Blue Ribbon Awareness for ME

The Blue Ribbon for the Awareness of M.E. (BRAME) is a voluntary organisation for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in the UK. BRAME was founded by, and is run by, Tanya Harrison, who has severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Christine Harrison, her 24/7 carer.

Aims

• To create awareness and understanding that ME/CFS is a very real, and for many, a very debilitating illness.

• To publicise and create awareness of the severity and widespread nature of the illness.

• To publicise and create awareness of the consequences of living with ME/CFS for the sufferer, carer and the whole family unit and to highlight their needs.

• To generally offer support, understanding and friendship to those affected by ME/CFS.

• Through publicity reach as many sufferers and carers of ME/CFS as possible, as they often feel quite isolated by the debilitation of the ME/CFS, and the scepticism they often face.

• To stimulate discussion and subsequent understanding of ME/CFS.

• To increase awareness of ME/CFS amongst
  • members of the medical profession
  • educationalists
  • employers
  • politicians
  • society in general

• To promote the international links with individuals, groups, medical professionals and researchers in ME/CFS or ME/CFS linked illnesses.
• To support, help and develop the BRAME campaign around the world using the Blue Ribbon and BRAME enamel badge as universal symbols to create a greater awareness and understanding of ME/CFS.

Notable people

• Tanya Harrison
• Christine Harrison

Patrons

• Countess of Mar

Advocacy

Tanya Harrison was part of the NICE guidelines review in 2007. She resigned from the review committee shortly before the controversial guidelines were published, stating she felt unable to agree with them.

History

BRAME was founded in 1995.

Online presence

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook (group/page)
• YouTube channel
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

See also

• Severe and very severe ME
• NHS
• British patient groups

Learn more

• Wikipedia

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.