Mum and daughter, Zen and Aimee, are a great partnership. The crafty pair from Hitchin have an online business selling handmade cards and gifts. They’re also working together to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia and support a local charity at the same time.
Fibromyalgia is a common, often undiagnosed condition causing chronic pain and tiredness. May is Fibromyalgia Month. Zen (pictured left) and Aimee (pictured right) are donating 50% of their profits earned during all of May to The Herts MS Therapy Centre. The Letchworth-based charity welcomes people with any long term or neurological condition, including Fibromyalgia. Many people with the condition find that the Oxygen Therapy available at the centre reduces their pain and boosts their energy.
Aimee, 17, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2021. Like many people with the condition, she suffered with symptoms for years before her illness was confirmed as Fibromyalgia. Her mother, Zen, explains: “We had a hard slog trying to get answers. We knew that it wasn’t normal for Aimee to feel so much pain and exhaustion, or for her joints to pop and click.
“We were referred to various specialists and even a psychologist. They thought Aimee was making it up! When Aimee turned 16 we went to adult services. They confirmed that Aimee had Fibromyalgia and hypermobility.”
As a ‘hidden disease’ Fibromyalgia often goes undiagnosed and the condition is not widely known or understood. Zen adds: “We know how Fibromyalgia impacts people’s lives and want to raise awareness of this.”
Aimee explains: “It’s hard to find the energy for school let alone fun activities with my friends. A four-day week at sixth form is all I can manage. Luckily my school and friends are very supportive. I go to physio, use a tens machine and take painkillers to manage my condition.
“My gran taught me to sew and I joined a sewing club. I enjoy it a lot and it helps me to feel calm when I’m stressed. My goal is to work within fashion and textiles.
“Mum already had a craft business and we started working together a year ago. Both of us find it joyful that others receive and enjoy our craft products.
“I can manage my Fibromyalgia if I pace myself and plan my activities. I hope that by raising awareness of this illness, more people will receive the support and understanding they deserve.”
Zen and Aimee’s business – Zen’s Mermaid Crafts – is going from strength to strength with its Etsy store. “We’re adding purple ribbons to our cards and cushions for Fibromyalgia month,” adds Zen. “Hopefully people will love our products and in turn we can support a local charity helping people with Fibromyalgia.”
Mark Boscher, Chair of The Herts MS Therapy Centre says: “We’re extremely grateful to Zen and Aimee for their support. I hope more people become aware of Fibromyalgia. A staggering 85% of people with Fibromyalgia find Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy significantly reduces their pain, according to research in Israel, which is what we see in Letchworth too. If anyone wants to investigate how oxygen therapy may help them they are welcome to contact us.”
Explore Zen and Aimee’s fantastic handmade, unique craft products at their Etsy store – enjoy!