15 April 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
No evidence of widespread DLA fraud
A letter to editor from Disability Alliance, representing several UK charities including Action for M.E., says that the Daily Mail misled readers by suggesting that people receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) hadn’t provided evidence of their needs. The letter also points out that there is no evidence of widespread DLA abuse: the Department for Work Pensions estimates DLA fraud to be 0.5%, but plans to cut spending on it by 20%.
Daily Mail, p 68
15/04/11
Kay tells Lynn's story to raise awareness of M.E.
Kay Gilderdale talks about her new book, One last goodbye, in which she describes how her daughter Lynn became ill with M.E., and remained severely affected for 17 years. In December 2008, assisted by her mother, Lynn committed suicide by taking an overdose of morphine and painkillers. Kay says she has written the book to encourage debate about assisted suicide, and to raise awareness of M.E.
ITV, This Morning, 11.30am
http://thismorning.itv.com/thismorning/life/i-helped-my-daughter-die
15/04/11
As above
BBC Radio 4, Woman’s Hour, 11am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b0106tjh
14/04/11
BBC South East, News, 6.30pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pfp8
14/04/11
Brighton Argus, p1 and 4-5
15/04/11
Evening Standard, p 19
14/04/11
A walk in my shoes
Anna Melia, who lost three of her five children to cystic fibrosis, has written a book, A walk in my shoes, to raise awareness of the inherited condition. Anna herself has recovered from breast cancer, and also has M.E. and spinal arthritis.
Irish Examiner, p 17
06/04/11
Systemic mastocytosis
Sally Hooker, who has symptoms of intense fatigue, skin lesions, digestive problems, food and drug intolerances, muscle pain and headaches, thought that she might have M.E. She eventually discovered she had systemic mastocytosis, a condition that affects only two people per million.
Colchester Gazette, p 23
12/04/11
The story of energy
Coventry poet Mary Courtney’s exhibition of work, The Story of Energy, combines poetry, painting and audio files to tell the story of her ongoing recovery from M.E. It’s showing at Friswell’s Art Gallery, Earlsdon until April 30.
Irish Post, p 2
16/04/11
Chairman of Action for M.E.
Alan Cook has been announced as Chairman of Irish Life & Permanent Group Holdings. He is also Governor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chairman of Action for M.E.
London Stock Exchange, online
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10840584
15/04/11
Recovered and set up business
Sarah Humphreys, who became ill with CFS in 2009, has recovered to set up Mbollou, a business offering African drumming, arts, dance and traditional handicrafts to local schools, care homes and community groups.
Crew Chronicle, p 49
13/04/11
Book review
A review of new book Recover your energy by Olive Hickmott recommends it for people with CFS.
Zest, p 109
01/05/11
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