Hi my name's Claire Wade and I'm a writer, creator and baker.
I always imagined I'd have a cookie cutter life, you know the life that everybody else has. Education, career, marriage, family, retirement. I was happy with that. It seems life had other plans for me.
I became ill with ME/CFS at ten. You can read more about my story here... It changed everything. I had to leave school at fifteen, was bed bound at sixteen for six years. Like I said, life had other plans for me.
Despite being ill I really wanted to find a way to live my life and make the most of it. I didn't want to let my illness win, so I decided that I would find ways to achieve what I wanted, even if it meant adapting things to my abilities.
My ME means I have very limited energy. I had to find ways to achieve what I wanted despite some days only being able to concentrate for five minutes. I got very good at breaking goals down into smaller steps and pacing myself.
Despite being bed bound I wrote a book called Surviving Severe ME, set up multiple websites including easytoswallow.co.uk and survivingsevereme.com. I organised charity craft sales and set up Holidays From Home doing virtual holidays and experiences for people who were bed or housebound.
I always imagined I'd have a cookie cutter life, you know the life that everybody else has. Education, career, marriage, family, retirement. I was happy with that. It seems life had other plans for me.
I became ill with ME/CFS at ten. You can read more about my story here... It changed everything. I had to leave school at fifteen, was bed bound at sixteen for six years. Like I said, life had other plans for me.
Despite being ill I really wanted to find a way to live my life and make the most of it. I didn't want to let my illness win, so I decided that I would find ways to achieve what I wanted, even if it meant adapting things to my abilities.
My ME means I have very limited energy. I had to find ways to achieve what I wanted despite some days only being able to concentrate for five minutes. I got very good at breaking goals down into smaller steps and pacing myself.
Despite being bed bound I wrote a book called Surviving Severe ME, set up multiple websites including easytoswallow.co.uk and survivingsevereme.com. I organised charity craft sales and set up Holidays From Home doing virtual holidays and experiences for people who were bed or housebound.
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I was lucky, I had great support from my family and friends, and the internet changed everything. I may not have been able to go out; but there was a world of information a few clicks away.
I've always believed if you want something you should go for it. There is always a way to bring your dream to life. My current dream is to finish and publish my novel. It's taking all my determination, patience and pacing ability to keep going with it - nobody tells you how much work goes into a book. Seriously who knew it took years?! I didn't when I started; but I love writing so much and I truly want this, so I'm persevering. |
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Things are getting better, my health has improved so that I can now go out. You might spot me out and about in my funky blue wheelchair.
I love watching television, chocolate and baking, so sitting eating chocolate cake, fresh from the oven, while watching The Newsroom is my idea of heaven. My happy place is my garden writing room. |
Connect with me here...
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