Suzie's Raynaud's Story
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Simi's Story
Living with Raynaud's inspired IT professional and entrepreneur Simi Sokan to create SnugToes: a business designed to combat the effects of the condition.
Anyone with Raynaud’s will know that the dreary winter months are more problematic than needing to wear an extra jumper or arguing about when the heating should go on.
In fact, it can mean extreme pain. For Simi Sokan, a 52-year-old IT professional and entrepreneur from Sutton, living with Raynaud’s inspired her to create SnugToes. The company makes heated slippers that help others living with the same condition.
The cold is a common trigger for Raynaud’s, and it’s often the case that warming up again is just as painful. One of the best ways to manage Raynaud’s is therefore to prevent an attack from happening in the first place - which means keeping snug.
Simi had shown signs of Raynaud’s for a long time, but it wasn’t until she moved to the UK from Nigeria in her 20s that she finally got a diagnosis. She tried medication to help manage the symptoms but suffered with severe headaches as a side effect.
Unable to take medication and knowing there were millions of others in a similar boat to her, Simi decided to take things into her own hands.
Having Raynaud’s means that I was often struggling with cold and numbness in my feet and they just wouldn’t warm up. As a self-confessed problem solver, when I discovered that millions of people across the world were living with the same condition, I decided to do something about it.
“Over the years I had tried lots of products, none of which were easy to use or effective, and I often found myself resorting to balancing hot water bottles on top of my feet. It wasn’t the most convenient solution for a busy, active mum.
“My ‘eureka’ moment came when I realised we needed an easy way to bring sustainable, heated warmth into the slippers themselves. And so, the heat pad concept was born, developed, and put into production.”
As well as the slippers, Simi has other methods for managing her symptoms: “It’s not too bad at home but I have invested in some good quality fur lined leather gloves and if I know I am going to be out for a while, I keep the heat pads from my slippers in my pockets.
“I would advise anybody that suspects they have Raynaud’s to speak to their doctor about getting a diagnosis and then explore what works for them. Medication didn’t work for me, but it can help lots of people. The SRUK website has loads of advice on how to manage the condition – it's more than likely going to be something you have to live with for the rest of your life, so you need to find what works for you.”
Simi is speaking out to support Raynaud’s Awareness Month this February and raise awareness. Think you might have Raynaud's? Take our handy online quiz!
Do you have Raynaud's?
Raynaud's is a common condition affecting up to 10 million people in the UK. If you often have cold hands or feet, could you be living with this condition?
The Test is not designed for children. If your child has any Raynaud’s symptoms, they should see their doctor.
