InterAction 117 - Autumn 2024

A message from Sonya Chowdhury, CEO of Action for ME

117 P2 Changing the story

Updates on the delivery plan, the need to reconstitute the APPG on ME, and the importance of advocating the needs of those with severe ME.

117 P4 NEWS: In the wake of the General Election

Our response to the Green Paper
www.actionforme.org.uk/green-paper-response

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Announcing a new fundraising partnership with Henley Distillery, who have made us their first charity partner

117 p7 NEWS and FUNDRAISING

Our CEO, Sonya Chowdhury, and Sian O'Leary (World ME Alliance)  spoke at the first International  Conference on Clinical and Scientific Advances in ME/CFS and Long Covid in Portugal in April 2024.

World ME Day 2024 strove to build a #GlobalVoiceforME on 12 May tinyurl.com/globalvoiceME

The World ME Alliance has established a new strategic leadership board tinyurl.com/VMASLB

117 P8 Global Collaboration [links in track description]

This year's Blue Sunday raised over £40,000 for ME charities across the world! In this article, we hear from Anna Redshaw, the founder of the Blue Sunday tea party for ME.

117 P9 Getting together for tea and ME

Medical students share their reflections in the winning essays from Learn about ME's inaugural essay competition.

www.actionforme.org.uk/learn-about-me

117 P11 Learning points about ME

Trying to explain what it's like to have ME is hard. Here, members of the ME community share their feelings

117 P19 "I want to live again"

117 p34 Reaction

An update on the All Party Parliamentary Group

118 p6 Re-establishing the APPG for ME

Katherine Langford tells us about new guidelines in development to update and in-form psychologists on the nature and impact of ME.

*Speed Read/summary*
ME is not a psychological illness. It can’t be cured with psychological treatment. Katherine Langford knows this from personal experience, after receiving harmful advice when she was first ill. What psychologists can do is help people come to terms with their illness. It is imperative that these professionals follow up-to-date medical advice or the consequences can be catastrophic. Therefore, the British Psychological Society is developing guidelines on ME/CFS. 

Stay updated with opportunities to get involved: tinyurl.com/BPSMEguidelines-stayupdated

118 p 14 A Step in the Right Direction

Sally Ulph reflects on how natural light can be a foundation for health.

Important: People with severe ME or light sensitivities may be unable to do many of these things or need to adapt their approach. This is not intended to be medical advice.

*Speed read*
Light has an impact on our ‘circadian clock’, which controls various biological processes. Adjustments in how we are exposed to light can benefit health. This article explains more and highlights suggestions from circadian health professionals, such as natural light exposure, limiting artificial light and ‘grounding’.

118 p18 Reset your circadian rhythm

Alice Muskett suggests some ways to be mindful this winter

You can listen to a mindfulness session at: tinyurl.com/MindfulMomentAFME

118 p23 Take a mindful moment

118 p29 Escaping into a fantasy world

118 p36 Staying in someone else's home

Please note: To listent to the current issue of InterAction, our magazine for Supporting Members, requires a members-only link.

Need information or support about any aspect of living with ME? Call us on 0117 927 9551 or visit www.actionforme.org.uk

117 P11 Learning points about ME

Action for ME

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