Millions Missing

It's International ME Awareness day today. I've decided to take part in #MillionsMissing - a global campaign which has been happening on this day for several years now. In major cities around the world groups of people with ME and those supporting them gather together in public places, while those who are not well enough to be there with them send pairs of shoes with a note attached to explain why they are missing, or to describe what is missing from their lives because of having ME.

People are also asked to post a photo of a pair of shoes on social media, with a note about what these shoes represent now they are ill with ME.

Why?

Because people with a serious neurological disorder, worsened by any exertion, with a sickness impact profile which at its worst is higher than that of any illness but terminal cancer and stroke, are still being told by health professionals that we should do some exercise or receive counselling, and that will make it all go away ... .

This poster from ME Action UK sums it up:



Please take a few minutes today to find out a bit more about the reality of life with ME. Search #MillionsMissing on social media. Have a look at the ME Action Instagram page or the ME Action UK Facebook page. Read some of the stories about what people with ME are missing, about what is missing from our lives. And support proper biomedical research into ME, such as that provided by ME Research UK.


If you can't read the label on my shoes, it says

I'm missing ...
* going to church and dancing in the aisles
* going to the theatre - or performing in plays
* getting on a plane or boat to another country
* getting on a bus or bike to the nearest town
* having visitors, visiting friends, conversation
* having a clear brain to write letters or emails
* eating all my favourite foods
* mornings
* being able to study, work, or volunteer
* being able to access adequate medical care