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Andrew Bretherton
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[[File:ME Action Promo.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.75| ME Action promotion]] '''Andrew Bretherton''' is a human rights advocate, ME advocate and unionist. Andrew became an advocate for people with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis|ME]] when he himself was diagnosed in 2015. Andrew campaigns for better conditions and to stop the abuse of people living with ME. He has spoken for various ME organisations in [[Australia]] and in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] including [[Millions Missing]], [[Emerge Australia]], and [[ME Australia]].<ref name="SlaveryRep">{{Cite web | url = https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/ModernSlavery/Final_report/section?id=committees/reportjnt/024102/25435 | title = Public hearings {{!}} Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia | last = Commonwealth Parliament | first = | author-link = | date = | website = Parliament of Australia|language=en-AU|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2021-10-19}}</ref> Andrew is currently leading the Australian [[Call for Change for ME patients]] petition<ref name="callforchange">{{Cite web | url = https://www.change.org/p/australian-parliament-call-for-change-for-me-patients-australia | title = Call for Change for M.E. Patients in Australia {{!}} Submission to the Australian Parliament and the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Neglect, Abuse and Exploitation on behalf of the local and international ME and CFS community | last = Bretherton | first = Andrew | author-link = | date = 2021 | website = Change.org|language=en-au|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2021-10-25}}</ref> and plans to submit to the Australian Disability Royal Commission and Australian Parliament to investigate the violence, [[Medical neglect_and_abuse#neglect|neglect]], [[Medical_neglect_and_abuse|abuse]] and exploitation currently occurring in the ME and CFS community due to outdated guidelines, policies and research. ==Illness == Andrew was studying a B.A. of Psychology and Sport Science, working professionally and heavily involved in his local community when he caught [[Epstein-Barr virus]] (glandular fever) and [[shingles]], and was struck down with M.E. He attended a well known hospital fatigue clinic and Active Health Clinic in Melbourne where he was recommended the therapies [[Graded exercise therapy|GET]]/[[Cognitive behavioral therapy|CBT]] and high doses of [[Ritalin|dexamphetamines]].{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 25 October 2021}} Andrew descibes this treatment exploitative, abusive and said it reduced his functionality to the point where he was [[severe and very severe ME|housebound]] and could no longer work or study.{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 25 October 2021}} He later attended Dr [[Donald Lewis]] clinic CFS discovery where he received proper medical care before it closed in 2019.{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 25 October 2021}} Andrew has described experiencing diagnosis [[stigma and discrimination|discrimination]], and found the process of applying for [[access to benefits|social supports]] (housing, national [[disability]] insurance scheme, disability support pension) in Australia discriminatory because services excluded people with the “ME or CFS” label. In 2019, his apartment complex flooded and Andrew found himself homeless, and was admitted to hospital where he reported further [[Medical neglect and abuse#Abuse|medical abuse]] where the hospital tried to "cure" his M.E. with psychiatric treatments (e.g. more GET/CBT and [[antidepressant]]s). Andrew described his 3 year battle for access to '''Disability Support Pension''' (DSP) and '''National Disability Insurance Scheme''' (NDIS). Andrew has said he believes had he had early access to appropriate services then he would be much less impaired then he is now and could have possibly avoided what happened to him.{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 2021}} ==Advocacy== [[File:Insight Panel.png|thumb|right| Andrew (second from left) on ''SBS Insight'', 2018]] Andrew has publicly called for more biomedical funding and said that having ME was like "A Slow Death”.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/what-its-like-living-with-chronic-fatigue/9046886 | title = 'A slow death': what it’s like living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome {{!}} Triple J | last = Medhora | first = Shalailah | author-link = | date = 2017-10-13 | website = ABC Australia|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2021-10-25}}</ref> He regards [[graded exercise therapy]] and [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] for ME/CFS as "just garbage"<ref name="Insight2018">{{Cite web | url = https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/watch/1334946883764 | title = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome {{!}} Insight | last = | first = | author-link = | date = 2018-10-15 | website = SBS|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2021-10-25}}</ref> and harmful to patients."<ref name="MEAustralia2018">{{Cite web | url = https://meaustralia.net/2018/10/15/insight-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-andrews-experience/ | title = Insight on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Andrew's experience | website = [[ME Australia]] | date = 2018-10-15}}</ref> In 2017, Andrew gave evidence to the Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia in a private capacity.<ref name="SlaveryRep" /> In 2021, Andrew was acknowledged for his work on migrant worker rights in the book ''Far From Home'' by Rosie Ayliffe.{{Citation needed | date = 2021|reason=Exact quote and page(s) needed; remove refs if only a passing mentions}} Andrew also actively participated on behalf of 88 Days and Counting into the ''variation of the Horticultural Award'' 2020.<ref name="hort">{{Cite web | title = Horticulture Award 2020 | last = Fair Work Commission | url =https://www.fwc.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/awards/award-modernisation/variation-applications/AM2020/104 | date = 2020}}</ref> == Voluntary positions == [[File:Millions missing.png|thumb|right|Andrew at a Millions Missing rally outside Melbourne state library, 2019]] *[[Emerge Australia]] - Community Engagement Officer - 2017, Video media and live streaming - 2018 *[[ME Australia]] - Social Media Engagement officer - | 2018 - onwards *[[Millions Missing]] - Guest speaker in Melbourne, 2019<ref name="mm2019">{{Cite web | url = https://meaustralia.net/millions-missing-melbourne/ | title = Millions Missing: Melbourne | last = Bretherton | first = Andrew | author-link = | date = May 16, 2019 | website = [[ME Australia]]|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2021-10-25}}</ref> *[[MEAction]] network promo - 2018 *Call for Change UK - Voice Over/ Narrator *[https://www.change.org/callforchangeaustralia Call for Change for ME patients] Australia - Organizer - 2021 *Victorian Greens - people with disabilities working group Co- Convenor 2018 to present *88 days and counting - Organiser 2016 to present *Tom and Mia's Legacy - Organiser and Spokesperson, 2016 to present *Migrant workers centre - Volunteer ==Talks and interviews== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRQRE-UNbRI 2022, The Brain Network "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Disability Advocacy & Modern Slavery with Andrew Bretherton #13 TBN] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14y52hUwjsk&t=2s 2021, TASA (The Australian Sociological Association) "Interview with Andrew Bretherton: TASA Media Voices Series"] * [https://www.facebook.com/EmergeAustraliaInc/videos/311107219797157 Andrew speech for Missing Millions at Melbourne Rally] *2018, [https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/watch/1334946883764 SBS - Insight - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome] *2018, [https://meaustralia.net/2018/10/15/insight-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-andrews-experience/ ME News Australia - ‘Insight’ on chronic fatigue syndrome: Andrew’s experience] *2017, [https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/what-its-like-living-with-chronic-fatigue/9046886 'A slow death': what it’s like living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome] *[https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/hack/9045020 Living with Chronic Fatigue] *[https://meaustralia.net/millions-missing-melbourne/ 2019 ME Australia - Millions Missing] *2019, [https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/radio/local_sydney/audio/201909/nlf-2019-09-02-living-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.mp3 Nightlife - ABC Radio] (at 37:20) ===Other Advocacy work=== *2021, [https://www.facebook.com/samira.karimi569/videos/503867967667605 Andrew’s speech on slavery outside Parliament House, Melbourne] ==Online presence== *Twitter *Facebook *Instagram *LinkedIn *Website/Blog *YouTube ==See also== *[[Millions Missing]] *[[Emerge Australia]] *[[ME Australia]] *[[Australia]] ==Learn more== *[https://www.change.org/p/australian-parliament-call-for-change-for-me-patients-australia Call for Change for M.E. Patients] - petition ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:People with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]] [[Category:Advocates or allies]] [[Category:Australian advocates or allies]] [[Category:Psychological paradigm critics]]
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