I have ME. 'What's that?' I hear you ask. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. 'Yes, but what's that?' I hear you ask again. Well these days most people call it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). 'Oh, that's where you're tired all the time, isn't it?' Actually, no, I'm not Tired All The Time (TATT). I suffer severe exhaustion, physical and mental, 24/7, not improved by sleep. But that's not all, oh no, it doesn't even cover half the symptoms I suffer. I have muscle and joint pain, light and noise sensitivity, I can't walk far at all without needing a rest or sleep afterwards, poor concentration, disturbed sleeping pattern and poor memory. This is a very real illness, and not an all-in-the-mind made-up illness just to get attention. It leaves me housebound and isolated, with only the phone and internet as company.

I've had ME since I was 14, back in 1996. It all started with having summer 'flu Easter that year. I was a fitter than average teenager, training in a variety of sports up to 4 times a week, but never less than twice a week. I missed 50% of my schooling in my first year of being ill as I couldn't do more than just sit on the sofa. In short I have had 2 periods of being well enough where I could go to school like a normal healthy child, and then 6 months of temping in an office. My last good period was October 2000 until April 2001. I've never worked since, and have remained mostly housebound.

I don't just struggle with ME, but I also have Multiple Food & Chemical Sensitivity. This means I am allergic to virtually everything I put into my mouth and all chemicals I come into contact with. I am also insanely allergic to pollens, moulds, pets and dust. It is so bad that I have to inject vaccines every day, just so that I can get through the day. My allergies and sensitivities haven't always been so bad - I started with allergies and sensitivities from aged 3 months, but it was when I was 18 things started spiralling downwards pretty fast.

Yes, I have a lot to deal with. I don't let my health issues beat me though, and I certainly don't let them get me down. I know that without having ME I wouldn't have met my gorgeous fiancé, and without having all the problems combined I wouldn't have met most of the wonderful friends that are now in my life.