BBC Radio York, Jonathan Cowap, 45 min segment on ME

(Merged threads)

Not listened to this yet, but saw it being praised on social media.

Might only be available to UK listeners? [Although Mattie goes on to say "works just fine here. (Netherlands)"] From 1hr 16min: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p062zk4f#play

 

A great interview this morning by presenter Jonathan Cowap with, amongst others, patients Bill Claydon, who runs a support group, and Lucy Ware. It's available on iPlayer, starting at 1 hour 16 minutes in.

The presenter seems very clued up, and sympathetic, and keen to raise awareness.

The programme covers the energy issues, symptoms, managing daily life and activities, and adaptations, and ability to work. Also the abuse accusations levied at families where a child has ME, (Karina Hansen is briefly mentioned).

They very briefly discuss PACE, DWP funding.

One of the people spoken to by phone was a doctor before getting ME, and found it eye-opening, having known nothing about it before getting sick. I didn't catch his name, but he talks very briefly about research on metabolomics and the hypometabolic state, immune system, mitochondria, genes.

They also discuss the need for more funding for research, and the economic cost of people being ill with ME. Unrest being screened in Scarborough next week and Hull and York Medical School have been invited.

They mention the British approach to ME as psychological rather than neurological or immune, and that pwme were previously active and busy, and are not just opting out. TB, polio etc once thought to be psychological: ME is real illness with some psych symptoms but they're not the cause.

Mentions #millionsmissing, the York City walls will be lit up in blue.

 

His name is Chris Afford: https://twitter.com/MorningCoffee75

I know him well. He's very knowledgeable and is doing a lot of good work, including organising and paying for a free screening of Unrest in Scarborough on 8 May:

https://twitter.com/user/status/981119823102070784


https://twitter.com/user/status/986625703172034562


[Edited to add: If anyone knows of anyone who might be able to help with the Q&A at the Scarborough screening of Unrest please let me or Chris know.]

 

works just fine here. (Netherlands)

 

Since I haven't seen anyone from the USA post a comment I thought I'd say that this link worked for me.

I only listened to a few minutes. I often have trouble absorbing information in audio format so I probably won't listen to the whole program.