Name: Kelly Sullivan Ruta Pronouns: she/her Age: 52 Home: Wake Forest, USA How many years sick?: 9 My illness was originally triggered by an Epstein-Barr infection. Prior to getting COVID, I had returned to 70% capacity from 40%. I was completely bedbound for 6 weeks and then 25-30% for ten…
Name: Nevra Elis Ahmed Pronouns: she/her Age: 28 Home: Karachi, Pakistan How many years sick?: 22 Nevra had to abandon answering questions because it exhausted her too much. Her story was instead compiled from Whatsapp conversations over the course of a few weeks before and after she had to move…
Name: Daniela Herrera Villarreal Pronouns: she/her Age: 38 Home: Mexico City Sick for: 6 years I have a genetic syndrome, Charcot Marie Tooth, whose symptoms worsened after two simultaneous infections, one in the throat and another digestive. Before, my symptoms were manageable. After the infections, weakness and extreme fatigue set…
Name: Ivana Andrade Age: 34 Pronouns: she/her Home: São Paulo, Brazil Sick for: 10 years I've always felt more tired than other people, but was led to believe for many years that this was laziness or depression. At some point in my life I had mononucleosis but we don't know…
Name: Mlindeni Gabela Pronouns: he/him Age: 41 years old Home: Cape Town, South Africa Sick for: 4 years After I was hospitalised by COVID-19 in 2020, I developed Long Covid and was diagnosed with ME 2 years later. I lost my job as a mixer in an industrial bakery as…
Name: Mieko Shinohara Age: 66 Pronouns: she/her Home: Tokyo, Japan Sick for: 33.5 years I fell ill while studying in the US and was diagnosed with ME one and a half years after experiencing flu-like symptoms and extremely high EBV antibody levels. My current capacity is less than 5% of…
As we observe International Long COVID Awareness Day on March 15th, the World ME Alliance stands in solidarity with the millions worldwide living with Long COVID, many of whom are now being diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). This day serves as a poignant reminder of and call-to-action for the millions…
As we approach World ME Day 2024, we invite you to be a part of a new short film that aims to shed light on the reality of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The World Health Organization recognized ME 55 years ago, yet any treatment remains elusive, and millions more are now…
In recognition of World ME Day on May 12th 2024, our global community comes together to raise awareness about the pressing issues surrounding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). This year marks the 55th anniversary since the World Health Organization (WHO) officially acknowledged ME, highlighting the urgency of addressing this global health crisis. …
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a debilitating and complex condition that affects millions of people across the globe. On May 12th, World ME Day is observed to raise awareness of this chronic illness, and to advocate for the millions of people who live with it. The disease where pushing harder can…