#MillionsMissing Denver Draws a Crowd

It was a very Colorado day with warm sunshine, then dark clouds threatening rain and then changing their minds, followed by sudden gusts of wind blowing our handout brochures around and knocking over the display boards. But it all worked out fine.

The shoes on the stairs, the ‘Ally Team Photos’ and MillionsMissing shoe story signs drew a lot of attention from passersby on Lincoln Ave. We had interesting conversations and shared some ME flyers with Capitol visitors.

Eric Moon and the Prairie Band from Parker started off the event with a musical set including Rob Thomas’ emotional ballad, ‘Her Diamonds’ bringing tears to some.

John debuted Facebook live for the first portion of the event. We were excited to have an international following.

We heard moving stories from several members about the challenges of living with ME. Jillene Moore told her own story. Alida Gowan read stories for Kris Paige of Livermore, CO and Wilhelmina Jenkins story about being a black woman seeking care for ME.

Our guest speakers included: Dr. Lila Rosenthal, Dr. Theodore Henderson, Wayne Connell and Jordana Griff Gingrass.

Dr. Lila Rosenthal spoke meaningfully  about learning about the disease from her patients. She provided advice about how to work effectively with your doctor for mutual benefit.

Dr. Theodore Henderson is a psychiatrist who also treats Biological illnesses that present with psychiatric symptoms, including ME/cfs.  He is also founder of the Neuro-Laser Foundation. He spoke about the effects of viruses on the brain and about treating infection triggered ME.

Wayne Connell, the Founder and President of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), updated us on progress with the National Disability ID Initiative. The primary purpose of this designator is to alert law enforcement to a person’s non-apparent disability during a traffic stop, or other routine contact.

Xander Kelty on viola

Jordana Griff Gingrass is an attorney in Denver. After her long-time best friend became ill with ME, Jordana organized successful fundraisers to benefit Open Medicine Foundation, an organization which funds ME research.

Xander Kelty performed two lovely pieces on the viola.

Several posters displayed information about ME, stories from more of our members, and showed the MEAction Colorado activities of the past year .

Thank you to all who participated. And our thoughts went out to all our members who were unable to come. You were represented on shoe tags and stories on the story boards, and in our hearts.

More photos at this link.

What To Expect At #MILLIONSMISSING DENVER 2019 ?

WHEN – Saturday May 11, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

WHERE – Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave, Denver

WHY – We are part of a global campaign (At least 93 events will be held during this week in USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, UK, Australia, Japan and South Africa) for health equality for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. These events  bring attention to the need for huge increases in investment in medical research and medical training to treat ME.

#MillionsMissing 2019 PARKING

Again this year, the Governor’s office has graciously agreed to allow us to use their parking spaces in the circle around the Capitol building.

If you have ME (or are otherwise disabled) and are planning to attend #MillionsMissing on May 11th in Denver, we have arranged for handicapped parking in the circle in front of the Capitol building. You won’t have to walk far or have your wheelchair pushed from a parking lot.

#MillionsMissing Denver 2019

#MillionsMissing is a global day of action for health equality for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (sometimes called chronic fatigue syndrome, ME or ME/cfs).

We bring attention to the Millions across the globe who are Missing from their careers, their hobbies, their social networks and their former lives due to this extremely debilitating disease.

Last year was MEAction’s largest global protest ever with 100 cities around the world demonstrating, and even more participating virtually. This year will be even larger as  #MillionsMissing events will take place around the world over the course of an entire week from Sunday, May 5 to Sunday, May 12.

In Denver our event is on Saturday May 11th.

We’ll have:

• Guest Speakers
• Live Music
• Personal Stories from our Members
• A Call to Action 

You can:

• Meet others in the ME community
• Share stories and advice with other Caregivers and Allies
• Let Colorado know that ME exists in all our neighborhoods
• Learn to make your voice heard in Congress to  support #pwME
  

RSVP on Facebook  or at MEAction.

Please consider making a donation to support us in our advocacy work for Colorado’s thousands of people with ME.

We hope to see you there!

 

GOOD NEWS – PARKING at the Capitol

If you have ME (or are otherwise disabled) and are planning to attend the May 12th event in Denver we have arranged for handicapped parking in the circle in front of the Capitol building. So you don’t have to walk or have your wheelchair pushed from a parking lot.

I need to give them a count of how many vehicles will be needing handicapped spaces. So please let us know if you are planning to come (if you are feeling up to it that day of course). You can leave a comment here or on the Facebook event or just Email us.

Our able bodied allies will have to park in one of the nearby lots.

We will post more details next week about both Capitol circle parking and lot parking.

May 12th Backup Plan – Go Virtual

We would love as many as possible to attend our #MillionsMissing Visibility Action on May 12^th. But your health comes first. If you don’t know if you will be well enough to attend the public event, a few days ahead of time prepare an individual event in your home. Put on your MEAction shirt and make up a sign and have a picture or short video taken of yourself.

Then on May 12th if you’re not feeling well enough to go to the public event you can post your picture/video to Facebook and/or Twitter or Instagram. Use the hashtag #MillionsMissing so the MEAction Network folks can find and count it. Every event big or small helps build our community.  Click here for more on Individual/Virtual events.

 

 

Let’s Get the Word Out !

There are AT LEAST 14 THOUSAND people in Colorado affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, by some calculations AS MANY AS 60 THOUSAND!

 

We want to reach as many as possible. We want them to know that even if they are alone in their homes, we are here advocating for VISIBILITY for them and ACTION to demand funding for research and treatment.

 

Won’t you help! Look for MEActionCO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at MEActionCO.net. Please share, repost,  retweet and email our posts about the May 12th event.

Let’s get the word out!

In Denver – May 12, 2018 @ 10am

Saturday May 12th is the date when #pwme (People with ME) and their caregivers and allies will be in Action all over the world to bring attention to this debilitating illness.

 

Colorado folks and neighbors, please join us at the Colorado state Capitol in Denver 10am-11:30.

Here’s the link to RSVP on Facebook.

The Journey Begins

Please join us  – The #MEAction network day of Action is May 12, 2018 at locations all over the world and for the first time here in Colorado. Please join us at 10am at the State Capitol in Denver for a rally to raise awareness and support for those who suffer from ME/CFS Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome).

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton