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Dear Chronic Illness, compiled by Pippa Stacey
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How To Network Online by Pippa Stacey – eBook
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How To Study Online by Pippa Stacey – eBook
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University and Chronic Illness: A Survival Guide by Pippa Stacey
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A-Level results day is just around the corner, and

A-Level results day is just around the corner, and next month thousands will be off to university to start a glorious new chapter. It can be a scary process, though - all the more so for students with a chronic illness.
My own health declined halfway through my undergraduate degree, and my experiences of navigating higher education with ME/CFS led me to write University And Chronic Illness: A Survival Guide. It’s a non-fiction book full of *all* the things I wish I’d had somebody to tell me back then, and the response from readers and those working in higher education has truly been one of my proudest achievements.
All of that said, it’s been a real uphill battle trying to make sure this book reaches those who might benefit from it the most. As a disabled first-time author, publishing right before a global pandemic, there has been obstacle after obstacle. One day, I’ll be able to sit down with no qualms and tell you all about it, but for now we soldier on…
I’ve really had to rely on the support of you lovely lot, and now, as universities begin preparations for the academic year, I’m asking for your help one more time. Would you consider spreading the word about the book and my work?
The book can be purchased via the link in my bio, and I also offer a Pay It Forward scheme. If you want to show support but don’t need a copy yourself, you can purchase one to be donated to a deserving cause - all details on the webpage!
I also offer talks for students (secondary age through to graduates) and educators. In the past I’ve covered applying for uni, looking after mental and physical health alongside student life, being an ally for students with chronic illnesses, transitioning from education and employment, and so much more...
I’m open to any opportunities I can reasonably take on to spread the word about this book, so if you can help in any way, please do get in touch at lifeofpippablog@gmail.com. There are also loads of posts about inclusive education and employment on my blog, and I also have pics and template emails for anyone who can reach out to contacts.
Thank you SO much for your support. I appreciate it more than you know! ✨

A little throwback to one of the greatest experien

A little throwback to one of the greatest experiences of my life to ease into something I’ve found quite difficult to talk and write about, but something that feels important to share...
There’s a new blog post up now and linked in my bio, all about disability and chronic illness inclusion in the theatre industry. If we’ve been connected for a while you might know that my blog originally started as a theatre blog, and that my ‘chronic illness-friendly’ reviews were my passion.
However, recent events in the industry and the response to them have caused me to finally confront a few thoughts about how my own work and my own lived experiences fit, or perhaps don’t fit, into the wider conversation about accessibility that’s finally, finally getting the recognition it urgently needs.
It’s a reflection on privilege and self-awareness, having something an online presence, and the importance of keeping sight of the bigger picture. Usually I’d try and summarise my blog posts for Instagram, but this one? I have no idea how to tie it up neatly in a bow, especially since I’m still grappling with it all and trying to work out if I’m going about things in the right way.
This is something of a learning curve for me, and it felt important to share it... so if you feel up to it, I’d be really grateful if you could give this one a read. What do you think about it all?
In other news, it has been 522 days since I’ve physically been in a theatre - probably the longest spell of time I’ve been away since I was six years old. Y’know, not that I’m counting or anything...
Lots of solidarity to anybody else who’s desperate to get back but still finding it unfeasible with their circumstances. Our time will come again, right? 🎭💛

[#AD] @tescofood Anybody fancy some fruit? 🍓 I

[#AD] @tescofood Anybody fancy some fruit? 🍓 I need no incentive for buying fresh fruit during the summer, but @tescofood’s Buy One Help A Child scheme means you can enjoy your faves and support an incredibly worthy cause at the same time.

For every piece of fresh fruit or veg purchased between 19th July - 8th August, Tesco will make a donation of 2p to FareShare: a brilliant organisation who reduce food waste and turn surplus food into meals for people affected by food insecurity. 2.3 million children in the UK live in households that have experienced food insecurity over the last 6 months, and with this scheme, Tesco are aiming to provide at least 3 million meals.

I’ve used Tesco for my online shop for years, and I *love* that they’re including online as well as in-store purchases for this scheme, so that those of us mostly based at home can show our support too. I consider myself lucky to have never experienced food insecurity, but given that 26% of working age disabled people live in poverty and many in the chronic illness community face financial uncertainty of all kinds, this felt important to highlight.
[T&Cs: Tesco will donate food of equivalent value to the donation raised through the following charitable promotion to FareShare (charity no 1100051): based upon 2p donation for every individual and multipack of fresh fruit & veg (excluding pre-prepared fruit and veg) sold before 09/08. Average meal weight 420g].

It also goes without saying that because of the nature of this campaign, I’ve made a donation of my own to FareShare as well - their website is well worth a read, gang. In many ways, their mission has never been more crucial than it is right now.

I‘m so here for little changes that can make a big difference! What’s your favourite fruit? 🍍

A commitment to making the world of work more acce

A commitment to making the world of work more accessible and inclusive in today’s #NationalDisabilityStrategy marks a positive step forward, but it’s absolutely imperative that this process is safe, sustainable and nuanced for people with long-term illnesses.
Even in past research and consultation about disability and employment, the unique challenges of energy-limiting chronic illness have so often been cast aside or omitted from the conversation altogether. And in my opinion, it’s impossible to move things forward unless we are no longer considered an after-thought. Flexible working is important and it’s great that this has been recognised, but this is just one of dozens of barriers that people with energy-limiting chronic illnesses face in employment and recruitment.
Not everybody with a chronic illness is well enough to work, nor should they ever feel forced into unsuitable occupations. However, in the right environment, being able to engage with fulfilling work can have a hugely positive effect on a person’s quality of life.
That said, there is a *huge* gap in the provision of bespoke support and guidance for those seeking inclusive yet meaningful employment opportunities that match their skills and experiences - especially for those making the transition from education to employment. There is no quick fix to this - if we want to achieve longer-term change, it’s all about consulting and collaborating with people with lived experiences and the organisations who support them. We will no longer be an after-thought.
If you’re interested in this topic or seeking support, I’m obviously biased here but let me point you in @astriidcharity’s direction. We’ve already made some progress in our government lobbying, but day-to-day our team support individuals with long-term health conditions at all stages of their ‘work-ready’ journey and match them with inclusive opportunities that our employers provide. You can also read my research report, Employment And Long Term Illness, complete with plenty of stats and quotes, on our website.
Here’s to turning these words into tangible change. Here’s to making this matter.
IMAGE CREDITS: @timmcleasbyphotography

Recently I finished reading A Still Life by Josie

Recently I finished reading A Still Life by Josie George and goodness me, I never wanted it to end.
For the last few months insomnia and random allergic reactions have been waking me up at ungodly hours of the morning, and having this book to read alongside my first cuppa of the day has hands-down been the thing that’s got me through it. And trust me, that’s high praise indeed.
This memoir and the way it was written gave me something I didn’t know I was craving - a celebration of the joys in the everyday and the world around us, balanced with an honest telling of the challenges of fluctuating chronic illness. It ignited something in me, and not in the tokenistic *inspirational* way that many stories about long-term illness seem to lean into. It was so real. So real.
I’ve been struggling to think of ways to describe this book and the best I can come up with is that it grounded me. Josie’s writing gently reminds you to look inwardly and keep rooted in the here and now, rather than constantly being preoccupied with whatever the heck comes next. And frankly, that reminder couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
If you’re able to read, I really need you to go and read this memoir. In many ways it’s the ideal book to pace yourself with, because though the story is communicated in an accessible and engaging way, every single paragraph is art. Every single sentence will give you something you’ll want to sit with and mull over.
@porridgebrain, thank you so much for writing this book and sharing your gift with the world. I really think it’s changed me, and I have no doubt it will have changed many others too. It’s a book I’ll go back to time and time again. I’m so grateful to have found your work.
I also owe a huge thank you to those of you who recommended this title when I was looking for narrative non-fiction recommendations! Might have to start picking your brains more often...
I’ll pop a link in my bio, and you can also find it on Josie’s site. I’m just relieved I’ve discovered her blog and have other things to look forward to reading next!
Have you read A Still Life or any similarly world-changing books lately? I’d love to hear about them!

[AD - Press Visit] Two weeks later and I’m still

[AD - Press Visit] Two weeks later and I’m still trying to find words that do justice to @alnwickcastleofficial. The castle itself and the surrounding countryside were stunning. Utterly stunning.
We would have been quite content just to sit in the grounds with a cuppa and take it all in (and believe me we did!) but there was plenty more we wanted to make time for during our visit.
We had a look around the on-site Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland, caught the Arms and Armour talk by an artisan staff member who deffo deserves some kind of Netflix series, and explored the Castle State Rooms inhabited by the Percy family. I can only *dream* of having a library like that one day.
Above all else though, I was completely blown away by the access experience we had. Being a historical landmark of course not everything was accessible via the mobility scooter I’d rented for the day, and it was rather a bumpy ride at times... but I never have I seen a team so informed about the site’s accessibility, proactive about doing what they can to improve the things within their control, and dedicated to making the experience as enjoyable and immersive as possible for people using mobility aids. It was truly something else - and if they can make that happen at a landmark like Alnwick Castle, I hope other attractions are paying close attention.
You can find out more about our visit in the blog post I shared last week, and watch more from our time in Northumberland in the vlog that went up this evening. I’ll pop links in my bio!
Have you been to Alnwick Castle? We managed to refrain from taking part in the Broomstick Training sessions aimed at small children but it looked like an unmissable experience for Harry Potter fans - it takes place in the exact spot Harry learned to fly in the first movie 😏🏰

Quite a niche post but will you humour me while I

Quite a niche post but will you humour me while I do some free-from foodie fangirling?
If you also live with the joys of multiple allergies, you’ll know how tricky it can be to find safe and reliable food options when you’re travelling somewhere new. Since we were staying somewhere fairly remote and small rather than a big city I was prepared for it to be a bit of a struggle... but while we were there we found some absolute treasures which not only matched but completely exceeded experiences I’ve had elsewhere.
I’d kick myself if I didn’t document them because it’s social media posts like these that help me do my own research when I’m going somewhere new - be sure to save this post if you’re travelling to Alnwick/Alnmouth in the future!
1. THE HOPE AND ANCHOR, ALNMOUTH (@hopeandanchoralnmouth). Nut free kitchen and everything cooked fresh on site, so dishes can be customised to accommodate any allergies. I even had a choice of dessert that *wasn’t* a raspberry sorbet. If you’re dairy free you’ll understand what a momentous occasion this was!
2. SCOTT’S OF ALNMOUTH (@scottsofalnmouth). Gorgeous deli selling fresh produce, cupboard treats, and breakfast and lunches to take away and enjoy on the beach. All of the staff were so kind and took the time to talk through options, including loads of vegan choices, *and* they stock @lazydayfoods goodies if you’re in need of a sweet treat with your cuppa. Ooft.
3. THE ORIGAMI CAFE, ALNWICK (@the_origami_cafe). Dessert cafe selling cakes and milkshakes in the town centre. The staff were so on the ball with allergens and not only automatically knew to use separate equipment but voluntarily showed me the ingredients on the back of every single product they used in my drink so I could be completely sure it was safe for me. Such a positive experience AND I got an Oreo milkshake out of it. What a time to be alive.
Times like these can unfortunately still be few and far between, so it’s all the more important that we champion those doing it right, right? I felt slightly euphoric having unexpectedly had so many positive experiences in a row!
Do you have any free from recommendations in the area? 🥰💛

[AD - Press Visit] New wheels, who dis? Last week

[AD - Press Visit] New wheels, who dis? Last week I had my first taste of mobility scooter life - it’s not mine, but renting it for the day during our visit to @alnwickgarden made our adventure even better!
I’ve been wanting to visit The Alnwick Garden for genuinely about 7-8 years now, and even in unrelenting torrential rain it lived up to all of my expectations. We saw The Grand Cascade, over 300 beautiful roses in bloom in The Rose Garden, and the biggest collection of Taihaku Cherry Blossom in the world in the The Cherry Orchard. The real highlight for us, though, was The Poison Garden. More on that in the blog post...
There’s a full account of our visit linked in my bio, as well another one of our day trips during our time away. I’m already strategising how and when I can get back there!
What I wanted to champion more than anything, though, is how wonderful it felt to explore these grounds using mobility aids. The paths were for the most part surprisingly smooth and accessible, and being on wheels meant that I could appreciate them to the fullest. Every ramp felt safe and secure (and yes, it’s worrying that that’s something I’ve learnt to praise given past experiences as a wheelchair user...) and I was particularly impressed to see a map of scooter/wheelchair accessible routes on their website, with different parts annotated by how accessible they would be.
There was a level access route to almost everything that would otherwise be accessed by foot, and that in itself meant so much. Even the rope bridges to the treehouse were easy to navigate using a scooter, and you just try and tell me there’s anything better in life than a wheelchair-accessible treehouse. I’ll wait.
So, as you might be able to tell, we really loved our visit to @alnwickgarden. The fact that we enjoyed it so much in beastly weather conditions is a testament to just how gorgeous it really is, and it’s safe to say will be back again in the future - thank you @visitnorthumberland for such a gorgeous experience!
You can find plenty more pics and info in the blog post linked in my bio. Have you ever visited The Alnwick Garden? Would you like to go one day? 🥰🌱

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