Lives Interrupted: the Hidden Costs of Having a Neglected Illness
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Lives Interrupted seeks to illuminate the economic and other costs of having diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), post-treatment Lyme disease, and long COVID. These diseases affect millions, typically receive little research funding, and, as a consequence have few good treatments available. Find out more about Lives Interrupted here.
All Stories
Name: Henchman D | Years Ill: 3 |
Location: Luton, England, UK | |
Former Occupation: National Operations Manager | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 20 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
£162,479 |

Name: Ann | Years Ill: 6 |
Location: St. Louis, United States | |
Former Occupation: Chemo and Infusion Nurse | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 40 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
$216,464 |
|
Story: I became sick with ME 4 months prior to a 5-day backcountry hike of the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska.… |

Name: Anna Marie | Years Ill: 21 |
Location: Huddersfield, England, UK | |
Former Occupation: Architectural technician | |
Current Occupation: Ventilation design engineer | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 70 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
£340,896 |
|
Story: About 25 years ago (in my mid 20s), I started getting unexplained fatigue and then age 30 I got "… |

Name: Stéphanie | Years Ill: 8 |
Location: Saskatoon, Canada | |
Former Occupation: Assistant professor of physiotherapy | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 40 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
CA $465,720 |
|
Story: My story is simple. My CFS/ME started after my best friend was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and I… |
Name: Dea | Years Ill: 28 |
Location: Charlotte, United States | |
Former Occupation: healthcare professional | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 20 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
$526,253 |
|
Story: Approaching 40 years of age I was 114 lb endurance athlete in perfect shape and health. Super fl… |

Name: Ishtar | Years Ill: 12 |
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | |
Former Occupation: Psychologist & Dance artist | |
Current Occupation: Psychologist in private practice, dance artist | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 70 |
Story: Prior to becoming ill, I had a rich and full life. I was part of a pain management team, I ran m… |

Name: Brie | Years Ill: 32 |
Location: Bend, United States | |
Former Occupation: Counselor | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 100 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 40 |
Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
$2,051,715 |
|
Story: I was a Nationally awarded swimmer, First chair musician, and worked hard in academics and my car… |

Name: LauraB | Years Ill: 6 |
Location: Rock Stream, United States | |
Former Occupation: RN | |
Current Occupation: RN | |
Former Activity Level (0-100): 90 | Current Activity Level (0-100): 40 |
Story: On the way home from work, I saw a cat hit by a car on a busy roadway. I pulled over, ran out li… |
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Lives Interrupted
Lives Interrupted Latest Story
Entire Adulthood taken from me
Megan
Randolph, United States
Former occupation: Day care worker
Total Economic Losses:
$562,824
Lives Interrupted Stats
Years of Work Lost: 347
Average Total Economic Losses:
$874,147
Total Economic Losses:
$28,846,851
Lives Interrupted Sponsor
StudyME
Enroll in the OMF’s StudyME project and help bring about a cure for ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, POTS and long COVID.