Help with Letter Project: CHRISTMAS FOR MOST PEOPLE WITH M.E.

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CHRISTMAS FOR MOST PEOPLE WITH M.E.

In the next day or two, I am going to submit a letter for publication

about what a trial Christmas is for most people and much worse for M.E.

sufferers. If you are one of the lucky ones who enjoy Christmas and can

manage it without suffering you need not read on.

Amongst the themes will be " But, I didn't like to say.. " that is, not

offending people and traditions of sending gifts and cards when you

can't afford the money and energy to get them. I shall suggest that if

friends and family know how much it can hurt, they get in first and

demand that health comes before Christmas and make sure the Person with

M.E. is well looked after. The best thing is probably to ask them: what

do YOU want - and then do it.

I will include uncomfortable examples of visitors turning up, sometimes

uninvited and the potential embarrassment of a dirty, cold, house, with

nothing to offer, not because of laziness but inability and poverty and

I will mention the hidden consequences of overdoing it, having been

pushed into it, when healthy people are back at work and don't see it. I

will include examples of being pressured into attending parties and then

being left stranded, feeling ill, without a lift home, Those of you who

have lived with this year after year will know exactly what I mean. And

if you are a person who does find it awkward to tell a family member or

friend -- you've got me.

If you want do to contribute (and I won't breathe a word it was you if

you don't want me to!), send a sentence or two to me

drjohngreensmith@...

If anyone does want to shout it out loud, I will credit you by name with

your idea by name and if anyone has a bit more energy to help me, we may

assemble them all in a place and also make links to other websites where

I know they already have tips for Christmas.

If you want those links to yours, remind me where they are.

Do it NOW before the Easter Eggs are in the shops ... Oops, too late.

Cheers

drjohngreensmith@...

ME Free for All.org