SITES AND USE IN NEWSLETTERS. PLEASE RE-TWEET ON TWITTER.
Writer Ali Smith is the latest in a lengthy line of renowned people
whose careers have been interrupted by an illness which is commonly
described, as it is here (Ali Smith at Winter Wordfest, Cambridge News,
24 November 2011 --
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Whats-on-leisure/Choice/Ali-Smith-22112011.htm),
as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Such celebrities, including actors and
politicians, may give those of us suffering with M.E. (Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis) some clues to a solution.
None of us knows the answer but we may raise some intelligent questions
that deserve an attempt at least: Why is it that some people become ill
with quite a common virus such as Epstein-Barr (Glandular Fever), or
others like Chicken Pox, shingles, or flu-like illnesses and get over it
relatively quickly, never for it to occur in a lifetime? Why do others,
like Ali, take 18 months; Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, more
than a year and Barbara Windsor, more than two years but, once
recovered, seem to be able to return to normal working life without
relapsing? And why is it that previously ordinarily fit and healthy
people, with no record of physical or psychiatric illness, such as Laura
Hillenbrand, author of best-selling film "Seabiscuit", as well as
millions of others, including this Research Psychologist, diagnosed with
M.E. 23 years ago, remain ill, with no end in sight?
There are theories, of course - a more severe attack for some than
others; onset when victim already weak; damaged immune system;
re-activating dormant viruses, etc. but such examples as Ali and the
others demonstrate that we are not talking about the same things. The
indiscriminate term Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) robs known organic
causes of their individual identity and stifles enquiry about other less
clear but suspicious origins of M.E., such as adverse reactions to
vaccinations and chemical poisoning that leaves others unaffected. CFS
is not a synonym for M.E but so long as it continues to be treated as
though it is and such questions as I have raised are ignored, people
with M.E. will remain largely invisible and neglected.
Yours sincerely
drjohngreensmith@mecommunitytrust. org
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Community Trust. org
---------------------------------------------
Send posts to CO-CURE@listserv.nodak.edu
Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm
---------------------------------------------
Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of
opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or
FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or
political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to
research the various opinions available before assuming any one
interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a
link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central
importance to the issues of our community.
---------------------------------------------
