Flat Lays

Our main collection comprises a series of powerful flat lays. A flat lay is a photograph of objects laid on a surface, taken from above. Since 2020, we have invited individuals to send us flat lays of the objects that represent their lived experiences of invisible illnesses and disabilities – they did not need to have any photography skills, everyone was invited to take part, and to share the stuff that gravitates around them.

Put together, these objects show that those illnesses and disabilities are not really invisible. We have placed materiality, care, and emotion back at the heart of conversations. We display them online and in our pop-up exhibitions.

There is a book titled 'The Lyme Diet', a hot water bottle, an eye mask, notebook, a couple of bottles of various pills and pain relief.

Angela, Chronic Lyme Disease and hypermobility syndrome

I started The Lyme Museum after I took this picture. I arranged these objects without thinking much about it, I was unpacking and these were the ones I could not go without. I always liked arranging objects in flat lay and realized that most of my everyday objects are linked to my lived experienced of invisible illnesses and disabilities.

an art set with colouring pencils, a mug with tea, a basil plant and lemon, cook books, 'Sapiens' book and a book of crosswords.

Jenna, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

These are all the items I use to cope and that make me feel happy and distracted from the fact that I can't live like I would like.

bananas, a pear and cucumber, a camera, a first air kit, a macbook, an iPhone and a fiction book.

Anonymous, Multiple Sclerosis

These are some of the things that keep me going. I have multiple sclerosis (MS) and even 'normal' days are exhuasting. Because of MS-related fatigue, my social life tends to be very limited. My phone and computer are the most important to me: they allow me to stay in touch with my friends and work remotely.

two boxes of insulin, an iPhone, a blood glucose monitor, strips of glucose measuring strips, a packet of sweets, insulin pens and a yellow and orange sharps disposal box

Tom, Type 1 Diabetes

Without insulin you die. Type 1 Diabetes don't produce their own insulin so we need to monitor our Blood Glucose, estimate our carbohydrate intake and inject insulin when we eat and to offset our liver's normal functions. But not too much insulin or we'll be eating jelly babies to raise our blood glucose to safe levels.

fluffy brown and white slippers, a pack of tea and a mug, a camera, an Oliver Sacks book, a wooly hat, pain medication

Anonymous, Systematic Lyme Erythematosus

I was diagnosed with Systematic Lupus Erythematosus in 2009 after the birth of my second child. It mainly affects my joints which is controlled on a daily basis with a cocktail of immonu-suppressant drugs and steroids when particularly bad. I regularly suffer from classical migraines, cold sores and now have suspected endometriosis (quite often one autoimmune disease leads on to other complications). I find walking healps and I love nothing more than a country walk with my whippet and camera, photographing wildlife.

two strips of pills, two bananas, two apples, a pile of different colour books and two hand held weights

Eugenia, Multiple Sclerosis

I have multiple sclerosis and reading and exercise helps a lot.

headphones, apple cider vinegar, two hand held weights, pain medication

Kathleen Meyer (Heath), Lyme Disease

I'm Kathleen Meyer (Heath). I am a 60 y/o widowed Grandma of 2. I was 55 when I had Lyme, in 2012. I'm better now and these are some items I use to stay mentally and physically healthy.

teas, book on manga, folder with writing inside it

Ilenia, Endomeotriosis

These are some things that represent me: my past medical records related to endo and other issues, which remind me I've been through worse days but I'm still standing; infusions (and teas), which are my favorite breaks; manga and books about narrative and storytelling, which give me strength and help keep going.