Welcome to the Yorkshire VEDS Support Group. This group and our meetings are led by volunteer regional coordinator Sophie.
Meet Sophie Leftley
Hi, I am Sophie, the area coordinator for the Yorkshire vEDS support group, I am a retired GP and public health doctor. I was diagnosed with vascular EDS in 2012 after a series of arterial dissections and joined Annabelle's Challenge in May 2017.
My world is smaller than it used to be, which is no bad thing - I'm married to Tim, who is a psychotherapist and is my rock and I have my wonderful son, Connor, who is 15 and has recently, thankfully, tested negative for any COL3A1 changes. Hobbies include singing (including being in our church choir), arty stuff (mosaic-making is the thing at the moment), travel, reading and enjoying the odd glass of vino with friends.
My greatest daily battle is with fatigue, probably associated with dysautonomia. Still trying to get to grips with 'pacing', but I'm a huge advocate of regular mindfulness practice. Losing my career to illness has left a big gap and I'm looking forward to being some service to our community in the years to come.
VEDS Support Group
Our regional face-to-face support groups are safe, confidential, relaxed meetings with lunch included!
Facilitated by our wonderful volunteer regional coordinators, all of whom have lived experience with vascular EDS either personally or in a caring role.
They offer a welcoming environment for you to meet others who are touched by vascular EDS. They provide a helpful way to share information, listen to each other’s experiences and together find ways of navigating the complexities of living with or caring for someone with vascular EDS.
Our support groups can help you build self-confidence, become more informed and this may lead to you becoming more in control of your life with vascular EDS. They help you feel you are not so alone including your loved ones.
How many vEDS members live in Yorkshire?
32
6 - 65
Our next support group:
Register Your Interest
This support group also have a private Facebook group where you can get peer support from other members living in your region, please click here to request to join the group.
Freephone helpline
0800 917 8495
