When I first met Margaret at Thistle, she had hit rock-bottom. She had chronic back pain; rarely left the house and had no contact with neighbours. Margaret was alone and depressed, with no friends. And no life.
With our support, Margaret has been able to turn her life around. Like many others who come to Thistle, she has benefited from one to one sessions and group courses focused on what she can do. This has given her the confidence to create a more fulfilling life for herself, making new friends and helping others by volunteering for us.
I meet people like Margaret every week. People who through no fault of their own are isolated and struggling, not knowing which way to turn for help.
Today, one in three people in Scotland is living with a long-term physical or mental health condition - such as diabetes, severe pain, arthritis, chronic fatigue, stroke, heart disease, anxiety or depression. It's a diagnosis that – for people like Margaret - can feel like a life sentence. We don't believe that anyone in this situation should have to face life alone.
Thistle is the only organisation in Scotland that tries to reach people irrespective of their diagnosis and - for the first time in our history - we now have a waiting list due to the sheer demand for our services. People in the greatest need of our help are struggling to get an appointment despite our best efforts.
Please pledge your support for those in Scotland for whom a diagnosis feels like a life sentence and help us take people off our waiting list.
Thank you.
Cathrin, Thistle Health & Wellbeing Practitioner
