Sammy’s ME/CFS Journey

Video Transcript

Introduction

It started with vision problems, hearing problems, intolerances to food, hair loss, and then it kind of got worse over time to the point where I was getting dizzy all the time, nauseous, extreme fatigue, palpitations, migraines, blackouts, chest pains, and this is just to name a few of the things that were going on for me on a daily basis.

The last nine months has been particularly difficult. I started not really being able to socialise or exercise at all or do my job properly. I really kind of lost all excitement about life and I took a long leave of absence from work.

In September of 2010, I was finally diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome after seeing a neurologist. Now I know what the problem is, I did some research and got myself booked onto the very next Energy Excellence course to try and do something about it.

The course was great. It really explained everything that I’d been going through, helped me see that there is a way out and that I wasn’t going mad and that all these things are actually happening. And most importantly for me, it helped me to see that I wasn’t alone.

“It’s the day after the course finished and I decided that I’m going to do what I feel like doing today and see what happens.”

So I decided to get on a train from Essex, bring myself to Manchester to visit friends and my partner, which I haven’t been able to do and I’ve been away from everybody for quite a long time. I used everything I learned to get me here. And I’m here. It’s now nearly 9:00 in the evening and I’m still wide awake and I feel absolutely fine.

Two Weeks After the Course

Two weeks after finishing the course, Sammy filmed a video update showing what she had been able to do: activities she hadn’t managed for over a year:

• A one-hour country walk, no problems
• A four-mile walk across Dartmoor the very next day
• A trip to the arcades
• Cinema
• The pub

In her own words on screen:

“I hadn’t enjoyed simple social activities like this for over a year. Now I am starting to include myself in all sorts of every day and social activities and my enthusiasm and strength is growing every day.”

“Six weeks ago I wouldn’t have dreamed that any of this could be possible for me. Using the tools I learned on the EEC every day, it’s made such a difference already. I am eternally grateful!!”

Sydney, Australia, January 2012

A few months later, Sammy and her partner flew to Sydney. On the plane after around 12 hours of flying:

“24 hours in Sydney… Good times.”

Standing in front of a waterfall in the Blue Mountains, she filmed herself:

“Hello everyone. So, I’m in the Blue Mountains in Australia and I made it all the way down these stairs here and in a minute, I’m going to walk all the way back up.”

The trip included a full day of mountain walking, surfing, swimming, a rock concert with standing tickets, and a four-hour climb through the steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“Joining in the holiday fun feels great!”

Sammy ended her video with a message on screen:

“Energy Excellence Course: if I can do it, so can you!”