Events

All the latest events from ANZMES.

Karly Ryder’s Account of her Wellington Round the Bays Run to Raise Funds for ANZMES

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Karly Ryder

Read Karly’s amazing story, which was not without incident – and then see the final total she raised – ANZMES is very grateful for all you have done for us! 

I was nervous arriving at the start line. The day before the race I split my big toenail, had terrible cramps, and caught a cold and throat thing from my son. I wasn’t feeling particularly positive going into the run. After a quick warmup and stretch I decided to read through all the donor comments from my givealittle page to pump myself up. It was just what I needed and then it was go time. I really enjoyed the run. It was hard, but I didn’t feel like I was overdoing it and I didn’t notice my sore toe, or sickness. I honestly just kept thinking about when I could barely get off the couch a couple of years earlier and how far I have come. It probably wasn’t the best subject matter because I could feel the emotions building and then, as I saw my husband, son and family, and crossed the finish line, I could barely breathe from all of the emotions. I caught my breathe, then cried, then hugged my supporters and cried some more. Turns out I ran a post sickness personal best time. I feel so proud to have done something helpful, but also to show that it does get better. I hope that my story at the very least resonates with CFS/ME sufferers and supporters, and provides a bit of hope that in time things will get better. And after you get better and run a race because now you can, you too can feel good and then go home and eat your weight in chocolate.

Karly’s effort for ANZMES clocked up an amazing $1,720.00 – WOW. See the full story about Karly’s struggle with ME/CFS and total raised on her givealittle page – And more photos below of her run.
https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/slow-and-steady-wins-the-race

All Ready to Go
Karly sharing a proud moment with her son when it was all over.

Dr Rosamund Vallings One of 3 Finalists for the ‘Senior New Zealander of the Year Awards’

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Dr Rosamund Vallings (Auckland) pictured with her certificate, was one of three finalists for ‘The Senior New Zealander of the Year’.
The overall winner was Dr Bill Glass a well deserved winner who was described as “The father of occupational medicine”.
Visit the link below to find our more information about the recipients of the awards
https://nzawards.org.nz/news/semi-finalists-confirmed-2019-kiwibank-awards/
or visit
https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/ 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

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Running to raise money for CFS sufferers following my own experience with the disorder.

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/slow-and-steady-wins-the-race

In October 2015 I got a virus. I had been working a total of 2 months at a new job, while also doing some freelance graphic design. I was sick for a week and then I seemed OK, just tired. Three weeks went by and I remember thinking It was crazy that I was still tired. Then the migraines started. I have suffered from migraines since I was a teenager, and although I often went to A&E because of them, up until this point they were reasonably infrequent. However now the migraines were occurring regularly. It was horrible. My energetic spark was draining out of me.

I was so tired I couldn’t bring myself to do anything. The word post viral chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was spoken during a doctors visit and that was it. No quick cure. Wait it out. Try doing small amounts of activity because it helps, but not too much because then you will spiral down again. Finding the balance was impossible. The game of energy see-saw began.

For me, my eyes, energy and the ability to cope with incoming stimuli were affected the most. My eyes seemed to become overworked with a fraction of what they used to do, which resulted in what felt like continuous migraines. I quit my new job, and my design business was put on hold indefinitely.

Getting out of bed was a struggle. However, I was lucky that I could because many with this affliction cannot. I had many months on the couch not able to do anything except listen to books or podcasts with the curtains drawn. I couldn’t watch TV, use any screens, read, or focus on anything for too long without the exhaustion overwhelming me. Having a shower was a major milestone for the day. The incoming stimuli was constantly overwhelming and if I tried to get out of the house it was too loud, too fast, too bright and always overwhelmingly debilitating.

At this point, as you can imagine, I started slipping into the darkness. Depressed that this was happening to me, bored, lonely, and anxious that I didn’t seem to be getting any better and It was always going to be like this. It wasn’t fair. The most common phrase sobbed into my husband’s chest was “I just want to be better again” .

Then I got pregnant… CFS and pregnancy don’t mix well. CFS and labour don’t mix well, and of course, having a small human to take care of while trying to survive chronic fatigue syndrome definitely doesn’t mix well. Thank goodness for my husband, family, and the fact that I have such amazing support.

It’s 2019 now. The journey was brutal, but my son is now 2 years old, and my game of energy see-saw has settled significantly. I still struggle with my eyes being tired, and have had to think about alternate career options that don’t involve a screen, but I can run. I run very slowly, but everytime I do it, It feels like magic that I can do it at all.

In February, three years and 4 months after I got sick, I will be slowly running Wellington Round the Bays 6.5km, and raising money for ANZMES, the Associated New Zealand ME/CFS society. I hope to raise funds to help other people who may be struggling with this “but you look fine” disorder.

I am running for those who can’t and to raise awareness, but ultimately I am running for myself and the magical feeling of getting my spark back.

Karly Thornton


    International Expert Karl Morten Speaking in Auckland – Developments in Understanding the Science Behind ME/CFS

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    International Expert Karl Morten is Speaking in Auckland on the 12th of December on the Developments in Understanding the Science Behind ME/CFS.

    ANZMES encourages members in the Auckland area to go along to hear this excellent speaker. PLEASE NOTE that the venue has been changed – see updated Flyer – 
    RSVP’s to janet.m@meauckland.org.nz

    Complex Chronic Illness Biennial Seminar with Dr Ros Vallings – August 25

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    You are invited to attend the Complex Chronic Illness Biennial Seminar to hear guest speaker, Dr Ros Vallings (NZ’s leading expert on ME/CFS), report on the 13th International ‘Invest in ME Research’ Conference, held in London, June 2018.

    Date:  August the 25th

    Time: 11:00 am.

    Venue: Otumoetai Baptist Church (auditorium) 241 Otumoetai Road Tauranga, 3110

    Morning tea is available from 10:45 am.

    The seminar will start at 11:30 am.

    All welcome gold coin donation appreciated.

    Contact us at: ‘info@ccisupport.org.nz’ for further information.

    Dr Ros Vallings Speaking Engagement in Hamilton

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    Dr Vallings is renowned world-wide for her outstanding work with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia patients, having won several international awards
    Venue:
    Melville Methodist Church,
    Corner Bader St and Normandy Ave,
    Melville Hamilton.
    Topic: Research from the recent ‘Invest in ME’  conference held in London recently; and discussion re: use of B12
    Date:    Thursday 9th August
    (please note change of Date,)
    TIme:    10.30 – 11.30

     

    All Very Welcome!

     

    Take Part in Lobbying Government

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    As a part of the round up for ME Awareness month ANZMES Committee have composed a standard Lobbying Letter which members, (and those who wish to take part) can send to the Government to bring awareness to the plight and needs of ME/CFS/FM patients in New Zealand. We encourage as many as possible to take part.  All you need to do is print the PDF letter;  fill in your name and address; sign it and send to

    David Clarke (Health Minister)
    Parliament Office.
    Private Bag 18888.
    Parliament Buildings.

    No stamp required.

    Download the PDF for printing HERE.

    Letter to Government for Individuals to send to Parliment 2018

     

    CCI Support Whakatane Information Day – Saturday 17th March

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    Complex Chronic Illness Support is holding an Information Day in Whakatane on Saturday 17th March from 10am to 12.30pm at the Lyceum Club, on the corner of Domain and McGarvey Roads. The purpose of this event is to promote and inform the Eastern Bay of Plenty community of the support and services we offer, and to present an introduction to ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.

    We are very fortunate to have NZ’s leading GP specialist on ME/CFS, Dr Ros Vallings MNZM, as our guest speaker, and Dr Sarah Dalziel from Te Ngae Medical Centre, Rotorua, attending. Our own field officers will also be giving a presentation on our ground-breaking Towards Wellness programme.

    We invite interested members of the public, doctors, healthcare professionals, alternative health practitioners, and especially those living with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, to this information day.

    Light refreshments will be available.

    For further information please contact Elizabeth on 021 838 217

    Professor Warren Tate’s Update on His Research into ME/CFS – 11th November 2017

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    Professor Warren Tate spoke at the ANZMES Annual General Meeting, which was held on 11th of November 2017. Professor Tate updated everyone on his current research that he is undertaking into ME/CFS which show some very promising results linking his research very closely with other research that is being carried out overseas. Professor Tate is recognized internationally for his work into ME/CFS and was a guest speaker at the 12th Invest in ME Research International ME Conference in London earlier this year.

     

    Life Membership Awarded to Heather Wilson Past President of ANZMES

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    During ANZMES recent AGM on the 11th of November Heather Wilson (new Vice President) was awarded with a Life Membership for her outstanding service to ANZMES. Dr Ros Vallings thanked Heather for all of the time and effort she had contributed to ANZMES over her 16 year period with the organisation, with special recognition given to her accomplishments in her role as President over the last 10 years.  Ros outlined Heather’s many accomplishments including organising lecture tours for visiting international doctors and specialists, creating information sheets about ME/CFS, lobbying the government, organising a conference in the southern hemisphere for doctors and specialists, her contributions to the Meeting Place Magazine and also helping in the distribution of resources to doctors throughout NZ. Ros said that Heather has provided a fantastic face for ANZMES.  Dr Vallings then went on to present Heather with a Life Membership Award which features a Royal Albatross, the symbol for ANZMES.

     

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