February 2026

Hello and welcome to February’s newsletter. Hope you have had the best month possible.

Nominate

Nominations for Merryn’s Smile Day 2026 are now open. You can nominate a Severe or Very Severe ME sufferer to receive a Smile on the 13th May 2026 by completing our nomination form. Repeat nominations are considered as we know it’s tough being in the same position as time passes so we’d love to keep reminding those severely affected that they are thought of and not forgotten.

Merryn’s Smile Day is an annual event when we send Smiles to those affected by Severe ME in Merryn’s memory on her Birthday, 13th May.

Merryn Crofts sadly passed away from Very Severe ME in 2017 just days after her 21st birthday. I (Alice) was lucky enough to be her friend and, thanks to her family’s blessing, Merryn’s Smile Day was created in 2019 to celebrate her birthday.

Smile For ME want to remember Merryn by sending a Smile in her name to those suffering with Severe ME. Merryn loved sending little gifts and also loved it when happy post arrived for her so we are glad to be able to do this in her memory.

To read more about Merryn and Merryn’s Smile Day check out our website page: smileforme.org.uk/merrynsmileday

Smiles

10 Smiles were sent to both ME sufferers and carers of all ages this month. All chosen and personalised to fit each person’s likes and interests. Some of the items sent this month included blankets, cushions, hot water bottle, wrist warmers, socks, books, water bottle, mugs, coasters, coffee, tea, chocolates, biscuits, apron, baking set, craft set, bird feeders, keyring and a vintage camera.

Special touch

In our Smiles we include a token item donated by someone affected by ME as a special touch from our community. Included in the Smiles sent this month was a handmade gonk by Jo. Thank you Jo for your kind support.

Share a story

We are looking for ME sufferers and carers to share their personal experience of ME. Smile For ME raises awareness of ME through sharing personal accounts from people affected by ME so you can learn first hand how ME impacts the lives of those affected. We also hope it helps give a bit of comfort to people in the same situation to know they aren’t alone. Please reach out if you are interested: contact@smileforme.org.uk

This month’s share a story is by Corrina Brooksbank. Thank you Corrina for sharing your experience of ME in a piece titled ‘My ME story’.

My ME story

I contracted Covid which developed into meningitis in December 2021, I was blue lighted to hospital where a team of doctors were waiting for me and I spent some time on HDU. I can honestly say it was the scariest experience of my life. I thought that the ambulance journey was the last journey I would ever make, I thought I was going to die.

3 months after this I contracted Quincy (this is where abscesses grow on the tonsils and they can grow so much that they close airways). I again spent time in hospital.

I have also had numerous hospital admissions for abdominal pains. I was diagnosed with severe IBS. I have since discovered that I am lactose intolerant intolerant.

Medical professionals believe that this is what started my ME.

I knew something wasn’t right but I couldn’t put my finger on it, I was in pain daily and things felt more of a struggle than they did before. I stopped going for runs, going to the gym and going on long walks, previously I would go to the gym 4/5 times a week, run 10k regularly and regularly walk for 7-12 miles. All this stopped. When I finally sought medical advice, the turning point for me was that I could no longer put a duvet cover on as I lacked the energy to do so.

My GP referred me to the ME/CFS clinic, but waiting times were very long and I had to wait a year to be seen.

I reduced my hours at work as I could no longer work full time, I also had to adjust how I did my job due to constant exhaustion. I even passed out at work due to over exertion. Weekends were a total wipe out for me as I had to spend the whole weekend recovering from working.

In May 2025 I made the decision to buy a mobility scooter, following a city break to Madrid where I couldn’t walk very far so I basically spent the majority of my holiday sat at a hotel bar. I was also struggling with stairs and any type of physical activity. I began to feel totally useless. I was very emotional due to what was happening to my body and I felt totally out of control.

I contacted a private OT and I firmly believe that I contacted her at the right time, as I was very close to becoming bed bound due how much I was pushing myself to be ‘normal’ and how I used to be. My OT has been totally fantastic and she helped me out of a black hole.

I took 2 weeks off work on sick leave, I returned to work feeling no better. I worked a further 4 weeks then it was the 6 weeks holiday which was most certainly needed. I returned to work in September and I lasted a grand total of 2.5 hours before I had the biggest ME crash that I have ever had. I could not walk to my car without the support of two members of staff holding me up. By now I was a total emotional mess.

I have been off sick ever since.

I hired a stair lift for use at home and I use a stick when walking very short distances. I cannot stand for longer than a minute, I cannot walk for longer than a minute. On bad days I struggle to dress myself, I can no longer make a meal as I struggle with moving around, brain fog so I forget the next step, and I struggle with my grip. I also cannot do housework anymore. It’s a very grim situation.

However, with the help of my OT I have found my baseline and I am making very small additions to my baseline. I try to keep to the very small increments, however I often over exert which leads to PEM 1-2 days later. I have home visits from a physiotherapist monthly and she is working with me to help me to improve my core. I can definitely feel a difference from this. I am able to slight stretches daily for no longer than 3 minutes. This is a great improvement from where I was in September.

My whole life has changed drastically since ME. I have made adaptations in all elements of my life. I’m very lucky that I have a great support network around me. I would not be able to live on my own as I require too much assistance from others. That been said, ME has made me evaluate my life and remove things that are not helpful for me.

Flyers & Business cards

We are excited to share our new Smile For ME flyers and business cards. A big thank you to Amy who created them and also to all the people affected by ME who applied to design them. Thank you to the Smiles’ recipients who gave their permission for their photo to be included on our flyers. We have been using up our old stock but are now looking forward to including our new flyers in our March Smiles onwards.

Fundraising

17th May, a date for your diary. Blue Sunday, The Tea Party For ME annual fundraiser founded by Anna.

Thank you to those who have kindly supported Smile For ME previously, you have helped make a difference to us. Nearer the date we will be sharing more information about how to donate to us during Blue Sunday 2026 if you wish to do so.

For more information:

www.the-slow-lane.com/blue-sunday

www.smileforme.org.uk/bluesunday

Smile of the month

What’s made you smile this month? Each month we ask this question on social media and we love hearing the responses. We hope by sharing some of your smiles it can help others to find a smile too.

Thank you’s

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this month. We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity which enables us to continue sending Smiles to those affected by ME. It means such a lot thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

Smile For ME

xx