Team Princess

 Last year I discovered a group called Team Princess via Instagram, who were having fun dressing up as princesses while raising money for a cause that is very close to my heart. These amazing people all have ME, a chronic illness that I've been battling for the last five years. Currently there is no known cure and it seriously affects every aspect of my life. ME which is short for Myalgic encephalopathy, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a neurological illness that affects the immune system and nervous system, it causes many horrible symptoms that so many people in this world struggle to cope with day in and day out.

 I've always wanted to do whatever I can to help raise awareness and funds for ME charities but I am unable to run a race or even guarantee being able to get out of bed, which is why I am so excited to be joining the princesses this year. This is something that I can do even if on the day I'm not able to do much at all. There is a point as to why we will be dressing as princesses, sadly the likeness between us and fairytales is pretty strong. We're the Sleeping Beauties of this world locked up in Rapunzel's tower. We're all guarded by this dragon waiting for a cure to save us, waiting for our fairytale ending where we get to be normal healthy people.
 My chosen charity is ME Research UK who do vital biomedical research into the causes, treatment and hopefully cure of this illness. International ME Awareness Day is on May the 12th, this is the day that all the princesses shall be dressing up. I can't wait to share with you my take on a princess outfit, but for now I am keeping it top secret! I am hoping to get the opportunity to take outfit photos before the date to make it a stress free fun day - that's if my amazing dress turns up in time! I will be writing a little bit more about this illness on here too which I hope will help my friends, family and anyone affected by this to understand what it's like living with an incurable illness.

As well as talking about life with ME and dressing as a princess, I am creating a very limited amount of original illustrations using watercolour and pen, like the ones in the photos. If you would like one like this with your name, friend's name or favourite short quote then get in touch. They cost a minimum donation of £10 to my Just Giving page so that all the profits go straight to ME Research UK. I can only do a very limited amount of these so get in touch quickly.

If you would like to support me and help me raise as much money as possible, I would be so grateful! Donating is so simple just go to my Just Giving page (link below). Any donation big or small will help ME Research do their job and hopefully one day cure all people just like me.
Thank you.
Emma Xx

My Just Giving page - Click here