Tony Britton, Fundraising Manager, ME Association.
A Scottish graphic designer, who has lived with chronic illness all her life, has been given free rein to design the contents of a popular subscription box of stationery to reflect her own lifestyle.
Jenny McGibbon has given a compassionate disability twist to the latest Papergang box of stationery treats – now being mailed out to thousands of customers.
The 24-year-old designer from Stirlingshire was born with gastroschisis where the intestines are formed outside the body, she struggles to absorb food and then had a diagnosis of M.E. her late teens.
“My collaboration with Papergang is aimed at stationery lovers who could be perfectly healthy, or they could be sick like me. But I wanted it to be inclusive – no motivational fluff that isn’t applicable to those of us with chronic conditions,” she said.
“This box and its contents are for everyone. I wanted to go against current hustle culture and remind people that they are more than their productivity levels.
“Sometimes life is difficult and messy. That doesn’t mean you can’t have nice things that speak to that experience. You’re allowed to be honest. Your experience is valid.”
At Jenny’s suggestion, the publisher has agreed to donate £1 from every Papergang box sale in February to the ME Association. The boxes contain information about Jenny and the ME Association as well as an assortment of stationery items.
Ordering your special stationary
To receive your special stationery, you will need to subscribe to Papergang for the current issue. Orders placed between 23rd January and 23rd February will receive the February box by Jenny which supports the MEA.
A monthly subscription costs £14 (other options are available) and once your delivery has been arranged you can unsubscribe – unless you want to continue receiving monthly stationery orders and being charged for them.
More information
- For a longer interview with Jenny, where she talks about her struggles with chronic illness and her design work, visit: Meet the Papergang Illustrator – Jenny McGibbon
- And, check out Jenny's website and her blog about chronic illness: This Thing They Call Recovery
Jenny is not alone in supporting the ME Association this year
- Her boyfriend, Ryan Cairns, has joined the 20-member team who are being sponsored to raise money for the ME Association by taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 29th March. He and his friend Stephen Gray, who is also taking part, would welcome donations on their joint fundraising page.
- Jenny's mother Linda McGibbon, Zumba fan and regular fundraiser for the ME Association, is in the middle of organising a ‘Dance for ME' fundraiser at Milngavie Town Hall. East Dunbartonshire, on 16th May, a Saturday afternoon. If you would like to take part or want information about the event, please contact her via email.
The ME Association
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