Zoe's Win

Jane Colby

It must be terrible to suffer from ME at any time in your life, but did you know that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, to give it its full name, is the biggest cause of long-term absence through sickness from school? It must be a very heavy burden for a child to have this illness. And a great strain for any parent or teacher trying to help such a child.

ME is not a ‘new’ illness - epidemics have been recorded since 1934 - but the term ME has only been in use since 1956. The disease is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is a real, organically-based, illness, and if you read Zoe’s Win you will experience through the eyes of a child with ME just what it must be like to find your body will not do what you want it to.

Jane Colby, the author of Zoe’s Win, has herself suffered from ME, and she has also co-authored the largest study of ME ever undertaken. The early pages tell the ‘story’ of Zoe and her illness, and what it was like when she tried to get back to normal too soon, and of the relapse when she got worse all over again.

The rest of the book is full of information about ME. Helpful hints are given on how people who suffer with ME need to change their lifestyle to let their bodies conserve energy to heal and get strong again - valuable information for families, doctors and teachers who are involved.

Colby explains how depression can develop - secondary to ME - as a reaction to the chronic illness, as it can with all long-term conditions. It also seems that stress can contribute to the severity of the illness, with the added complication that children fall behind with their education and social contacts.

One excellent way of keeping in touch with other sufferers is for a child to be involved with the Tymes Trust. This has a Children and Families Advice Line (+44 (0)1245 263482) which will offer on-going support to patients and their families. The Trust can also provide carers' contacts as well as professional advice and information. So, if you are faced with the problem of ME read the book and also visit youngactiononline.com. This dedicated website is a safe site so that members and contributors cannot be contacted direct, but through which you can contact them. Adult suffers will also find their services helpful as there is concise information and pragmatic advice on coping with the condition. The annual subscription rate for British members over 26 to join the Tymes Trust (9 Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 4DH) is £5.50, and is free for those under this age.

I had a look around the Internet for other helpful resources, and if you have a child who would like more contact with another sufferer of ME then have a look at Shelley’s site at http://spacedout.cjb net or http://www.geocities.com/little_miss_alien.

© Jill Curtis 2002

published by Dome Vision, Rodmans Hoppett, Ongar Road, Fyfield, Ongar, Essex CM5 0RB (01245 401080)

£7.95 ISBN 0 9537330 09

and is available from

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