From Tiny Seeds

This month marks a year since I published my very first The Red Tree and ME Substack post. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on how that small beginning has blossomed into a beautiful creative advocacy project and fundraising opportunity to support the ME/CFS research at The University of Edinburgh, led by Professor Chris Ponting. This development has been made possible by the generosity, creativity and encouragement of fellow carers, people living with ME, Long COVID and other Infection Associated Chronic Conditions (IACCs), and allies within the Red Leaf Creative Collaborative and wider patient community.

The One Red Leaf at a Time art project, born from the inspiring Messages of Hope shared by scientists and clinicians, continues to grow, and will carry forward well into the new year. That means there is still plenty of time for anyone who would like to contribute their own creative work.

In this post I’m thrilled to unveil more powerful red leaf pieces. A huge thank you to the artists who have shared their work and lived experience with us. I hope you enjoy these as much as I have.

Exciting news! I had hoped to share these pieces before now, but the Red Leaf Creative Collaborative has been joyfully consumed in preparing a last-minute surprise Christmas project that we cannot wait to reveal. Stay tuned - more tomorrow!

One Red Leaf, Many Possibilities

Germaine Hypher @craftingapaththroughillness, United Kingdom - Leaf, paper and recycled sari silk thread

Germaine writes: ‘The Red Robin tree in our garden sheds red leaves throughout the year. I wanted to experiment with sewing one onto paper, so I decided to use cross stitches as this symbol can represent all the things that I can’t do and have to cross out of my life (the leaf being held to the paper like I so often feel held to my bed) as well as being kisses of love and hope. The stem of the leaf leant itself to being extended into the spiral shape - indicating potential creativity and pathways, perhaps invisible at first but being mapped out by the running stitches.’

It’s here, somewhere

Kamea Lessoway, New Zealand - Watercolour on paper

Kamea writes: ‘I’ve never painted before, but supporting this deeply beautiful project was a good reason to try. As I painted, I thought of frontline practitioners, the support staff and caregivers on the sideline, researchers backstage, and the souls stuck in bodies that confine them. The answer might be partially hidden, but it’s got be here. Somewhere. I don’t know you, but I love you; keep going. We’ve got this.’

Season of Change

Kirstie Wilson Love, Scotland - Acrylic on canvas

Kirstie writes: ‘The red leaves flutter as they bring a signal of change. And finally for ME sufferers, the seasons that have passed us by, are finally changing. Finally. The Decode ME study findings bring change for all ME sufferers. It brings validation and the truth that all those with ME knew all along. For too long the seasons have passed all ME sufferers by with no change, no treatment, no cure. It’s been a much neglected illness. Prof Ponting said this study should have been done 15-20 years ago but wasn’t due to stigma and misogyny. But now let these new findings that show significant genetic differences in those with ME, blow the seeds of change. Let each red leaf fall with hope of a real change for us all that have suffered way too long. The red leaves are falling and change is a coming 🍁’

Red leaf in the light

Sally Wemyss, United Kingdom - Red foil leaf on glass

Sally writes: ‘I look at the work submitted for this project and admire it often. Much love and hard work has gone into the submissions. I am no artist but wanted to try doing something to show my appreciation and support for this amazing project. Our daughter has been unwell with ME for almost 4 years. There have been many dark times. But now, occasionally, there are glimmers of hope. Not often but they are there. I felt the light represented this hope. I wanted the red leaves to represent the support that now surrounds us since joining the Parents support group on Facebook.’

Malololelei

Jess Jacobs, New Zealand - Acrylic on Canvas

Jess writes: ‘In 2023 i lived in Malololelei, Samoa which is what inspired this piece.’

Lost and Found

Karen Lewis, United Kingdom - Pen and watercolour on paper

Karen writes: ‘Over the last 5 years I have tumbled down the slippery slope of ME/CFS, from mild to moderate to severe, losing parts of me along the way. I thought I had nothing left to lose but I was wrong. Last year I was teetering on the edge of becoming very severe and I lost hope of ever getting better. Gradually though, things did start to improve and, after months of being unable to do anything except lie down, I was finally able to sit up in bed for short periods of time. Out of the blue my creativity returned and I wanted to draw again. I was amazed and thrilled that part of me had come back. Hope also returned. My art gave me a focus and purpose in life. A reason to keep going. This piece represents how the fabric of my life has been torn apart by illness, but despite that, there is still beauty in it.’