Tag Archives: suffering

Taking Care of Your Self

Self-care is one of those internet buzzwords that people casually throw around, as if a coloring book or a kitty will solve all your problems. I’m not knocking coloring books and kitties, but generally I think that kind of advice … Continue reading

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After The Afflicted Freak Show

Many people in the chronic disease community were anticipating Afflicted, the Netflix series about seven people with poorly understood illnesses. In light of Jamison Hill‘s appearance in the show, the ME community hoped to build on the success of Unrest … Continue reading

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How To Represent

Last month, I had my first chance to serve on an FDA Advisory Committee as a Patient Representative. I had a lot to learn about the drug under consideration, but I also learned how to use my individual perspective to … Continue reading

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Talk To FDA About Chronic Pain

The FDA wants to hear from people with chronic pain, and is hosting a meeting on July 9, 2018 to collect public input. I have chronic pain, and I know that many of you do as well. This meeting is … Continue reading

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The NIH Pilot Program: What We Can Do

As I discussed in Part One of the NIH Pilot Program, NIH thinks that the three (and only three) Collaborative Research Centers are seeds to generate interest in ME research, and will wait for more research applications to come in … Continue reading

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One Dance: Millions Missing 2018

I was never a talented dancer, but I loved it. I quit ballet lessons when I was in the 3rd grade because it was hard. I struggled to learn the simple choreography in school musical productions. I never learned to … Continue reading

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All The Time and None At All

Dr. Francis Collins, in answering a question about ME research on April 20th, said that NIH recognizes and empathizes with our suffering and our “frustration that so little is known.” Then he dropped some knowledge. Dr. Collins said, “Research, done … Continue reading

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“Take Care Of Each Other”

“Take care of each other.” Those were the closing words in Anne Ortegren’s suicide letter. Anne’s death came as a shock to many of us, myself included. Anne was a friend and long-time supporter of my work. She made a … Continue reading

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Expectations

Unrest, Jen Brea’s documentary about ME, will be shown on PBS stations around the United States on Monday night – January 8th. The film is already available worldwide, and is short-listed for an Oscar nomination (my review of the film … Continue reading

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Better Late Than Not At All

Last night, I was really struggling to come up with anything to be grateful for. I can’t say that no one in our family died this year. I can’t say my husband is getting closer to returning to work. I … Continue reading

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