Hi, I’m Alisha Whittam, and I live with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a chronic illness that has profoundly shaped my journey. Here, I want to share a little more about who I am beyond the challenges I face every day.
Wife & Mum
I’m a proud mum to Becks and a devoted “Nanna” to my two beautiful Black Labradors, Alfie and Archie, who never fail to brighten my days. I’ve been married to my soulmate for 18 years, and our love story took us to the enchanting city of Rome, where we exchanged our vows after falling in love with its history and charm.
I’m a passionate Liverpool FC supporter, and I also cheer for Roma—two teams that hold a special place in my heart. I dream of moving to a quiet Italian town someday, a place where I can truly rest and find peace surrounded by the gentle sounds of nature.
Despite the limitations of my illness, I remain curious and eager to learn. I have a deep love for history and am constantly seeking new knowledge, especially about my faith, as I strive to become a better version of myself.
And like any dreamer, I have one big wish: to one day own a Porsche 911 GT3—my ultimate dream car.
This is just a glimpse into my life, my dreams, and the passions that keep me going. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.
Family Life with ME/CFS
Our Daughter has been remarkable from the very start. She was only 5 or 6 when I first got sick. When the illness took over my body she was in senior school, and the less I was able to do she started doing or learning how to do.
Even through her university life, she sacrificed a lot and came home once or twice each month to help with my care as well as give some much-needed relief to my Husband
I know how lucky I am to have them as unfortunately, not all families with such a drastic shift can save what they had.
While friends and family tried to be supportive they had to go on living their own lives and while I miss them all dearly I understand. Unfortunately, that has left me with very few people in my life from the days before my diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
The worse the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) got I started looking online for others with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), I needed answers and unfortunately, the more people I talked to the more apparent it was that every single one of us no matter the location in the world had been let down by our public health systems.
We all had in common, feelings of loneliness, confusion and an absence of hope. Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis changed every aspect of our lives.
My Life with ME
This journey taught me the power of resilience and I hope that by sharing my experiences good and bad I can raise awareness and offer support to those facing similar challenges.
In my studio ( my bed ); I’ve discovered new ways to express myself creatively and I am so proud of the new skills that I have been able to learn along the way including, website design, graphic design, crafting, videography and photography.
To make a difference, I am educating myself to utilise social media and digital platforms as a way to empower my voice for education, raising awareness and building a community of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferers locally as well as around the world.
Sharing or Over Sharing
I share all about my life with Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the hope that sharing my story helps someone else. Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis has left me completely bedridden since 2012. I rely on my husband to care for me and I spend every day with my Black Labradors Alfie and Archie who make a huge difference to my mental health.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Some call this illness Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, some shorten it to ME or CFS, and some refer to it as ME/CFS.
When I was first diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) I went through a dark time. Having to come to terms with a life-altering illness hit me hard. I was left to grieve for my old life while learning how to accept the limitations of my new life.
It’s not just been hard for me it’s been extremely tough for my Husband and Daughter to experience daily life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
My Husband is always by my side, even on the nights when I am crying out in severe pain. On the nights when the pain is too severe for me to manage, he will call an ambulance and sit in a seat beside my bed. On many a time, this means getting home and having to go straight to work without any sleep.
Family
My family is my heart and my strength. They are the reason I keep pushing forward, even on the toughest days.
My Husband Graham is my rock, always by my side with unwavering support and love. My Daughter Rebecca is my light, inspiring me every day with her resilience and kindness. And then there are my two loyal companions, Alfie and Archie – my beloved Labradors who never fail to bring comfort and joy, even in my darkest moments. They remind me that love is the most powerful medicine.
My family isn’t just my support system; they are my reason for fighting, my motivation for every dream I chase, and the anchor that keeps me grounded
Many ME sufferers find that their friends & families find it hard to understand life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and how our illness was destroying our lives. They had their own lives and their problems. If you are reading this with no experience of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) you have to understand that many people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) live in dark silent rooms as even opening the curtains causes pain.
Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is still extremely misunderstood and hearing advice from loved ones like “Just put on your makeup and you will feel better about yourself” or “Once you get out of bed and start moving about you will be ok.”, leaves Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) sufferers feeling like we are talking but no one is listening.
My body may be completely useless but my mind is still firing on all cylinders. When I was first diagnosed I made a promise to myself that if I had this god-awful illness I had to do something to make a difference that hasn’t changed and now more than ever I am fighting to make that happen
I want people to see us again, I want people to see that we are so much more than this illness allows us to be.
My Story is not unique
Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is hard, before I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis symptoms I worked full time as well as also being a Wife & Mother.
My life is really tough but that is why I have to share my story with the world. Living every day with this debilitating illness makes me even more determined to raise awareness of how life-changing life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis symptoms is. People and medical professionals need to see the real side of life with a chronic illness so that we can begin to change whatever prehistoric preconceived ideas that exist in today’s society
Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is incredibly lonely
Our friends and family may be eager to help, but they might not know how.
So please don’t give up on us just yet, here are just a few suggestions for things you could do if you have a friend or family member who has a Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- sit at our bedside to keep us company, maybe bring a book with you or some headphones if it is a bad day for us
- get in bed with us and watch a movie
- take us for a drive
- help us wash our hair
- bring us a home-cooked meal or make us one at our home
- catch us up on all the gossip
- take us food shopping
- join us for a sleepover
- paint our nails
- near Halloween or Christmas take us out to see all the houses decorated but don’t further to stop for a hot chocolate first !
Do you have any ideas or suggestions for something you wish someone would do to help you? It will be kept confidential. You can find my contact information on the contact page. Click below.
Most importantly, if you know someone with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), take the time to talk to them and express your willingness to support and be there for them. I’ve made the mistake of not accepting help because I didn’t want to inconvenience others, and now I feel incredibly lonely. Please learn from my experience and don’t hesitate to say yes if you need help. You can always message me if you need someone to talk to.
making a difference
The ME Pyjama Party
Get comfy for a cause! The ME Pyjama Party is a powerful yet simple way to raise awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). During ME Awareness Week and Severe ME Day, we’re inviting you to wear your pyjamas in solidarity with those who are bed-bound due to this debilitating illness. How to Join: ✔ Take a picture in your PJs ✔ Post it on social media using #MEPJPARTY ✔ Tag friends & spread the message!
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Carer Community
Caring for someone with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) can be challenging, but you are not alone. 💙 Join the ME Carer Community—a safe space for support, advice, and connection. Let's uplift one another. 🤝 #MECarers #ChronicIllnessSupport #YouAreNotAlone
My Youtube Channel
Welcome to my world! 💙 Join me, Alfie & Archie, as we navigate life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, share our favourite moments, and spread positivity. Subscribe for real-life stories, disability awareness, and lots of dog love! 🐶✨ #AlishaWhittam #LifeWithME #BlackLabs
Recent blogs
This journey taught me the power of resilience and I hope that by sharing my experiences good and bad I can raise awareness and offer support to those facing similar challenges.
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