Coventry University graduate and ME suffer helps raise awareness of the condition in charity ‘knitathon’

 

I was a young, ambitious, active, keen mountain biker who had the world at my feet. I had graduated from Coventry University with a first class honours in occupational therapy and I had got my dream job based on medical and surgical wards working as an occupational therapist.

Literally overnight my life fell apart. My body had completely shut down. Most nights I would go sleep feeling so unwell that I wondered whether I would wake up. I would find it difficult to talk, tolerate sound, light and touch.

Every movement was so exhausting and energy consuming that even lifting a mug was too difficult. I was in excruciating pain. I was unable to walk for very short distances and had use a wheelchair due to being so weak and fatigued. I needed help with activities of daily living such a bathing and washing my hair.

 

I hoped the knitathon would be a way in which these missing souls of society could be seen, given a voice and heard and joined together.

I understand the difficulty that sufferers have with feeling too unwell to do many, if any, activities. I chose knitting as a way in which many sufferers could get involved and raise awareness, as it is a gentle activity which only requires small amounts of energy. I knew that this knitting campaign could provide sufferers with a feeling productivity.

I wanted to help others by trying to raise as much funds as possible for research, so scientists are able to find a cure for this devastating, crippling illness.”

I have received roughly 850 squares, plus 3 completed donated blankets. I have received squares from as far as Canada and New Zealand. I have currently raised £355.

I chose Coventry Cathedral as I have so many fond memories at Coventry due to studying my occupational therapy degree here. I particularly love the multi-coloured stain glass windows in the cathedral and I thought the colourful patchwork blankets would look right at home here.

In the future I hope to be able to come in and talk to students about M.E. I’m interested in trying to raise as much awareness in the University community as possible.