Reminder that people can have very mild MECFS and still be apart of our community

I understand many of us have extensive trauma from healthcare providers, friends, family, strangers, media etc invalidating our illness, calling it psychosomatic, suggesting we are lazy and need to just exercise and get therapy. I have this experience too.

I hope that we can still accept people in our community who have MECFS diagnosis but can still work full time, have hobbies, and even exercise. They do exist.

Some people make improvements with better emotional control. Not because this is psychosomatic, but because big emotions take up spoons.

Some people make improvements with exercise, because if you can exercise without PEM you can make up for orthostatic intolerance.

Majority of us are completely disabled, unable to work, socialize, walk, cook, bathe etc. I definitely am. And I of course am envious of those who are less disabled than me. But I hope we can try our best to support and validate everyone in our community (assuming they are treating us with respect and kindness as well).

I’m sure there is a large group of people who are struggling to keep up with life due to very mild MECFS that has been misdiagnosed by doctors as burnout, depression, “being out of shape,” or just a normal experience