Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

The Death Threat Myth Exposed

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

Update April 7, 2021: Further comment from Dr. Vicky Whittemore added to the end of this post. Last week, an old story was recounted to a new audience. During the March 30, 2021 NIH telebriefing with the ME/CFS community, Dr. … Continue reading →

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Vaxxed Part Two

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

On Friday, I got my second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine side effects were definitely more intense this time, but not unmanageable. I am so glad I was able to be vaccinated, and I am documenting the … Continue reading →

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Vaxxed Part One

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

I got my first COVID-19 vaccine dose!! Since so many people with ME have legitimate concerns about the vaccines, I thought it would be helpful to share my own experience. Two weeks ago, I described the melee competition for vaccines … Continue reading →

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Vaccine Melee

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been uneven, to put it kindly. In my home state of Pennsylvania, it’s been a mess (that’s also putting it kindly). The actual situation has a lot more in common with a Black Friday scramble … Continue reading →

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Vax Me

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

There is nothing I want more than to be vaccinated against COVID-19. I know many people in the chronic illness community, particularly people with ME and/or mast cell activation syndrome, are apprehensive about the COVID-19 vaccines. I feel the opposite: … Continue reading →

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Darkness and Light

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Jennie Spotila

Today is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. It’s a time of darkness in a hard winter, but also a time of light as the sun begins to return. Perhaps it is fitting that I face the … Continue reading →

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Compassion

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jennie Spotila

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on compassion this year. It’s been impossible not to, as I read the news each day. 2020 has been–well, it’s been 2020. I have felt such anger and frustration at the lack … Continue reading →

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NIH Funding for ME in 2020: Falling Flat

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Jennie Spotila

NIH funding for ME/CFS research should be increasing each year. Everyone agrees that this is needed. Instead, 2020 funding has flatlined. Worse yet, we are in danger of falling off several cliffs looming ahead. Image credit: Off the Charts, AJN … Continue reading →

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The 2019 NIH Funding Fact Check

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Jennie Spotila

NIH claims to have spent $15 million on ME/CFS research in 2019. However, my examination of the details shows that NIH actually spent $13 million, which means NIH is exaggerating its spending by 14%. This gap between reality and NIH’s … Continue reading →

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David Tuller: Making Progress Together

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Jennie Spotila

For the past four years, I have supported David Tuller’s investigative journalism through his crowdfunding campaigns. I urge you to join me in supporting his current fundraiser so that he can continue his work. Five years ago this month, David … Continue reading →

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