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Based on the latest findings and the fact that this condition is a neurological disease, we now call for and demand that central government funding is now released in order to fund the gene research studies currently being undertaken by Dr Kerr (at London) and Dr Gow (at Glasgow University). In addition, we also call for the vital research studies that have been conducted and funded by ME Research UK (formerly MERGE) to be allocated central government funding.

As mentioned above, there has been much reporting of inflammation in ME by many renowned scientists over the last fifty years, much of which has been dismissed out of hand by psychiatrists (who have a vested interest in denying the biological nature of the disease in favour of a psychiatric one). Now because of the definite and

official findings from the case of Sophia Mirza, we also feel it is extremely

important to develop autopsy protocols to ensure tissues are retained and

appropriately stored for future examination at major international ME/CFS research centres.

 

 For too long, much of the medical profession, especially psychiatrists, have continued to denigrate patients with ME, even to the point of locking them up in secure

 psychiatric units (as also happened in Sophia's case) and have refused to

acknowledge the overwhelming body of evidence from around the world that ME

is a physiological disease. This must change!

 

 Following the outcome and reported findings from the Inquest, in addition to the fact similar findings have been contained within medical journals at various times over the last fifty years, it is now time for funding bodies such as the MRC to

seriously and urgently release funds for the research bodies as mentioned above.

 

 In part of her summation at the Inquest, the Coroner said that Sophia had been an attractive and vigorous young woman until she was struck down by illness.

She suffered substantially and became extremely unwell and was effectively

 housebound and bed-ridden. Her Mother was her devoted carer.

Our thoughts and very best wishes are sent to Criona, Sophia's mother, who has

tirelessly campaigned for recognition of her daughter's illness to be acknowledged as a serious neurological condition.

During this time we wish to relay our sincere sympathies and condolences to

Criona for her loss and to wish her strength to continue in her campaign for justice and in her fight to assist others with this condition. To this end we, as a national

support group for the severely affected, will continue (as we have done in the past) to support Criona to this end in any way we can!

 

FROM THE 25% ME GROUP

 

The story of Sophia was picked up by the media, more information can be found at  www.investinme.org  and other ME websites