I am known for my incredibly open and honest sharing, on all sorts of stigma-related topics. I have many identities, which messages from society tell me I should be ashamed about. I’m transgender, I’m gay, I have mental health challenges, and I am an alcoholic and addict in recovery. My way of overcoming shame has been to share my story proudly. Why then, have I been struggling with shame and embarrassment about using a mobility scooter, and not talking about it?
After almost four years of struggling with debilitating fatigue and distressing physical symptoms, it has been a relief to have a GP thoroughly investigate my health. It should also be a relief to have all his investigations come back negative. However, it doesn’t feel like a relief. This is because the only option left that explains my fatigue and physical symptoms is a diagnosis of ME/CFS.
I am very much behind with my content, especially here on my blog. I have been updating about my progress with my chronic fatigue (or Fred, as I affectionately call it!) over on my YouTube channel. Today though, I thought I might do a summary blog post of all that has happened since I last updated.
A couple of years ago, whilst living in Dawlish in Devon, I decided I wanted to walk the South West Coast Path. My plan was to do it in sections, over the course of a year. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me. My mum became ill, and I had to leave Devon to support her.
I have learned to live with many challenging health issues over the last decade. Through my addiction recovery, my gender transition, and managing complex mental health challenges, I have become an expert at self-care. I have a rock-solid wellness plan. I have a well-practiced flexible routine that allows me to keep my self-care at the center, and still live a successful life around it. However, when it comes to the crippling chronic fatigue I am currently experiencing, I am stumped as to what to do for the best.
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