Article June 6, 2005 Issue

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE

By Simone Hamlyn

When I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome at the age of 18, I was told there was no known cure. I would have to learn to live with a debilitating disease and manage the symptoms. This entailed spending the majority of my day in bed, living off a severely restricted diet in an environment my family and I attempted to make chemically free—highly unappealing!

Thus ensued a ten-year journey through every healing modality and approach imaginable in my quest to regain my life. During this journey were periods of darkness, despair, and terror I wasn't sure I would return from. But I feel blessed that my story has a happy ending.

I had always been a very athletic, healthy person, and keeping fit was a large part of my life. Having this diagnosis at such a young age was challenging as I watched my friends stepping into lives of freedom and travel. When I couldn't accept that my debilitation was incurable, my family supported me in every way possible in my pursuit of good health.