19 September 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Lib Dem conference: make ESA fair
Delegates at the Liberal Democrat conference on Saturday passed a motion criticising the Government over disability benefits. They also voted for an amended motion to “oppose an arbitrary time limit on how long claimants can claim contributory ESA,” for people appealing against work capability assessments to be eligible for legal aid, for the work capability assessments to be made "less stressful” and for a review of Atos's performance in carrying out medical assessments.
Guardian, online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2011/sep/17/liberal-democrat-conference-live-day-1
17/09/11
M.E. was ruining my life
Keen rider and horse ownder Sarah Woodjets has been ill with M.E. for four years, and bedbound for weeks at a time. “Things were so awful, I considered selling the horses – at one point I even thought about giving them away. Things were so awful. M.E. was ruining my life and I had no idea how to cope. Going to visit my horses was exhausting, but I always felt better after seeing them.”
Horse Magazine, p 68-70
01/10/11
£102 million cost of M.E.
CFS/M.E. is responsible for more than £102 million a year in lost earnings to the UK economy, according to new research by a team led by Dr Esther Crawley, University of Bristol, funded by Action for M.E. and the National Institute for Health Research. Colin Barton, chairman of the Sussex M.E./CFS society, said: “There is an urgent need for more adequate NHS provision for those affected by this often life-ruining illness that is costing so much.”
Brighton Argus p 2
19/09/11
Amazing album despite M.E.
UK rapper and storyteller Mama Chill has released Nobody wants to know ya when ya nobody, an “amazing new album blending elements of rap, hip hop and indie with a touch of 80’s flare,” says Whitney Lewis. “In the process of putting together this album, she was told by doctors a career in music was unrealistic due to her medical condition (scoliosis, M.E., fibromylagia and osteoporosis). She didn’t listen to them.”
Womens Radio, online
http://www.womensradio.com/articles/Mama-Chill--Nobody-Wants-To-Know-Ya-When-Ya-Nobody-%5bAlbum-Review%5d-(2011)/10375.html
16/09/11
Mother and daughter eventers
Emily King, 15, was the youngest member of the squad to compete at the eventing European Championship in Portugal, 7-11 September. Emily, who has suffered injuries (including a broken pelvis) and a bout of CFS over the past two years, and her mother Mary have become the first parent and child eventers to represent Britain at championships in the same year.
Horse & Hound, p 7
15/09/11
MP to attend M.E. support group meeting
Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier will join the Worcestershire M.E. Support Group meeting, Wednesday 21 September, 1.30pm at Kidderminster Library, to hear how the illness affects patients lives.
Kidderminster & Wyre Forest Shuttle, p 17
15/09/11
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