August 2022
Hello and welcome to August’s newsletter. Hope you have had the best month possible.
Smiles
12 Smiles were sent to both ME sufferers and carers of all ages this month. The items included in our Smiles change all the time as we personalise them to each person’s likes and interests. Some of the items included this month were acrylic glitter paint, clay set, notebook, cuddly toys, Harry Potter 3D jigsaw, Stranger Things lego set, make up brushes, bubble bath, bath salts, face masks, nail varnish, book vouchers, mugs, coffee, sweets, keto chocoate, sugar free chocolate and vegan chocolate.
Severe ME Awareness Day
8th August marks Severe ME Awareness Day. Sending lots of love to those affected by Severe ME and remembering those who have sadly lost their lives.
We remember and acknowledge Severe ME sufferers each year on the 13th May with our Merryn’s Smile Day event in memory of Merryn Crofts. You can read more about Merryn’s story here: www.smileforme.org.uk/merrynsmileday.
Share a story
This month’s share a story is a poem by Debbie Razey, Violet Moon Poetry. Thank you Debbie for writing a poem about Severe ME after receiving a Smile in Merryn’s name.
Smile for me
Smile for me when all seems lost
Smile for me when I… cannot
Smile for me when I’m alone
Smile for me when I’m trapped at home
Smile for me when the pain’s too much
Smile for me when I’m being judged
Smile for me when the grief chokes me
Smile for me when I’m invisible… not seen
Smile for me when I can’t cope with sound
Smile for me when migraines pound
Smile for me when my body shakes
Smile for me when loved ones’ hearts break
Smile for me when life passes me by
Smile for me when I ask myself why?
Smile for me when doctors gaslight
Smile for me when I try to fight
Smile for me when I get confused
Smile for me when job… I lose
Smile for me when I cannot eat
Smile for me when I can’t move my feet
Smile for me when I can’t get warm
Smile for me when therapy does me harm
Smile for me when I can’t get cool
Smile for me when we can’t afford fuel
Smile for me when I’ve severe brain fog
Smile for me when my independence is lost
Smile for me when my head’s as heavy as lead
Smile for me when fatigue shackles me to my bed
Smile for me when I can’t help but cry
Smile for me when I’m accused of lies
Smile for me when each breath’s a struggle
Smile for me when it hurts to cuddle
Smile for me when I become severe
Smile for me when I’m riddled with fear
Smile for me when I lie in hell
Smile for me when I beg for help
Smile for me when I cannot speak
Smile for me when my pulse is weak
Smile for me when my BP plummets
Smile for me when food hurts my stomach
Smile for me when my friends all leave
Smile for me when my husband’s brought to his knees
Smile for me when palpations roar
Smile for me when I can’t take any more
Smile for me when all light hurts my eyes
Smile for me as I say my goodbyes
Smile for me when there is no cure
Smile for me when my death’s premature
But… today this Smile has lifted me
Hope… is what’s been gifted to me
Made me feel that someone cares
That I’m not alone… as in ME we share
Thank you for all the kind gifts you bring
Thank you for acknowledging our suffering
May the 13th… a day for remembering
Our beautiful, brave ME warrior… Merryn
Her precious life may have been cut short
But her advocacy’s impact… was not
Through, Merryn’s Smile Day… her legacy lives on
“Life is still worthwhile” hear in my head… ‘Smile’ Chaplain’s song
© Debbie Razey 2022 – Violet Moon Poetry
Smile of the month
What’s made you smile this month? Each month we ask this question on social media and we love hearing the responses. We hope by sharing some of your smiles it can help others to find a smile too.
Fundraising
A big thank you to Lauren who is kindly continuing to fundraise for us.
“For the past couple of years, I have been trying to raise money for a charity close to my heart. A charity which helped me so much when I was at one of my lowest points, Smile For ME.
My various wrist wraps helped to raise a fantastic amount, these can still be made should any one like to purchase.
This year, I wanted to do something completely different, but fun & cute.
This is my ‘Smile for Me’ Bee ?
As before, each one will be made to order and costing:
£4.75 with a keyring
£4.50 without
£1.50 from each buzzy Bee ?, will go to the charity, the remainder covers P+P and all materials used.
If you would like to give a home to a ‘Smile for Me’ Bee ?, you can place an order by contacting me at:
lauren.wrapsiewoo@gmail.com
and I will be very happy to help you ?
Hopefully they’ll help to raise money for a brilliant cause.
Thank you ?
Lauren x”
Thank you’s
To everyone who has supported us this month thank you. It is thanks to your kindness we are able to continue sending Smiles to people affected by ME so we can’t thank you enough.
Thank you to those who choose to support us through Facebook Birthday fundraisers recently. Thank you for sharing your special day to help raise money for us. Hope you all had the best Birthday possible.
A big thank you to Tracy and Stuart for choosing to support us by selling toys at a car boot sale. Thank you for your kindness.
A special thank you to Rachel and The Whitchurch Tangent Club for your generous donation. So touched you chose to support us.
[…] August 2022 NewsletterSubmitted by […]
Well intentioned but I think not well thought through. Sweets and chocolates iin a world full of obesity and diabetes….and severe patients who are unable to exercise or visit the dentist. Plastic and acrylic pollutants. And Smiles implies our illness is psychological and we just need cheering up. I couldn’t even sit up to look in the box.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and write a comment.
Over the 10 years we have been running so much thought has gone into everything we do. We send Smiles to both ME sufferers and their carers and personalise all the presents to their interests and for the ME sufferers we take into consideration the severity of their ME.
The sweets, chocolates and acrylic sets were all items which were requested by the nominators as they knew those they were nominating would enjoy the one off treat we sent.
Understand your concern about pollutants, we do our best to combat this by using recyclable wrapping, packaging and plastic free sellotape.
We have never and would never imply ME is psychological. Being affected by ME ourselves we know it is not.
We chose to call our presents Smiles as we are sending a little Smile in the form of a present in the post to brighten their day and show them someone cares.
We understand opening a present with ME isn’t always possible but hope on a slightly better day or with help the recipients will know that they are thought of and not forgotten.
Sending best wishes your way ?