IF you suffered with chronic pain throughout your whole body would you decide to get a tattoo to raise awareness of the condition? This is exactly what Katie Neal, 25, from Tavistock intends to do at Gypsy Rose Tattoo Studio on West Street on June 28. Katie was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia three months ago, a long-term condition that causes widespread pain all over the body. The cause of the condition is unknown but in some cases it can be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event, including giving birth — which is what happened to Katie with her third child, who is now eight months old. Katie said: 'I had symptoms throughout pregnancy but they got worse. 'We didn't know at first what it was and Fibromyalgia can mask a lot of other conditions. I was diagnosed after the pregnancy but I hadn't heard of it before, and this is exactly why I am doing this — to raise awareness. 'If someone pokes you on the arm, you would normally just feel a poke, but for people suffering with Fibromyalgia, a simple tap could feel like a hefty punch. 'Getting a tattoo will be very painful and I am petrified but that's the idea — you do something to raise awareness by doing something that's going to scare you and push you to your limits.' Katie will be getting a tattoo of the Fibromyalgia awareness logo — a purple ribbon with a butterfly — on her wrist or foot, at Gypsy Rose Tattoo Studio. And the money which would have been spent on the tattoo will go directly to the Fibromyalgia Association UK. Tattooist Will Gee from the studio said: 'It's not a condition I really knew much about and her wanting to come in and have a tattoo to raise awareness of it did just that. 'I now know a lot more about it and have a lot of respect and admiration for people that live with it every day. 'If doing this tattoo can help raise as much interest, awareness and money then it's win-win all round. 'Now I am aware of how this condition can be so painful and debilitating it truly is inspirational that she wants to have this tattoo and not let anything stop her.' Katie added: 'Fibromyalgia causes me daily battles, from getting out of bed or brushing my hair and teeth, to walking the stairs and of course having a walking stick at times, but for many other people Fibromyalgia is so much worse. 'This isn't just getting a tattoo, this will be a challenge not just to cope with the pain of a tattoo but the fallout of what Fibromyalgia will throw at me in the days and weeks after.' If anyone would like to donate, visit Katie's JustGiving page http://www.justgiving.com/katie-neal1">www.justgiving.com/katie-neal1 • Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, although it affects around seven times as many women as men. The condition typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in people of any age, including children and the elderly. The condition may affect almost 1 in 20 people globally.