Millions Missing Tommy missing from the five a sides A different postman today Jenny not out, not seen her about Maybe she’s just gone away No Mary at the Bingo Charlie, where is that guy? Rang the teacher, couldn’t reach her Didn’t think to wonder why Jack from the pub Hayley down at the […]
By Anna Redshaw in her M.E. Myself and I Blog. In my experience it can be difficult to get non-sufferers to properly engage with M.E. advocacy efforts. There can be many reasons for this. Perhaps they find it upsetting to think of the depths of their loved one’s suffering. Or they don’t […]
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 […]
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 Jo Moss in The Mighty. The reason I started writing about my experiences was to raise awareness of invisible illnesses like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, and to try to reach out to help others who are suffering like myself. I often feel I’m not doing enough to raise awareness, so today’s post is an […]
Tomorrow, 14th February, at 12 noon, BBC Radio Scotland’s John Beattie programme will be interviewing several people about issues around ME. Those being interviewed we have been told, include: – MP Carol Monaghan – who has secured next week’s Parliament debate on the Pace Trial – Janet Sylvester – organiser of the recent Scottish […]
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 […]
Chronic illness is misrepresented in TV and film, and it damages the lives of people coping with it, writes Naomi Chainey in SBS. I once watched an episode of House M.D. where a man came to the clinic and outlined his symptoms. Familiar symptoms. My symptoms. Having just been diagnosed with one […]
By Russell Logan in Shout Out About ME. As an ME or CFS sufferer, how often have you had someone say to you, ‘we’re all tired, get over it’, or ‘you don’t look sick’? Although the illness is mostly invisible, part of the problem is that some patients aren’t as sick as […]
A Blog by Sally Burch. Some Days! We have all had those days: the days where nothing goes right. Yet, we weather the rough times because we are confident that things will look up again tomorrow. In a similar way most people have experienced a few day’s confinement to bed with a […]
By Adrienne Dellwo in Very Well. When living with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, pacing is key to managing your symptoms. That’s easier said than done with the busy lives most of us lead, but with some effort, you can learn to pace yourself. Why is Pacing Important with Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue […]
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on M.E. is hosting an awareness-raising drop-in session for MPs in London on Wednesday 11 May from 12.45pm to 2pm. If you’d like your MP attend, get in touch with them now if you can, or get someone well enough to email them. Just Google to find out […]
By By Adrienne Dellwo in About Health. Getting Started With Supplements: Many doctors, researchers and people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) say nutritional supplements are an important part of managing your symptoms. Many of us swear by them, and some people use supplements as an alternative to medications. However, […]
By Kevin Black in Local People. Caterham based model Joanna Chamberlain has raised over £800 for charity with a spectacular fashion show held in the town’s New Caterham Arms pub. Joanna and Her Vintage Violets was the title of the evening and the theme was the 1940s-50s and was in aid of www.investinme.org a […]
Invest in ME supporters made March another marvellous mixed bag of awareness & fundraising for the charity’s biomedical research funds for myalgic encephalomyelitis. Thank you each & every one! Actor Jon Campling took along his Invest in ME charity collection box to another Comic Con event, this time in Oxford: “Huge Thanx 2 all […]
From meanalysisblogspot.com Scientific analysis and ME psychosocial research: will they ever meet? I get frustrated by the endless recycling of unsubstantiated claims and opinions about ME, and can fully understand why many people get quite angry about it. So I intend to write a short series of blogs looking at the claims […]
As I hope you will know by now, Mike Harley is acting like a crazy man and running a marathon in each EU country in aid of Invest In ME Research. That’s 28 in all, a truly mammoth and marvelous task. In each country he meets up with local ME sufferers and learns a little […]
A Blog by wishfulthinker77 in Totally ME. I fear criticism for writing this post , here goes anyway ….. Last night I attended a Fancy dress party for my Brother in Law , so a place filed with friends & family . All week I was not going to attend but I changed […]
The Spoon Theory. Written by Christine Miserandino. My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time […]
Story by Sasha Nimmo in MEAction. (A view from Australia). Most of the $2.4 million in research the government says is for ME or CFS is spent on research into psychology, exercise or for other conditions such as hepatitis C. No studies funded in a decade. For Australia’s 94,000 people with ME, or possibly […]
Mike Harley is currently part way through his mammoth mission to run a marathon in each EU country, 28 in all, in aid of Invest of ME. Please have a look at his site that covers his running schedule and a whole lot more to boot with regards ME. To connect to Mike’s […]
Before ME hit, I enjoyed running and took part in a number of marathons, running for charity. This is beyond me now and I’m jealous when I see people out there running past my front window ! The Yorkshire Marathon is a very popular event and places will be up for grabs from today and […]
A Blog by Emily Beardall in A Prescription for M.E. This is the 50th blog post since I started my blog in May! My very first post was about some positive M.E. awareness news from Norway, so I’d like to mark the occasion with a blog post about positive campaigning. In M.E. campaigning, we […]
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Story by Nathalie Wright in the Huddersfield Examiner. In this thought provoking first person feature Huddersfield 22-year-old Nathalie Wright reveals how her life has been devastated by the crippling illness ME. Nathalie grew up in Pole Moor above Slaithwaite, went to Wilberlee Primary School, Crossley Heath School in Halifax and then Greenhead […]
Hello! My name’s Barnaby Eaton-Jones, but that’s my problem. I’ve had M.E. since 1991, so that means I’ve been unwell for longer than I’ve been well. This, as you may imagine, is described by me as ‘a bit of an arse’. Which is somewhat of an understatement. So, picture the scene – a young, lithe, […]
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Invest in ME is an organisation of volunteers that does so much for those of us dealing with ME. The link below leads to news on their 11th Annual International Conference due to take place in 2016. Link to Invest In ME Annual Conference news
A story from Medical News Today. In 1988, a group of scientists reviewed a set of mysterious symptoms appearing in previously healthy young adults who succumbed to an unexplained, ongoing fatigue so severe that it disrupted their ordinary life. They named it chronic fatigue syndrome. Although it was not named until 1988, 19th-century physicians were already […]
With the kind permission of James who wrote the Manifesto, the following is the content of a blog by Jan O’Mally, which you might find an interesting read. “This is based on tweets from James David Chapman (@batteredoldbook) with his permission (& my thanks). Please note this is for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, not Chronic […]
Posted on November 7, 2015 by tipsforme To outline the current backdrop to this post, there’s much heated debate for and against the reliability/validity of the PACE trial methodology. The depth and details of this are beyond the scope of this blog post. The PACE Trial was a large study into CFS (ME) comparing standard […]
“Let’s Do It For ME” invited me to do a little piece for their take on Movember for Awareness of men’s health issues, which they’ve put out through Facebook. I hope you don’t mind, but as I made mention of our Community, the coffee morning got a mention, along with your photograph ! The […]
An article in ME Advocacy. Although this is a repost of something written in the lead up to ME Awareness Day last year, I find it interesting to read the US take on ME. Nobody is willing to wrap their tongue around anything that requires 11 syllables. But that is not why Steven Straus […]
I know some of you regard yourselves as Techno Luddites but do any of you use Twitter ? Have family or friends who use Twitter ? As you will know, my big aim is to raise Awareness of ME. Belief will follow, then the funds to cure this beast. Part of what I […]
The inaugural coffee morning, on Tuesday 13 October, was well attended by six lovely members and we had, what I hope was, an enjoyable and informal hour and a half chatting about our ME journey’s, life in general, and hobbies, over coffee (or in my case green tea!). Conversation easily flowed, and we were all just “normal” ladies with one common denominator, but […]
As has been stated by Dr Sarah Jarvis and others, it’s possible that the Coronavirus could trigger M.E. in those people who get through the worst of the virus, and are seen to be in the recovery phase.
Please do not think that once you’re in that phase that you should just get back to your normal routine. As someone who has just passed his 14th anniversary with ME, the most important thing you can do is rest.
Resting should be from both physical and mental / cognitive activities.
Do not push beyond what your body is telling you. Your head might tell you something different, and you’ll be keen to make up for lost time, but please take advantage of this lockdown to recover properly. If you push beyond your limited energies now, and M.E. follows, it could change your life for years to come.
Be sensible and rest up. Take care.
If you wish to apply for a Blue Badge in the York area, or wish to know if you qualify, click on the link below:
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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:
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.
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
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.
There has since been an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) formed to discuss the way ahead in helping MP's Constituents with ME. Contact your MP to ensure they're representing you !
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) is available on Amazon and iTunes and through the Unrest UK Store on DVD and Blu-Ray by clicking on this link: Unrest site
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.
To go to the Government's Disability Benefits Advice Guide, click on the link below:
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Helplines
COVID-19 Helpline for York - 01904 551550
or email: covid19help@york.gov.uk
NHS Health Enquiries (non emergency): 111
Samaritans: 01904 655888
Mind UK: 03001 233 393
Domestic Abuse: 03000 100 110
York Hospital: 01904 631313
Patient Transport Service: 01904 630080
Benefits Service: 01904 551556
Accessibility
Dial & Ride: 01904 551441
Shopmobility: 01904 679222
York Wheels: 01904 630080
Delivery Services
Virtual High St: www.yorkhighstreet.com
Alligator Wholefoods: 01904 654 525
Millie's Greengrocers: 07766 313 122
Food Circle: 07511 717 946
Miller Food Service: 01904 655 368
Poppy Caterers: 01347 878 628
Sheila's Greengrocers: 07470 308 824
M&K Butchers: 01904 639 300
Badger Hill Butchers: 01904 411 897
Burnholme Fisheries: 01904 421 360
Milk (Richard Cann): 07773 348 354
Services
York Electricians Ltd: 01904 373 045
Plumbtech: 07703 567 027
Yorkshire Plumbing: 08006 125 234
Local MP's
York Central Rachel Maskell: 01904 784847
York Outer Julian Sturdy: 01904 784847
Thirsk & Malton Kevin Hollinrake: 01347 666880
Councillor Keith Aspden: 01904 555 314
If you are a member of the elderly community or indeed somebody caring for an elderly person, this guide supplied by Covonia will give you important information on how to avoid getting sick, and how to care for coughs and colds should they happen.
The Changing Places Consortium launched its campaign in 2006 on behalf of the over 1/4 of a million people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.
To use the toilet in safety and comfort, many people need to be able to access a Changing Places, which have more space and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist.
To find out more, click on the link below to go to the Changing Places website.
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 !
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 likely to be around 800-1,000 people of all ages in the York area with ME who would be so very grateful for your help.
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.
To order the book through Jessica's site, click on the link below:
This book is also now available at York Library
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 !
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 has followed through on their promise by lighting up the city walls and Clifford's Tower in blue over the ME Awareness Weeks since that meeting.
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.
Mike Harley is a very special guy who's aim was to run a marathon in each EU country to raise awareness and funds for Invest in ME Research. Please visit his site to learn more, especially since our exit from the EU has meant a revision of his plans !
