Support My Journey from John O’Groats to Lands’ End for ME

As a teenager, I experienced the debilitating effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME). I was so unwell that I had to be fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube and a cannula. I couldn’t shower, brush my teeth, or even go to the bathroom without help.

In the 80s and 90s, people with CFS/ME were often misdiagnosed as having psychological conditions. Many were unfairly labeled as "crazy" and some were even sectioned under mental health laws.

Unfortunately, due to a persistent lack of medical understanding, many healthcare professionals still misinterpret CFS/ME as a psychological disorder. When I was younger, my doctor didn't believe my illness was real. I was misdiagnosed with various psychological conditions and threatened with sectioning if I didn't stop vomiting or refusing water.

One particularly harrowing day, while my mum was at work, doctors removed my NG tube and cannula, leaving me without food or water. By the time my mum arrived at the hospital in the evening, I was unconscious and close to death. Fortunately, my mum managed to get me transferred to a specialist children’s unit in Bristol. There, I received proper care and was diagnosed with CFS/ME. With the right treatment, I was home within a few weeks after a six-month hospital stay.

Sadly, my story is not unique, and the situation is worsening. Between 2017 and 2021, 62 people with ME died due to insufficient medical care and knowledge. I could have been one of them.

This condition has led to deaths, suicides, and even murders.

For example, on November 15, 2005, Sophia Mirza died after being forcibly taken to a psychiatric unit against her wishes. More recently, in January 2024, Olivia Jane Mott traveled to Dignitas in Switzerland to end her life, and on March 27, 2024, Lucy Mayhew also passed away. Currently, Millie McAnish is in the hospital, in constant pain, and struggling to be believed by doctors.

We need to raise awareness and ensure that the voices of those with ME are heard. That's why I'm embarking on a journey from John O’Groats to Lands’ End by car to raise funds for the ME Association. Along the way, I'll be taking on various challenges like bungee jumping and skydiving. Every penny raised will go towards supporting those with CFS/ME.

No mother should outlive their child due to the NHS’s inadequate care. Please join me on this journey across the UK to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.

Thank you for your support!

@abibxbz ❤️