By Jennifer Brea. On Monday, I shared that after three neurosurgeries, my ME is in remission. I have to admit , it was scared to “come out” about my improvements. I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be. Skepticism? Grief? Anger? My own feelings about my remission are complex. And I don’t know how […]
By Katy Fallon in Refinery 29. When I was a teenager, my mother fell ill with M.E. and I saw her struggle to get her symptoms recognised – even though she was a doctor herself. Myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is a chronic condition which affects 250,000 people in the UK and around 17 million people […]
By Charlene Wilson in The Falkirk Herald. A Falkirk ME patient who claims she was labelled a ‘lazy teenager’ by her GP has chosen to celebrate her 16th birthday by raising awareness about her condition. Hannah Sweeney was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, more commonly known as ME, when she was just 14. […]
By Dixie Sulda in The Advertiser. Louisa Stocco is almost too exhausted to fight her own battle. The 21 year old was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) three years ago, after she collapsed from exhaustion while touring with a performing arts company. Since then, her physical and mental fatigue has stopped […]
From Mechanical Basis. An interview between Jeff and Mattie who has undergone a CCI Fusion operation in the hope of reversing ME. Mattie is a 47 year old web developer. He lives in a small town in the Netherlands with his wife, his 17 year old son, and their two golden retrievers. Mattie […]
By Jen Brea. This is a hard post to write because there are no words that can do this justice. I can hardly believe it myself. My ME is in remission. For the first few years that I was ill, I dreamt of being able to say this. I fantasized about what recovery would […]
From The National Institutes Of Health. At a Glance Researchers developed a blood test that, in a pilot study, accurately identified people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. If validated in larger studies, the assay could one day help diagnose the disease and enable researchers to test potential treatments. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue […]
From Syndrome A. Summary Two symptoms occur frequently in people with ME/CFS: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and low blood volume. What if these are not coincidental? Reading time: 4 minutes 27 seconds People with ME/CFS have less blood than we should. We have low blood volume. We also tend to have a condition […]
From ME Advocacy. Revised November 14, 2016 to include steps to evaluate for atypical ME as defined by ICC. MEadvocacy.org understands there is a great deal of confusion about the various criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis, so we created an easy to follow questionnaire to help patients see if they may fit […]
By David Tuller, DrPH On Wednesday, I sent the following to Dr Fiona Godlee, editorial director of BMJ. The topic, once again, was the ethically and methodologically challenged Lightning Process study, which was published two years ago in Archives of Disease in Childhood, a BMJ journal. My letter was prompted by the recent appearance […]
by Sam* In ME Australia. Sam (*not her real name) is a teenager living in Australia’s largest city without access to treatment to help her. Sam was prescribed graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) repeatedly. After doing GET, Sam became housebound. Sam now has very severe ME and says […]
By Sue Khazaie in The Province. Imagine you are living the life of your dreams. You have a great job, a happy marriage and love traveling. And then you get sick. Really sick. Soon you can’t work, go out, or perform basic household chores. Within weeks, you are bedridden and totally dependent on […]
By Siobhan Simper in The Mighty. Author’s warning: This post contains experiences of gaslighting and abuse. Recently, I saw an all-too-common meme on social media: the inspirational disabled person. The image was of a Paralympic horse rider, with the caption, “no excuses.” Much has been written about the problematic nature of disability “inspiration porn.” What shocked me was when I […]
Q&A with Jacqueline Ko. May 12th is the International Awareness Day for chronic neuroimmune diseases. To shine a light on these extremely prevalent yet little-known conditions, I caught up with performer, producer and disability advocate Jacqueline Ko, an award-winning Canadian soprano and co-founder of Opera Mariposa who has lived with the neuroimmune disease […]
By Ryan Prior CNN. (CNN)Multiple times a day, every day, Ron Davis sits with his head bowed, waiting outside his son’s bedroom for a subtle signal that it’s all right to come in. He opens the door to the space where Whitney has spent most of the last decade. Whitney lies motionless […]
By Jac Creedon in ME Australia. Since 2015, Adelaide Oval in South Australia has been lit up in blue in recognition of ME Awareness. This year, it will be illuminated on Thursday May 9. It has been organised every year by Jac Creedon, who has had ME for 28 years. Jac lives […]
by Sasha Nimmo in ME Australia. Why is it important to use ME and CFS? It’s time, Australia needs to leave behind ME/CFS and CFS/ME and adopt the International Consensus Criteria for ME. ‘ME and CFS’ captures an audience who have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, as some patients who have been diagnosed with CFS […]
The Guilt of ME When the beast descends we know the score Strength and hope go through the floor We’ve all been on this road before Another day of guilt Want to take my part in life Want to spend some time with wife Want to cause no further strife Another day of […]
By Paige Wyant in The Mighty. Have you ever told someone about your ME/CFS, only for them to respond, “I understand, I’m always tired, too”? Though friends and loved ones may be well-intentioned, it can be frustrating and hurtful when they just don’t “get it.” The reality is that ME/CFS is […]
By Claire Tripp in teachwire. Longterm and little-understood illnesses like ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, can leave pupils misdiagnosed, isolated and forgotten, so it pays to spot the signs, says Claire Tripp… You leave work with “Miss! Miss!” still echoing in your ears, an armful of marking, and thinking of Ellie. Once […]
From #FindME. Do you trust your GP to give you the right diagnosis and treatment you need whenever you feel ill? Yes, most people do! But what if your GP fails to give an accurate diagnosis and worse, prescribes the wrong therapy? This is exactly what happened in the UK based on […]
By John Siddle and Gemma Mullin, Digital Health Reporter in The Sun. Katy Beardsworth has ME and has to lie down in a dark room when her kids start being loud. Katy Beardsworth, 38, has ME – a cruel illness which presents as unrelenting exhaustion and profound pain. The deeply misunderstood neurological condition […]
ME and My ‘Friend’ I want to chat And things like that Like we used to do It hurts to talk It pains to walk But I’ll get myself to you. I’ll get there, it’s not that far Travel by bus, too tough by car Vibrations turn senses into mire The slightest […]
By Laura Abernethy in The Metro. Over 13.9 million people living in the UK are disabled, but many people live with conditions that you can’t always see. They struggle with symptoms every day but when you see them in the street, you would have no idea that anything is wrong. You Don’t […]
From Life Of Pippa. Since being diagnosed with my long-term condition, I’ve realised that there’s a huge correlation between professional dance and chronic illness. For me, it was ballet. I trained intensively all throughout my childhood and early teens and was lucky to enjoy some ultimate highs and accomplishments, until (in a nutshell) […]
By Cathie Anderson in The Tribune. Researchers at Stanford University and UC Irvine appear close to giving people with chronic fatigue syndrome something they have wanted for decades: a biological test that diagnoses their disease, according to a research paper published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Those who suffer from […]
From Find Millions Missing. Esme and Millie learned over the years how to cope with ME. Esme (21) is a medical student who was diagnosed with ME when she was in school. Millie (23) was diagnosed with 17, right before her final school exams before she headed off to University in England. Both […]
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 […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. For ME Awareness month I want to tackle some of the common misconceptions surrounding this debilitating illness. The lack of belief and ignorance surrounding ME is deep-rooted and causes significant harm to patients worldwide. Due to the disbelief, misconceptions, and stigma that are attached […]
By Claudia Tanner, in iNews. The mother of Merryn Crofts believes attitudes about the disease haven’t changed since her daughter’s death two years ago. Clare Norton struggles to talk about the day her “beautiful” and “energetic” daughter took her last breaths just days after her 21st birthday. As a mother, she’d felt helpless […]
By Spoonseeker in spoonseeker.com. This is the second in a new series of posts about medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The first of these, A Morass of MUS, appeared last time. However, I first looked at medically unexplained symptoms over two years ago in a post called Medically Unexplained Assumptions. In this, I travelled all […]
By Gerwyn Morris, Michael Maes, Michael Berk and Basant K. Puri in Springer Link. Abstract. A model of the development and progression of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis), the aetiology of which is currently unknown, is put forward, starting with a consideration of the post-infection role of damage-associated molecular patterns and the development of chronic inflammatory, oxidative and […]
From #FindME. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), can affect anyone, even children. Fibromyalgia is a related disease that affects the joins in the body, causing excruciating pain. CFS/ME is most common in women and tends to develop between your mid-20s and mid-40s. Famous celebrities, such as 71-year-old […]
by Sasha Nimmo The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patient and research communities are delighted the Australian parliament officially recognise the urgent need for biomedical research in the field. Senator Anne Urquhart, a Tasmanian Labor senator, (on behalf of her colleague Senator Helen Polley) and Senator Stirling Griff, a Centre […]
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Wed 19 June 2019 - at 2 pm - The York ME Community Coffee Club at The Longboat, Blossom St, York.
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Mon 1 July 2019 at 11 am - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York.
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Weekly - Every Wed, 8 pm - 9 pm on Twitter, ME Awareness Hour using the #MEAwarenesshour hashtag.
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:
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:
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.
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.
STOP PRESS: FULL DEBATE TO BE HELD IN PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY 24TH JANUARY 2019
Anil's interview gives a great insight to the man and his ME mission !
Link to Anil van der Zee's Interview
Having read the above interview, I'd recommend a visit to David's Blog 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."
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.
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.
If you're given the time and space to talk things through, you can find a way through your problems.
Samaritans help you to explore your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.
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:
FEATURED ARTICLE
By
Sally Duffin
Hello to all the members of York ME Community. I’m Sally, a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist at ‘Nutrition in York’ and Bill has asked me to share some nutritional therapy approaches for managing ME.
Many nutritional therapists – myself included – are trained in the Functional Medicine approach to healthcare which means we are less concerned with the name of a condition (ME, CFS etc.) and more interested in the underlying cause and contributing factors of the condition. (more…)
The York Mobility Scooter Club has been set up as a Facebook Group with the idea of being somewhere for anyone in the York area to talk about all things mobility scooters. From those first steps of being so wary of taking that first step of admitting that you need help, to the best scooter for individual needs. All reviews are welcomed !
It will also be where we can talk about accessibility issues in York for scooters, and if this develops into a strong theme, I may open a separate group on that subject.
My aim is also ideally in time to meet up for some sort of wheeled rambles, and so suggestions of sensible routes would be welcomed.
I don't aim to set many rules, just that we all support each other and lend a help when we can. Please feel free to invite others who are aiming to get a scooter, or have one, for whatever reason, and let's see where this little adventure takes us.
To read the ME Research Summary 2019 by ME Action covering the last ten years, click on the link below:
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.
Last season was a great success with 15 teams involved, and this season is going brilliantly with the aim of spreading ME Awareness. As a bonus, we have also raised £725.00 for Invest in ME Research.
This is a call out to all York Businesses, Clubs and Venues to put it in your diaries for next season and support your local ME Community.
To join in for next season and help raise ME Awareness in your local area, have a look at the tab at the top of the site for more information.
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:
Our Coffee Club meets twice a month for a cuppa and a natter.
Dates and times will always be shown in our diary at the top left of this site.
The Coffee Club is open to anyone either with ME, or friends and family looking for support from people who understand.
Due to the nature of the illness, there will be times when numbers are low, but if you'd like to attend, either just turn up on the day, or email me at bill@York-ME-Community.org. If you're a member of our Facebook Group, you can of course say you'll be going via the notice in the Events area.
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 !
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 |
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
An album of original songs and poetry composed and performed by people with M.E. from all over the world, was released to mark and support ME Awareness Day, 12 May 2018.
It was hoped that by releasing this album, it will help those with ME to know that they are not alone, and for others to understand the nature of this illness and give what support they can.
Please consider downloading the album, or even a couple of tracks to help raise awareness of ME, and much needed funds for research into this illness that affects so many, but is understood by so few who may be in positions to help. Proceeds to ME Research and Education. All further information and questions, please direct via the website below: The album can be downloaded now from:
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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: