Recognize M.E.

This powerful piece, delivered by Doctor of Physical Therapy Clayton Powers, recognizes myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), a condition often misunderstood and overlooked despite its profound impact on millions worldwide. The video delves into the daily struggles faced by individuals battling ME/CFS or post-COVID related ME/CFS, emphasizing the immense challenges posed by extreme and all consuming fatigue, metabolic, neurologic, and immune impairments, to name a few.

ME/CFS ranks lower in terms of quality of life compared to major diseases like cancer, stroke, and debilitating autoimmune conditions. Yet, it's a condition that's unrecognized by many and often misdiagnosed or dismissed. We want you to know that you are not alone in this fight. Your experiences are valid, and your voices matter.

[shannoncallister]

I’m sobbing right now because I needed to hear some compassion and validation from a health care professional.

[katrinmurnain]

Thank you Clayton, very severe M.E/CFS + Fibromyalgia patient here, bedbound and alone by the ignorance and others understanding of this monstrous illness ... it has been 26 years now ... we need help so desperately as we are misunderstood, forgotten and living in hell ... are we Ghost's i wonder ... it seems so, from Kat in Australia xo p.s my pic is 16 years old now and it is a reminder of who i once was ... 💙 my heart goes out to all who suffer 💙 in the words of Prof. Mark Loveless, Head of the AIDS and ME/CFS Clinic at Oregon Health Sciences #MECFS #LongCOVID . “ME/CFS patients feel effectively the same every day as an AIDS patient feels two months before death; the only difference is that the symptoms can go on for never-ending decades.”

[EE-lzfp]

I lost 2 friends of 50 years last week because I objected to finding out there’d be unkind, fallacious gossip about me and ME through a misdirected text. To say I’m heartbroken doesn’t begin to express how I feel. And I know it will happen again over and over and over because that’s what the medical community (these were 2 nurses) thinks and misinformation spreads faster and easier than accurate information.

[michellel-beach]

Thank you for speaking out about this devasting illness.

[SullyDeRaddo-qitu]

Thank you so very much for being a voice for so many of us! We need clinicians like yourself and I am eternally grateful for your work on behalf of those of us with this crippling body and brain illness.

[dshepherd]

Ty for describing the condition so well.

[sfn-life]

Thank you for this. I no longer really have any friends...my parents don't understand...my special needs teenage child doesn't understand...my ex-wife didn't understand...vast majority of doctors don't understand...I'm on Medicaid...will be Medicare later this year. After initially applying for SSDI over 10 years ago, and appealing, opening subsequent cases, etc...finally was approved...only with SSA stating they expect my condition to improve (even though none of my doctors do...and that is well documented...)...SSA plans to 're-review' my case in early 2026...I have a housing choice voucher rn, but SSDI is high enough that I will not be eligible next year in 2025. How are people like me supposed to survive? Are there any resources anywhere? I'm in KY.

[margiemcgrath]

Brilliant video! Thank you so much!! 🙏

[lessons]

disabled since 2016 after a hospital acquired superbug infection when I went to the ER with a kidney stone

[amyalbers]

I have fibromyalgia and after having covid 4x I am positive I now have CFS. I have never gone back to normal. I have the energy of a 70 year old and I'm 57. I work 25 hours a week and am as exhausted as I was when I worked 40. Just sucks because NOBODY understands

[Spikypotato.]

Thank you from yet another ME patient❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹