. I lost my health, mobility, my independence, and at times, myself.

I was passed from pillar to post, undergoing endless tests, spending days and nights in hospital, even being placed on cancer pathways due to the severity of my symptoms. I experienced seizures, daily chronic pain, extreme fatigue and symptoms, and long periods where I have to spend bedbound and housebound. Despite all of this, I was still dismissed and ignored by the health care system after every specialist was left clueless with what to do with me.

In early 2025, I brought up Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to a GP after realising how much it aligned with my lifelong experiences but once again, I was met with resistance and told I was overthinking, that it was “just anxiety,” “just fibromyalgia” even being told it was “very autistic” of me to question their expertise.

But I have always known my body and my struggles. And this year, I fought for answers. Finally, after 23 years I have been diagnosed with EDS, and I am now also being diagnosed with PoTS, MCAS, and other related conditions.

My entire life and it’s trajectory has changed. Plans and careers have been put on hold, and I’m still navigating what my future looks like. But this walk represents something so much bigger than just awareness of EDS. There have been times on this journey where I couldn’t walk around the block, couldn’t climb the stairs where even getting out of bed felt impossible due to pain and symptoms. I’ve fought incredibly hard to get to where I am today, gaining small bits of strength and my independence back every day.

So a 5K walk around Sefton? It might seem small to some, but for me, it is everything. I’m doing this for awareness. For those without answers. For everyone who has been dismissed, gaslit, and made to feel like their symptoms aren’t real. And I’m doing it for the version of me who fought so hard just to be heard, taken seriously and ultimately helped as you would hope for.

I’d also love if any friends or family wanted to join me on the walk whether that’s walking beside me, keeping me going, or (very realistically) being prepared to offer a helping hand… or even carry me at some point❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

If you can donate or share, it would mean the world not just to me, but to everyone living with EDS and related conditions who deserve better care, understanding, and support.

Thank you 🤍