By Sophia Komninou in The Conversation. The Conservative Party’s manifesto pledge to replace free school lunches – for children in the first three years of primary school in England – with free breakfasts is curious to say the least. Since it was announced, researchers have found that the cost of the project is hugely […]
By Shehab Khan in The Independent. The Government has failed to deliver the £4bn of savings it was expecting to make after cutting disability benefit, according to new analysis. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said the Government was hoping to cut spending by 20 per cent by moving from the Disability […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. As we head for International ME/CFS Awareness Day and the biggest advocacy effort that I’ve ever seen, it’s a good time to look at The Solve ME/CFS Initiative (formerly the CFIDS Association of America) – the oldest and most prominent chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) organization. For […]
By John Pring in Disability News Service. Penny Mordaunt, the minister for disabled people, told last week’s disability hustings event in London that no group experienced as much discrimination – including at the hands of the state – as disabled people. So what has her government done to address that discrimination since the […]
By Michael Richards in The Conversation. There are more than 1m people with learning disabilities in the UK and the number is expected to increase. These are people who face exclusion from society more than ever – particularly when it comes to voting. Not enough is done to enable their participation […]
From YorkMix. York is preparing to host what could be the biggest moment in a fascinating General Election campaign. Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn are heading to the city for a special live Question Time on Friday night. The programme is being broadcast on BBC1 from the University of York. It’s all systems go […]
By Katie Grant in iNews. The Minister for Disabilities was asked in front of an audience to comment in one word – yes or no – on whether she thought it was acceptable that a wheelchair user had had their overnight care axed and that a nappy had been deemed a […]
By Adrianne Tillman in #MEAction. Government moves slow. Any action requires lengthy processes – all of the checks and balances intended to create better, more deliberate legislation. Activists for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) across the country understand the sausage-making well as they have sought for their state legislators to recognize the urgent challenges […]
By Natalie Bloomer in politics.co.uk. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set staff a target of upholding 80% of the benefit decisions that they are asked to reassess, it has been revealed. In response to a Freedom of Information request, the department stated that a key measure used to monitor the […]
From Saga Magazine. Travellers have long enjoyed the benefits offered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but may now be worried about the future of these valuable pieces of plastic in the wake of the Brexit vote. The good news is, as yet, no changes have been announced. In fact, nothing […]
By Paul Gallagher in iNews. “I sit down and look at the list [of patients] to be seen today,” says GP Jamie Haynes. “I know the faces of more than two-thirds. I know where they live, which of their relatives have died and, on a good day, which of their kids I’d done […]
From The ME Association website. Motion S5M-05038: Gail Ross, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 03/04/2017 12 May, International ME Day That the Parliament acknowledges that 12 May 2017 marks the international awareness day for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome; understands that ME is […]
By John Pring Disability News Service 4th May 2017 Statements submitted to MPs have provided further evidence of widespread dishonesty among healthcare professionals who carry out disability benefit assessments, but their inquiry has had to be abandoned because of the prime minister’s decision to call a general election. Despite its inquiry into the […]
By Patrick Butler in The Guardian. The most charitable interpretation of Theresa May’s evasive responses to questioning on the impact of the government’s social security policy during TV appearances at the weekend is that on this topic she is clueless. She appears to have no idea what is happening in the chaotic […]
From The Morning Star. Benefits assessments were ridiculed yesterday following revelations that 13,000 disabled claimants given “zero points” were later awarded payments on appeal. New government figures show that 66,180 claimants had an original decision by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) overturned in their favour at a mandatory reconsideration or tribunal […]
From The Guardian. In light of figures showing 900 disabled people are losing their Motability cars each week (Benefits cuts: are you about to lose a Motability car, scooter or wheelchair? 31 March), I would like to challenge the response of Department of Work and Pensions ministers when they have been pressed […]
By Rowenta Mason in The Guardian. About 200,000 people face seeing their claims for a disability benefit to help with daily living and mobility refused this year, new figures obtained by Labour suggest. Senior MPs have called on the government to explain an apparent spike in people being turned down for personal independence […]
From #MEAction. A View From The USA. The Illinois House of Representatives will vote on a state resolution this Thursday, March 23 that recognizes Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as a tragic, disabling disease, and that commits the state to improving the availability and quality of medical care, as well as encourages universities in Illinois […]
From Invest in ME Research. Background At the 10th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2015. Dr Ian Gibson announced that he was planning on writing a book about ME – and the politics and prejudice which has affected the way that ME is perceived, treated, researched and funded – as well […]
By Susan Zielinski in Red Deer Advocate. (Canada) A Red Deer lawyer says the lack of government funding for medical research into a disease that is shattering Canadian lives is shocking. Brent Handel said myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, commonly known as ME/CFS, affects an estimated 800,000 in Canada. Severity of symptoms vary, but […]
After a pretty tough time, the guys riding as part of The Nomadic Knights group, have made it to Everest Base Camp. Their brief report is below. 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 peak of Mt Everest is located directly above the left hand corner of the flag with the snow being blown from it, not ideal climbing weather. Directly behind the flag in the valley you can just make out the orange tents, this is the base camp for the mountaineers, their teams and their support crew waiting for windows in the weather to commence their attempt on the summit and move to the next stage camp. Lots of waiting unfortunately.”
17 May 2017.
“We are now at Tingri which is the last stop before Everest Base Camp, the plan is to head to Base Camp early tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately two of our team have been hospitalised with quite serious cases of Altitude Mountain Sickness which can be unpredictable and affect different people in different ways, unfortunately their ride is over and they will be transferred back to Lhasa hopefully within 3/4 days. Naturally the team is extremely disappointed for them, so close to seeing and experiencing Everest. Our thoughts and spirits are with them. Today’s photo of the Flag on route was taken at the entrance to Mt Qomolangma National Park at an elevation of 5248 mtrs which is the highest we should be going. “Qomolangma” is the Tibetans name for Everest. In 2012 this area was awarded the National Park status, it is the highest national park in the world and covers 78000 sq kms. It holds 5 peaks over 8000 mtrs – Mt Qomolangma (Everest), Mt Shishapangma, Mt Chi Oya, Mt Lhotse and Mt Mhakalho.
The park is a holy land for scientists, mountaineers, tourists and pilgrims.
13 May 2017. ME Awareness Flag Update from the group heading to Everest Base Camp for The York ME Community / Invest in ME !
“Here it is on display inside the Potala Palace in Lhasa, built in 7th century and home of Dali Lamas and the centre of local Tibetan Government. Has over a 1000 rooms. Just after this we were approached by Chinese officials who confiscated the flag, obviously with hindsight westerners openly displaying and photographing a flag inside such a highly politically sensitive area was a bit suspect and ignorance on my part.
Anyways eventually they allowed me to continue with the tour. At the end I went back to try to collect the flag but main entrance was closed, there was me in a ludicrous position of banging my fist on the Dali Lamas main door shouting “hello, hello” anyone home” no one answered, only advice I got from a colleague was “pretend you are planting something and I bet the police come running” not entirely wise.
Anyways found a side entrance and a surprisingly helpful security guard, they confiscated 4x flags that day but couldn’t find mine. Eventually they got it, returned it and wouldn’t accept a tip so all good and faith in human being truly restored.”
More updates to follow as I hear back from the guys !
12 May 2017. Just to let you know that The York ME Community / Invest in ME Flag has reached Lhasa in Tibet, on its way to be raised at Everest Base Camp for ME Awareness ! Future communications might be difficult with the Internet and emails in Tibet being controlled by the Chinese, but hopefully it’ll make it !
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 Coffee Club
Our Coffee Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month for a cuppa and a natter at The Novotel York.
Our next get together is on Wed 19 July at 2 pm. 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 (below), you can of course say you'll be going via the Events area.
ME Awareness At York Explore
Friday 28 July 2017
The York ME Community will have a 'Table' at York Explore Library on 28 July 2017 to inform visitors about ME and raise awareness. Please pop in for a chat if you're in town.
Our Facebook Group
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 on a monthly basis if the beast that is ME allows us ! If you apply to join, please check your Facebook messages, as I tend to get in touch for a quick 'chat' before adding applicants 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.
Congratulations to Bransby Wilson Ltd, the York based Parking Solutions company who have been one of the companies to support The York ME Community this year. One of their teams entered into our Inter Company Fantasy Football League were top on Christmas Day and so received a box of goodies from another of our supporters, Nestle of York, and so a big thank you to them and all the other York businesses taking part and supporting us. Now they've only gone and won the league and The York ME TGA Shield ! Our league is sponsored by TGA Mobility and the shield will be presented in due course.
If your company would like to take part next season, all it takes is a £25 registration fee which goes directly to Invest in ME Research. We make sure all businesses get a good mention in social media with their business Tweets being re-sent to hundreds more potential new clients.
Please get in touch by dropping me an email at bill@York-ME-Community.org to register your interest.
Why not take this opportunity to support your local community and raise the profile of ME Awareness in York, an illness that affects around 800 people in the York area, with 200 being severe, meaning house or bed bound. Tomorrow it could hit you or one of your family, so you could be helping yourself too.........
Calling On All York Businesses !
Would you like to help your local community ? By current research, there are around 800 people in the York area suffering from Myalgic Enecephalomyelitis (ME). This might include the work colleagues you haven't seen in some time, or your friends and family, maybe one of the lads that hasn't turned up for five-a-side for a while.
There is information above to explain how it affects people and ruins lives. These are your neighbours; would you like to help ?
The York ME Community is here to help support those in the area in need whilst raising awareness. Unfortunately, this is hard to do when you have the illness ! I'm looking for more foot soldiers to spread the word. Can I come into your workplace and chat to your HR Staff maybe ? It could be that ME is having an effect in your workplace.
How would you like to take part in our online Inter Company Fantasy Football League in support of Invest in ME Research ? Nestle of York have already donated a prize to the business team that was top of the league at Christmas and there's a trophy to be had at the end of the season. Why not enter a team for next season ?
Is your business taking part in any runs coming up such as The London Marathon, The Great North Run, or maybe something similar ? If you haven't decided on what cause to run for, what about Invest in ME Research ? Any donations can be passed via the Just Giving link at the top of the site, but I'd also be able to advertise your generosity and your business name to thousands across the world via our social media connections.
There are lots of things going on locally to try and raise awareness, but we need your help to help others. Please get in touch. Be a part of your community. The York ME Community. Thanks.
