You may or may not be aware Laura has been seriously ill and has been 24-hour bedbound for 2 years. That’s over 730 days trapped in a hospital bed completely disabled and unable to care for herself. M.E is a horrendous, debilitating illness that has destroyed her life and millions of others. 

A fellow sufferer said “In a world of medical breakthroughs and space exploration and AI, we deserve better than being trapped in our bedrooms and treated like 19th century “hysterics”.Multi-system chronic diseases like M.E are not too mysterious or complicated to solve. We just haven’t devoted enough resources into solving them. In the absence of proper government support, patients rely on M.E research to give us hope for the future.”  

Laura says “Living with M.E is a living nightmare! I couldn’t do this without the help of my family who have got me through the darkest of days. Although these days are not yet over, my doctor has helped me to manage my symptoms. My son has been the sunshine that keeps on shining and gives me inner strength to keep fighting every day!”

The principal aim of ME Research UK is to commission and fund high-quality scientific (biomedical) investigation into the causes, consequences and treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME/CFS). This is a debilitating illness which affects between 120,000 and 240,000 people in the UK, but is neither well understood nor, in many cases, properly recognised. 

Today is World Severe M.E Awareness day. There are over 20 million people worldwide suffering from this devastating illness. Please help us to fundraise for M.E research and help find a cure for this horrific illness! See link in bio.  Laura wrote this poem with the help of her Dad to raise awareness about Myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E/CFS). #millionsmissing    

Do you know M.E? 

Do you know me?

I’m not the girl I used to be.

Once a bronzed body from head to toe. Now a pale ghost-like figure hidden behind closed curtains.  

Once getting glammed up wearing figure hugging clothes was a passion. Now a loose uniform of pyjamas day and night is my only fashion. 

Once strong athletic legs running miles around country roads. Now skinny feeble limbs, fixed to Wendy bed sheets.  

Once healthy, happy and pain-free. Now muscles and joints filled with agony. Sensitive to the lightest touch, now even a hug is too much. 

Once wining and dining, indulging in my favourite foods. Now spoon-fed purées from my bed tray, struggling to chew. 

Once travelling the world with my best friend. Now being rolled across the bed by my carers until I mend. 

Once independent and free to do what I choose without a fee. Now controlled by an evil illness that’s stolen my autonomy.  

Once an adrenaline junkie; sky diving, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, sand dune buggy driving. Now it’s been over 2 years since I’ve been standing.  

Once a baker, photographer and gym lover. Now my hobbies have been stolen from me altogether.  

Once energised and ready to start the day. Now even the smallest exertion makes my body pay. 

Once waking up to the sunrise and bird’s song. Now confined within the same four walls, the sound of music is long gone.

Once a caring daughter, wife and mother. Now my family take turns caring for me one day after another.

Once studying 5 years’ worth of dentistry for my finals. Fuzzy thoughts and forgetfulness, the clouding of my brain is relentless.   

Once determined and now EVEN MORE SO! I will get back up and I will beat this foe! 

For now, it’s only in my dreams I escape from this prison.

"....doctors do not treat us and science does not study us. How could a disease this common and this devastating have been forgotten by medicine?" Jennifer Brea