The Lost Years by Cheryl Russell.
I was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) in 1994. I was in my early 20's.
It should have been the beginnings of my life instead it was the other way around. I was to lose all my 20's and 30's to this illness.
It devastated my life which effectively ended. I became progressively worse until I was bedbound, unable to do anything for myself.
I was living in a darkened room with my eyes shut for many long years.
I had lived in care which was a nightmare as I was abused by several carers and then disbelieved by social services and the police. I nearly lost the care over it. I now have PTSD as a result of all I went through.
I’m 2013 life changed. I started improving and was very slowly able to build up activity. This was a slow process as my muscles were so weak from not being used. I eventually had my life back, exercising and being independent again.
Fast forward to 2020 and my health has taken a downward turn. After blood tests all normal I heard those dreaded words ‘M.E. is back’ and trying to wreak havoc on my life again.
I’ve had to cut back on activity and resorted to using a walking stick as my right leg keeps giving way.
Cheryl Russell is an author:
“I was bedbound with ME for many years. It was during this awful time that I had loads of ideas for novels I could write. I spent many happy hours lying in bed thinking about details of books I would one day write.
“It was only last year when I started being able to put pen to paper as it were, and the ideas flowed. I have been thinking about ideas for writing about my life with severe ME and my healing,” Cheryl Russell via Amazon.
ME Awareness Month – May 2020
Read the stories and announcements from ME Awareness Month.
The Lost Years
 |  |  |
Check out the MEA Media Toolkit for video, free factsheets, posters and graphics.
The ME Association
Please support our vital work
We are a national charity working hard to make the UK a better place for people whose lives have been devastated by an often-misunderstood neurological disease.
If you would like to support our efforts and ensure we are able to inform, support, advocate and invest in biomedical research, then please donate today.
Just click the image opposite or visit our JustGiving page for one-off donations or to establish a regular payment. You can even establish your own fundraising event.
Or why not join the ME Association as a member and be part of our growing community? For a monthly (or annual) subscription you will also receive ME Essential – quite simply the best M.E. magazine!
ME Association Registered Charity Number 801279