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Clare Francis
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[[File:ClareFrancis.jpg|thumb|right|Image: ©︎ [https://www.clarefrancis.com/biography/ Clare Francis]]] '''Clare Mary Francis''' '''MBE''' is a British author, former sailor, and advocate for people with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] (ME).<ref name="interview1988">{{Cite news | last = Grady|first = Rose|url = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gewDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23| title = 'My battle against the living death' {{!}} Bizarre disease gives fearless sailor her greatest challenge |publisher =Weekly World News | date = Apr 5, 1988}}</ref><ref name="legacy">{{Cite web | title = Your legacy of hope for people with M.E. - Action for ME {{!}} Transforming the world of M.E. |access-date = 2021-11-17 |website = [[Action for ME]] | url=https://www.actionforme.org.uk/uploads/pdfs/your-legacy-of-hope-for-people-with-me.pdf }}</ref><ref name="mt">{{Cite web | url = https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2019-10-08/newspaper-lifestyleculture/Yachtswoman-author-ME-spokeswoman-Clare-Francis-MBE-to-give-talk-in-aid-of-Save-Valletta-s-Skyline-6736214480 | title = Yachtswoman, author, ME spokeswoman Clare Francis MBE to give talk in aid of Save Valletta's Skyline | last = | first = | authorlink = | date = Oct 8, 2019 | website = The Malta Independent| archive-url = | archive-date = |url-status = | access-date=2021-11-17}}</ref> ==Sailing and early years == Clare Francis was often ill as a child, and took up ballet to gain strength. She won a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet School at age twelve, which she attended until she was 17.<ref name="lib" /> Ms Francis became famous as a yatchswoman after a solo, unsponsored voyage across the Atlantic, and competing in a number of races. She set a new women's record in the Observer Single-Handed Transatlantic Race in 1976, and in 1977/78 she was the first woman to skipper a yacht in the Whitbread Round the World Race, finishing in fifth place.<ref name="lib" /> She then began for career as a writer.<ref name="mt" /> ==Myalgic Encephalomyelitis == Clare Francis became ill with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] in the 1986, describing it as a "living death".<ref name="interview1988" /><ref name="lib">{{Cite news | title = Don't mention the Sailing. | first =Catherine|last =Jones| publisher = Western Mail|location=Cardiff, Wales | date = Oct 16, 2004|via=Free Online Library|url = https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Don%27t+mention+the+Sailing.-a0123311233}}</ref> When she began speaking publicly about having ME, the disease was commonly referred to using the derogatory term [[Stigma and discrimination#Yuppie flu|"yuppie flu"]].<ref name="interview1988" /> She has suffered from ME for many years.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.clarefrancis.com/biography/ | title = A Brief Biography | website = Clare Francis|language=en|access-date=2021-11-17}}</ref> {{Quote box|quote=Though she thought she had come down with the flu, she nevertheless decided to take her daily jog. But less than a block from her home, she collapsed in the street.<br>My legs just buckled under me, she explained. "I managed to drag myself home, crawled into bed, and stayed there — for two months.<br>My limbs felt like lead. I became so weak I couldn't climb the stairs, walk around the room or even brush my hair.<br>Playing with my 9-year-old son was totally impossible.<br>I felt as though I was in a fog. I couldn't even speak properly.<br>I suffered agonizing stomach pains, depression and chronic exhaustion.―Clare Francis<br>A string of doctors and "experts" brought her no help and no cure. Finally, she read a newspaper story about ME and recognized the symptoms immediately. |source=Interview with Rose Grady, Weekly World News, 1988<ref name="interview1988" /> | title = "I've been to hell and back" | date = 1988}} ==Writing == Ms Francis published three non-fiction books about sailing, then moved into writing fiction. While suffering from her worst period of ME, Ms Francis struggled even to speak, she spent four years with symptoms severe enough to interfere with both writing and raising her son.<ref name="interview1988" /> Francis went on to write both non-fiction and fiction books.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Deceit-Clare-Francis-ebook/dp/B01BD0GO5U| title = Deceit Kindle Edition - Francis, Clare|website =Books - Amazon|access-date = 2021-11-17 | date = | last = | first = | authorlink = |archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=}}</ref> The thriller Night Sky, which she had published in 1983, became an international bestseller. Ms Francis' myriad achievements have earned her an MBE. ==Charity work== Clare Francis is president of British charity [[Action for ME]], which she helped found.<ref name="lib" /><ref name="legacy" /> ==Talks and interviews== *1988, [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gewDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23 'My battle against the living death' | Bizarre disease gives fearless sailor her greatest challenge, Weekly World News] *2004, [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Don%27t+mention+the+Sailing.-a0123311233 Don't mention the Sailing] ==Online presence== *Twitter *Facebook *Instagram *LinkedIn *[https://www.clarefrancis.com/ Website] *YouTube ==See also== *[[United Kingdom]] *[[Action for ME]] *[[List of famous people with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]] ==Learn more== *[https://www.clarefrancis.com/ Website] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:People with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]] [[Category:Famous people with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]] [[Category:Advocates or allies]] [[Category:British advocates or allies]]
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