A directory built by someone who needed it

I built the thing I desperately needed

I’m Laurissa, the founder of The Spoonie Support Hub.

I’ve been navigating chronic illness and the healthcare system for most of my adult life. I was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome at 21 and now live with multiple chronic illnesses, chronic pain and fluctuating capacity which impacts every day of my life.

Over the years, I’ve spent more time in hospitals, specialist appointments and medical waiting rooms than I could ever count. I know what it’s like to have life shaped around appointments, medications, symptoms, pain and energy levels.

I also know what it feels like to ask for help and leave feeling completely dismissed. I’ve had real concerns brushed aside, been told symptoms were in my head, and been labelled “too complicated” by providers who had already accepted my referral and consultation fee.

But I came to realise these barriers don’t only exist within healthcare.

As someone living with chronic illness, chronic pain and in a bigger body, I know how much thought can go into finding everyday businesses and services where you’ll feel comfortable, welcomed and understood.

Even finding a hairdresser can come with questions about whether the chair will be comfortable, whether you can take breaks or change positions, and whether your needs will be met with understanding. Shopping for clothes can mean wondering whether inclusive sizing will be available - or whether you’ll find something you genuinely want to wear, rather than simply something that fits.

The same concerns can arise when looking for a photographer, beauty service, accountant, virtual assistant, venue or almost any other business.

Accessibility is about so much more than physical access. It can mean inclusive sizing and suitable seating, sensory considerations, clear communication, flexible options, an understanding of fluctuating capacity, and being met with kindness rather than judgement.

After yet another difficult appointment, I sat with my partner and said, "Why is this so hard?"

Because it shouldn't be.

That’s when the idea for The Spoonie Support Hub was born - a place designed to make it easier to find healthcare professionals, support services and inclusive businesses that genuinely understand different bodies, experiences and needs.

It began with my own experiences, but it’s being built for a much bigger community.

It’s the resource I desperately wish I’d had all these years.

And when I couldn’t find it, I decided to build it.