|
THE RIDE
The 2001 Odyssey for M.E. was based around a sponsored ride across Great Britain from Lulworth Cove on the south
coast of England to Edinburgh. The ride centred on one horse (accompanied where possible by local riders and their horses) and a relay team of riders, including some with M.E. who were able to ride a short stretch at a time. A back-up of campervan with able-bodied driver/organiser supported the riders.
Originally scheduled to start at the beginning of March 2001, the Odyssey was delayed owing to the national foot-and-mouth outbreak and we later settled on an August 22nd start. The Ride took six weeks, completing on the 28th September at Edinburgh Castle. Further events were held following this, including appearances at three racecourses between the 29th September and the 6th October.
THE AIMS
- To raise as much money as possible for M.E. research. Beneficiary was The Tymes Trust Research Fund (The Tymes Trust is Registered Charity No. 1080985).
- To raise awareness of M.E. generally and illustrate the limitations under which many people with ME function: i.e. short periods of low-level activity followed by extended periods of rest
- Subsidiary Aim
- To draw attention to the breed of horse involved and its capacity for endurance riding
THE NEED
Although M.E. has become a more recognised and 'respectable'
illness over the years, it is still dogged by controversy. Evidence
of physical abnormality in people with ME is widespread but
inconclusive and this has led to some doctors promoting specific
exercise and behavioural therapies as the way forward. But
whilst their methods may offer a degree of help in some
instances, for many people they are not a viable option. In the
March 2001 document, Severely Neglected: M.E. in the UK 1
prepared by the national charity Action for M.E., graded
exercise was reported as actually counterproductive by an
alarming 50.2% of respondents who had had experience, and of
no benefit to a further 15%; when it came to cognitive
behavioural therapy, only 7% (seven per cent) found it to be of help.
With statistics like this emerging from the largest study of its
kind ever carried out in the UK, it is quite clear that answers
must be sought elsewhere, and with some urgency.
Further, in the case of children, in the Journal of CFS in 1997,
Dowsett and Colby reported that 51% of pupils on long-term
sickness absence were found to have ME.
With the help of many supporters and participants, the Odyssey raised over £14,000
for the Research Fund of the Tymes Trust for further laboratory research into the disease.
1Action for ME's website hosts a full copy of Severely Neglected: M.E. in the UK.
|
