Fundraiser of the week: Genevieve Miles
January 17, 2020
“When I was 14 I became ill and never really got better," recalls our fundraiser of the week, Genevieve Miles. "Turns out I have M.E. It was boring, frustrating and so sad, I definitely feel like I missed out on a proper teenage experience."
Genevieve is hosting a fundraising gig in Birmingham, and told us what led to her putting on this event.
"I’ve always loved writing and listening to music and I’ve been playing gigs since I was 13. After I became ill Dad would encourage me to keep going out and performing when I doubted I could – sometimes it was so refreshing and enjoyable, other times it was painful and really just horrible."
Now a student at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Birmingham, Genevieve says she is able to manage her time and energy more effectively, and has been able to do more than she ever thought possible.
"Being surrounded by music lovers has been wonderful and feeling well enough to be part of the growing music scene in Birmingham feels amazing. I worry about the future, how I will cope when I’m no longer a student, but I know that the qualities I have gained through growing up with M.E. mean I am so full of determination.”
With doors at 7pm on Monday 27 January at the Actress and Bishop, 36 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham B3 1EH, Genevieve is excited to play with her band and hopes to see you there! There's a suggested donation of £3 on the door, and everyone is welcome!
“I’ve recruited some of my favourite Birmingham artists, and it feels so good to be organising this gig. It gave me a confidence to be more open about my experience of M.E. with my friends; to ask to have a break if we’re walking from one side of town to the other, or cancel plans when I don’t feel up to it. I’ve always found it really hard to explain because there’s so many different symptoms, so this new confidence is freeing.
