I have always been super fit and worked really hard, until about 14 years ago.

I left an abusive marriage and started a new life in Wales with my now husband. I started feeling really tired and my mind was a little fuzzy at times. 

Despite that I went back to college gaining my qualifications and going on to University to become a Maths and IT teacher.

It was during my last year at uni that I started to feel so tired all the time, I put that down to my work load. Then I started forgetting things. I could no longer remember simply things like my times table and basic maths.

I was so scared I thought I had dementia. My GP was amazing and I was referred to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

I was so relived that there was a reason for feeling this way, but sadly I had to drop out of University.

Over the last 10 years Fibromyalgia has taken so much from my life and I am now at home and have taken early retirement. Each day is such a struggle.

It has also given me positive things.. I have made many new friends who are all dealing with Fibromyalgia.

For me it has been life changing but I have found a way to be happy. The hardest part is not the memory loss or chronic pain, it is the lack of understanding from people.