Working & Living with Endometriosis

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Endometriosis effects 1 in 10 women and I am one of them.

I was diagnosed at 25 years old, there is no cure for this illness and sufferers learn to live with the disease. I have lived with it for 17 years: 4 laparoscopic surgeries, countless hormonal treatments, tests, examinations and alternative therapies. Back when I was 25, in the days of no social media and a total of only two websites dedicated to the disease (and the same amount of books!) Endometriosis UK’s, volunteer run, support group’s where an absolute life line. It was through these sessions I learnt how to live with the disease, find I wasn’t alone, learn the true extent of the damage I was living with and how to manage the NHS system. Managing this disease is key, and now I am able to give something back to the group that helped me.

I have had the privilege of experiencing the transformative power of creative projects first hand in my work, allowing participants to escape their day-to-day situation and become empowered. Volunteering for Endometriosis UK, I get to combine my experience with my creative facilitating skills at our support sessions.

March is Endometriosis Awareness month – although now I no longer need to explain what Endometriosis is, to most people I meet anymore, there is a long way to go. Many young women come to our sessions in the same situation I was in at 25 and nothing has changed. Talking about ‘women’s problems’ is still a ‘taboo’ and although I am very open about the disease, going into details as to how this affects me on a day-to-day basis can still feel uncomfortable. Endometriosis UK is working hard to #EndoTheStigma

This year, my fabulous friend and facilitating partner, Sarah is running 10 free online sessions to co-inside with #1in10 and I am very excited to be leading the creative session. With the guarantee that you will take away at least one (out of the 10 sessions). Its FREE! Just join the Facebook Group