I want to give something back as I celebrate 30th
Most of Hollie Pearson’s friends are married with children, their own homes, and careers. But she has none of those things as she approaches her milestone 30th birthday, due to a debilitating illness.
Miss Pearson suffers from fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over her body which she developed when she was in her early 20s.
Now the former Thomas Cook rep is asking for just one thing for her birthday, the gift of sponsorship, after she decided to have a tattoo inked onto her scalp for charity.
She told the Kent Messenger: “It has affected every aspect of my life and no longer do I find joy in the things that used to make me smile.
“I am unable to work as I am continuously unwell and not reliable enough to maintain a job, as my illness is so unpredictable. I use a walking stick to try and help myself and also when able, a mobility scooter to help me get around.
“I was a performer and loved to entertain people but as this illness has been so hard to bear that slowly has disappeared.
“The realisation of how this illness has affected every aspect of my life has been heightened by the fact I am turning 30. I look at many of my friends and what they have achieved and due to feeling so unwell and depressed, I have not achieved even one of the major targets society expects us to obtain by this age.
“This got me thinking how I could make this turning of age a positive thing and how I could help those who suffer like me.”
She will be revealing the secret tattoo – which will be of something related to her illness – by having half her head shaved in front of friends at Mu Mu’s in Week Street, on Sunday, December 7 – the weekend before her birthday on Friday, December 12. The event will also include Lindy Hop dancing and singing, all in aid of Fibromyalgia Association UK.
She said: “I knew I would not be able to manage jumping out of a plane nor be able to run a marathon, so this turned into my plan.”
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Hollie-Pearson2