I am hoping to raise at least £100 for the ME Association Charity over the next two weeks (M.E awarness week is the 9th - 15th May, but ironically I've been in bed for most of this week due to my symptoms!). Each entry enters you into a prize draw to win a painted pet portrait  (you can find some of my work in the gallery or over on instagram @holliebramwellart and @fatiguedandfurious ). Please remember to put your name when entering! 

With Long Covid rampant round the world – the number of people being diagnosed with ME/CFS is growing exponentially day-by-day.

There are said to be 1.7million people in the UK alone who, months after being infected, still have symptoms of Long Covid, which in so many respects looks just like ME/CFS.

I caught covid back in December 2021, and have suffered ever since. I have been diagnosed with Long Covid and POTs all thanks to the initial infection, but I have been diagnosed with M.E/ CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) by my GP. 

However, the waiting list to see a specialist is a year, if not more, and this will only increase with the amount of covid cases. 

ME/CFS:

• is a complex, chronic medical condition affecting multiple body systems. 
• affects everyone differently – for some people symptoms still allow them to carry out some activities, whereas for others they cause substantial incapacity.
• is a fluctuating condition in which a person's symptoms can change unpredictably in nature and severity over a day, week or longer.

M.E is not 'just feeling tired. It is joint and muscle paint, debilitating fatigue that isn't helped by sleep, brain fog and issues with memory, concentration & cognition, migraines, flu-like symptoms, heart palpitations, dizziness, and many more horrible symptoms. 

People with M.E often experience medical gaslighting, prejudice and disbelief and could feel stigmatised by people (including family, friends, health and social care professionals, and teachers) who do not understand their illness.

Please give what you can for this cause which is unfortunately close to my heart. Once you have donated, your name will be entered into a random name selector, and I will post the winner on here on Saturday 21st May (and if you don't win the prize but are interested in a commissioned piece, please get in contact with me through my social media pages @holliebramwellart or @fatiguedandfurious) 

Thank you! <3