https://me-pedia.org/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=ChispaMEpedia - User contributions [en]2026-04-21T08:53:05ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.8https://me-pedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Hennessy,_Jr.&diff=30080Thomas Hennessy, Jr.2018-05-02T20:18:04Z<p>Chispa:/* RESCIND */</p>
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<div>'''Thomas Michael Hennessy, Jr.''' (1954-2013) lived with and advocated for [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]]/[[chronic fatigue syndrome]] ([[ME/CFS]]). He is known for founding the [[International ME Awareness Day]] on May 12th, as well as the (now-defunct) advocacy organisation [[RESCIND]].<br />
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== Life ==<br />
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=== Early Life ===<br />
Thomas was born in Scranton, PA. He grew up first in towns across the Northeast, before moving with his family to Japan at the age of 14. After graduating from St. Mary's International School in Tokyo, Japan and then Fairfield University in Connecticut, Thomas had successful careers in sales and the service industry. <ref>[http://www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obituary/Thomas-Michael-Hennessy-Jr./Boca-Raton-FL/1243170 Thomas Hennessy, Jr. Obituary]</ref><br />
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=== Illness ===<br />
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Thomas became ill with [[ME/CFS]] in the autumn of 1987, after a severe bout of the flu. <ref>[http://phoenixrising.me/interviews-3/10317-2 Fierce Advocacy: International Awareness Day Founder, Tom Hennessy Talks (May 2008)]</ref><br />
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=== Advocacy ===<br />
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==== RESCIND ====<br />
Rescind, an acronym for Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases, was Tom's organization to bring previously unassociated diseases with most unrecognized commonalities under one umbrella. He was the (among the?) first to group CFS/ME with fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Gulf War Syndrome and having underlying (possibly the same) physiological issues related to neuro-immune systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fibroandpain.org/component/k2/item/32-thomas-hennessy-jr|title=Thomas Hennesy Jr. Bio|last=|first=|date=|website=National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> <br />
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==== International ME Awareness Day ====<br />
"Tom was the founder of international awareness day for Invisible Illness, May 12<sup>th</sup>. In an interview with Cort Johnson (2008) Tom said, “After reading Byron Hyde’s great book on the history of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, I decided to use his Birthday, and lo and behold, May 12<sup>th</sup> [thought to be] was Florence Nightingale’s birthday.” How fitting."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.celestecooper.com/2013/09/the-legacy-of-thomas-hennessy-jr.html#.WuoXktMvzOQ|title=The Legacy of Thomas Hennessy Jr - A Tribute to an Advocate by Celeste Cooper|last=|first=|date=Sept 17, 2013|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><br />
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== Death ==<br />
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Following a 25-year battle with [[ME/CFS]], Thomas took his own life on September 9th, 2013, in Boca Raton, Florida.<br />
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=== Legacy ===<br />
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==HHS/CFSAC Testimony==<br />
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*[https://wayback.archive-it.org/3919/20140324193516/http://www.hhs.gov/advcomcfs/meetings/presentations/publictestimony_201105_hennessy.pdf Written Testimony for May 2011 meeting]<br />
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==See also==<br />
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== References ==<br />
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[[Category:People with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]] <br />
[[Category:Advocates or allies]]<br />
[[Category:American advocates or allies]] <br />
[[Category:Deceased people with ME, CFS, and/or FMS]]</div>Chispa