Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I want people to know my story and understand why the ME association is so important to me.

In 2008 I started to feel continually tired and exhausted no matter how much sleep or downtime I seemed to have. I assumed from the stresses of work and my OCD with cleaning that I was simply run down. This went on for weeks so I eventually decided that this wasn't normal and should go get checked out. After several tests and questionnaires I was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME). I've got what? I thought and so I began to research - Yuppie Flu was a more common name in the 80's as high flyers seemed to contract the disease.  I really didn't fit this profile so I don't think I took the diagnosis seriously, we'll not at first.

My first attack left me paralysed one morning, not for long admittedly but I couldn't move me legs until I massaged them back to life, walking unaided was not an option for quite a while though. After therapy sessions and exercise sessions I managed to get back on my feet (no pun intended) but it took a few weeks. All I wanted to do was to get back to work but when I did my boss and company were not at all understanding which is often the way when you can see a physical ailment.

I did however carry on and I 'beat' the disease so to speak i.e. I manage it and as yet I've not had another bad attack, just a minor blip last summer. 

This is therefore a huge challenge for me but I'm going to do it and show that this disease does not define the people unfortunate enough to contract it. They are not lazy or can't be bothered, they are not faking their exhaustion and they are not being anti social - all they want is an understanding that they have to manage t what can be a debilitating disease. It's not easy to do, and sometimes you have to say no to things you really want to do, take part in or be involved in because if you say yes, you run the risk of being I'll or even bed bound in some cases. I like many others, hope that through research this musculoskeletal disease will eventually fine a prevention and cure so others don't need to suffer or manage their illness like I have to so please if you can help me support those that can help fight this disease and aid those people who suffer from it.

I'm lucky my case is considered mild now but there are others suffering everyday far worse than I, so wish me luck and Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully donate.

Mike

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