I was hidden away from the world, housebound, and unable to care for myself independently for 3 years due to having severe cases of two chronic illnesses: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS for short – a type of dysautonomia) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME for short – a complex multi-system disease with a wide range of disabling symptoms). ME is sometimes referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome/CFS. Personally, I can’t stand that name as it sounds a bit like ‘Very Tired Syndrome’ – which completely undermines the seriousness and complexities of the condition.

Needless to say, being housebound, dependent on others, and so unwell for so long was very isolating and at times, lonely. I had to cope with a lot during that time – the loss of everything I enjoyed, like my career (which I had worked really hard for), exercising (I had been a gym-junkie for many years), socialising (which I loved) – and essentially, the loss of my identity.