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10 October 2003
Web Help Sought for Important Research
by DM Lindsay
My name is Douglas M Lindsay and I need help setting up a web page to continue my research. Last fall Brian Mansfield created some artwork for my presentation at the 13th International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System (www.sas.org/E-Bulletin/2002-08-16/features3/features/html). His kindness was a tremendous help to me. Now, I'm again asking for an SAS member to volunteer to assist me. The web site help I'm requesting is vital to both my health and to the future of my research.
Some of you may recall that I presented at the 2002 SAS conference in Philadelphia (www.sas.org/E-Bulletin/2002-07-12/features2/features.html) -- I was too ill to give my presentation at Caltech this past summer.
My situation and my research
I am twenty-five years old. I have been virtually homebound for more than four years.
I both suffer from and have developed a proposed treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), when caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Because my health was worsening, I began this proposed treatment last May. The prevailing wisdom among the field's top clinical investigators was that this treatment would not help. In fact, several suggested it would exacerbate my symptoms.
This predicted exacerbation has not occurred. In fact, I have had limited but significant success. I believe continuing to explore this proposed treatment may help thousands of Americans who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers. I believe it will also lead to exciting future research.
Unfortunately I lose my COBRA medical insurance December 1st, and my proposed treatment is expensive. My mother and I are both disabled and, therefore, unable to work. The prescription medications I now take will soon cost me about $3000 a month. Thus far, my proposed treatment has kept me functional and prevented most of the muscle pains and cramping I would otherwise have.
Without these medications, I will likely become as incapacitated as my mother. Though ill myself, I have taken care of her for many years. She cannot open our front door, or even an envelope. She has constant pain and muscle cramping. She, and all like her, currently have no successful treatment. However, my proposed treatment has defied expectation and offered me benefits thus far.
What help do I need?
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DM Lindsay |
I need an SAS member to set up a simple web page so that I can raise the money to continue my research. I will supply all the content, but what I need is help, energy, and know-how. The web site needs to accept credit cards, and I will set up a P.O. Box address for mail-in donations. The money raised will go into a trust with my Uncle as executor. This money will be used only for my medical expenses. But I will set aside 5% of the money raised to the Society for Amateur Scientists.
As I explained to Shawn and Sheldon, I can think of nothing worse -- for science as well as for suffering Americans -- than for my proposed treatment to be useful but never used.
I will handle raising the money and publicizing the desperate situation both I and my research face. To raise the money, I will turn to local and national media, my high school and college alumni magazines, and networking through friends. However, I need a convenient and reliable way for those who are willing to help to contribute.
This research is important. I believe it can restore my health and help a significant number of the one million Americans who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Thank you for your time,
Douglas M Lindsay
Editor's Note: Any inquiries or offers of assistance should be sent through the E-Bulletin. Click here to respond.
