23 May 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Still so much ignorance about M.E.
Jane Andrews, 42, says her battle with M.E. began after she became ill with a meningitis-like virus on holiday in Spain as a teenager. Throughout May, M.E. Awareness Month, Jane will donate 50% of her profits from her online card business www.simplycards.net to Action for M.E. She says it’s important to raise awareness because there is still so much ignorance about the condition.
Morley Observer, p 12 and online
http://www.morleyobserver.co.uk/jane_s_bid_to_battle_ignorance_of_me_1_3392829
22/05/11
High Court ruling on cutting care for disabled
The High Court has ruled that Birmingham City Council broke the law when it cut care for disabled people in an attempt to save money. Judges said that councils must not discriminate when they made decisions about cuts. The ruling means councils will have to carry out a thorough review and consultation, focusing on the impact of proposed changes on service users, before making cuts.
Public Service, online
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=16351
20/05/11
Income-protection insurance policies
Some income-protection insurance plans are being mis-sold, a Times Money investigation has found. Many insurers and brokers are selling cheap policies that disqualify claims if an individual is well enough to do simple tasks, such as hold a pen. When Julian Shafee’s wife was diagnosed with M.E. in 2005, the family found their Scottish Provident policy wouldn’t pay out becase Mrs Shafee was able to complete keyboard and lifting tasks.
The Times, p 57-58
21/05/11
Family raising thousands for M.E. research
Antoinette Christie, whose son David has M.E., speaks out about the fight to get treatment ahead of a special presentation in Belfast by M.E. researcher Dr Judy Mikovits on Sunday. The Christie family has so far raised £17,000 for the charity M.E. Research UK.
Andersonstown News, p 8
21/05/11
Music event for M.E. Awareness Day
Fiona Clark, who organised a music event for M.E. Awareness Day in Wadebridge, says so far £110 was raisec for Tymes Trust, £29 for MESH Cornwall, and £590 for Action for M.E., which will be match-funded to £1,180.
Cornish Guardian, p 59
18/05/11
Treatments for M.E.
In a letter to the editor, Dr John Greensmith says that cognitive behaviour therapy and graded exercise therapy are unsuitable treatments for M.E., so it’s surprising that patient groups including Action for M.E. are campaigning to keep open any M.E. clinic where treatments are used.
Ilford Recorder, p 10
19/05/11
As above
Loughton & Buckhurst Hill Recorder, p 10
19/05/11
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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.
