Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

Behind Closed Doors

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

There’s an important meeting happening at NIH today and tomorrow, but you probably know nothing about it. The secrecy of this meeting is intentional, and the implications of decisions made at the meeting are as far-reaching as the Institute of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

There Is No Spoon

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

After I read How To Wake Up last summer, Toni Bernhard was kind enough to answer some of my questions about the book and the Buddhist practices she suggests. You can read the full text of our conversation here. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

My Feedback to the Institute of Medicine

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Today, I submitted the following letter to the Institute of Medicine with my feedback on the panel for the Diagnostic Criteria for ME/CFS. Seven other advocates signed the letter: Chris Heppner, Claudia Goodell, Joe Landson, Denise Lopez-Majano, Matina Nicholson, Darlene … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

IOM Panelists: TL; DR

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

I realize that the past two weeks have been a veritable blog-alanche here at Occupy CFS. There’s been more research and writing here on the IOM ME/CFS panel than any other place online of which I am aware. I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

IOM Panelists: Submitting Feedback

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Feedback to the Institute of Medicine on the provisional committee appointments for the ME/CFS clinical definition study is due December 23rd. Not everyone in the advocacy community believes submitting feedback is appropriate. But if you wish to provide any input … Continue reading →

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IOM Panelists: Balance = Experts + Information – Bias

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

The issue on everyone’s mind is whether the Institute of Medicine panel is the right group to come up with a new ME/CFS clinical case definition. Our team has been debating this for nearly two weeks now, and we have … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

IOM Panelists: Balancing Act

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

There is a good deal more to discuss about the Institute of Medicine ME/CFS case definition panelists beyond their individual backgrounds (see the known and unknown panelists’ profiles). Our team has been grappling with those issues, not always achieving consensus. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

(Lack of) Progress Report

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

The December 2013 CFS Advisory Committee meeting was controversial before it began, and honestly things only went downhill from there. I don’t think I have it in me to list everything that was wrong with the meeting, and I’m pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Ess, CFSAC Testimony, December 2013

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Ess submitted anonymous written comments for the public record. I’m happy to publish her comments in their entirety, using her screen name with her permission. Introduction Thank you very much for this most important opportunity to add written comments to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Jennifer Spotila, CFSAC Telephone Comment, December 2013

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

This is what I told CFSAC via telephone today. It took three phone calls for them to connect me to the meeting. My name is Jennifer Spotila. I submitted written comments for the record, and I’ve posted those to occupycfs.com. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments