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 […]
From #MEAction. A view from the US. The National Institute of Health’s RFA for ME/CFS Collaborative Research Centers breaks new ground. For the first time, the funding agency is strongly encouraging researchers “to establish partnerships with patients groups and solicit their input” as part of their research plan. #MEAction assembled a […]
From #MEAction. Whether you are a musician, poet or puppeteer, expressing yourself through a body devastated by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is suddenly an impossible feat – and an improbable opportunity. #MEAction is excited to announce the launch of a virtual concert called #Bedfest on May 6th to […]
By Sasha Nimmo in #MEAction. The University of South Australia has approval to begin the trial, “Active video gaming to increase physical activity in adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.” The study has no set research criteria, despite studies that show 2 out of 5 patients are misdiagnosed with CFS/ME in Australia. The study does not […]
From MEAction. Recently, #MEAction sat down with Julie Rehmeyer to discuss her new book Through the Shadowlands, her op-ed in the New York Times with David Tuller, and next steps. What made you embark on a project like Through the Shadowlands? I’m a writer, and it was a big experience I was […]
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 […]
By Adrianne Tillman in #MEACTION. Momentum continues from the #MillionsMissing campaign that was born last May. Activists took to the streets worldwide in 11 cities in May – and in 25 cities in September – to protest their government’s neglect of people with ME. While the posters are now stored away, activism […]
Demand equality for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis #MillionsMissing is a movement to raise awareness for M.E., an underfunded and ignored disease. This September 27th, 25 cities in nine countries will demand change. We will present protest demands asking for increased government funding for research, clinical trials, medical education and public awareness. It’s not too […]
#MEAction has sent an 11,000-signature petition to The Lancet, calling for the retraction of “misleading” analyses and claims published in a 2011 PACE trial paper concerning the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy for ME/CFS. Copies of the petition, which when printed were over 400 pages, were also delivered to the UK […]
What was the study? Researchers used 100 blood samples from the Solve ME/CFS Biobank of patients who were long-term patients of expert clinicians and met the Fukuda and/or Canadian Consensus case definitions. These blood samples were compared in a blinded method with 79 healthy control samples from people who were matched on criteria such […]
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 […]
Sasha Nimmo reports on David Tuller’s blog in #MEAction. In his Virology blog post, David Tuller examines results of ‘sister’ to the PACE trial In 2003, when the United Kingdom (UK) Medical Research Council announced the PACE trial, they also announced the Fatigue Intervention by Nurses Evaluation (FINE) trial. Why haven’t we heard […]
19 May 2017.
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.
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 20 September 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.
STOP PRESS: There will be a Morning Coffee Club on Monday 4 September at 11.00 am at The Bar Convent on Blossom St,York to provide a chance for those who would like to get together for a natter and a cuppa who can't always make it to the usual afternoon gathering.
Raising ME Awareness At York Explore Library
Friday 28 July 2017
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 it themselves who now know we're here for them.
Thanks to the Anne twins, Mal and Dionne who turned out to man and woman the table, but also to all who were there in spirit and would have been there in body but for a certain little beasty we all know so well......
More to come on York TV........
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 won The York ME TGA Inter Company Fantasy Football League sponsored by TGA Mobility for season 2016/17.
If your company would like to take part this 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, and a link from our site to theirs.
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.
