My name is Nathan Horek. I'm a dad, husband, brother, and son. I am (was?) a naturopathic doctor and last worked at the University of Minnesota in research at the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences with some amazing people. I also have ME. (And POTS, MCAS, EDS, and mycotoxin sensitivity.) And ME has done to me what it does to everyone it touches: f*ck everything up. This is my attempt to make encephalitis lemonade.
I wanted to spend some time writing about the experience (and potentially science) of ME. I also have a dedicated mindfulness meditation and dharma practice. I think this can be a excellent coping tool for people with ME, Long Covid, or other debilitating chronic illness. But I have often found that the way mindfulness meditatition is taught, and the examples that are provided, are often not helpful or relatable for someone with ME. Living (and practicing) with ME is a unique experience that requires unique attention. I strongly feel that a dharma practice can be a helpful tool for disease and sanity management in those with ME.
If you are someone with ME, my hope is that I can create some things that help you feel validated and seen; I want this to be a resource to help you get through this moment. If you know and love someone that has ME, my hope is that from this resource you can learn a little bit about their experience. It is unlike any other.
There are blatant gaps and obstacles in health care, disability support and aspects of basic living for people with ME. The better we understand our illness, how to best manage it and how to best cope with it, the better off we will be.
To your health and mine, with love, Nate.
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