Journal of IiME Volume 9 Issue 1 Furthermore, it’s acknowledged that the disability rates of chronic fatigue syndrome patients are on a level with those who have lupus; MS; rheumatoid arthritis and a range of other serious conditions. In some cases, patients are housebound for years, while others have died of the complaint. And let’s debunk another myth. CFS patients are not hypochondriacs. In fact, I now ignore a lot of symptoms, assuming they’re part of the CFS bundle. I’ve had an ongoing ear pain for 12 days that would have sent most other people to the GP. Instead, I’ve lived with it – as I live with all the other symptoms. So, if I had to put one message out there to those who are fortunate enough not to have to do daily battle with their bodies – it’s to please, please not give CFS/ME/Fibromyalgia sufferers something else to battle. Namely a negative, unsympathetic, dismissive, disbelieving attitude. Nobody wants to feel this way. If there is somebody at your work who seems to be getting ‘preferential’ treatment in terms of hours or home working; just consider the fact that they’re May 2015 still trying to work, despite the hurdles they face. And if a friend is housebound or you haven’t seen them in a while, consider the fact that they may need your support. They aren’t choosing to opt out of life. Because until CFS gains the same sympathetic recognition as other illnesses, you are sidelining a huge group of people – and this is a condition that can strike anyone at any time. Including the naysayers. ME PATIENT We are raising money for Invest in ME a great charity that funds research into ME, a disabling illness that affects my wife Susan, many dear friends and hundreds of thousands of people in this country. I have managed to regain my health from this illness but many sufferers remain chronically unwell and I am taking this opportunity to raise funds for something very close to my heart.” Steven from IiME’s JustGiving pages https://www.justgiving.com/investinm-e/ Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) www.investinme.org Page 38 of 57
39 Publizr Home