Mel Bell 🌼

Here are some very vulnerable thoughts. I hope this can give any of you who relate a sense of solidarity <3

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2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 15

Mel Bell 🌼

Hey guys, I hope you're hanging in there - I love to celebrate my wins with you guys and encourage you; however, I never want to portray that it is only highlights, so here are some highlights and lowlights from the last couple of months. (so sorry that some of these slides cut off, the ratio is different for YT, but you can see them in full on Facebook and IG)

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shared or supported my GoFundMe in any way. It is helping improve my quality of life more than I can express, and I am extremely grateful. If you want to visit it, the link is gofund.me/dabd9b66 ❤️


I hope you're all hanging in there. I'm thinking of you :)

- Mel

P.S. Let me know if you like this style of monthly catch-up by dropping a 🎉, and I'll see if I can do it again :)

Mentioned in the post: @kooeesnacksau beef sticks, you can use code melbell15 for 15% off (I do earn store credit when you use this)

air filter I mentioned is from @airdoctorpro through the Australian distributor Right Spin Health, who distributes the @amazingairbyairdr products :) (not affiliated)

The meal company I mentioned is @nourishdmealco (not affiliated)

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2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 6

Mel Bell 🌼

If you've experienced severe food intolerances and histamine issues, you know how big a moment this is and how much it is worth celebrating!! 🎉🎉

🍋One of the ways the nervous system can go from a fight or flight state to a regulated state is through becoming aware of sensory sensations that bring it back to the present moment. This is why something like a sour candy can help interrupt a fight/flight/freeze response, anxiety, or a trigger. (Please note, this is just a tool, not a treatment 😊)

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#nervoussystem #nervoussystemregulation #anxiety #copingskills #healingjourney #healing #healingispossible #ibs #histamineintolerance #foodsensitivities #mentalhealth

3 months ago | [YT] | 5

Mel Bell 🌼

I used to think that self-care meant doing everything perfectly all the time, but now I see it as doing what I can and taking the next best step.

Please keep in mind, I am not a professional, only sharing my experience. Please ensure you are getting professional help/advice where necessary.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 7

Mel Bell 🌼

I created this in solidarity with all my friends struggling with their worth. I hope you're hanging in there. Take a moment today to think about your worth in a different way than what you have before, know it is not defined by what you can achieve, what you're able to do or your appearance. Take a moment to appreciate how incredible it is that you're on this earth and what you mean to others.

This has felt a little vulnerable to post, but I hope it encourages you. Please drop me a 💛(yellow heart) in the comments if it did, and you would like more on this topic :)

Sending care,
Mel <3

Text Says: "Feeling like I have nothing of value to offer others and struggling with my worth (top photo)

"Meanwhile, my friends and family are grateful for the role I play in their lives"

Also, shout out to @ribeyerach (in the photo, I absolutely love this photo of us and the joy in Rachael's expression!

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#selflove #selfworth #bodyimage #disability #healingjourney #healing #encouragement

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Mel Bell 🌼

This was a huge milestone for me!! This is my first time ever eating Karaage Chicken, and I really loved it!!

If you're new here, here is the background: At a time when I thought I would be gaining my independence, I lost it due to disability. One of the things I struggled with for a decade was severe food sensitivities (to the point of needing a feeding tube).

It was very difficult to find food I could eat, in my own home or in a grocery store, let alone out. Even a allergy-friendly restaurant generally wouldn't be able to cater to my specifications. (And then of course, when I was tube-fed I was on formula)

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I could eat takeaway like this, without any pain or symptoms (it is GF and DF, but other than that, no other specifics, which is so wild).

I am so happy to be able to celebrate this moment with you guys, and hope it can encourage you in some way

I always get questions, so here are some of the things that have helped
- animal-based nutrition (just meat for a season, now I'm expanding)
- Ketotifen & LDN (medications)
- Endometriosis Excision Surgery
- Nervous system regulation (in the past, I have learnt a lot from what I could find on the internet or in books, but at the moment I am doing a structured program called Brain Food by @happy_without_histamine )

I hope you guys are all doing okay and hanging in there

Lots of care,
Mel

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3 months ago | [YT] | 3

Mel Bell 🌼

Hey everyone! I want to thank you so, so much for your response to my GoFundMe. The support you've given me has completely blown me away and really touched my heart. I really appreciate your support. Thank you so much for your kind words, for sharing, for silently following my journey, for cheering me on and for your incredibly generous donations. It means the world to me that you are in my corner, cheering for me and helping me to fight to reach my goals.

Here is an update on how the GoFundMe is doing, what it has covered so far and what the next goals are that we're fundraising to achieve 🙂 Thank you so much again.

If you would like to visit the fundraising page, here is the link 🙂 gofund.me/dabd9b66

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3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 10

Mel Bell 🌼

This is one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever shared. I have avoided it for many years & have had a lot of tears in the process, as I just don’t want to do it.

As many of you know, I’ve been navigating complex chronic illnesses for over a decade (EDS, endometriosis, POTS, CCI, PTSD & more). In the past few years, I’ve made huge progress in my healing; however, my quality of life is still very low, & I have a long way to go to reach my goals. I’m facing some medical expenses that I can’t afford on my own.

A very kind friend of mine has helped create a GoFundMe to raise funds for treatments & medical equipment — including endometriosis surgery, continuing with prolotherapy treatments to help strengthen my neck and spine (so far this has been very helpful), mental health care, & a proper adjustable bed to support my body.

This was really hard for me to launch. I’ve avoided it for a long time, because asking for help like this is confronting. But after many years of applying for funding and trying every other avenue, I’ve run out of options.

If you feel moved to support in any way — whether it’s donating, sharing the link, or sending kind words — I’d be so grateful. Every bit makes a difference, & I know I’m not alone because of this beautiful community.

My hope is that instead of a few people giving too much, this can reach a wider community, with a number of people only giving a little.

💛 If you’re able to donate a small amount, it truly means so much to me and will have a big impact on the overall goal.
💛 If you’re not in a position to give, please don’t feel obligated — I would be so grateful if you could share the link on your stories or send it to friends via messages, to help spread the word.
💛 For those who might not be able to give but still feel called to do a bit more - a small fundraiser in your own communities, like a sausage sizzle or bingo/trivia night, would mean the world to me, and go a long way.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, sharing, donating, or just being in my corner. It all helps more than you know.

💛Here’s the link to the GoFundMe: gofund.me/628c481d
With love and deep gratitude,
Mel

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 14

Mel Bell 🌼

This video has been a long time coming and was my daily routine with a feeding tube when I had one 😛 (filmed 2022) the picture of me on the front here is a recent one though because I didn't have anything else to use. I hope you guys enjoy this and it is helpful for those who need it 🙂 Sorry it took such a long time to get up, these long-form videos take a lot of time and love 🙂

https://youtu.be/uNPO-HRTYTw

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Mel Bell 🌼

Hey everyone, hope you're doing okay!
Here is the video that was posted last Saturday. In this video I talk about how a year ago we went through a really scary time where I stopped tolerating my formula and no one seemed to know why or how to help. We had to have some really hard conversations about how we were going to sustain me. I ended up getting some really great help at the right time that helped me improve (I talk about the main things in this video) my vlogs are behind in time however I will now be posting weekly vlogs from footage filmed over the last year, so you will see in real-time my progress and the things that have helped right up to where I am at now, which is a much better place 🙂 Thank you guys so much for supporting me and if you're going through it right now, please know I am thinking of you and cheering for you and as cliche as it is, you're not alone 🙂

https://youtu.be/1VyJS8ipAXc

2 years ago | [YT] | 5