Sophia Mirza

Sophia Mirza (1973-2005) was a woman in the United Kingdom who suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis. She was the first patient in the UK to have CFS (ME) listed as a cause of her death.

Life
Sophia joined "Woodcraft" and enjoyed weekly groups as well as camping. She was involved in the eco movement and recycling. Her art was incorporated into organic foods, yoga, camping, cycling and music.

Illness
Sophia suffered two car crashes as a teenager and was hospitalized with meningitis. At age 19, she had multiple vaccinations before traveling to Africa for work, where she twice had malaria. She fell ill with ME after an apparent flu-like illness.

Death
Her death came not long after a forced entry into her mother's home and being sanctioned and taken to a mental hospital in 2003. An independent Neuropathologist found Sophia's spine contained massive infection.

Inquest
Summary by: Invest In ME

The Inquest in the Death of Sophia Mirza

TV News Coverage
itv Meridian Tonight

"Late M.E. sufferer Sophia Mirza"

Video 1

Video 2

"UK: Psychiatric Industry Victim (Part2)"

Video 3

Written Media
"I never imagined my sister would die"

The Irish Times By: Roisin Wilson

"BEFORE MY sister Sophia got Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), I had subconsciously developed a disparaging view of the disease. The little I knew about ME at the turn of the century was from how it had been portrayed in the tabloid press."

First official UK death from chronic fatigue syndrome

New Scientist By: Rowan Hooper

"Chronic fatigue syndrome has been given as an official cause of death for the first time in the UK. CFS, which is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), has occasionally been recorded on death certificates in the US and Australia but it is far from being accepted as an organic disease."

Facebook Page
Sophia Mirza (1973–25 November 2005)

Web Site
Site created by Sophia's mother to commemorate her daughter's life, illness and passing.