Tag Archives: living with

Crisis and Suicide

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

The list of people with ME who have taken their own lives is too long. Fortunately, there is help available for anyone in crisis, and their loved ones. There are many issues to discuss about suicide and end of life, … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Truth Is Not Always Nice

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

My parents used to tell me, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” But they also raised me to tell the truth, especially when speaking to authority. I have to say some true things today, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Top

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

I am very fortunate in all of you, my readers. I was nominated this year for the Best In Show Blog Award from WEGO Health (for the third time!). Carol Head of Solve ME/CFS Initiative and Tom Kindlon were also … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

23 and ME

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

May the depths you have reached hold you still – John O’Donohue Twenty-three years ago today, I woke up with a sore throat. I went to work, and within a few hours I had a high fever and could barely … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Unrest: Movie Review

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

Spoiler alert: This review discusses some specific scenes from Unrest. Edited to add: No, really! There are SPOILERS here! If you want to see and experience the film with a blank slate, then go see the film and come back … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

My “Summer Vacation”

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

What I’ve done on my “summer vacation” has not been fun. I’ve had a rough couple of months. Non-ME health issues have gobbled up most of my capacity, and I’m still feeling the repercussions. I’m not ready to talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Best In Show Blog

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

I am excited to announce that for the third time, Occupy ME has been nominated for the Best In Show Blog award in the WEGO Health Awards! Now we enter the part of the process where you can influence the … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Guest Post: Sickaversary

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

My friend, Jenny R, wrote these profound words about her sickaversary. 10 years and 4 days ago today I got sick and never got better. I wrote this to commemorate it: I want to write something incredibly profound and moving … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Through the Shadowlands

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

Julie Rehmeyer is a science writer and person with ME who has written extensively about research and controversies like the PACE trial. But today, she publishes Through the Shadowlands, a book about her personal journey through ME and back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Book Review: Growing Gills

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

I usually focus my book reviews on titles that are directly related to ME, but I’m making an exception today because I want to tell you about Growing Gills by Jessica Abel. This book is about creativity, not disease, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments