I AM MADELINE

In Part 5 of her testimony Madeline says knowing all she knows about the potential for even more severe illness and debilitation, she is scared and still without supports.

In Part 4 of her testimony to The #MissingMillions Podcast Madeline discusses how important it has been for her to engage with society and community through volunteering. Chronic illness can lead to severe social isolation, much of which could be prevented by lifting people out of poverty and providing more robust medical supports.

Piles of paperwork, appointments, fees, circular direction from government ministries, a lack of meaningful coverage and little to no help navigating complex coverage where it's available. Living with post viral syndrome is hard enough, but without extended third-party health insurance it can be impossible.

People with post-viral syndromes, Long Haul COVID patients, and people with #ME often describe a debilitating "brain-fog." Madeline gives us a taste of what it's like to navigate the symptoms and mechanics of mitochondrial disease while living as an "energetic person trapped in a tired person's body."

Madeline had recently shared her story, entirely in her own words and without coaching from producers or hosts. We are honoured to share these episodes of The #MillionsMissing with our listeners.

Every day Madeline finds three things to be grateful for, three things she is proud to have accomplished, and three things that validate her emotions. On August 14th, 2021, she recorded an update for our listeners and this is an addendum to that update that she hopes will leave you inspired and grateful.

Madeline has been working on recording her story, in her own words, for a shared episode with the Missing Millions Podcast but her plummeting energy, increasing pain, and never-ending bureaucracy have been slowing the process. In this episode she shares an honest update with you, dear listeners, because she hasn't stopped fighting for her life or the lives of countless other invisible, silenced, stigmatized people with myalgic encephalomyelitis.