Hi there and thanks for stopping by!
My name is MJ, and I'm a chronically ill blogger, accessibility writer and Wales.
I currently share my time between Grants Management and Bid Writing in
the third sector, reviewing accessibility in venues, blogging and
freelance writing, researching accessible employment and education options
and I'm hoping to undertake a PhD in Disability Studies soon! In my spare
time (where there is any) I enjoy visiting places to review, reading
(lots) and supporting charities to research funding opportunities and
writing bids. I can usually be found with a dog in lap, a book in hand,
laptop on the arm of the chair and working in my 'comfies'.
~
Looking back I have always lived with a debilitating chronic illness, but
more recently it has reached a point where I need to use mobility aids to
make my daily life more independent and to keep me on my feet. This
completely made me revaluate my lifestyle, as before I would try and power
through and would be laid up in bed for days on end, either with a crippling
migraine or enervating pain. It took strength, courage and determination to
really find my way of life again, by finding out who I am now and standing
on my own two feet again.
Now things are finally settling down again, I am beginning to find my voice
to speak up about chronic illness, to advocate on disability issues and
generally campaign for equal opportunities both in general for myself and
for others. As far back as I can remember I have always written from a young
age and this was professionalised by undertaking a BA in English with
Creative Writing and later an MSc in research. More recently writing has
become a salvation for me and a cathartic process, in which I can write down
my thoughts. Writing was part of the old me and is now part of the new,
something that I am still able to do. Having worked in the third sector for
a number of years has taught me to find humour, even in the darkest of
moments and this is something which I still apply daily to my own life.
Since using mobility aids I have encountered many hilarious moments, from
trying to get over the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, in a mobility
scooter to falling off a curb whilst riding one. Consequently I decided to
start my blog, centred around my life and thoughts: accessibility issues,
equality and inclusion, advocacy and your right to be heard, books,
interview, all things Welsh, lifestyle, bid writing and being a woman with a
chronic illness, who also happens to be disabled.
Primarily, I want people to find a safe place here, where they can come for
advice and tips on disability lifestyle and accessibility, have a giggle at
my escapades and generally realise that it's okay to be you - just as you
are. You can work with what you have and what you can do. By leading a life
how you want to. You are after all the expert on you (and your condition).
From a young age we are often conditioned to have a set path and goals laid
out before us, many we have not set out ourselves. But your life doesn't
have to go any way you don't want it to. The media and those in society who
are non-disabled, love to hear 'inspiration porn' where disabled people /
those living with a chronic illness work to overcome their condition and
'barriers'. When in reality the so called 'barriers' are there because
society is conditioned to label everyone and apply limitations, is not
inclusive and generally is not equip to deal with fluctuating health
conditions. I want to be able to provide practical advice and guidance from
a personal perspective, in a non-judgemental and empathetic manner. But
always coupled with humour, to demonstrate that no matter how we are feeling
or what we are dealing with on a daily basis, that life is a learning curve,
we are only human and we are only here once! So why not join me for the
ride?! When it comes to living, working and existing with a chronic health
condition, everyone's path to tread is different and you must choose your
own way.
~
One final note about something I am passionate about and that is the
continual underfunding of vital charities who provide a lifeline for those
living with chronic illness and disabilities like mine. Without
Fibromyalgia UK I would not be
writing this blog, I wouldn't know how to work with my condition in order to
live an independent life and I certainly would not have been able to retain
my job. So please think about giving a donation, however small, to a small
charity which has impacted you in someway.
If you are an organisation who has need of a contribution to a blog or
general writing proposal, why not contact me - I am looking for voluntary
experience.
You can contact me on: chronicallyill9@gmail.com
or my Instagram is:
@moanmentsandmemories
I am also looking for individuals who live with chronic illness /
disability, those who have impacted the world of accessible living and
general equality enthusiasts to contribute to my blog. This can be via a
direct interview or a guest blog - interested? Pop me an email and I will
pop the kettle on!
If you have made it this far, thank you! If I am someone who you would like
to get to know, I would love for you to stick around. You can connect with
me via my
Instagram or email.
Take care, make good choices, laugh lots and always be kind!
XOXO
MJ
