Lisa McCabe (28) from Enniskillen is a fashion designer with her own brand ‘Nor Lisa Fashion’ who lives with Fibromyalgia – a long term condition that causes pain all over the body.

Lisa has only been diagnosed within the part year, despite feeling the symptoms for seven years.

Lisa explained, “The biggest issue with Fibromyalgia is it’s completely unpredictable which makes it very difficult to arrange your plans. 

“Some days I find it hard to get out of bed and get dressed with head to toe pain, fatigue, and stiffness – the next day it might only be knee pain. 

“Most days I will have nausea, dizziness and my concentration and memory levels can also be affected. Also, Anxiety often rears its ugly head making me fret about the smallest of things.”

Lisa suffers daily with her ‘hidden illness’ and often gets frustrated when people who meet her think there is nothing wrong with her, and urges for people to think before they react. 

“Possibly the worst part of my condition is how people react to it because if you don’t have a stick or a wheel chair, in a lot of peoples eyes there is nothing wrong with you.  

“Instead of judging at face value please take a second to think maybe this person is suffering from a hidden condition,” said Lisa.

The fashion designer is well known on social media for her unique designs and her blogging, along with her work as a plus size model. 

The Enniskillen woman is now on a three year waiting list to see a specialist, but she is determined not to let it hold her back in her career.

“With my designer brand, I am taking on a lot less work and being more selective, I am just not able to sit at a sewing machine for hours like I use to. 

The former student of St Fanchea’s, was almost a beautician and hairdresser, but decided to go down the fashion route – and she hasn’t looked back since.

“As I was a fashion lover also it was a natural decision for me to go down the textile/fashion design route. 

I have showcased with West Coast Cooler Belfast Fashion Week twelve seasons in a row, which I am so proud to have achieved. Fingers crossed I will be physically able to keep creating, blogging and doing what I love to do,” concluded Enniskillen fashion designer Lisa.