At Cove Mind & Body, we put heart at the centre of everything we do. We believe that wellness and compassion go hand in hand. There are few things as powerful as a community coming together to support a meaningful cause. So last week, Cove held the first of our Pilates on Looe Beach charity classes. It’s wonderful when we can combine doing something lovely for ourselves where others can benefit too. Embracing the power of the heart allows us to spread love and positivity to all those we encounter.
Through the Pilates on Looe Beach charity classes, we’re raising money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. This charity is close to my heart, and I have supported them since 2016 through my previous business Reset Sports Massage. I share a cherished friendship with my late dear friend Katie, whose life was impacted by Crohn’s disease. Cove’s connection with Crohn’s & Colitis UK honours Katie’s friendship.
A Fun & Witty Friend…
Katie was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a painful inflammatory bowel disease, at 19, but she never wanted to be defined by her illness. We met in year 8 through mutual friends. In her first year at secondary school, Kate had been friends with the popular girls (of which I was not one!) but she soon confided in me that she hated the cool girl politics. We both wanted friendships that were down to earth, fun, and supportive and we found that in each other.
Many remember Katie for her dry comedy, but together we found humour in the ridiculous. We had each other in stitches daily! I will never forget the day we turned up at Katie’s older sister’s university Halloween party in full body paint and homemade costumes whilst all the other girls had come as cute kittens or naughty nurses! We laughed and laughed. Crazy costumes became our speciality!
We also shared a love of water and swimming, especially outside. When the summer holidays came around, we’d pack a picnic and cycle to a local lake or outdoor pool for the day, or sometimes a special trip to the beach. The activity was important. But what meant more was the space to share our inner lives openly and receive full acceptance and validation from each other in that ride or die way that only teenage girls know.
…With Oodles of Inner Strength
Katie had a serious side too. I remember how she marched me down the corridor to confront our geography teacher when she found out that Mrs Gill had put me on the lower-level exam paper instead of higher. She advocated for me better than I was able to stand up for myself at that time. As an adult, Katie was an early years teacher. She cared so much for her pupils and I have no doubt that she was a powerful advocate for many people over her lifetime. Katie was a strong, brave, and tenacious person who wasn’t afraid to challenge authority or stand up for what she believed.
That formidable strength and bravery served her well when she became ill. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two most common forms of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). These painful conditions can cause immense physical and emotional challenges for those living with them, and during flare ups they can be debilitating. Crohn’s & Colitis UK fund research projects, develop training and education programs, campaign for public and government awareness, and run a helpline for people with (or supporting someone with) IBD.
I’ve written and rewritten this post many times, trying to find the right level of sharing our friendship without oversharing every little detail and story – they all seem important to me! I hope I have managed to find the balance. Crohn’s & Colitis UK is such a worthy cause. Together, we can make a difference, no matter how big or small our contributions may be.
See you on the mat (or sand) soon!
Jennie
Wellness on the Beach Series
22nd July 2024, 10AM – Pilates with Jennie
2nd September, 10AM – Pilates with Jennie
6th September, 10:30AM – Zen Yoga with Craig
9th September, 6PM – Partner Pilates with Jennie
11th September, 6:30PM Gentle Pilates with Jennie