It will be 30 years in July since I had glandular fever which precipitated many years battling severe ME. Until 1987 I had always lead a very fit & active lifestyle, was hard-working & enjoying a promising career. The illness forced me to take early retirement  & left me severely disabled for nearly 20 years. I spent eight of those years in social purdah virtually bedridden & unable to read, converse or watch television. Thankfully, my condition has gradually improved & I am now able to live a relatively active life, however, I am only able achieve this “normality” with very strict management & pacing & spend a great deal of time at home recharging my batteries. 

It is estimated that around 250,000 people including many children are affected by ME in the UK & at present there is no diagnostic test available or any universally effective treatment or cure for the disease. I am one of the lucky ones as 25% of severely affected sufferers see no remission of their symptoms with many remaining permanently bedridden & socially isolated.

I hope that my walk also will give some hope & encouragement to other severely affected sufferers by showing that it is possible to make a significant improvement & regain a fit & active lifestyle even after many years of disability.