I used to exercise 5 hours a day It was a time of fun, a time of play Responding to calls day and night Medical aids to run; fires to fight The fire service was my domain I could not foresee my future of pain in my bones in my joints in my heart in my soul CFIDS has taken its toll 40 hours a day I slept 10 minutes of wakefulness is when I wept 38 pounds of me melted away, but CFIDS was here to stay My short term memory had disappeared having this happen was what I had feared I could not carry on a conversation with anyone It seemed as if CFIDS had won I could not understand what people said I felt as if my memory was dead When I felt I could get out in the day I never knew how I would pay I needed to get to the store, but not a good thing when your memory is so poor Where am I going? I don't know... I guess back home is where I'll go but where do I live? I don't know Where is it I should go? What do I do? Where is my home? I haven't got a clue... Suicidal thoughts in my head, as I was confined to bed I could not suffer anymore, as I crawled across the floor Just put an end to my strife, if you are never going to give me back my life One of the worst cases on record at age 23 CFIDS had killed the essence of "me" At age 24, I felt death was knocking at my door At age 25, I couldn't believe I was still alive And so the years passed by and I never had my one question answered, "why?" Illness is the biggest challenge to face to rise up, to overcome, and to win the race I did not know at that time that through the depths of despair I would climb Today I write this to all of you to let you know your life is not through My improvement has been immense and to live again is so intense By age twenty-nine I knew I was going to be just fine I found a way that I want to teach you to help you, to guide you, to see you through Optimal health should be everyone's goal Attaining balance mind, body, and soul Cry tears of joy and smile I will talk to you in a little while If you want me to work with you I am here, but I want to make one thing clear One thing you must understand to really get the upper hand "If it's conceivable, then it's achievable." Nine years as a CFIDS patient, thirteen years of study in health and fitness, 376 hours learning paramedicine, and now one of the best CFIDS success stories around I am now in a position to help you too. I'm not cured, but at my best I can hike uphill for 5 ½ hours with 100 pounds on my back, at altitude, with CFIDS no problem, can you?