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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.

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Silence Saves: Why We Need Quiet Spaces in Hospitals – An ME Awareness Week Story

Many UK hospitals still lack sensory-friendly spaces — even though 1 in 5 people live with a disability, and over 400,000 have ME/CFS. This ME Awareness Week, I’m sharing my personal story to show why quiet rooms aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity.
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A cheerful graphic for “ME Pyjama Party 2025” featuring colourful balloons and six people in playful animal-themed pyjamas including a giraffe, panda, unicorn, polka-dot sleeper, dragon, and bear. The background is cream with pastel purple text.

ME Pyjama Party

Join the ME Pyjama Party 2025 this ME Awareness Week and show your support for people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Pop on your pyjamas, snap a photo, and share it online using #MEPJParty to raise awareness and spread comfort, visibility, and community.
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Flat lay of chronic illness hospital grab bag essentials including Beis Weekender bag, pill organiser, Radar key, lip balm, ear defenders, and more on a gradient sky background with "What’s in my bag" title.

What’s in my bag?

Ever wondered what essentials I carry with me every day? From must-have gadgets to personal comfort items, I've laid it all out in my latest blog post. Whether you're curious about daily necessities or looking for inspiration to organize your own bag, this post has something for you.
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A woman sitting curled up, overwhelmed and exhausted, representing the silent battle of living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: The Battle No One Sees

Living with ME means fighting a silent, daily battle. This honest post explores the emotional, physical, and invisible toll of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
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Futuristic robotic wheelchair in a high-tech medical facility, surrounded by digital interfaces and glowing blue indicators. Designed with advanced wheels and armrests, the chair is positioned under a floating holographic globe labelled "AI".

The Future of Accessibility: A Look Inside the Robotic Wheelchair Market

Robotic wheelchairs are transforming mobility for people with disabilities, offering smart technology, AI navigation, and new levels of independence. But the high cost keeps many from accessing these life-changing devices. This post explores both the promise and the barriers — and why we need to make this tech more accessible.
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Illustrated image of a smiling green bookworm wearing glasses and a graduation cap, sitting on colourful books. Text reads: “Book Recommendations for People with ME/CFS, Endometriosis, Chronic Illnesses & More.”

Book Recommendations for People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)

Looking for books that support, empower, and inform life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)? Discover my top recommendations — from medical guides and personal memoirs to mental health must-reads. These titles helped me advocate for myself, understand my symptoms, and feel less alone. A must-read list for anyone navigating chronic illness.
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Alisha rests her head with eyes closed next to a display of Kitsch haircare and beauty products, including claw clips, satin scrunchies, and packaging. Overlay text reads “/kit-sch/ Haul” in playful fonts.

KITSCH Unboxing | Self-Care, Sleep & Haircare Tips for Chronic Illness

Join me as I unbox a gorgeous PR package from Kitsch, featuring haircare and self-care essentials perfect for life with chronic illness. From satin pillowcases to the holy grail claw clip for thick hair, I share honest thoughts on how each item supports my daily routine living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. This heartfelt video blends unboxing, ASMR, and a behind-the-scenes look at my life as a disabled content creator.
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Could Tea Help Your Pain Symptoms?

Could something as simple as a cup of tea offer relief from chronic pain? In this post, we explore the research-backed benefits of peppermint and other herbal teas in managing symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Endometriosis, IBS, and more. Discover which teas help, how they work, and the traditional wisdom behind these natural remedies — plus a few personal stories and favourites along the way.
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Illustration showing mitochondria with expressions and a woman in bed with a low battery icon, representing energy depletion in ME/CFS. Designed for a blog post about Dr Paul Hwang’s research on mitochondrial dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Dr Paul Hwang and ME/CFS: A Glimmer of Hope in the Research World

Dr Paul Hwang's latest ME/CFS research offers new hope for those living with chronic fatigue. Discover how his unexpected findings on mitochondria and the WASF3 protein could reshape our understanding of energy production in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis—and why this matters for millions still waiting to be heard.
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A woman with light skin, dark hair pulled back, and a tired expression makes a slightly lopsided face, showing exhaustion. She is wearing a dark-colored top with a festive pattern. The background features a light-colored shower curtain with subtle animal illustrations. Overlaid text reads: 'Tonight I pushed myself by making a phone call.
Two black Labrador dogs wearing matching Christmas-themed pyjamas featuring festive golden retrievers and Santa hats, playfully moving around a cozy indoor setting
Two black Labradors sitting attentively on a bed, staring at a McDonald's meal with longing eyes. The image includes the text "We call this the Labrador TAX" along with a piggy bank graphic labeled "TAX.
A black and white close-up of a young black Labrador puppy named Archie, resting on a soft blanket while gently chewing a toy. The image features soft lighting and a cosy atmosphere. The text "Baby Archie" is elegantly written in a pastel purple cursive font in the top right corner.

What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

According to the NHS Website, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness

For more information please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

People with ME/CFS have fatigue that is very different from just being tired. The fatigue of ME/CFS:

  • Can be severe.
  • Is not a result of unusually difficult activity.
  • Is not relieved by sleep or rest.
  • Was not a problem before becoming ill (not life-long)

Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before illness. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Sleep problems.

Many but not all people with ME/CFS have other symptoms.

Pain is very common in people with ME/CFS. The type of pain, where it occurs, and how bad it is varies a lot. The pain people with ME/CFS feel is not caused by an injury. The most common types of pain in ME/CFS are:

  • Muscle pain and aches
  • Joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches, either new or worsening

Some people with ME/CFS may also have:

  • Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
  • A sore throat that happens often
  • Digestive issues, like irritable bowel syndrome
  • Chills and night sweats
  • Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, light, or noise
  • Muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
Information is taken from The CDC Website https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis does not have a cure.

Find a Dr or Consultant who listens to you is the first step

It is a manageable condition and depending on the severity of your symptoms the more difficult this can become.

I advise learning to listen to your body and what it is telling you. If you feel tired rest and if you feel pain find a solution to reduce that pain, this could be through pain medication prescribed by your Dr.

I am not saying that finding a Dr who listens or listening to your body is going to be easy as this illness is incredibly complex for some and manageable for others.

Having a Dr who listens to you or reads about the latest drug that sufferers are recommending can take a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety from the sufferer.

It would be best for me to point you to the above question What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis? 

Most pages list the illness as ME/CFS or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or sometimes even Systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID).

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