I can't read this without a smile on my face and shaking my head in agreement. In this three-part series our guest author, David Graham, shares his humorous take on life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. I think it also ties in wonderfully with our Effects Of M.E. awareness campaign. I hope it makes you giggle as much as I am!
A Poem About Life With Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
August 8 is Severe M.E. Awareness Day. A day to give a voice to the millions of people around the world who are living in isolation and torment due to the harsh effects of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
25% of people with M.E. are housebound or bedridden. The most severe living in darkness and silence for years... decades even. Neglected, misunderstood, vulnerable and severely disabled, yet they carry on fighting, waiting, hoping. Moment by moment. One day their breakthrough will come. One day they will be believed and helped.
This day is for them, we speak for them, we shine a light into that darkness and show the world what Severe M.E. is really like.
My Chronic Illness Story: How I Became Housebound With Severe M.E.
May is ME Awareness Month and once again I am participating in the virtual campaigns online to help raise awareness of this life-destroying illness called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Today I'm sharing my story. How did I become so terribly ill and housebound? When did it happen? And how long did I have to wait for a diagnosis? Here's my ME story:
Get Your Own Personalised Millions Missing Poster For ME Awareness Month
May is #MEAwarenessMonth and I thought, since many of us cannot go to the live #MillionsMissing events in person, I'd like to help my fellow people with ME (pwME) to raise awareness online by offering you personalised Millions Missing posters!
I know you are an incredibly creative and driven group of people, but I also know that many are too ill to use their skills and talents as they would like to and cognitive dysfunction as well as physical incapacity often makes using a device or learning new things very difficult. So I hope this free community service will be helpful to you.
Photophobia: 6 Ways To Cope With Light Sensitivity
Have you ever experienced that moment of intense pain in your eyes and head when you've opened the curtains on a bright and sunny day? Anybody who has experienced a migraine or even a hangover would likely understand what I'm talking about too. Although photophobia or light sensitivity might seem quite common among the general population, it can be quite debilitating when combined with a chronic illness like ME.
Most people struggle with glare and direct sunlight in their eyes, but what you might not realise is that some people with chronic illness actually cannot tolerate any light at all and might have to spend hours, days, weeks or even months in the dark - and it's not just pain in the eyes that they're avoiding!