I saw a commercial on television the other day for feline leukemia awareness week. Seriously. Let's see....when was the last time I saw an advertisement for ME/CFS Awareness Week? Like....never! And who, besides those who have ME/CFS, is aware there IS a ME/CFS Awareness Week?
Well, after all, people with ME/CFS (PWME) aren't able to do a lot of advocating for ME/CFS awareness...we need others to bring it to the attention of the general public as well as government and private agencies who fund research. Cats, who also find it difficult to tell people about their medical ailments, are one up on PWME. They have spokespeople...and advertising...and donors.
I'm not usually one to get riled over the politics and lack of research funding and awareness for ME/CFS. What good does it do to get angry at people who aren't even listening?
But this got to me. Not that I wish disease or death on any creature. However, when approximately 7 million people worldwide suffer from a disease that has no cure and which doctors say is more debilitating than AIDS or Multiple Sclerosis....both of which everyone has heard of...and their voices are only heard within their own on-line communities of fellow-sufferers...you bet I'm angry over an advertised cat disease! Since when do animals matter more than human beings?
When will someone with a platform and without ME/CFS, step forward to make the world of the well, aware of the need for research, compassion, and help for the millions of people....yes people!...with this life-robbing illness?
Well, after all, people with ME/CFS (PWME) aren't able to do a lot of advocating for ME/CFS awareness...we need others to bring it to the attention of the general public as well as government and private agencies who fund research. Cats, who also find it difficult to tell people about their medical ailments, are one up on PWME. They have spokespeople...and advertising...and donors.
I'm not usually one to get riled over the politics and lack of research funding and awareness for ME/CFS. What good does it do to get angry at people who aren't even listening?
But this got to me. Not that I wish disease or death on any creature. However, when approximately 7 million people worldwide suffer from a disease that has no cure and which doctors say is more debilitating than AIDS or Multiple Sclerosis....both of which everyone has heard of...and their voices are only heard within their own on-line communities of fellow-sufferers...you bet I'm angry over an advertised cat disease! Since when do animals matter more than human beings?
When will someone with a platform and without ME/CFS, step forward to make the world of the well, aware of the need for research, compassion, and help for the millions of people....yes people!...with this life-robbing illness?
