My story starts very much like any other story, right at the beginning.

I came from a family of two other sisters and two brothers plus of course, Mum and Dad. School time was very pleasant with most of its duration within a countryside environment, leading on to college attendance and then final graduation, which was an HND in Travel and Tourism with Business Administration. This enabled me to work as a holiday rep in France and after a period of time I returned to the UK and started employment within a travel agency. I loved it.

Time each and every day was occupied by going to my work and all the usual activities of an active outgoing person. Going out to the cinema, the pub, clubbing, etc. Before I fell ill I was a perfectly healthy twenty-four year old who could walk and the thought of not being able to do such a natural thing, just never entered my mind.

I had a job I loved, working as a travel agent in Johnstone, a nearby town to my home. I passed my driving test after four attempts. You could say fourth time lucky! I persevered at it till I passed and used to love driving to and from my work. Sadly now, I can't drive despite having been an active girl doing yoga and aerobics every week.

Towards the end of December 2002 I was considering buying a small house and even went to an advisor to seek advise on what type of mortgae would suit best, for myself and my partner at that time. Thank God we did not sign anything. Looking back over this time, I now know why I was always feeling tired and perhaps a bit grumpy, but never thought for a moment that these symptons would lead on to something within my own body, that would have more serious consequencies.