Key Group contacts
At our AGM on 11th October the following people were elected as office bearers unopposed for the year 2005/06.
Chairman and Treasurer: Tony Golding
Secretary: Judy Mason
Membership Secretary: Martin Sondergaard
Committee members: Catriona Courtier, Janet Freeman, Colin Parratt, Mark Yabsley, Alex Duffie and Megan Arroll.
Chairman, Action for ME contact, ME Association contact, treasurer - Tony Golding on 020-8400-1904 (weekdays) and 020-8994-0989 (evenings and weekends). Tony@bedfordpark.demon.co.uk
Membership Secretary - Martin Sondergaard on 0208-840-9445 (After 2 pm only). ms@sondergaard.f2s.com
Library co-ordinator - Krystyna Solarski 020-8903-0195
Benefits Information - Colin Parratt 8995 5609
The following is an informal guide to some of the people who are active in running the group with a few background details.
Chair- Tony Golding
I first got ME in 1985 and had to take two and a half years off work but managed to return to full-time work after three and half years. I first became involved with the forerunner of Network MESH in 1988 and have been chairman since 1990. I've had three relapses since my original recovery - as a result of overdoing it -but recovered well, mainly because I now know what I'm up against and how to handle it. I took early (non-medical) retirement from my firm (in the City) in 1998 to write a book on the City, which went into a second edition in 2002. I'm also involved with ME at the national level and am a trustee of a rapidly growing recycling charity.
Membership Secretary- Martin Sondergaard
I've had M.E. for over 15 years. My M.E. has been about the same now
for many years, never getting much better or much worse. My main symptom is fatigue, and sometimes my concentration is poor.
I'm not well enough to work, so I spend most days alone at home.
I spend a lot of time on my computer, doing research into Artificial Intelligence.
I'm working on writing a computer program that will be able to understand English. This could take a long time.
Committee Member- Mark Yabsley
I first became ill early in 1993, but became really bad after a flu jab in October 1994, which is when I was diagnosed with M.E.I then had to give up full-time work, although I did work part-time for another two years to my detriment. Before falling ill, I worked in High Street banking as a Small Business Advisor.
I joined the group in 1996. I have held the role of treasurer and I have also helped with the newsletter. I have found the group very uplifting and it has given me a sense of achievement, whilst not being able to work. Also, I have made some very good friends through the meetings.
I have improved somewhat, mainly through learning to discipline myself and pace my activities. I have been able to study and pass Royal Horticultural Society exams with distinction, though I found a hard struggle physically and now work one day a week at Kew Gardens.
Catriona Courtier
I have had ME since 1989 and joined NETWORK MESH in 1995 when I moved to Acton. I look after my daughter who also got ME when she was eighteen and is severely affected. I regularly attend the Ideas meetings and the Art Group and was the editor of the group's quarterly newsletter, OutReach, from winter 2002 to spring 2006. Before I became ill I worked as an Education Officer for the borough of Ealing.
Carolyn Appleby
I came down with M.E. gradually over a year. In July 1989 I went off sick from my social work job and was later medically retired. I had another career before that which was as a nurse. I first joined Network MESH in March 1990, helping to structure the meetings and make them more constructive. I was then involved with the group for about three years. During this time I helped prepare the first library list. We also had a Women's Group.
Whilst I kept up with the friends I had made, I left for a while to work on a voluntary Quaker-funded disability project. I also coped with divorce and moving house twice.
I came back to Network MESH a couple of years ago and was one of the people who started T.H.A.T. Fund, for which I am now one of the people to contact. I also attend the Ideas Group. I am most interested in living with ME so I have written various articles. A list of tips for Network MESH was published and sent out to new members some years ago but it is now out of date.
Colin Parratt
I used to be a mathematics teacher in central London. I have been sick since June 1988, although I did try to carry on working until December 1989. I spent the next two and a half years trying to get a diagnosis and to manage the illness. In September 1992 I joined NETWORK M.E.S.H.
I have at various times contributed to, photocopied, collated and distributed the newsletter. I was one of the group who included Ian Maddick, Dinah Miller and Sue Heaven that met with newly diagnosed M.E. patients at Dr. Ash’s fatigue clinic at Ealing hospital. I have helped to organise the talks with Dr. Richard Bruno and Dr. Nancy Frick, Dr. Betty Dowsett, Jane Colby and Marilyn Howard from Disability Alliance. I have represented NETWORK M.E.S.H. at two E.H.H health authority “ health fairs”. I keep in contact with the Voluntary organisations, Community Health Council and MPs in Hounslow Borough. I am a trustee of the charity CHROME (Case History research on M.E.)
Janet Freeman
I've been with the group since about 1991, and have always enjoyed taking part. I took part in the Ideas group edited the newsletter, then did the library, and had many meetings at my house, including visiting speakers, Yoga for ME, a short course in music therapy group, and art therapy.
Library Coordinator-Krystyna Solarski
My name is Krystyna Solarski. I have suffered from M.E. since I the age of 16, but I wasn’t diagnosed with the illness until 1990. I was quite severely affected for a few years, but I have gradually improved over time and I have been able to work part-time for a number of years. I joined the group about 10 years ago. I hope one day to go onto further education, as I feel I have missed out.
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