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My Updates
Not Quite the Spa Trip I Needed: Why I’m Walking It Out in September
Monday 25th Aug
In May 2025 I experienced a period of extreme stress which, on an already struggling body, caused me to suffer from insomnia for over ten days. That lack of sleep pushed me into unbearable physical symptoms, one of which led me to seek medical attention in A&E. Because of how I presented there, I was held under a Section 2 as a danger to myself and others, and ended up being kept on the A&E ward for five days while I waited for a bed on a mental health ward to be reassessed.
This was the start of a three-month-long rollercoaster that I’m still recovering from. When I finally ended up on the ward in Chorley, it was actually quite lovely. But it still took another five days before I was deemed “fit” enough to be released back into society.
The very next day after being discharged, I woke up vomiting blood at 6am and was straight back into A&E. That set off yet another month of physical and mental health symptoms: PTSD, ADHD flare-ups, colorectal issues, cardiology worries, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos—you name it, there’s probably a specialist or doctor covering it. My list of symptoms and diagnoses is about as long as my arms. Add to that the paperwork, the social workers, PIP, and even my dog starting the process of becoming my assistance dog… it’s been a lot.
The last three months have been awful and amazing at the same time. Awful because of the sheer intensity of it all. Amazing because of the people who have supported me, the lessons I’ve learned, and the strength I’ve discovered.
So I thought: what better way to process all of this than to walk it out? To use Steps in September not only as a way to rebuild my physical fitness after everything, but also as a way to reflect and share my story. As I walk, I’ll be talking about what happened—the mistakes that were made, the challenges of being undiagnosed or misunderstood, the cracks in the system, and the reality of living with complex health needs. But I also want to highlight the good: the people who cared, the moments of kindness, and the things that made a difference.
I have a huge story to share with you this month. So come walk with me, as I step and talk.
