Hi Everyone 

Most of you will know that in November 2020, after a pretty scary couple of weeks in hospital, I was diagnosed with Miller Fisher Syndrome. This is associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) – I’ve used this website for information and support during the last six months https://gaincharity.org.uk/ 

To cut a long story short, it's a pretty rare thing to be diagnosed with and most of the health professionals that I have spoken to have never heard of Miller Fisher – Google has been very busy!

It takes time to improve and recover – hopefully returning to full fitness, but with no guarantee. Figures show that it affects 1 in a million people - I always told Mark I was special :). 

It has been a long and slow process to get to where I am today - six months on – learning a lot about myself at the same time. I'm working hard on developing my coordination and balance and managing to do more around the house. I am now able to go out for a walk independently (taking my trusty walking pole with me) and am now up to about 3/4 of a mile.

I have set myself a goal to pick Benj up from school (about two miles in total). 

During May, as part of supporting #GAINmomentum's GBS/CIDP awareness, my target is to walk at least 30 miles (fingers crossed for fine weather otherwise I might look like a drowned rat!).

Any donations that you are able to give would be gratefully received and enable GAIN to provide more support and information to future sufferers.

Raising awareness of a rare disease is never easy. Everyone knows someone affected by stroke, cancer or dementia, and we've all heard of the big charities that do fantastic work to help people with these conditions. But until someone you know is affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome or CIDP, chances are that you've never heard of it before.

That's where GAIN comes in, providing information and support when it is needed most. It's really important that people know there is help available if they have been recently-diagnosed with GBS or CIDP. And that's where you come in. 

Your donation could pay towards leaflets and information packs for hospitals and surgeries throughout the UK and Ireland, signposting patients and their families to the help and support offered by GAIN. It could pay for a communication aid, or travel expenses during months of daily hospital visits. Your donation means that GAIN will continue to be there when they are needed. 

I will post updates to let you know how my journey is going.  Thanks for all your help and support.

Sending love and hugs

Gemma x