Today I was notified I was shortlisted for campaigner of the year award from the British diversity awards. I was overjoyed and shocked, I didn’t even know I was nominated so to be shortlisted alongside some amazing people like Munroe Bergdorf was amazing.
There is no doubt I was grateful for this and it lifted my spirits alongside the endless messages I got congratulating me. After fighting the imposter syndrome for my work with Chronically Brown, I needed this to continue working and helping those that need it. I sincerely took this as I won the award, I was that happy. I basically was having a good day; on a Monday nevertheless.
However, this made me realise the perseverance of myself and so many others living in chronic pain. I was having a good day AND suffering with the amount of pain I was in. The day before, I had drove 3hrs and the physical outcome from this was a stiff and painful neck, lower back and shoulders. I didn’t even realise how much pain I was in because I was having a good day. I ignored the pain that well!
So I continued working off the adrenaline rush of praise and recognition only. Whilst I took it easy, so not to make my pain worse.
