Emma

I’ve always said that there are two things a person needs in their life – connection and purpose.  I believe these are fundamental to what makes us who we are.   It’s what’s at the very core of what makes us human.

We’re all capable of these two things in some form or another. But often the way we live our life gets in the way.  Or at least, we let it.

But what else is important, is resilience. Being able to pick yourself up, after going through a difficult time, is crucial. But what’s even better, is to then use what you’ve learned along the way to help others.

Life will always through curveballs because that’s just life!  But, you have a couple of choices when this happens.  Either lie down and take it, or get up and throw that damn ball back, but with purpose!

So what I’m trying to say is that just because you might have a medical diagnosis, label, or some crap you’re going through, don’t let it stop you from being yourself and doing what you really want to do.  Don’t let it make you fearful of what you’re capable of.  

Reach out, connect with others, help others, be kind and only take what you need.  It doesn’t matter who you are. Everyone is capable of awesomeness in their own, unique way. It’s how positive change becomes possible.

I have ADHD and I think it makes me a better human.  You’re probably thinking – why?  Yes, it can be super annoying, exhausting and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s what makes me who I am – passionate, empathetic, kind, with a genuine interest in people and making the world a better place.  It also helps me appreciate the struggles of others.

I’m also a self-confessed geek who loves research and questioning why something is happening, to then try to find a solution.

So, after spontaneously developing Coeliac Disease and a rare form of inflammatory bowel disease from a parasite on a trip to Bali, my inner geek was unleashed!

I now have an interest in how the environment interacts with our genes and gene expression. Yes, it’s super geeky but I want to know the odds of me developing these diseases and if they’re connected to my ADHD diagnosis.  

As a former Special Education Teacher, I taught for over 20 years in England, New Zealand and Australia.  I finally quit the profession to reduce the stress in my life, focus on my health, and follow my bliss of helping others. 

As I discovered, not only do environmental factors contribute to developing Coeliac Disease, diet and stress also play a role in disrupting the gut microbiome triggering the disease.  How these all interact with each other though, still remains a mystery.

It took me many years, and ultimately chronic illness, to finally do what I’ve always wanted to do – write!

Funny thing is, I never dreamed I’d be writing about my gut and brain health!