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Artist - Blog - ME/CFS - Links

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Welcome to the homepage of RachelCreative aka Rachel Groves.

Amongst my many labels in life I am an artist, a blogger, and a ME/CFS sufferer. Oh, and a giggler come belly laugher (whenever I get the chance).

Site last updated: 14 July 2008


Artist (Arty Farty)

Familiar Bear

I try not to take myself or my art too seriously (though the latter comes easiest!)

I've found distraction and happiness in my art and it's helped me so much whilst struggling to live with a chronic illnees. You can see new examples of my art posted regularly on my art blog http://rachelcreative.wordpress.com

My blog contains doodles, sketches, paintings, poetry and cut-ups (including recycled spam poetry). I've recently developed a passion for photography including digital SLR and low tech film cameras (like Holga and Split-Cam).

Art (and blogging) keeps me sane, keeps me happy and gives me a way to express my joy (and sometimes some darker things too).

I love it when my sense of humour comes through my work and my style is often simple, quirky and fun.

Broken Scarf

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Blog

I am a blogger - primarily of my art and artistic explorations. I never used to understand the attraction of blogging but now I am a total convert. Please take a look and leave me a comment if you're so inclined - I love reading them.

http://rachelcreative.wordpress.com

15aug2007_what 20070812_one_window Counting Staple Mouth 7aug2007_inatwist 23jul2007_ambitions 20jul2007_medications Familiar Bear 19jul2007_one_day Spinal Bubble of Doom to do Avec Stylo Sandy Wheels Broken Scarf I Give To You Half and Half Scanner At Last Blogging Against Disabilism Vacant old house painting Heavy

Examples of art from my blog

See more pictures

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ME/CFS Sufferer

In January 2007 I was formally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) although I have been ill since mid 2005. This condition is also called M.E., Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) and in the USA is called Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS).

I am, what they call, a moderate sufferer, though on some of the scales I am borderline severe. I am fortunate not to be bed-bound but I am still very debilitated and poorly. My condition can be variable and severity of symptoms ebbs and flows - but I never have the energy to run about and do "normal" things. I won't go into all the details of my personal symptoms here - although I'm happy to talk about it I'm not sure everyone really wants to know my every faulty inner working! I'm blessed with a loving and supportive husband, family and set of friends.

There's a huge amount of information on the internet about this condition but still no cure and treatments can be a bit hit and miss. If you have just been diagnosed, suspect you may have this illness or know someone who does, there's a lot of research and reading you can do. Be careful - much of it is conflicting and can make you more confused! But for me more knowledge has allowed me to make my own judgements about how to assist recovery.

I have collected (and continue to collect) many links to CFS/ME articles and resources which you can see for yourself http://del.ico.us/rachelcreative/m.e.

If you are a sufferer (and I wish you all the best if you are) above all I believe you need rest, patience, good nutrition, a sympathetic GP and laughter. If I find a magic cure I'll let you all know!

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Links

Me On The Web ...

My Flickr photos www.flickr.com/photos/rachelcreative

My Twitter http://twitter.com/rachelcreative

My del.ico.us links http://del.icio.us/rachelcreative

My art blog here at http://rachelcreative.wordpress.com

DizzySky - my other bloghttp://dizzysky.wordpress.com

My UK/EU T-Shirt Store http://rachelcreative.spreadshirt.net

My USA/WorldWide T-Shirt Store http://rachelcreative.spreadshirt.com

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Special Sites ...

http://grovesmedia.wordpress.com - Groves Media: blog of freelance journalist, writer and media consultant Paul Groves (my husband)

www.simonpartridge.com - Simon Partridge: professional singer for weddings, parties, functions

www.mister.net - my brilliant web host

www.wordpress.com - my brilliant blog host

www.dtir.co.uk - Derby Theatre in the Round: amateur theatre group based in Derby (also the first web site I designed)

http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellor_8864.html

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And Also ...

 

I use statcounter.com to track visitors to my site - because I am curious to see who stops by and know that I'm not in fact talking to myself - nothing sinister :-)


I support the Amnesty International campaign for internet freedom - read more at irrepressible.info

My hit counter and the Amnesty Ad both use javascript and may cause an Active X warning on your PC - again nothing sinister.

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Contact me: rachelcreative [at] yahoo.co.uk