I refer to an article that appeared in the Weekender (September 20) called Lady Living A Miracle.

I and fellow ME sufferers are appalled at reading such a misleading and misinformed piece on ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) published on one of Malta's leading and reputable newspapers.

Has the journalist researched her topic before interviewing someone who clearly is confused and misinformed about the condition herself?

Although ME has been recognised and is defined by the World Health Organisation as a neurological illness (code WHO-ICD-10-G93.3) since 1969, and although there is enough scientific research to prove this, there are still a few people like Ms Norton who stubbornly believe that the condition is "stress-related" or a form of depression. This was assumed by the old school of medicine and diagnosis, but recent studies and ME research have proved this theory wrong.

Anxiety, stress and depression can all be symptoms of ME, but they are secondary and arise as a result of being chronically ill for a long period of time. However, the real and majority of ME sufferers' stress is caused by people's ignorance about the condition and its severity, by those who are unable to empathise, and by those who fail to take the responsibility of learning about conditions properly before putting pen to paper.

Ms Norton states that her ME started when she became very unhappy and started suffering from stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers are a result of anxiety and not a symptom of ME.

Secondly, it is impossible, even ridiculous, to imply that a person suffering from ME could train as a weaver, go through the severe strain of setting up one's own business, then, furthermore, go through the pressure of remarrying, while training other weavers, working for social services and growing her own food to sell to a demanding market.

This discourse is not only hurtful but also insulting to all those who genuinely suffer from a disabling and incapacitating illness like ME.

Later, following three emotionally traumatic events, Ms Norton claims to have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not an "ME-related illness" as the article asserts. Although their symptoms sometimes overlap, Fibromyalgia and ME are two distinct illnesses that require different management. The former sufferers seem to benefit from some form of exercise, while the latter feel worse.

Having said that, it is very unlikely that Ms Norton ever had Fibromyalgia either because sufferers hardly manage to take a wink due to relentless pain and restlessness, let alone sleep for "13 hours a day". Excessive sleep is a characteristic of depression.

Besides being incorrect and deluding, suggesting that "gardening" can cure ME could have disastrous effects; especially on newly diagnosed ME sufferers who don't know enough about the condition, and who might have been fascinated by Ms Norton's miracle story and decide to follow suit.

There is evidence that moderate to severe sufferers have ended up bedridden or wheelchair bound following some form of physical activity. In some cases, it has also proved fatal.

Physical activity is a positive and active strategy to help manage depression. On the other hand, people with ME suffer post-exertional malaise.

Some researchers have even suggested "exercise" as an ME diagnostic tool, for the simple reason that while people suffering from depression feel better afterwards, those with ME experience a worsening of symptoms and also relapses, depending on the intensity of the strain.

Regrettably, such inaccurate material about various illnesses perpetuates the lack of accurate and up-to-date knowledge particularly about ME and Fibromyalgia in Malta.

There is enough evidence to suggest that ME is probably triggered by a viral infection. However, since biomedical research into the causes and consequences of ME is acutely underfunded (mainly because of those who shamelessly maintain that ME is a psychiatric disorder even when there is evidence to indicate otherwise), a diagnostic test for ME that will eventually lead to a definitive cure seems more like a pipe dream than a possibility.

This article, unfortunately, besides being potentially very dangerous, ruins every bit of proper and accurate awareness that we sufferers painstakingly struggle to raise in our debilitating state of health. May I suggest that journalists follow a thorough line of investigation before embarking on writing about such a severe and highly misunderstood illness such as ME.

We do believe in miracles and pray for one every day, but whatever Ms Norton was suffering from, M.E was definitely not one of her conditions.

Editor's note:
The author of the article did carry out research on the topic for a previous article that appeared in Weekender (May 10), including interviews with other sufferers. Ms Norton was diagnosed as suffering from ME by a consultant at Dublin's Blackrock Clinic.