Migraine is the most common and disabling neurological disorder in the UK, which affects 1 in 7 people. The Migraine Trust is the only research and support charity for people affected by migraine in the UK.

Migraine is not just a headache, it’s a debilitating severe neurological disorder, for me it’s a whole-body experience. 

When you mention migraine, most think of extreme head pain and sickness but that’s not the case for me. Five years ago, my chronic migraine diagnosis arrived, I was some what relieved, at the same time rather in disbelief - I didn’t have stabbing head pain. 

I do have one-side head sensation, the biggest impact is fatigue with heightened emotions and brain fog.  With neck, jaw and ear pain from time to time but my most worrying symptom is that I can fall down, walk into walls, cramp sideways into roads and feel unbalanced.  My diagnosis is Chronic with Vestibular Migraine.  

The Migraine Trust has educated me on how to live with migraine, taught me how to self manage my condition, provided a virtual meeting space and offer a listening ear through their helpline.

My abseil, is a personal challenge, whilst raising much needed funds for this tiny charity that has a big heart. To also create awareness of this most complex disease, that affects over 1billion people worldwide. 

Though an outdoor adventure lover, I have actually NEVER abseiled, I find edges on mountains really tricky 😱 and now migraine affects my balance. I have over the last five years tried to control my living to protect myself from migraine, it’s no surprise to discover ‘control’ doesn’t work, migraine comes regardless. So it’s now time for me to break free, to take my migraine with me, to live the best of me. I’ve put myself up for this abseil challenge as it takes me way beyond my comfort zone of having two feet firmly on the ground. Whilst typing this, it all feels raw, the challenge narrative in my head is full of negative vibes as to why I can’t or shouldn’t…but hey hoe migraine you and are going on a journey down a rope together!

The times are tough, I understand if you can’t donate but if by reading my story, you remember to be kind to  a stranger, work colleague or friend about their migraine and talk to them then about migraine rather than headaches, then that’s best type of donation.  Thank you for reading ❤️

The Migraine Trust fund and promote research, provide support and information, and campaign for change. For more information about migraine and how to transform the lives of people affected by them please visit www.migrainetrust.org