While my day job has been supporting vulnerable adults for seventeen years, writing has been making my heart sing since I was a child. To be able to share my writing with others is something very special.
When I was twenty-four I woke up with extreme pain in my arms. This developed into all sorts of other aches and pains, and I spent the next six years visiting numerous Doctors and Consultants in a desperate search for answers. The pain in my arms meant I couldn't use a pen or keyboard without being in agony. My dream to become a writer seemed to be slipping away from me and I fell down a rabbit hole of hopelessness and despair. Diagnosed with Central Sensitisation Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I was pumped full of medication that did nothing but make things worse.
Thankfully I discovered the power of meditation, a positive attitude, movement, affirmations and the Emotional Freedom Technique (amongst other things). I now live each day with so much gratitude for the things I CAN do. I love to dance and spend time in nature with my best friend Bodhi. I'm now a qualified Sound Therapist and use gong, crystal bowls, vocals and percussion to create a space for deep relaxation and healing.
Bodhi the Pirate Dog is based on the real life Bodhi who was found abandoned outside a shelter in Romania when he was 3 months old. He was taken to a rescue shelter to be looked after and a few months later, Dogs Walk This Way Rescue brought him to England. I was lucky enough to be volunteering there at the time and was there to meet him on arrival. After three days of travelling, the other dogs were all very nervous, but Bodhi couldn't wait to go for a big run around the field! I loved his energy from the moment I met him and I'm so grateful to have him in my life.
The Kickstarter campaign for Bodhi the Pirate Dog was fully funded in just 3 days and went on to raise £5331. You can see the campaign at Bodhi the Pirate Dog by Alison H Simpson — Kickstarter
480 books were pre-ordered including 170 donated books for children in foster care/affected by domestic abuse. We also went on to meet our stretch goal of £5000 which means Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) worksheets will go out with every book. Check out my 'Ways to Wellbeing' page to read more about why EFT is so important to me.
Successful Kickstarter for Bodhi the Pirate Dog children’s book