A woman has created a naked calendar with her friends to raise £25k for treatment for a rare disease which could leave her paralysed. Jessica Riggs, 32, has been diagnosed with a hidden disease called Neuro-Cranio-Vertebral Syndrome-Filum.
The condition means the fibrous tissue extending the whole length of the spinal cord is under too much tension. Herself and sixteen other friends have now stripped off and posed for a calendar to pay for treatment in Spain which costs £25k – and not available on the NHS in the UK.
The idea was inspired by the comedy-drama film Calendar Girls. Jessica, from Saltash, Cornwall, said: “My friend said to me ‘Jess we love being naked’. I am always at the beach skinny dipping. I wanted to empower woman and make other women feeling liberated – I just enjoyed being one at nature.”
Jessica only started having symptoms of the disease at the age of 22 and since then she has been fighting for treatment on the NHS. She explains that she was referred to multiple neurologists in the NHS but the cause for her symptoms was not found.
She ended up losing her job as a marine biologist and polar expedition guide as over time her symptoms were progressing and getting debilitating. Jessica was forced to seek help overseas.
She was offered specialist treatment which costs £25k in Spain and it is not available on the NHS in the UK. She is now due to have surgery in Barcelona on January 16 next year.
Jessica said: “My disease is hidden. If you met me in person you would think there was nothing wrong with me. It is important to advocate for yourself – you know your body more than anyone else.
“My symptoms have progressed and this clinic only treats this condition in a very particular way. It does guarantee that no other symptoms will occur. It will secure my quality of life.”
The calendar sales have been a “success” – having sold more than 400 copies both online and by local businesses. She stars in four pictures in the calendar – including a picture of herself and her friend’s dog in the month of November.
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She said: “I have been going to many Christmas fairs too. A woman said that she was really touched by my cause. It is incredible how strangers are so generous.”
So far she has raised almost £22k through the calendar sales. “I lost my job because of this condition. But fortunately I have had the time to invest in the calendar campaign full time,” concluded Jessica.
To make a donation visit her GoFundMe page here.