At the end of October, the CFS Advisory Committee will once again meet to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Health (via the Assistant Secretary of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) on what directions to take in terms of CFS research and strategic planning.
It has long frustrated me that those who are the most severely afflicted with ME/CFS often go unheard. We are not represented at these meetings because we are too sick to attend them. In hoping to tell my story and perhaps be a voice for the voiceless, I decided I would attempt to create a video testimony (with assistance) which could hopefully be presented along with the other in-person testimonies. I officially submitted the video a couple weeks ago, and am currently awaiting a response.
In the meantime, I've included a link to the video below. A non-profit group called PANDORA (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy) has also already featured the testimony on their youtube channel.
Since I am unable to speak above a whisper, my sister-in-law graciously agreed to do the voice over for me, so it is her voice that you hear in the video. I am extremely grateful to her for all her help!
Thanks for watching and for hearing my story.
*Update: I just got word my video testimony
has been accepted, and will be viewed at the upcoming CFSAC meeting
(along with other patient testimonies) on October 30th around 9:15 a.m. I am very excited and happy to receive this news! The two day meeting will be
videocast live, if anyone wants to watch it online. For more info,
visit: http://www.hhs.gov/advcomcfs/
Much thanks to all who left me such kind comments and words of support!!
