Autumn Newsletter 2023
Easter greetings to you. This cooler Autumn weather may be a relief for many, and before we say hello to the cold of winter, we farewell our staff member Jane (see more in Manager’s message). In this newsletter we also let you know about upcoming events, such as World ME Day next month, the next support groups, links to new videos on symptom management, a member’s story on their journey with ME/CFS and how their dog helped, photos of our member’s supportive pets, and more
AGM 2023 Event
with Guest Speaker Dr Karl Morten
‘Understanding the Underlying Biology
Behind ME/CFS’
Can you help us?
ME Support is funded entirely by grants and donations.
By donating you will be helping to provide valuable services that are not readily available through the public health system.
Symptom management is the key to managing these illnesses, enabling people with ME/CFS and Long COVID being able to live their best life.
Donate now by clicking the button below, or scroll down to read more about ME/CFS and Long COVID, and the services we provide to help the people who have them.
About ME/CFS and Long COVID
ME/CFS and Long COVID are complex chronic physical illnesses made up of many debilitating symptoms and can continue for years.
Some people with ME/CFS and Long COVID only have mild symptoms that impact some of their daily lives, however the majority are not able to work, or can only work part time. Some are mostly housebound (or even bedbound) and require daily support for their basic needs.
ME/CFS and Long COVID also affects our tamariki (children) who are often not able to attend kura (school) and unable to live the life of a normal child.
Over 45,000 New Zealanders are affected - that's 4x more people than Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
The number of affected people is rapidly expanding due to Long COVID. Around 10-20% of people who had COVID-19 go on to have Long COVID.
can not work
or attend school
75%
50%
are classed as
having a disability
25%
are bed-bound - many more are unable to leave their homes
Online
Support Groups
Our online support groups are open to anyone across Aotearoa with ME or Long COVID or their whanau/carers.
We have a Facebook Support group (ME/CFS Support Group NZ, and fortnightly online support groups alternating during the day and in the evening, with either a guest speaker or discussion topic.
We also hold a fortnightly online youth support group for young people aged 13-17
What we do
ME Support is a charitable organisation dedicated to helping people with ME/CFS and Long COVID and their whānau or carers get the support they need to manage their illness and improve their quality of life.
Some of the services we provide include:
Our work wouldn't be possible without our supporters and individual donors.
ME Support is truly grateful to the following organisations, whose generosity allows us to continue providing services to those who need it. We would like to thank them for supporting New Zealanders affected by ME/CFS and Long COVID.
Contact us
Please contact us via the form below if you would like to know more about our work or if you have any other questions.
If you would like to become a member for free, please click here to complete our membership form and one of our Client Support Coordinators will send you a welcome pack and be in touch to discuss your needs.