I have written a song to raise awareness of the debilitating condition Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) and hopefully raise some funds for various M.E charities. This is the first song I have written and recorded having never tried to write anything myself before, and the whole experience has pushed me totally out of my comfort zone.

I have now officially launched the song and have uploaded it to bandcamp.com. My page is danibetts.bandcamp.com and you can listen to the song here. The song is also now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube and various other sites.

This song was written to describe some of the feelings and experiences people with M.E may have. From physical sensations of fatigue, pain, brain fog, through to frustrations about advice people give and frustrations from others.

The last chorus contains the phrase 'we're not missing' which expresses that even though people with M.E may have a chronic debilitating illness, they are still here and still exist. This also refers to the #MillionsMissing campaign that has been running for a few years.

I am hopeful that this track will resonate in a 'heard' way with people who experience some of the symptoms of M.E and Fibromyalgia as well as supporting those who do not have the condition, to become more aware of the experiences and feelings related to the condition.

I have called the song 'Still ME (not M.E)' as a final statement that this does not define us (another phrase used in the song).

My story:

I was diagnosed with ME and Fibromyalgia in my mid 30s as a mum with two small children at the time. I have spent the last few years raising awareness of the two disabling chronic health conditions and raising money for various M.E charities along the way. To date, I have raised just over £1500 for different M.E charities and hope to continue to raise much more.

I first had the idea to record a song when I approached Load Street Studios, Kidderminster and asked if I could record several cover tracks performed by artists who have M.E or Fibromyalgia. When I looked into this, there were loads of artists. Whilst having conversations with the studio team, the suggestion was put to me to write and record an original track. Never in a million years did I think I would be able to do this but I sat down and wrote out a few simple ideas.

I decided the track needed to explore my experience of living with M.E and Fibromyalgia, as well as acknowledging the feelings of those of us with this condition. My Mum was also diagnosed with M.E in the early 1990s and has suffered since to this day so I was able to reflect and discuss this with her also.

The track I have produced is hugely heartfelt and I couldn't have written it without support and encouragement from Rob Groucutt, musician. My Dad plays the bass guitar on the track too which just feels totally right to me.

Please help me to support people with M.E and their families.

M.E (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, blights the lives of over 400,000 people in the UK today. The smallest exertion can floor them; their joints and muscles ache unbearably; restful sleep eludes them; and ‘brain fog’ clouds their thinking. It changes lives drastically – disrupting study; making work impossible; and straining family relations to breaking point. Many sufferers cannot leave their homes. There is no known cure.

Please help me to help them.