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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.

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.
A mother and daughter smiling together at Anfield Stadium on the night of a Taylor Swift concert, capturing a joyful and unforgettable experience

Anfield from a Wheelchair: A Disabled Supporter’s Guide to Liverpool FC’s Accessibility

Anfield is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, but how accessible is it for disabled supporters? As a lifelong LFC fan, I recently attended an event at Anfield in a wheelchair—here’s everything you need to know about their accessibility services, ticketing, and top tips for an inclusive experience! Read the full guide to make the most of your visit and ensure a smooth experience at this legendary
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A promotional Amazon Prime Day banner featuring a blue background with shopping items, including a tablet, a dog figurine wearing a pink coat, and various deals. The screen highlights "Top 100 Deals," a vegetable chopper, and a highly-rated camera deal

Amazon Prime Day

In our house, every day is like Amazon Prime Day. This year I wanted to share some of my favourite items so you don't spend money on something that isn't worth it. So here are some of my favourite Amazon products -
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Collage-style graphic featuring Taylor Swift at The Eras Tour in Anfield, Liverpool on Friday 14th June 2024. Includes a large black-and-white portrait of Taylor, colourful stage visuals, and photos of Taylor performing in a red sequinned outfit and a blue flowing gown.

Taylor Swift The Eras Tour at Anfield

The sight of the bustling crowds heading towards that beautiful fortress of a football stadium fills me with immense pride as a Scouser. The Scouse girls, as always, looked absolutely stunning, but their allure seemed to reach ethereal levels for the Taylor Swift concert.
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Illustration of a diverse group of LGBTQ+ individuals celebrating Pride Month under a colourful rainbow banner. The group includes people of various races, genders, and abilities, including wheelchair users and individuals holding signs that say “LOVE WINS” and “HUMANS ALL THE SAME.”

Accessibility and Inclusion: Making Pride Truly Welcoming for All

As Liverpool gears up for another joyful Pride celebration, it’s time to ask—who’s really included? For many disabled people, Pride remains physically and emotionally inaccessible, despite its message of love and acceptance. From parade routes with no wheelchair access to ableist attitudes at afterparties, this article explores the barriers disabled LGBTQ+ individuals face—and how we can do better. If Pride is for everyone, then it’s time to prove it.
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Why We Need More Disabled MPs in the UK

Disabled people make up over 16 million in the UK, yet only a handful are represented in Parliament. This post explores the barriers disabled candidates face—like inaccessible campaigning, ableism, and lack of funding—and why increasing disabled representation is urgent for real political change.
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The ME Pyjama Party

I'm thrilled to invite you to a special event that aims to make a significant impact in the lives of those living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
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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.

ME PJ Party 2024

Together, we can shed light on the challenges faced by those living with ME/CFS and advocate for greater understanding and support
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A cheerful illustrated graphic featuring people of all abilities in colourful animal-themed pyjamas dancing together. Text reads: “Join us in your PJs on ME Awareness Week and on Severe ME Day – ME Pyjama Party. Take a picture in your PJs. Post it using #MEPJParty. Help us make a difference in 2025.

Uniting for change: The ME Pyjama Party Movement

In the realm of chronic illnesses, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) stands as a formidable challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Despite the invisible nature of the illness, its impact is profound and pervasive, leaving many individuals bedridden and isolated. However, amidst the struggle, a beacon of hope shines bright: Our ME Pyjama Party.
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Digital illustration featuring a woman sitting alone on the floor with her knees drawn up, wearing a muted blue sweater and brown trousers. The image conveys sadness and isolation. Above her, the blog title reads: “The Invisible Struggle: Loneliness and Chronic Illness – Insights From A Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Sufferer.

The Invisible Struggle: Loneliness and Chronic Illness – Insights from a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferer.

Living with a chronic health condition like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) can be an isolating experience, often leaving individuals feeling unseen and unheard. The invisible nature of ME compounds the already challenging journey, leading to profound feelings of loneliness and isolation
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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).

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