Blog

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.

A Disney-style cartoon illustration of a dark-haired woman with blue eyes sitting on a bed, writing in a notebook. She is surrounded by a laptop, scattered notes, and a microphone. Two black Labradors, one with a red collar, sit beside her, while a camera records the scene.
Illustration of a smiling man holding a large blue National Disability Card against a pink background with text promoting the card as a discreet and effective way to communicate disability.

National Disability Card UK: A Lifeline for People with Disabilities

The National Disability Card is more than just ID—it’s a powerful tool for people with visible and invisible disabilities to access support, travel more freely, and live with greater confidence. From emergency contact features to priority access at venues like Disneyland Paris, this card helps ensure you're seen, understood, and supported without needing to explain your condition time and time again.
read more
Illustrated digital graphic of a woman in a wheelchair holding a passport and boarding pass, with speech bubbles that say, “Let’s Talk About Travelling with a Wheelchair.” The background is pink with a border featuring travel-related icons like passports, airplanes, cameras, and tickets. At the bottom, the website https://alishawhittam.com is displayed.

Travelling Abroad with a Wheelchair: A Comprehensive Guide for Smooth and Safe Journeys

Travelling abroad with a wheelchair comes with unique challenges, but with the right preparation, you can explore the world smoothly and safely. From choosing the right airline to protecting your wheelchair from damage, this guide covers everything you need to know to make your journey stress-free. ✈️ Discover essential travel tips, learn your rights as a disabled passenger, and find out what to do if your wheelchair is damaged in
read more
A tribute image featuring a serene blue sky with white clouds, angel wings, a halo, and the name "Maeve Boothby-O’Neill" in elegant lettering, honouring the memory of a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferer

ME Matters: A Tragic Loss & the Urgent Need for Change

💔 Maeve Boothby-O’Neill’s tragic passing at just 27 highlights the urgent need for change in the care of ME patients. Despite multiple hospital admissions, Maeve was failed by a system that lacked the specialised care she desperately needed. Her story is not an isolated incident—it’s a wake-up call. This post explores the failures of our healthcare system, the stigma surrounding ME, and the urgent reforms needed to prevent more lives
read more
A before-and-after comparison of a workspace showing the impact of a cable management kit. The “Before” side has tangled and messy cables, while the “After” side displays a neat and organised setup with cables secured.

The Ultimate Guide to Cable Management: Keep Your Home Pet-Safe & Clutter-Free

Struggling with messy cables? Learn how to organise your wires and prevent pets from chewing them with these simple and effective cable management solutions!
read more
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 Rise of Robotic Wheelchairs: Revolutionising Accessibility and Affordability

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.
read more
Cartoon illustration of a smiling doctor pointing to a bright blue sign that reads "Is Ketamine the Future of Chronic Illness Treatment?" on a light blue background with playful abstract shapes.

Ketamine Therapy: A New Hope for Complex Chronic Conditions Like ME?

Could ketamine therapy offer new hope for people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and other chronic illnesses? We explore Dr Bryan Henry’s powerful personal story, the latest clinical research, and whether treatments like ketamine, stem cell therapy, and microdosing could shape the future of chronic illness care.
read more
Bronze Beatles statues in Liverpool with festive lights above, promoting the Mathew Street Festival.

The Mathew Street Festival

Liverpool, a city synonymous with music, culture, and history, is home to one of the most iconic events that celebrates its rich musical heritage – the Mathew Street Festival. This annual (fingers crossed )event, deeply rooted in the city’s identity, has grown over the years to become a symbol of Liverpool’s enduring love for music and its vibrant cultural scene.
read more
A black and white photograph of a smiling bride on her wedding day, wearing a delicate veil and a beaded tiara. Her expression radiates happiness as she looks to the side

The Day I Had to Get My Rings Cut Off – A Difficult Goodbye

These aren’t just any rings—they hold so much sentimental value. My engagement ring for obvious reasons but my wedding ring was my Nan’s wedding ring, a cherished gift she gave us on the day we got engaged. I had never took my rings off since the day of our wedding so having them cut off left me in tears 😭
read more
A fun and colourful digital illustration promoting the ME Pyjama Party for ME Awareness Week and Severe ME Day. The design features a large, sleepy bear in blue-striped pyjamas and a nightcap, stretching with a yawn. Surrounding the bear are six people dressed in various animal onesies, including a dragon, panda, giraffe, bear, unicorn, and a blue starry suit. The border is decorated with vibrant watercolour balloons in pink, blue, green, and yellow. The text reads: "Join us in your PJs for ME Awareness Week & Severe ME Day - ME Pyjama Party

Join the ME Pyjama Party and Raise Awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis!

Join the ME Pyjama Party! 💙 Each year, during ME Awareness Week (May) and Severe ME Day (August), we wear pyjamas to raise awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). How to join: 🛏️ Wear your PJs 📸 Take a picture 📲 Post on social media with #MEPJParty Help shine a light on this often misunderstood illness. Every post makes a difference! #SevereMEDay #MECFS #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessAwareness
read more
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Reddit
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Threads

Follow me on Instagram

Click here
A woman with fair skin and dark hair pulled back, standing in a bathroom. Her face is visibly swollen, particularly her lips and cheeks, with redness on her skin. She has a concerned expression, and the text overlay reads, 'But they just kept getting bigger.
Black Labrador puppy looks inquisitively
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).

Get Updates In Your Inbox !

Sign up with email to receive news & updates.

Menu

Latest Blogs

Important