Steve from England

Learn Something Today Whilst I do have an invisible illness this is not just about me. So many people have an illness we can't see and most of them share the same experiences in their lives. Short lived sympathy, well meant encouragement and disbelief. This is true for so many ... including me I think we have all done it, we've been either sick or healthy ourselves then seen someone who isn't working, perhaps claiming financial support and we're like .... yeah right, looks like they're ill! No one intends to be mean about it but, we just don't think. I know I have been guilty of it myself and I should know better and, this is why ... My Mum! Mum had chronic arthritis. I had many stern comments to say to people on trains who left her standing whilst they sat in the disabled seat but mum was in constant agonising pain every day for the last 20 years or so of her life. I have lived knowing what invisible illness looks like so, yes, I should know better. One of the ...

It may seem like I go on about M.E. quite a lot. Probably I do. You see, if I had a broken leg, it would be obvious. Many might understand how debilitating a migraine is, some might also 'get' mental health issues ... though, that's pushing it. M.E. is invisible (mostly). It makes the person who has it look like a lazy good for nothing who is just looking for excuses not to do things, to avoid work. I hear people tell me that 'we all get tired'. This is true but, with M.E., you don't get tired, we 'are' tired, all of the time. Not just a little sleepy, but that sort of tired that happens at bedtime or, after a huge meal. That sort of tired like jet leg where the brain simply doesn't function or, when it is, it's like we are not fully in control and mistakes happen. Forgetting things, misplacing bits and bobs. Sometimes I just randomly sleep, no idea I am even doing it. Every day has to be planned, paced. I can keep going if I know what I am doin...