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Only one more day to make your 2022 donation to help fund small treatment trials. Please consider a gift today to accelerate research and bring hope to people with ME/CFS, Long COVID, and related diseases.
As 2022 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to share our gratitude to our inspiring research participants and our supporters. In the final days of 2022, please consider giving the gift of hope. Each and every gift counts and allows us to confidently move forward towards finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure!
Today we want to introduce you to Meghan, an OMF supporter and person with ME/CFS. She is one of the many living with this devastating condition that you provide with hope when you make a gift to OMF:
“Ten years ago, my life dramatically changed overnight. In 2012, I was 18 years old. I was a sophomore in college and living life to the fullest. I was extremely active, and that year alone, I ran two half marathons and one full marathon.
December 31st, 2012, I woke up feeling like I was coming down with a bad flu. I ignored it and went on a 4-mile run, and that night went out and partied to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
January 1st, 2013, I woke up feeling absolutely terrible. I thought nothing of it and that after a few days of resting, I’d return to my normal self. That never happened. I spent all of 2013 desperately searching for answers as to why I was now struggling to get out of bed every day.
Why do I now never wake up refreshed from sleep? Why did I constantly feel dizzy and weak? Why did I get “flu-like” symptoms every few weeks?
After a year of countless doctors (both western and naturopathic), I was finally diagnosed with POTS and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
It is now the end of 2022, and I am 29. I haven’t felt normal in almost ten years. I can barely hold down a 15-hour-a-week job working from home. Some days, showering and doing the dishes are all I can manage. I don’t feel physically weak, but my mental fatigue is completely debilitating. Physical and mental exertion can leave me so tired that I can easily sleep up to 15 hours. If I push myself to go on a social outing or long walk, I risk a crash that will leave me housebound for days or even weeks. Because of this, my mental health has also been severely impacted. I deal with extreme anxiety and depression because of how limited my life has become.
I haven’t shared about my condition publicly on social media. Anyone who sees my photos may think I’m living the dream life. In reality, it is a constant struggle to make it through the day.
I am trying to remain hopeful, especially now that Long COVID brings much attention and research to post-viral illnesses. What has helped me cope the most is seeing others share their story and knowing that I’m not alone.
I support OMF because it provides hope, which is essential to have when you’re struggling with a complex chronic illness like ME/CFS. I am beyond thankful for a foundation whose sole mission is to help diagnose, treat, and cure complex chronic diseases so that those of us living with them can live the full lives we deserve.”
When you donate, share your story, and spread the word of our work, you help people like Meghan feel less alone. You get us closer to answers, treatments, and a cure.
And in case you missed it, OMF is now fundraising for small clinical treatment trials. Stay tuned to hear more about this in 2023. Thank you for being an instrumental part of our OMF family.
With HOPE & warm wishes for a peaceful new year,
Team OMF
