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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 futuristic, AI-powered electric wheelchair with a sleek design, digital interface, and robotic assistance, positioned in a modern, well-lit indoor space with glass ceilings

The Rise of Robotic Wheelchairs: Revolutionizing Accessibility and Affordability

Robotic wheelchairs represent hope and possibility for those of us living with mobility challenges. But for these devices to truly revolutionize accessibility, we need to address the affordability gap.
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Matthew Street Festival is a music festival held over August Bank Holiday in Liverpool. Originally this festival was set up to honour the music of The Beatles and was held in Matthew Street. Now the event is held at The Pier Head. This Image features The Beatles Statue of all 4 Beatles and it can be found at The Pier Head

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 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!
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My hand looking very swollen this picture was taken before the fire service cut my rings off

I had to have my Engagement and Wedding rings cut off by the fire service

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 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

A Tragic Loss: The Urgent Need for Change in the Care of ME Patients

It is with a heavy heart that I write this blog post today, reflecting on the tragic and untimely death of Maeve Boothby-O’Neill, a young woman from the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) community. Maeve’s life was cut short at just 27 years old, not by the disease alone, but by the failings of a healthcare system that was ill-equipped to manage the complexities of her severe condition
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Pink Square Background with a border of planes, sunglasses, passports,cameras and tickets.In the centre of the square is a dark haired lady sat in a wheelchair with bubble marks it says "Lets talk about travelling with a wheelchair"

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

As a wheelchair user, I understand the anxiety that comes with entrusting your mobility device to an airline, knowing that if something goes wrong, your entire trip could be jeopardised.
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ME PJ Party frame to raise awareness for Severe ME DAY

ME Pyjama Party for Severe ME Awareness Day 8th August 2024

Join the ME Pyjama Party and Raise Awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis! Each year for ME Awareness Week in May and for Severe ME Day in August we wear PJs with the aim 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 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: An Inclusive Experience

Anfield's Accessibility Features Anfield Stadium is designed with accessibility in mind, boasting over 200 wheelchair bays on match days. This ensures that disabled fans can enjoy the game with the best possible view and comfort. Additionally, the stadium provides various other accessibility features to accommodate different needs:
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Amazon Prime Day

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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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.

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A Chaotic Christmas

We got a Puppy

A stylish YouTube thumbnail featuring a newly decorated bedroom with soft grey and white tones, plush cushions, and decorative lighting. The text overlay reads "Bedroom Makeover – Hubby Surprised Me!", hinting at a heartfelt transformation

Surprise Bedroom Makeover

A YouTube thumbnail featuring a rechargeable lint remover with a sleek white design, LED display, and multiple speed settings. The text highlights the 3-speed adjustment, Type-C charging, and 2500mAh battery, showcasing its key features.

The best rechargeable lint remover (and why you need one)

A playful YouTube thumbnail featuring a stylized illustration of a woman and her black Labrador sitting on a bed, with a basket of apples. The text reads "My Dog Loves Apples", surrounded by floating apples and a cute cartoon apple character.

My Dog loves apples - The uncut version

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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