As it turned to dusk Meadowhall lit up blue in support for all those across the country suffering from ME, on national ME awareness day.
Sheffield ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) group said they were ‘incredibly grateful’ for Meadowhall’s gesture; as awareness is ‘more vital than ever’ due to misconception surrounding the condition.
The main symptom of the condition is called ‘post exertional malaise’.
Dr Caroline Dalton and Claire Watkinson from Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia group said, this was ‘a type of extreme exhaustion you normally feel alongside illness, like you have been up all night looking after a poorly child.’
There are around 400,000 people in the UK currently suffering from ME, but Dr Caroline Dalton suggests there are far more that are undiagnosed.
The group believes misconception surrounding the condition is a key issue with ME typically grouped as chronic fatigue.
Dr Dalton said: “It is branded a physiological condition, but when you do whole body scans of people with ME there is inflammation across the whole body. It is a biological condition and should be treated as such.
“There is a scale of severeness, and 25 percent of people with the condition are housebound”
Claire shared the story of her sister who developed ME after contracting covid in 2020.
Her sister was previously very fit and active, playing football four times a week, she is currently bedbound, and cannot listen to music without feeling completely exhausted.
She is cared for by her partner around the clock.
Claire said: “It is terrifying and, can happen to anyone. We need to spread awareness of the symptoms so preventative measures can be put in place.
“It is a heart breaking condition I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.”
Sheffield ME group emphasised the desperate need for funding towards the condition.
Miss Watkinson said: “funding for ME is negligible, and there needs to be a focus towards education and care.
“There’s some horrible, terrifying stories of people with severe ME in hospital that have been gaslit and have deteriorated. There are bright lights, and loud noises that worsen symptoms, and it’s terrifying.
“There is a massive hole in the system, in particular for care on the severe spectrum.”
You can find out more about the condition on Sheffield ME’s group or about research towards the condition on Crunch ME.