To mark M.E. awareness day, the Isle of Man’s M.E. support group is joining a campaign all over the world with an event in the Tynwald building.
On Friday, May 12, between noon and 2pm there will be a display of 100 pairs of shoes leading up the spiral staircase in the Tynwald building on Finch Road.
M.E. sufferers, their families and friends will bring pairs of shoes to include in the display.
Each empty pair of shoes represents a person who is missing out on normal life because of M.E., or is a family member affected by a loved one who suffers. All footwear welcome.
People with M.E. are invited to bring a pair of their shoes and will be given a small card to attach to their shoes to put their name on, with a small message if they wish. The display is open to all, so organisers hope that as many people as possible will come along and show their support.
M.E., or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a long-term (chronic), fluctuating, neurological condition that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, more commonly the nervous and immune systems. M.E. affects an estimated 300 people in the Isle of Man, and around 17 million people worldwide.Â
To further mark the day, a number of government buildings including the Tower of Refuge, Ramsey Swingbridge and the MUA Power Station at Pulrose will be turning blue.
An M.E. Support Isle of Man spokesman said that the day’s events come at an opportune moment as much work is currently being undertaken to commission an M.E. care pathway in the DHSC.
’We are pleased at the very positive approach being taken by Minister Kate Beecroft and her officers,’ he said.
’We very much hope that funding can be found to provide a basic diagnosis and treatment service for the hundreds of people in the Isle of Man who currently suffer this very debilitating illness with little meaningful support.’
Just over a week later on on May 24 and 26, the Isle of Man will be visited by Linda Tannenbaum as part of Open Medicine Foundation’s End ME / CFS Worldwide Tour.
Linda Tannenbaum has a daughter with M.E. and she is the driving force behind the Open Medicine Foundation https://www.omf.ngo .
The foundation is spearheading chronic complex disease research that follows patterns of success and benefits from collaborating with leading scientists and clinicians from around the globe.