Make ME, Break M.E.
A
new website, http://www.MakeMECrafts.com, features art, crafts and products
made by M.E. sufferers and their family and friends, with profits being donated
to 'Invest in ME' to help fund a UK M.E.
centre of excellence for biomedical research and treatment.
Make
ME's aim is to draw focus to the little things that people with this condition can accomplish, bit by bit, instead of
the bigger things they can't; to shift attention to the positive ways that the
bed-bound can still make a difference.
Being
ill doesn't mean you have to stop being creative!
These
courageous people are sending their lovingly created crafts out into a world
they can't be part of, to raise awareness and fight for real and effective M.E.
treatments.
Crafts
on 'Make ME' are made and listed by sufferers at their own pace, as they
complete them, with many sellers working on projects a little at a time, as and
when they're able. Unlike in the working world, there is absolutely no rush -
no pressure. There are no demands to perform or time-constraints within which
something has to be finished, giving them the flexibility to manage activities
around their health.
It's
not about how fast you can do something, it's about how well you can do
something. These people may be ill, but they certainly haven't lost their
talent, their passion or their creativity. They just can't manage things on the
same scale as healthy people. They may not be able to keep up with the break-neck
pace of the world outside, but that doesn't mean they can't do something
constructive; something worthwhile, bit by bit. To borrow a phrase from a well
known supermarket: "Every little helps".
'Make
ME' is about doing something rewarding for a good cause; allowing sufferers to
find some purpose again and changing the way they're seen in the community.
It's about showing people that underneath every broken shell is a real person
trying to get out, to express themselves, to reclaim something of what they've
lost and achieve some level of normality; to create and be a part of something
wonderful in this world, as others are able to.
Arts and crafts have proven
to be very therapeutic, offering catharsis to a great many people from all
backgrounds. Making things creates a real sense of accomplishment - something
that's very important for all of us to retain, especially if we're unable to
achieve much in other areas of our lives.
'Make ME' was set up by
sufferer Jon Watson. It was initially launched as a Facebook page, to
centralise crafts being sold for 'Invest in ME', but having proven to be a hit
the project now has its own website at http://www.makemecrafts.com
The 'Make ME' project is part of the 'Let's do itfor ME!' patient driven campaign supporting the
pioneering M.E. charity 'Invest in ME' (Charity No. 1114035), who are leading the charge for
invaluable translational biomedical research into M.E. They plan to open an
M.E. centre of excellence right here in the UK, the first of its kind in
Europe. With your help they hope to revolutionise
the diagnosis, treatment and care of M.E. and raise awareness and understanding
of this debilitating condition.
'Make ME' is
expected to expand and grow as part of its natural development, with the
possibility of fairs/shows/workshops/tutorials/meets/forums/blogs and much,
much more in the future, all painstakingly managed around the fluctuating
health of participants.
Their most
recent campaign 'Hug ME' calls for handmade soft toys and cuddly things for
sale, auction or donation to a young person with M.E. - to help bring a smile
to a suffering child.
Let's support
these incredible people 'doing it for ME', working not just to improve their
own situation but that of many others suffering from this disease all around
the world, bringing hope and pride to sufferers everywhere.
Buy some goods, tell your
friends, donate materials or get involved!
All crafters are welcomed
with open arms and open hearts. Seller registration and item listing is free,
as long as you agree to donate a portion of your profits to 'Invest in ME'.
If you wish to donate
crafts or materials, or feel you can contribute in some other way, please do
get in touch with them via their website, or email admin@makemecrafts.com
They'd be grateful of any
support you can provide.
You can also find them on
Facebook and Twitter!
