Michelle Martin

Name: Michelle Martin
Age: 35
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Personal Website/blog: http://perpetualspiral.blogspot.com
Positions in WAMCARE: Vice-President Board of Directors, Online Media Manager
Conditions:  ME/CFS, Fibroymalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Migraine, Anxiety


What I would be doing if well:

I would be a heck of a lot more active. I used to enjoy all kinds of sports, including swimming, biking, hiking, geocaching and random team sports.  I loved to go camping and spend time outdoors. Professionally if I were well I might be a counselor and/or a craft business, either online or retail, and/or be a freelance writer. I like to travel, see new places, and do new things.

Interests I have focused on since becoming ill:

My interests have become more oriented towards my sedentary hobbies, and limited in the amount of time I can spend doing most of them. The thing I can usually do the most is reading. I read all kinds of books, fiction and non-fiction, especially books that are about spirituality, psychology and health. I tend to read classic literature, science fiction and the odd best seller/award-winner. Lately I've been nearly obsessed with 'supernatural' fiction, like stories about vampires and werewolves! I also like doing all kinds of crafts, including knitting, crochet, beading and other jewelry-making. I plan to learn how to sew in the near future, and am also interested in embroidery and macrame - anything to do with string and yarn! I write in my blog and my caringbridge health update site when I can. I enjoy spending time with friends relaxing, watching movies and some television shows. I take walks in the park nearby my house with my dog as often as I can. I also try to do stretching/yoga daily.

My day-to-day life is very limited by my illnesses. While I am not usually "housebound" I have to heavily prioritize my activities because I can do only a little bit every day. Most days I don't go far from my apartment, as shopping and other errands take most of my "spoons" for the day. I spend time with friends if I can but don't see people very often because it takes too much energy.  I am also very financially limited, living alone on disability with no
other means of support. Living alone means I have to cook and clean, run my household and care for my pets (a dog and a cat) by myself. I don't qualify for home assistance because I'm not "sick enough" - i.e. that I don't need help dressing or showering. I seem to have spent my life slipping between these kinds of cracks. I suffered from depression for 20-odd years before I got fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, so I have been living with limitations for a very long time.  Over the last few years I have developed the ability to be a happy person "in spite of" everything and am usually cheerful and silly, unless very fatigued or especially frustrated. I take one minute at a time and am constantly working on not judging myself for whatever I can't do.

Most recently almost all of my energy has been funnelled into my volunteer activities for WAMCARE. I feel blessed to be a part of this team and to be given this opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Visions and goals for WAMCARE:
My goals are the same goals as the organization: to spread awareness, compassion and support for people with ME/CFS but also for those with all kinds of chronic illness, including fibromyalgia.  As a Board Member I intend to do my part to maintain the organization's integrity and accountability, keep us focussed on and effectively reaching our goals.  I see WAMCARE becoming a powerful force for good in the world, recruiting and co-operating with members and volunteers with hearts that are like my own: people who care about more than just themselves, families and close friends, people who have an innate desire to "save the world" and feel that WAMCARE has the power to make a real difference.

Volunteer For Wamcare!

Want to join the WAMCARE Team and make a difference?
Check out our volunteer pages, or email: volunteer@wamcare.org