Seabiscuit

I have just finished 'Seabiscuit' by Laura Hillenbrand. It is a fantastic true story, well told, and I was very involved with it (OK I cried at times). Then I read Laura H's article about her illness (CFS) which is another moving true story, of determination against the odds and terrible setbacks to produce a best-selling, award-winning book. She is still ill. I do hope she finds ways of recovering like I did.

I am getting better after a long CFS-like recurring virus since April. I am relieved I can use the Lightning Process to get rid of it, even after I'd left it awhile to try and clear up on its own. I am plugging away at my walks and short drives, and seeing people in the village, and I'm seeing positive results again - phew!

I've just had a successful visit to my sister's, and a great time at her 60th birthday party. Now I'm back into producing more cards of my paintings and promoting my cookery book (Eat to Beat Fatigue), as it's been entered for the People's Book Prize (for August) - vote here if you'd like to see it win, during August and September - www.peoplesbookprize.com.

Laura Hillenbrand's story and her book have moved me. Not the drama and the struggle but the characters' creativity and enjoyment of life, even when they are in pain. Keep on trucking!

Well hello!

I have been inspired by my friend Sarah to write something in this blog. I write notes all the time about my rehabilitation into the wide world - and maybe this will help someone else as well as be an indulgence for me as I love writing!

I am Jane, I am 54 and live in a village in England, and am getting back into doing things normally after 20 years of having 'ME' sometimes called 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'. I have had a more severe form of this for 10 years, however I have done things I wouldn't have done otherwise during this time, like write and publish a cookbook and learn painting and garden design. I have been based in my house and my village - like a huge change in my centre of gravity, as previously I was a consultant for telebusiness centres, travelling round Britain and sometimes abroad.

Then I did a training called the Lightning Process, which helped enormously, and since then have been working on different things to get back into socialising, physical activities, and eventually work. So, that's me!