There's almost a month to go until 2015 but I'm so excited about what I have planned for next year, both here at The Environmental Illness Resource (EiR) and a major new project, that I couldn't wait to tell you all about it!

Firstly, it's been a while since I've had the chance to write for EiR other than the odd forum post or comment here and there that I'm just happy to be back doing so. Other things have been occupying me over the past year, not least purchasing my first house with my partner and more recently getting engaged. Not that I am blaming my fiancee for keeping me away of course, that would just land me in trouble...

I also spent a large part of 2014 being what I can only describe as "messed around" by various international media organisations - but I won't go into the details of that now - I have a dedicated blog post planned on the subject which I'll publish in the coming weeks. 

Needless to say, I am now relieved to be back with a lot of time and energy to devote to EiR and my new project which I will get to below. So, where do I start? How about with what has been achieved with this site in 2014.

EiR is now fully Smartphone & Tablet Compatible
This was something I am really pleased about and it seems you guys are too - since the changes were made the proportion of people visiting the site either on their phones or tablets has shot up from just 20% of visitors to almost half! The site now has what the techies term a 'responsive' design - meaning it detects the size of the screen you're viewing the site on and adapts to display in the best way possible. So for example, you visit the site on your iPhone, Android or Windows phone, not only will the font be easily readable but the main menu will adapt to be much more user-friendly as well.

The Site has a Fresh New Look 
Besides now being mobile-friendly the site has had a complete overhaul and is hopefully now easier to navigate, text is clearer and easier to read and the site is simply more intuitive - I know firsthand that when you're suffering from 'brain fog' the last thing you need is a website that's too complicated to use! 

New Content & Member Activities Automatically Displayed on the Home Page
To keep you up to date with the latest blogs, forum posts, comments, reviews and everything else going on at EiR you now just need to visit the home page and read down the list of activities - then click the included links if something interests you. Simple!

Ok, So What's This New & Exciting Stuff...

1. Regularly Updated News Stories, Blogs, Articles & Other Information is Coming!
With the technical work out of the way we can get back to providing the environmental and invisible illness community with quality and timely information and support once again. I can only apologise that this has been lacking during the past year or so but I promise this will not be the case in 2015!

2. A Series of EiR eBook Guides to Individual Illnesses is Coming to your Kindle, Tablet or Smartphone 
This is the first new project I'm getting excited about. All of the great information on specific environmental and invisible illnesses including Multple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FMS), gut issues...and well, every condition we cover will be compiled into individual ebooks available from Amazon. In 2015 you'll have access to all the condition-specific information from EiR in an easily accessible format on your Kindle or any device you download the free Kindle app to. These ebooks will of course be frequently updated as more content is added to the website.

3. A Kindle eBook Describing My Personal Recovery From Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
This is something I feel is well overdue. It is now 10 years since I had any kind of reaction to chemical triggers that previously had me in bed for days. I suffered from acute MCS for years, was a prisoner in my own home and even had to wear protective masks when I went into my own kitchen or bathroom - but I recovered! Many people will tell you MCS is for life...it is not. If I can recover then so can you and I am desperate to tell my story in the hope that I can help make this a reality for you. I will let you know here and also via the EiR Facebook page, Twitter feed and G+ page as soon as I publish.

Something Entirely New... 

The RADD Protocol
Finally, what I am most excited to tell you about. The RADD Protocol is my thesis about what causes ALL environmental and invisible illnesses but more importantly is for want of a better word, a 'roadmap' for recovery. I am hugely proud of this work and I sincerely hope it helps at least a high percentage of those of you reading this. EIs and invisible illnesses are complex and require an individualised approach to recovery - no two people became sick for exactly the same reason, or combination of factors - likewise there is no magic bullet cure-all. What The RADD Protocol represents is an entirely new approach to recovery by guiding you to discover the factors that made you ill and the best and quickest route to regaining your health. It is based on current scientific evidence, my own academic knowledge...and perhaps equally importantly, my personal experience of suffering from, living with and ultimately recovering from these illnesses. 

The RADD Protocol will get a dedicated website with a wealth of supporting literature, along with support forums where myself and fellow survivors can support you on your healing journey.Unlike other 'recovery systems' and the like out there - this will not cost you the Earth, of that I assure you! Through running EiR for 10 years I have been in the business of helping people get well in any way I can, rather than the business of trying to make myself rich!

I'm so pleased I've had this opportunity to share with you what you can expect from myself, EiR and The RADD Protocol in 2015. I will keep you updated as each of the above comes to fruition but for now I hope you are as well as can be and wish you, your family and friends a great end to 2014 and a happy Holiday season.

Love & Blessings,

Maff