I have just happened upon this article from another m.e website and I can really relate to this but I am appalled to see that everyone of us with M.E will suffer from being bullied by someone .Please read on--
There is serious public concern about bullying, even right at the heart of government, our organisation, ME Free For All. org which represents people with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) wishes to highlight the hell that people - in addition to the awful symptoms of this dreadfully disabling illness - are being made to suffers and the sources from which it comes.
We have evidence of bullying from several different perpetrators: The general Public ("You always seem all right when I see you", neglecting to realise that this is one of the few days when you are able to come out and they never see you on the many more that you are housebound or stuck in bed; some (mercifully not all) doctors who don't believe M.E. exists at all, tell you to pull yourself together; throws papers across a desk, shouts, even drops you from their list; so-called acquaintances, who no longer see you (though, we say, they can't have been much of a friend if they desert you when you need them most; family members, who may think you are malingering, "you could try a little harder", or that it is a psychological thing, "are you sure there isn't anything worrying you?"); the benefits system, with more than two-thirds being wrongly judged fit for work, left without money and dependent on charity; the combined forces of the establishments of medicine and government that recommend treatments which are ineffective or make matters worse.
This repugnant and disgusting behaviour has the effect of making the illness more invisible and driving M.E. sufferers even further into isolation, poverty, despair and even towards suicide.
To illustrate how all-inclusive it is we believe that there isn't a single person with M.E. who has not been the victim of bullying from at least one of these sources, more often several simultaneously. Unless we hear otherwise, we shall consider it 100%. Some doctors and nurses who have M.E. try to keep it secret for fear of being bullied by their fellow professionals and - wait for this! - leaders of so-called support groups, who often do not have M.E themselves, make nasty phone calls and unsolicited visits to M.E. sufferers who challenge their ways which have not got anyone better.
We are determined it has to stop. But what is the best way to tackle it? We do have evidence, are prepared to name names, recommend professional disciplinary action, even legal proceedings in the worst of cases. But, since bullies operate, even thrive in the dark, we think the best approach is to shine a spotlight until they skulk away.
This initiative does require some action and courage on the part of M.E sufferers. The best would be if you are able to write in your real name to this newspaper and elsewhere, such as the place on our website,
here, or the Facebook page,
here, which we have created, both called "
Don't Bully M.E.!" It is quite understandable if you need to ask for "M.E. sufferer, Name & Address" supplied, or have a friend do it for you. If you still fear any consequences, you can write to us and we'll speak up for you, preserving your anonymity and safety.
We are quite sure that we have opened a can of worms here because, as soon as we take the spotlight off, the bullies will be back. But we are in for the long haul. Take courage - it really can't get any worse - and, collectively, we can say, "Don't Bully M.E.!"
Yours sincerely
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
