Who Am I ?

My name is Cleveland Taylor,

I'm 45years old from a regular family in south London. I'm the middle child with 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. I am married and I have 2 of the greatest kids ever, I am very lucky with my family life. They all support me, and when this illness stresses me out, my children are always thereto put a smile on my face. God Bless my family!

I have had a variety of jobs in my time, from market trader, to IT Consultant. My last job before I became sick, was with the 2nd largest business consultancy in Europe. My job as team leader for the London and south east, windows IT support services. meant I was at times managing a team of around 40 team members, supporttimg various clients, include telecommunications, banking, local councils.

Although my job was a regular 9-5. My team had to cover systems 24/7 364. Which meant for me late nights and early starts. Even traveling around the country, and visiting client sites.for me it was a great job, meeting people, and supporting important Computer systems.

Being team leader came with some stresses, as I would be responsible for all team members.the day to day running of my team, and if there was an incident, it would be me everyone would be looking for answers from.

I became sick in April 2003, it was little confusing at first, as the pain was near my heart and cause lots of stress and panic, i spent most of that year in and out of hospital. Worrying everyone as we all believe my heart was dying.

Well after all these years suffering with Costochondritis, and loads of searching and investigating, I have decided to start this blog.... With the hope it will help others with this illness.

'Costochondritis' is a misunderstood illness and really only those who have it truly understand it. It's said that this illness last anywheres from a few weeks to about 3 years, well I am proof that it last a lot longer. Have a look at my history page for more detail, on Costochondritis, as this page is suppose to be about me.

I have always been a very active person, always on the go, busy with life, family work and fun, just about the same as most people. I never fully learnt to drive, mainly because living in London you really don't need to drive, as transport is all around. I used to love riding my bicycle everywhere specially in the summer, (I don't like cold). If I was not at home, I would be visiting friends or family, or else I be out on the town.

My computer played a big part in my life as I could see how far technology was going, I was always looking at the latest gadgets. I would use some of my free time, helping others learn about computers, building websites. If any of my friends had a computer problem they would call on me for help. As I said a real busy life, not that I'm complaining. I prefer busy to bored any day.

Since becoming sick, I have had to change the things I do, no more running around. I visit people a lot less now, and spend loads of time stuck at home (which I don't like, although I do get to hang out with my kids). I have picked up a few new hobbies now, to keep my mind working. I taught myself to draw, manga/anime style, I and getting pretty good, or at least that's what people say... I'll try put some pictures online so you can see for yourself. I also started to learn how to make jewellery, mainly using silver clay, I don't do as much now, as the price of silver has gone up so much. I am still a keen photographer, I have my own home studio too. Although I have Costochondritis I will not give in, and I keep my mind working hard.

Costochondritis has taken its toll on my life, I am still off work not even sure when I will be well enough to return. Although when I do return I know my job has now gone, due to departmental restructuring so I will be made redundant. Things got so bad at work I just could not cope. I had been trying to work since my illness started, but I seem to have more time off sick than time working. In the end 2007 I was at work, my chest pains had been pretty bad all week, and I kinda knew I should not of been at work that day, but i just did not want any more time off. I managed to work all morning, but my chest pains got so bad, I could not move, and was just holding my chest. Once again it felt like a heart attack, and my boss decided it was best to call an ambulance they took me off to the hospital and that was my last day at work.

one of the good things i took away from my job, and i would tell everyone to make sure they have it 'Salary Protection Insurance' this is so very important, the deal I have will pay continue to pay until I retire, it pays 2/3 of my salary. This helps a lot if i didn't have this insurance i would be stuck on benefits. although sometimes I think if I was on benefit perhaps I could find a part time job. With this insurance I am technically still employed so that leave me with a problem. because I can't look for a job.

Although I did have a big problem with the insurance company. As it took forever for the doctors to decide what illness I had the insurance company would not accept my claim. It took about 3 years to get it all sorted out lots of letters, loads of stress, and so many phone calls. I ended up taking my claim to the 'Financial Ombudsman' and even that at first came back negative saying my illness was not so bad that I still do a sedentary job. I had to appeal the ombudsman's decision, with a very long letter explaining exactly how Costochondritis effected me, lucky for me they accepted my appeal and finally found in my favour. But i tell you fighting for this put me under so much pressure, it may even be partly responsible for my depression.

Whilst that fight was going on, my family took a big blow, financially our world was being destroyed we ended up living just on the benefit system (i hated that). but even then I still had to fight as they would not believe how debilitating Costochondritis really is. My unfortunate luck is I am that 1 in a thousand, who get the chronic form of Costochondritis which is flared up all the time, so my pain is constant.

All the financial problems overtook my life and my family, we ended up loosing our house, which was more than just frightening, depression wow. I could not sleep with worry, where would we live what would happen to us. If you had seen me then, you would of seen a man with so much stress. It took a lot of chasing around lots of letters and form filling. we had to wait until the day our house was repossessed before the council would act. That was one of the worse things to happen, I didn't know what would happen to my family. We did in the end get help from our local council, who managed to house us in my current little home, although still just temporary so the worry of what will happen is still with me. But I cant live worrying about this stuff as with my  Costochondriti  I just take things ass they come, and fix each problem when they come up.

I do still get incapacity benefit, so that is a help. but to be really honest I miss work. being sick and stuck at home, might be ok for a few weeks but its years for me, I have to find all sorts of ways to keep me occupied.

Well that's me, not really very exciting stuff, as I said a regular guy, just fallen with this illness, which takes over your life.!