I have been dealing with having ME since April 2006. Just before that time, I had a normal life. The previous two years had seen me running the London Marathon for charity, and I had run others previously. I enjoyed badminton, archery and running a girl’s football team for Fulford Football Club in York. This was as well as a great social life and a very busy job. I was also part of one of the local Business Network International (BNI) groups, so let’s just say I was enjoying being normal.
Without boring you with all the in between stuff, I am now unable to work and struggle to walk, even with a stick. I've just taken possession of a mobility scooter to help me get out of the house. Whereas I'm frustrated and angry that I can no longer be part of normal society, I’m one of the lucky ones. Many with ME are bed-bound, can only feed through tubes, and have little hope of improvement. The details behind the illness I’ve included under the FAQ tab at the top of our website at www.York-ME-Community.org if you would like to know more.
THE YORK ME COMMUNITY
This site started as a focal point for those in the York area, be they sufferers, family or friends, to gain support and friendship, knowing they could interact with like-minded people suffering from the same ailment. A large part of that is feeling lonely, guilty in not being who you once were for your family and friends, and a feeling of desperation that the Government and the medical system give limited support, funds for research, or even belief that this is a real illness.
BUSINESS LINKS
The social element of the site has now moved to a Facebook Group where people can meet and chat. The site is now to be a focal point for business supporters of The York ME Community. I emphasis the word Community as these people live next door to you, are your co-workers, your family, your friends. We have already had support from The Press, Minster FM, Vale Radio, YorkMix, The Barbican, The Yorkshire Fatigue Clinic and York Council who have us listed as one of their Family Support Services. I have also had assurances from York City FC that we will be able to link to their Community site in due course, in the way that The Barbican and Local Link have done.
Although I'm no longer able to work, I have short periods where I can concentrate on projects such as fund raising for Invest in ME who are doing such great work. The current project is with the aim of gaining more foot soldiers in the York area by bringing businesses on board by offering to advise their HR Teams about ME and through our inaugural Inter Company Fantasy Football League.
Every penny of the funds raised from their registration fees will go to Invest in ME, and the hope is to to continue to raise funds in other ways too.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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