By Samantha Renke in The Metro. ‘But you get free parking, and you get to jump to the front of the queue. What about those nice big toilets, they can’t be all that bad, hey?’ These are just some of the comments I’ve had over the years as a disabled […]
By Samantha Renke in the Metro. I have a confession: I seem to have fallen out of love with London, something I never thought would (or even could) happen. Having moved to the Big Smoke almost nine years ago to follow my dreams and live independently, I imagined spending the rest of my adult […]
By Dayna McAlpine in the Metro. It’s 8am on a Monday morning. I’ve had ten hours of sleep, a strong coffee to kick start the day and a cold shower to get my blood pumping before heading to the office. It’s 12pm on a Monday afternoon. I’ve been staring at my screen for three […]
By Samantha Renke in the Metro. I remember sitting in the cafeteria of my first ever job in London. I’d moved down from a quintessentially Northern, rural town to pursue the bright lights and see what the capital had to offer. As I sat nibbling on my peanut butter sandwich, I asked the lady opposite […]
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 […]
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 Samantha Renke in the Metro. As a disabled woman, I’ve sadly become somewhat immune to overt forms of aggression and discrimination. I almost expect the lift to be out of service whilst shopping. I also acknowledge that my work prospects are diminished in comparison to my non-disabled peers, and that it’s highly […]
By Laura Abernethy in The Metro. When dealing with a chronic illness, there can be lots of unexpected costs. Although we have a national health service that means everyone can get free treatment, there’s the cost of travelling for appointments, prescription charges, hospital parking, buying equipment or paying for treatment that isn’t available […]
By Hattie Gladwell in the Metro. Many of us experience tiredness – but when are your symptoms actually a sign of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? It’s normal to get tired from daily activities, or because you’re not getting enough sleep. Having a stressful day, working too many hours or having a strenuous workout […]
By Samantha Renke in The Metro. Sometimes people ask me if I have a carer – a question which I find highly inappropriate, ableist and offensive. Still, let’s clear this up: I live alone in London, but I do have a young woman who works for me. I don’t call her a carer, […]
By Serena Coady in The Metro. Ever felt the sting of a backhanded compliment? Perhaps you’ve been told that your English is ‘surprisingly’ good, or that you’re funny… ‘for a woman’. A new Twitter hashtag, #DisabledCompliments, is highlighting that veiled insults are sometimes a daily reality for people with a disability. The viral […]
By Samantha Renke in The Metro. Living with a disability in the UK today means living in a state of perpetual fear, feeling unheard, patronised and at times like a burden – and it can take a huge toll on your mental health. I was born with a genetic condition called Osteogenesis Impefecta […]
By Nina Grant in The Metro. At 18, after six months in a psychiatric unit, I first claimed disability benefits. A social worker helped me apply for supported housing, as well as for the benefits needed to cover my rent and cost of living. Because I was so young, I didn’t […]
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 […]
By James Wilson in The Metro. you’re just a bit tired,’ says my friend. ‘Just have another beer, you’ll be fine’. Yep, I am tired but probably not as they, or you, know and understand it. I can’t rest and get my energy back like you can and, as much as I’d like to, […]
By Nicole Morley in The Metro. There is just over a week until round pound coins can no longer be used. When the clock strikes midnight on October 15, the round pound will be removed from circulation and the shiny new 12-sided pound coins will replace them. The dodecagon design has been filtering […]
There are so many questions banded about as to the story of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but this video gives a better and fuller insight than most. Once you've watched it, please copy the link and spread the word to raise awareness. Thank you.
To watch this video, click on the link below:
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.
The York Access Group 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 !
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 York, and you see a vehicle parked across a dropped kerb, call the council's hotline on 0800 138 1119 and the Civil Enforcement Officers will respond and are able to issue tickets. We know this won't help you right then and there, but the hope is that the more people report it, the more people get tickets, then slowly behaviour will start to change.
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 York ME Community
@YorkMEAwareness
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 !
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).
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.
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.
Dr Byron Hyde has dedicated his medical career to looking into M.E.
In this interview Dr. Byron Hyde, founder of the Nightingale Research Foundation in Ottawa, Canada, emphasizes the brain and enteroviruses. He also emphasizes his belief that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are separate issues.
To watch this interview on YouTube, click on the link below:
Those within the ME Community have always known how damaging being prescribed Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) can be to their future health. We have a broken energy production system and therefore normal rules do not apply. The PACE Trial tried to show that it helps, but has been debunked by scientists and researchers worldwide. The PACE Trial in fact is now held up as an example of how NOT to conduct such trials.
To understand better the truth of GET and The PACE Trial, click on the link below to watch two short videos.
We are the ME/CFS Biomedical Partnership, a collaboration between researchers and people with ME/CFS, carers and the public.
The DecodeME DNA study aims to help us understand the disease and ultimately find treatments.
To read more, or get involved, click on the link below:
This is open to any organisation looking to have a bit of fun whilst supporting your local community. We're underway now for the current season but will be recruiting teams for our 6th season around July 2021. 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 Fantasy Football League tab at the top of the site for all the information you'll need.
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 |
To read the ME Research Summary 2019 by ME Action covering the last ten years, 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.
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.
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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.
