Another banger from @theburlyphotographer because heaven knows I need it.⠀
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A little bit of context - this was taken at a banger of an @invisiblecabaret show, set in the glorious @thebedfordpub. What you don’t see in these pics is the support of my parents, boyfriend and troupe sisters, without which there is no way I would have made it onto stage. Two days before the show, I was felled by a huge pain & fatigue crash, which left me unable to move or speak. Not great when you’re due to compere in London in 48 hours. My whole body was on fire, burning and aching and utterly useless but as a receptacle for pain. I knew there was no way I’d make the train journey to London with a suitcase of costume and props, let alone manage to perform a day later. ⠀
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➡️ Cue my rescue team 🦹🏼♀️🦹🏻♂️💃⠀
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The day of the show, my Dad did two 100 mile round trips - once to drop off my Mum and me, and again to pick us up post-show. My Mum stayed with me on the day, fetching and carrying, making sure I ate, encouraging me to rest, and still pulling an incredible vintage hairstyle out of the bag for @lily.parham! Were it not for this support, I honestly don’t know what I would have done. 🥰⠀
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Sometimes it’s hard being 26 and dependent on my parents in so many ways, but ultimately, my gratitude for their amazing support far outweighs any societally-implemented shame I may feel. It’s so easy to focus on where you ‘should’ be, especially when you look at an Instagram highlights reel. So this is my way of saying - f$*% that. There’s a lot of context you don’t see. This sassy broad you see before you, who loves to sing and make people laugh, is usually in bed wondering how much longer before she can take her next painkiller. Highlights are great, but they’re not the full picture.⠀
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And #spoonie friends especially - screw the stigma that others enforce (and often we put upon ourselves with #internalisedableism). Accept the help. Whether that’s your parents or your SO or your medical team or a friendly next door neighbour: accepting support does not make you a failure. It does not make you a burden. It will simply allow you to have more highlights. ✨
So proud of the pared-down cast of @invisiblecabaret for what we created tonight! ✨ This sisterhood has been life changing for me, and the fact I could turn up with walking stick, blanket and supportive mother in tow, and be nothing but helped and uplifted by this troupe of gorgeous souls, it fills me with gratitude and hope. And to get to SING with my biz/life partner tonight? Pure bliss. Even if she was pretending to be a manifestation of my anxieties at the time. 🤷♀️😍 Love you @rochietom aka @ferreroburlesque, and thank you to everyone who made tonight so special. Stay tuned for our next steps!
Now to spiritually fuse with my duvet and work out how much codeine I can take in one go without dying 👍
#stripawaystigma #makinginvisibleillnessesvisible
