A former teaching assistant who had to give up the career she loves due to a painful condition has set up a weekly group she hopes will help others.
Fern Shaw (31) of Spalding believes she’s been battling with fibromyalgia, an almost constant pain in her body, since she was a teen, but it’s only been diagnosed within the last 18 months.
A worsening in her condition led to her having to finish working as a teaching assistant in local primary schools specialising in children with special needs.
It came just before Fern gave birth to sons Oscar (7) who is autistic and William (6) who needed life saving surgery after being born two months premature weighing just over 3lbs.
Fibromyalgia has left Fern in an almost constant state of pain, but as well as caring for her family she’s taken a role as a governor at Clough and Risegate Primary School to keep her hand in education.
She also wants to set up an “upliffting” not-for-profit group called TruYou Chronic Pain and Mental Health Lincolnshire which aims to be “more positive” than the support groups she’s been to.
She hopes it will be like Holbeach’s Clicked-In, which holds regular activity sessions as part of its meetings and though angled towards those with medical conditions, anyone can attend.
“I’m really excited about providing positivity for those that need it most,” Fern said. “Previous support groups I’ve been to have been quite negative in a lot of respects.
“With this group I want people to come along, relax and speak to people if that’s what they want to do.
“We’re looking to put on activities including art, glass painting and clay modelling.
“We’re also hoping to professionals in, including offering beauty therapy.
“It’s all really exciting and open to anybody, be it those with medical conditions or those just looking for something positive.”
Mini beauty treatments are on the agenda for the group’s first session at the Welland Workspace on Pinchbeck Road in Spalding on Tuesday, May 21 from 9.30am to 12pm.
There’s also a Facebook page you can find by searching TruYou – Chronic Pain and Mental Health Lincolnshire.
