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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.
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.
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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 😭
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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

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
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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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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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Illustration showing a woman with long dark hair in a wheelchair beside two black Labradors, scenes of her filming in bed with her dogs, and artistic depictions of brain inflammation and neurological pain, highlighting life with severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Living with Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Glimpse into My Everyday Life

Living with a chronic illness is extremely difficult but what is it really like on a good day or on a bad day?
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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 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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A woman in a wheelchair faces the Eiffel Tower, celebrating International Wheelchair Day on 1st March 2024.

What is International Wheelchair Day and Why It Matters

International Wheelchair Day, celebrated every 1st March, is a powerful reminder of the freedom, independence, and inclusion that wheelchairs bring to millions of people around the world. In this post, we explore why this day matters, the challenges wheelchair users still face, and how we can all play a part in building a more accessible and inclusive world.
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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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