Journal of IiMER Volume 10 Issue 1 I had patients come to cheer me on in the race and I found the same sense of frustration and injustice that I had read about in the UK. I met patients and ME charity representatives in Finland and Ireland also and interviewed an ME patient of 25 years from Greece; all were the same –their governments classified ME as a psychological problem and refuse to support biological research. I’m always keen to write a blog where I find out more about the treatment and perception of ME in each country. These pieces are by far and away the most viewed posts; patients and their families are really keen to see what is happening in other countries and join together in solidarity. The people that I interview have explained that they need to remain relatively anonymous and not to publish their names as they fear investigation by social security/insurance companies who might claim that they are ‘working’. It’s a desperate situation in my view when patients aren’t able to publicly fight for their right to treatment. The UK PACE trial and its legacy clearly has had a huge impact on the rest of Europe and the way ME is viewed and (not) treated. I’ve tried hard to raise awareness of ME on the challenge so far. I’ve had blogs published and interviews on Running Bug (300K followers), BBC Radio and regional newspapers. It has been difficult though. ME sadly still seems to be viewed with suspicion and huge ignorance by national media –perhaps the government agenda of neglect and denial is being adhered to there too. June 2016 One national newspaper approached me to write a piece on the challenge but have failed to publish it despite claiming to be happy with the quality. In any case, I’m here to do everything I can to help Invest in ME. I’m strongly urging anyone who is doing a sponsored event to pick them as their charity, we all know someone with ME and biomedical research is the way that you can help them. Big thanks to everyone who has supported and sponsored me so far, I’m really enjoying the challenge and feeling that I’m doing something worthwhile to help my new friends and, of course, my good friend Ian. Find me on Twitter @mikesEUmaras If you’d like to sponsor me, text ‘IIME82’ and £5 to 70070 I can also be found at www.justgiving.com/mikeseumaratho ns and at www.mikeseumarathons.eu and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mikeseumaratho ns Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) www.investinme.org Page 35 of 77
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