I saw this earlier today & it reminded me of the difficulty I faced, 10 years ago, when confronted with an illness that never ended. Here's a short thread on an unimagined life for #MEAwarenessHour

Back in 2009 I was playing volleyball 2 or 3 times a week, at a reasonable level. I was also running, cycling & I had taken up karate. I was probably fitter than I had ever been in my life. Not bad for someone in their late 30s. #MEAwarenessHour

After falling ill in 2010 it quickly became apparent that I could not continue with any of the activities I enjoyed. At the time, I didn't realise it would be for the rest of my life. I simply thought I was facing a small bump in the road. #MEAwarenessHour

It was hard to get over the loss of those activities, but I hung onto the expectation that in a few months I would be back on the court & on the country roads. I never imagined the alternative life ahead. #MEAwarenessHour

The feeling of grief is not reserved for the loss of a loved one, it is also felt acutely at the loss of the dreams you have for your own life. Grief is a hard, difficult feeling. One that we wish we could spare others from. It is not easy to do when the life is yours

And, for me at least, it never leaves. Every time I feel well I think that I have finally emerged from the dark illness that has consumed my dreams. Then I fall back & I find the grief is as acute as it ever was. #MEAwarenessHour

So that feeling of having your dreams constrained, your life put on hold, because of a new virus. That feeling is grief. For most, it will be a brief, hard period of loss. You will meet your dreams again. #MEAwarenessHour

For others, that feeling will never leave. The unimagined life is the one we live. We look forever to the one we wish we could have. #MEAwarenessHour

Yet, in this short period where a virus rules the planet, we are all equal in our grief. But in this time, we are the ones who understand what it is & how to face it. We can help you to steer through it, if you need us to. Reach out. Speak to us & maybe we can make a difference.