Wirral Letters Extra: ME sufferer Charly Poole’s sponsored walk plans

Apr 6 2011 Birkenhead News

The Wirral News has reported the story of young ME sufferer Chary Poole, from Wallasey, both on-line and in some of our four editions.

Her plan to walk up Moel Famau in north Wales to raise money for the ME Association has prompted response from far and wide.

Despite the effects it could have on her illness, she was still determined to do the walk to help others. Read her story on www.wirralnews.co.uk

WHAT a lovely 17-year-old is Charly Poole.

It is always sad to learn that there are ME sufferers who are that young.

Perhaps at that age, one can recover somewhat from the challenge she has set for herself, but has she thought how long walking Moel Famau could put her out of commission? Even with the help of her buddy Matty and the wishes of her grandma Joan? There should be better ways to raise funds for ME.

As an ME sufferer, I couldn't even help by sending money because the disease has turned me from a busy legal secretary – although suffering mildly since youth – into a financially poor painful lump of flesh that ends up too often in a comatose-like state for hours on end and whose insurance company failed to live up to its contract promises.

Josette Lincourt

Montreal, CANADA

I AM really worried about Charly’s very brave decision, taken with the view that it 'could make her bedbound for weeks'.

I developed ME after a virus in 1996, and 14 YEARS ago I took a risk (though not for such a noble reason!) which has left me severely affected, unable to sit up in a wheelchair, and having to strictly limit visitors ever since.

I do beg Charly to think again before risking what could be her whole future. She is certainly very brave but I do not think she realises what a tremendous risk she is taking. I would rather sponsor her not to do it!

Veronica Jones

Coleford

ALTHOUGH it shouldn't be necessary for VITAL research into ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) to have to rely on charity, sadly it is .

However I think Charly is not defying her illness, she probably knows through years of suffering how far she can push her body and understands the payback she will have to deal with once her climb is over.

I applaud Charly for her outstanding effort,courage and strength. I wish her well and pray her recovery is not too long.

Charly’s actions show just how desperate the lack of funding there is for research in ME and how disgusting our goverment is for allowing such desperate actions sometimes necessary to be made .

Kim Bush

Via email

IT SHOULDN't be necessary for vital research into ME to have to rely on charity – the means should be provided by publicly funded bodies.

But so long as it is, there are much better ways of raising funds than from a sufferer like Charly Poole, taking massive risks with her own health.

Making herself ill isn’t going to make people with the same illness better. Charly's intentions are very generous but she must not do it and regret it later.

When ME charities know, from research evidence and from the hard experience of fellow ME sufferers, now housebound or bedridden from taking vigorous exercise, it is irresponsible of them to encourage defiant fund-raising ventures of this kind, however well intentioned.

Dr John H Greensmith

Bristol