The ME|FM Society is revamping the My MLA & ME program for the new Legislative session – and you’re invited to be a part of it.
People with myalgic encephalomyelitis know too well what it is to live with a misunderstood disease. From gaslighting to lack of awareness, we are practiced at advocating for ourselves in medical settings. But what does it look like to bring those advocacy skills to the political realm?
Since 2020, the Society has run its My MLA & ME campaign, supporting local volunteer advocates to reach out to their Members of the Legislative Assembly to discuss the challenges facing people with ME in B.C.
The program has had some early success in getting ME on elected officials’ radar. For three consecutive years, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services recommended prioritizing ME physician education and billing codes in the provincial budget. Unfortunately, the B.C. government has yet to follow through on these recommendations – emphasizing the need for our ongoing advocacy.
Janice Blanco is a long-time volunteer with the program, having not only connected with her own local MLA in Burnaby, but also serving as an organizer supporting other advocates around the province.
For Janice, the most impactful part of the My MLA & ME campaign is connecting with elected officials through personal narratives. “Although I was representing the ME|FM Society, this was first and foremost my personal story, as someone in the community struggling to access services,” Janice said.
We’re recruiting more volunteer advocates to join us. If you haven’t done something like this before, don’t worry! We provide all the support you need to connect with your MLA, share your story, and advocate for better support for people with ME in B.C. You’ll join a cohort of other volunteers supporting each other as you reach out to each of your respective MLAs across the province.
What are some of the benefits of volunteering with the Society as a chronically ill person? Janice says, “The comforting part of it is that everybody gets it. We spend a lot of our life masking, trying to not look too sick. It’s good to know being a part of this team, people understand exactly what the challenges are.”
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