By David Tuller in Trial By Error. The Danish ME Association has sent and posted the following open letter to “Danish health politicians,” with a very impressive list of international signatories. It seemed important to give this letter wide circulation. (Note that footnotes 4 and 5 are linked to the names of two […]
By John Pring in Disability News Service. The MP leading the race to be Labour’s next leader has become the first candidate to back calls by disabled people’s groups for the introduction of free social care, funded by national progressive taxation. Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, said he supported the motion passed […]
By Rhiann Johns in Brain Lesion And Me. Often chronic illness sneaks into your life, like a thief in the night. It takes everything that once defined us; stealing our identity and imagined futures. For those, like me who have suffered from symptoms associated with illness for most of their life, […]
By Lauren Harte in the Belfast Telegraph. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has vowed to improve the process for those applying for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) following a call to make the troubled system “fair and accessible for those who genuinely need it”. When PIP was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2016, replacing Disability […]
By Tiffany Early in The Mighty. My husband and I had a conversation about how others perceive my illness the other day. It wasn’t a confrontational conversation — it was more the random musings that happen when you’re waiting for dinner to come out of the oven. Joe mentioned that a mutual friend had once […]
By Laura Abernethy in Metro. A year ago, we launched the You Don’t Look Series. Over the last 12 months, we’ve chatted to people from across the UK about their experiences of living with an invisible illness. Most people have symptoms almost every day but because their condition is hard to see, they are […]
Do you know of a business in York that would be happy to put up an A5 poster on their premises with a bit of info about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) to help raise a bit of awareness ? This is an illness that could well be affecting their workforce today. If so please get […]
By Ola Didrik Saugstad in Wiley Online Library. Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/ Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disease with symptoms from multiple organ systems. The severity of these symptoms ranges from mild to severe with the most severely affected confined to a dark room to achieve sensory deprivation. Two incidence peaks have been […]
By Iliriana Bisha Tagani MD in Gilmore Health News. French researchers discovered the presence of complete and functional mitochondria in the bloodstream. Ultimately, this discovery may lead to better diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of many diseases, including some cancers. Our blood consists of red and white blood cells and platelets bathed in […]
From Lake District National Park. What are Miles without Stiles? These are 48 routes across the National Park suitable for people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and the visually impaired. Use the interactive map below to explore the routes available or choose from the menu on the left. Distances […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. It was a project birthed in hope. Pal Schaathun, a Norwegian filmmaker would document what he hoped might be the end of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). That, unfortunately, turned out not to be but Schaathun ended up documenting – in strikingly beautiful fashion – the next best […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. I wrote this post especially for ProHealth Inspirational Corner and it first appeared there on the 11th March 2019. “Your worth is not measured by your productivity” We live in a society that teaches us that unless we are pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone, […]
By John Pring in Disability News. Disabled campaigners travelled from across the country this week to show support for a fellow activist as she took on justice ministers in the high court over the ruinous costs disabled people can face when they take disability discrimination cases. If she wins, Esther Leighton could give hope to thousands […]
By Ola Didrik Saugstad in Wiley Online Library. Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/ Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disease with symptoms from multiple organ systems. The severity of these symptoms ranges from mild to severe with the most severely affected confined to a dark room to achieve sensory deprivation. Two incidence peaks have been described between […]
The Quadram Institute on the Norwich Research Park is holding a public meeting to talk about their ongoing research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME or ME/CFS). The event will also be a chance to give your opinions about the planned future clinical trial into a new form of treatment that targets gut microbes for […]
By Hannah Radenkova in Super Pooped: Adventures for the Exhausted. Whether you’re housebound some or all of the time, here are some things you might come across. 1. Time loses all meaning. The five years I’ve been housebound feels simultaneously like no time at all, and an eternity. I regularly get my own […]
By John Pring in Disability News Service. Secondary schools across England are breaching their legal duty to publish plans showing how they will improve access for disabled pupils, according to new research published today (Thursday). The research, carried out on behalf of The Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE), says the government, the education watchdog […]
By Laura Abernethy in The Metro. Amy Norris, 23, from Southampton has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis) (CFS/ME). As part of our, You Don’t Look Sick series about invisible illnesses, Amy chatted to Metro.co.uk about living with both conditions and how most people still don’t understand chronic […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. The Ron Tompkins Effect Ron Tompkins had recently come back from a meeting with over a dozen MD’s and specialists from Mass General Hospital who’d evinced a strong interest in ME/CFS. Dr. Bateman has said it’s easy to get researchers, at least, interested in this disease but […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. “Life is not a competition. Life is about helping and inspiring others so we can each reach our potential.” Does anyone else feel like they have to bite their tongue a lot? Do you hide a lot of what you are feeling […]
By John Pring in Disability News Service. Thousands of disabled people could have had their benefit claims stopped unlawfully, campaigners believe, after a judge found that letters sent out by government contractors were failing to stress the serious consequences of failing to attend a face-to-face assessment. Upper tribunal judge Nicholas Wikeley said he […]
By James C Coyne in Medium. This is an edit of something I wrote in 2016, which I return to read every now and then. Sometimes I tinker with it, like now. I wrote it soon after I first became a professional advocating for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis, a set […]
NOISE AND ME My ME sensory radar Has really taken hold It’s caused my life to change, In a way that’s strange And not just because I’m old ! Noise and sounds now cripple me In ways some won’t believe The click of a door Can get right to my core In a […]
From Stanford Medicine Welcome The ME/CFS Initiative conducts extensive clinical research in an effort to improve diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating illness. Stanford Medicine has had great success in engaging and collaborating with nearly 50 researchers across Stanford University and beyond. Together, they have discovered various potential biomarkers that have confirmed […]
From Meaction Scotland. On Thursday 19th December, 2019 the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee met to continue its consideration of #MEAction Scotland’s petition, PE1690, which calls for a review of treatment of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland. Appearing before the committee to give evidence were Jeane Freeman, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for […]
From The Grace Charity site. If you have M.E., the following might help you practically: G.P. If anyone can recommend good GPs in the Maidstone area for M.E. sufferers, please let us know. Try to get a supportive G.P. They are the gateway to much needed benefits. If you can’t get a […]
From Meaction. We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Marcie Zinn, PhD, who was a dedicated researcher, advocate and person with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Marcie died of sudden heart failure on Dec. 28, 2019. Marcie and her husband, Mark, founded the Neurocognitive Research Institute (NCRI), a non-profit that specializes in 3D-mapping of the […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. In 2015, Dean Echenberg, MD, PhD, a former public health official and Director of Disease Control in San Francisco at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, had a question. His own course of ME/CFS had been anything but smooth. Echenberg had experienced years of illness punctuated sometimes […]
By John Pring in Disability News Service. A disability charity has been accused of “exploitative” and “disgraceful” behaviour after asking disabled journalists to write an article for its website without payment. The charity Scope sent out a message on social media this week seeking a “disability blogger” who could write an article […]
By Chloe Cooper in Voices. In early January 2019, I was doing what I do every year – reviewing my achievements of the past 12 months and setting my goals for the year to come. Like countless others who go through the same process, this felt like an essential step to becoming the […]
From The Mayo Clinic. ROCHESTER, Minn. — A molecular switch has the ability to turn on a substance in animals that repairs neurological damage in disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Mayo Clinic researchers discovered. The early research in animal models could advance an already approved Food and Drug Administration therapy and also could lead to […]
From A Life Hidden. Today is the 30th anniversary of the day I became ill. How surreal those words sound, even after three decades spent adjusting to them. My illness now accounts for three quarters of my life: a span of time so vast that it defies comprehension. When I fell ill as […]
M.E. – JUST CUT AND PASTE….. Hair’s a mess, can’t get dressed Can I shower, that’s the test Done ok, the shoes are on Now where the hell’s my energy gone? Another day has been a waste Another day just cut and paste. Can’t get the hang of doing nowt Want to do, wanna […]
By Andrew O’Connor in ABC News. The catastrophic collapse of Tony Wallace’s life began slowly and silently. An episode of flu. A persistent illness. A feeling of fatigue. A sense something was not so much wrong, as not quite right. Over time, his ambiguous symptoms have morphed into a condition that defies medical […]
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The first Monday of each month at 11 am - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York. There is parking available just around the corner at Nunnery Lane Car Park. Blue Badge holders can park for free.
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The third Wednesday of each month - at 2 pm - The York ME Community Coffee Club at The Novotel, York. Parking is free at the hotel.
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Weekly - Every Wed, 8 pm - 9 pm on Twitter, ME Awareness Hour using the #MEAwarenesshour hashtag.
The 15th Invest in ME Research International ME Conference 2020 - IIMEC15 - will take place on 30th May 2020 in London.
15 years of researchers, clinicians and patients interacting.
More details of the conference day will be announced in the coming months. It will be preceded by the 10th Invest in ME Research International Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium - BRMEC10 - a two day closed researchers' meeting with researchers from around the word, and the third year of a full day Thinking the Future - Young/ECR Conference for young and early career investigators.
Would you like to help your local community ?
By current research, there are around 800 people in the York area suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). This might include the work colleagues you haven't seen in some time, or your friends and family, maybe one of the lads who hasn't turned up for five-a-side for a while.
There's information at the top of this site to explain how it affects people and ruins lives. These are your neighbours; would you like to help ? To read the rest of this request, click on the link below:
After a pretty tough time, the guys riding as part of The Nomadic Knights group, made it to Everest Base Camp. I hope we can use this story to gain interest from media sources to help raise awareness for us all. It's the least the guys deserve for all their efforts.
19 May 2017.
“Very pleased to report that we reached Mt Qomolangma (Everest) Base Camp with the ME Awareness Flag at 1528hrs on Thursday 18th May. Three and a half hours after we had planned but time in Tibet can sometimes be very fluid. The base camp is located at 5200m, walking to the final destination was challenging in itself due to low oxygen levels.
Conditions at base camp were extremely windy (good for flag flying) with intermittent clouds with no particular destination in mind and the sun was not ideal for photos."
The aim is to share ideas in promoting various disability services, whilst continuing to raise Awareness of ME through both organisations. Through their #Think Access group and our own group, The York Access and Mobility Club, we will be looking at accessibility issues in the York & Harrogate areas, with the aim of advising on suggestions for change.
Disability Action Yorkshire aim to find solutions for disabled people whatever their aspirations. Whether you are a disabled person or support someone who is, they are here to support you. They provide a range of services, from training to accommodation and help with independence, among others. To find out more about Disability Action Yorkshire, click on the link below:
As we all know, especially those who need Wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters to get around, vehicles parking on pavements and blocking our way can have a major effect on our lives. It can mean that we are likely to put ourselves in danger by going onto busy roads because of inconsiderate parking. 
If you live in Fulford York, the details of your local PCSO are below, and he should be contacted in the first instance. If he is not on duty, you may be dealt with by whoever is on duty. If you live in other areas of York, ring 101 and ask for the PCSO covering your area. In all cases, you will be required to give as much information about the vehicle and location as possible. You will NOT need to stay by the vehicle till the police arrive.
Simon Hall
PCSO 5648
North NPT
NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
Dial 101, press option 2 and ask for him by his full name or collar number
If using his collar number please state each number individually
The social element of this site is via a Facebook Group called The York ME Community.
This is available to people in the York area looking for help, advice and support, whether those diagnosed, family or friends. We are a close knit group who discuss more than just ME, as we like to think that we are not defined by this illness. We discuss every day things, have a laugh, and try to meet via our Coffee Club if the beast that is ME allows us ! If you apply to join, please check your Facebook messages, as there are a couple of automated questions to be answered before being welcomed to the group.
Please don't apply to join if you are promoting your preferred remedy. I'm happy to mention your company within the group, but it's for individuals to choose what they wish to try in their battle to seek an improvement in their health.
Some companies and organisations offer discounts for disabled people and their carers – click on the link below to find out what you could save.
Access Your Life is a site run by Felix and Lauren, with a little input from Fliss, the dog!
The site is full of great information that I feel will benefit many within The York ME Community and beyond.
To go to Access Your Life, click on the link below:
Carol Monaghan SNP spoke in Westminster Hall about the need for support and funds for ME Research. Many other MP's spoke passionately on the subject as it affects their constituents UK wide. Click on the link below to watch the full debate.
Debbie North, our TOG wheelchair walk designer uses an off-road mobility scooter, also called an all terrain hopper to access the countryside and wants to inspire other wheelchair users to do the same through her wheel friendly walks.
Wheelchair friendly walks are a selection of walks that the TOG team have carefully selected for families using pushchairs, wheelchairs or bicycles.
The Jen Brea ME film 'Unrest', about her story and struggle with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) was shown to a sellout audience at City Screen York on 1st November, prompting a second showing on 16 November. This film has won awards at The Sundance Film Festival and is a must see for all wishing and needing to know more about an illness affecting over 800 people in the York area alone.
Although still showing around the UK and worldwide, it's now also available on Amazon and iTunes and through the Unrest UK Store on DVD and Blu-Ray by clicking on this link: Unrest site to save having to undertake a journey to the cinema.,
Please spread the word through your GP, MP, Company HR Teams and any other people of influence you may know. Thank you.
One of the major questions raised is the blending of ME with CFS. This chart on the Hummingbirds site illustrates the many differences between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
For confidential and independent advice for everyone on welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer rights and much more.
Welcome to Broken Puppet Theatre Company.
We are a small team of creative professionals who live with chronic illness and invisible disabilities. We work with theatre, film and puppetry to support children, families, schools and communities who are learning to share their world with chronic illness and invisible disabilities too. Our aim is to provide creative expression and escapism wherever they are needed.
![old-telephone[1]](http://www.york-me-community.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/old-telephone1-300x240.jpg)
Accessibility
Dial & Ride: 01904 551441
Shopmobility: 01904 679222
York Wheels: 01904 630080
Helplines
NHS Health Enquiries (non emergency): 111
Samaritans: 01904 655888
York Hospital: 01904 631313
Patient Transport Service: 01904 630080
Benefits Service: 01904 551556
Local MP's
York Central Rachel Maskell: 01904 784847
York Outer Julian Sturdy: 01904 784847
Thirsk & Malton Kevin Hollinrake: 01347 666880
Time For Unrest: Why Patients With ME Are Demanding Justice.
If you want the full story on ME and will read just one article about it this year, please make it this one,
Are you a member of a York based Sports or Fitness Club ? Looking for a local cause to run or do an activity for ? The York ME Community are looking to be 'adopted' by anyone willing to maybe run for us and help raise our profile. There are around 800 people of all ages in the York area who would be so very grateful for your help.
The York Access and Mobility Club is a Facebook group which is aimed at improving Accessibility in York for those trying to get around with a Disability. Feedback on bad, and good Accessibility of shops, streets, cafes, restaurants and any other facilities are welcomed.
It's also the place to discuss mobility aids from walking sticks to scooters. If this sounds like a group for you, you're most welcome !
This is open to any business, club, pub, or organisation looking to have a bit of fun whilst supporting your local community. Our 4th season is well under way and going great guns ! Although the aim is spreading ME Awareness, as a bonus we have also raised over £920.00 for Invest in ME Research, so why not join us ?
To join in for next season, click on the tab at the top of the site for more information, or just to register your interest through the email address supplied.
To read the ME Research Summary 2019 by ME Action covering the last ten years, click on the link below:
Written Question to the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 May 2018 by Carol Monaghan SNP, answered by Caroline Dinenage Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
| Financial Year | £ |
| 2014-15 | 280,442 |
| 2015-16 | 295,626 |
| 2016-17 | 130,958 |
There is a great need for the training of those with a Duty of Care to those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). For those in Healthcare, Education or Business with this Duty of Care, this E-Learning Course is the one for you.
To learn more, click on the link below:
AccessAble in York provides information on Shopmobility, Talking Signs, Dial & Ride, York Wheels and accessible Hotels, Restaurants, Public Toilets and a whole lot more in our city. To find out more before setting off for York, click on the link below:
The York Inset Scooter Club is based in York (UK) and has a membership of around 250.
They are a thriving, active club and look to support local charities when they can. They have an annual Mods and Rockers charity ride out, and for 2019 supported The York ME Community.
They headed off from The York Eye (Clifford’s Tower) on Sun 28 Apr on a run out to the coast, set off by the Mayor of York and the York Normandy Veterans.
All money raised will be used to raise the profile of ME in York through posters being produced and put up in local business premises, clubs, schools, GP Surgeries and venues.
Euan’s Guide is the disabled access review website used by disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit. The charity was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who is a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan’s access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn’t exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan’s Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.
To go to Euan's Website, click on the link below:
Help us raise money for The York ME Community to pass onto Invest in ME Research every time you shop online, and it doesn't cost you a penny !
By using the link below, when you shop online with a huge number of shops, they will pass a percentage of your purchase cost to our fund. THIS MONEY IS DONATED BY THE RETAILERS, NOT YOU !
A TRUE STORY BY JESSICA TAYLOR-BEARMAN
Book Description: From a darkened world, bound by four walls, a young woman called Jessica tells the tale of her battle against the M.E Monster. The severest form of a neuro immune disease called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis went to war with her at just 15 years old. From beneath her dark glasses, Jessica glimpses a world far different from the one she remembers as a teenage school girl. This true story follows her path as she ends up living in hospital for years with tubes keeping her alive.
This harrowing story follows the highs and lows of the disease and being hospitalised, captured through her voice activated technology diary called `Bug' that enables her to fulfil her dream of one day becoming an author.
It provides a raw, real-time honesty to the story that would be impossible to capture in hindsight.
To order the book through Jessica's site, click on the link below:
This book is also now available at York Library
I had a very productive meeting with Cllr Aspden and Cllr Runciman of City of York Council where they have stated they will back efforts to raise awareness of ME, understanding that much more is needed to increase understanding of this debilitating disorder, in York and across the UK. I will be aiming to keep up the pressure to ensure future support.
The motion put before Council with regard to support in raising ME Awareness in York was passed unanimously !
The City of York Council followed through on their promise by lighting up the city walls and Clifford's Tower in blue over ME Awareness Week.
We had a brilliant day at York Explore Library raising ME Awareness. Lots of interest in what we're doing from local health groups, charities, the council and most heart warmingly, from those dealing with ME themselves who now know we're here for them.
If you'd like to hear more about ME, get in touch.
Are you on Twitter? Learn more about ME every Wednesday, 8 pm - 9 pm (UK) using #MEAwarenesshour
Mike Harley is a very special guy who's running a marathon in each EU country to raise awareness and funds for Invest in ME Research. Please visit his site to learn more.
To go to the Government's Disability Benefits Advice Guide, click on the link below:
Upon request, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service can carry out a home fire safety visit to your home, completely free of charge. This visit involves fire service staff coming to your home to give you advice on fire safety in the home, actions you can take to reduce the risk of fire, and discuss escape routes should fire occur.
If you don't aim to take up this offer, please at least check the batteries on your smoke alarms on a regular basis. If you want to read more, click on the link below:
Helpfulpeeps is a platform that allows people in any given area to ask for and offer help to one another. Although this is a nationwide facility, by adding your street name, the system automatically drops a pin on that location and you only see posts from a 20 mile radius. You have the option to narrow or widen this radius. I hope this is a useful facility for members of our Community.