13 May 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
M.E. has ruined my daughter’s life
Helen Wood, 21, has had M.E. since she was eight years old. Too unwell to go to school, she was unable to take her GCSEs, and remains too ill to work. Liz is cared for by her mum Liz, who says M.E. has ruined Helen’s life. The pair will be raising awareness of M.E., and fundraising for Action for M.E., at Willowbrook Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol.
Bristol Evening Post, p 22 and online
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/daughter-s-life-ruined/article-3552944-detail/article.html
13/05/11
Attitudes to M.E. on BBC Radio Scotland phone-in
Blogger Sam McInnis, who has M.E., GP Gary Hamilton and Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E., discuss attitudes to M.E., diagnosis and research into the illness. Callers who contributed their experiences to the phone-in included carers Lesley, Mark and Kim, and Robert, Christine, Neil and Fiona who have, or have had, M.E.
BBC Radio Scotland, Call Kaye, 9.54am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r3zl7
12/05/11
Anger over CFS service closure
Benjamin Feld, 15, was diagnosed with M.E. last year. Despite the family's repeated requests for specialist help, no-one told them about the specialist CFS service at Queen’s Hospital until recently, and now the service is scheduled to close. The hospital claims the closure is due to lack of demand.
Guardian series, online
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/9024189.CHIGWELL__Family_s_anger_as_ME_unit_is_closed/
12/05/11
As above
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/localheadlines/9024189.CHIGWELL__Family_s_anger_as_ME_unit_is_closed/?ref=rss
12/05/11
Help publicise M.E. Awareness Month
In letters to the editor, Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E., asks people to display the charity’s awareness posters and leaflets during May, M.E. Awareness Month. To order free copies, contact Action for M.E. at admin@actionforme.org.uk.
Wishaw Press, p 48
11/05/11
Why do some doctors still not believe in M.E.?
Richard Senior, Glastonbury, says he has been prompted to write a letter following Sir Peter Spencer's letter in the paper about M.E. Awareness Month. Richard says that since his wife Annabel died eight years ago, when the coroner's report stated CFS/M.E. as cause of death, there have been further deaths from the illness, the most recent being Lynn Gilderdale. Mr Senior asks why some GPs and the NHS are still not sympathetic to patients with M.E., and wants doctors who believe that M.E. is a physical illness to stand up and be counted.
This is Somerset, online
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/letters/Health-experts-stand-counted/article-3541229-detail/article.html
12/05/11
No evidence of XMRV
A team led by Dr Ila Singh, University of Utah, examined the blood of 100 patients and 200 healthy people but found no evidence of XMRV. The team also found no evidence of the retrovirus in the blood of 14 CFS patients identified as XMRV-positive in an earlier study undertaken by the Whittemore Peterson Institute in Nevada.
ivillage, online
13/05/11
Remembering writer Joanna Russ
Radical feminist writer and academic Joanna Russ has died aged 74 following a stroke. Her best-known novel, The female man, tells the story of four women living in four different worlds, and hailed as a biting satire on sexual politics. Joanna was ill for many years with CFS.
The Guardian, p 35 and online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/12/joanna-russ-obituary
13/05/11
Disbelief surrounding M.E.
Artist Juliet Chenery-Robson, whose daughter has had M.E. for more than six years, will showcase her work at the Gemini Building, Whitehouse Way, Peterlee. Juliet is a trustee of M.E. North East, and her work investigates the disbelief surrounding the illness.
Hartlepool Mail, online
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/images_of_me_by_artist_1_3368591
12/05/11
As above
Peterlee Mail, online
http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/images_of_me_by_artist_1_3368591
12/05/11
Lonely and living in poverty with M.E.
In a letter to the editor, Geoff Bell expresses sympathy for teenager Sophie Lee, who has M.E., and whose story was featured in the paper. Mr Bell also has M.E. and says that though he has the benefit of family support and financial security, others with the illness are lonely and living in poverty.
Wirral News, p 14
11/05/11
Diagnosing fibromyalgia
Around 2 million people are estimated to have fibromyalgia, but it can be difficult to identify and treat. GPs will usually want to rule out other conditions including CFS before diagnosis.
Healthy Magazine, p 16-17
01/05/11
National Three Peaks Challenge
Charles Taylor, 13, was diagnosed with M.E. last December. Along with three friends, Charles will take part in the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the Association of Young People with M.E.
Driffield Times, p1 and 5
11/05/11
NB. Some articles may only be available online through payment of a subscription. Unfortunately Action for M.E. is prevented by copyright law from reproducing such articles in full or in extract.
The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
