July 2026
Hello and welcome to July’s newsletter. Hope you have had the best month possible.
Smiles
10 Smiles were sent to both ME sufferers and carers of all ages this month. All chosen and personalised to fit each person’s likes and interests. Some of the items sent this month included blankets, hot water bottle, microwavable hottie, blankets, fluffy socks, eye masks, face masks, body care set, rubber duck, tulip candle, candle paints, crochet sets, colouring book, colouring pens, art pencils, books, decorative heart, pin badge, sweets and chocolates.
Special touch
In our Smiles we include a token item donated by someone affected by ME as a special touch from our community. Included in the Smiles sent this month was a crochet plant by redspargel. Thank you for your kind support.
“Thank you so very much for Benedict’s package which arrived this morning. He was absolutely delighted and surprised! The contents was just spot on and he’s so happy with his very soft blanket, fab Lego and his favourite sweets. He’d never seen such a big bag of marshmallows. He absolutely loves the crochet cactus- his favourite plant. The package came at a great time as all his friends are away in Paris on a school trip and he’s stuck at home- perfect timing. Thank you so much. What an amazing thing you do for ME sufferers.”
‘It just came and what a lovely suprise for Evie, she really liked it all and the kind notes from the authors were appreciated too.”
“A huge thank you from Leif (and us!). They were delighted with the gifts – as you can see. Thank you for your kindness and for the brilliant work you do.”
“Thank you for my smile!!”
Share a story
This month’s share a story is by Gemma. Thank you Gemma for sharing your experience of ME through your artwork.
This artwork represents my experiences with ME/CFS. I feel an almost constant feeling of drowning which gets worse when I am required to make more physical or mental effort.
This can also increase with stress and result in a migraine that sends me to bed, lying in a dark room envisioning what I should draw as I can’t turn on the light to draw in my sketchbook.
ME/CFS hurts, mostly in my head but can be widespread. It distracts from my daily activities. My house is quite a mess as I can only tidy a small portion each week. In my worse days the house had rats since I was unable to keep up with cleaning it.
I miss being able to spring clean in one weekend…
Cross stitch designs
The following images are cross stitch designs. They represent my feelings on ME/CFS. I did not mention it specifically in these designs as I was told by friends that they felt they could connect it to their own long term illnesses. So I allowed the interpretation to be open on these so that more people can find connection and understanding in them.
The cross stitch designs can be found here: https://ko-fi.com/buzy_bobbins
The bunny is torn but sewing itself back together. Like how I am trying to regain a semblance of myself despite this illness.
This image was originally going to be a cute sleeping bunny, but in finalising the picture I was battling pain and fatigue. So I found this wonderful quote from Samuel Butler which explained my thoughts at the time perfectly. I changed the bunnies expression and pose to match.
A lion, a symbol of strength is sewing himself together, and covered in patches. This represents how many times I have needed to patch over my life. With everything I find myself unable to do I have had to compensate, patch in some way… find new ways to cope… find new ways to do what my body no longer allows.
Finally I wanted to share my favourite artwork, not influenced by ME/CFS. I share this here to show I am still the same person I was before I became unwell, with a sense of humour and wanting to draw cute things. Its frustrating that this takes me longer and hurts more to achieve but I am trying so hard to keep this little part of me alive. Even though my world became so much smaller, my bike has been untouched for years. I read one book in the past 6 years. I sleep most of the time, but these little artworks are a sign to the world…. I am still here… for a while at least.
Stay strong friends…
Gemma
For more of my artwork here are links to my social media channels:
https://www.facebook.com/BuzyBobbinsCrossStitch
https://www.instagram.com/buzybobbins
https://www.threads.com/@buzybobbins
https://bsky.app/profile/buzybobbins.bsky.social
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.
Thank you’s
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this month. Your kindness and generosity means a lot because it enables us to continue sending Smiles to those affected by ME. We are so grateful thank you.