- People who are affected by ME/CFS during a lie-in demonstration
Dozens of people demonstrated at the Alexanderplatz and in front of the Rotes Rathaus, lying down and using wheelchairs, to raise awareness for ME/CFS sufferers. Around 70 participants were present, according to the police. The protest, organized by the #LiegendDemo initiative, was themed "Wheelchair demo for the inclusion and visibility of people with ME/CFS".
ME/CFS stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. According to the German Society for ME/CFS, it's a severe neuroimmunological disease that often leads to significant physical disability. Demonstrators complain that help for affected individuals often comes too late, with the wheelchair symbolizing this delay. Timely and adequate help could make the condition milder, they say.
Small activities can become torture
Sufferers experience severe physical weakness. "Even small activities like brushing teeth, showering, cooking, or walking a few steps can become torture or require days of bed rest afterwards, just from doing errands at the supermarket," the German Society for ME/CFS website states. Other symptoms include severe illness feelings, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was estimated that around 250,000 people in Germany were affected. Experts believe this number has doubled due to COVID-19. Despite its relatively high prevalence, the condition remains poorly understood.
The severe neuroimmunological disease, ME/CFS, often leads to significant physical disability for sufferers. Unfortunately, timely and adequate help for those affected often comes too late, making daily activities like brushing teeth or walking a few steps a significant challenge, often requiring days of bed rest.
