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ME/CFS South Australia Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.
Disclaimer
ME/CFS South Australia Inc aims to keep members informed of various research projects, diets, medications, therapies, news items, etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.
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Acting With Disabilities
Sunday 15 December 2019
 Rachel Michaelson |
Acting with disabilities
So people look at me and see a walking, talking human being, with nothing wrong with her. Let me tell you about myself, in 2008 whilst studying a BTEC Musical Theatre I was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Then in 20011 as I started my top-up degree in Performing Arts – Acting I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, both affecting my body in different ways, and the consultants believe historically I have had both conditions since around the age of 9 years old (which explains a lot about my growing up at that time, “growing Pains”, being overly tired because I was fat, etc). It is quite common in the acting / performing world (more common than even I knew). Lady Gaga recently had to pull out her tour as her Fibromyalgia was that bad. Morgan Freeman suffers with Fibromyalgia as well, these are just two stars that have been open and frank about the condition.
So what is it like suffering with these conditions and working as an actor. Well I can certainly tell you how it has been for me… But these conditions are variable between each person who is diagnosed and within that person again it is varied. Confusing, yes it is, basically for me I have it on the mid range, so my good days I can walk around and look like a normal functioning human being. But my bad days can see me bad enough to be bed bound and having to be helped to the toilet. These conditions can be soul destroying and can leave you feeling like you have no dignity.
So why do I act? I act as it is something I have done since before I was diagnosed and unlike some people who I know that have been diagnosed that have given up and taken to their beds, I refuse to give up and let these sometimes debilitating conditions rule my life. However that said, some people in the past have said to me why don’t I go out and get a “real” job, like acting isn’t a “real” job, or why don’t I get a steady 9-5 job. They would be great if it weren’t for the fact that I need to be able to get up and walk around when I need to, sit down when I need to, take breaks when I need to, have power naps when I need them. Oh and how many employers would allow me to randomly take two weeks off whenever I needed to at short notice? Not many, if any that I can think of, and the problem with these conditions is when they flare up, you don’t always get a warning, it hits you like a freight train and it can put me personally, in bed for up to two weeks.
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