We are excited to announce the three winners of our 2026 Crash Wear Merch Design Competition. < Back Announcing Winners of the 2026 Crash Wear Merch Design Competition 12 Jun 2026 We are excited to announce the three winners of our 2026 Crash Wear Merch Design Competition. We are excited to announce the three winners of our 2026 Crash Wear Merch Design Competition. Each entry was unique and speaks to what ME/CFS Canterbury West Coast is all about, community, advocacy, and the lived experience of people with ME/CFS and Long Covid in Canterbury and the West Coast. The Winning Designs Rachel Rockell - Our Mission and Vision Rachel designed a blue hoodie that keeps our signature colour and logo on the front. On the back, yellow daisies sit alongside the mission and vision of ME/CFS Canterbury West Coast. Rachel chose daisies to represent friendship, joy, cheerfulness and loyalty, qualities she wants everyone who wears it to carry with them. [ Purchase Rachel's design here ] Karen Morton - Seven Spoons Karen's entry is a photograph from a larger photographic essay she is creating about Spoon Theory - the concept used by many people with chronic illness to describe living with limited and unpredictable energy. Seven blue spoons, intentionally blurred to reflect the brain fog that so many in our community live with every day. Her opening line says it simply: "I woke with only seven spoons today." [ Purchase Karen's design here ] Tamara Barker - Forget M.E. Not Tamara digitally drew a forget-me-not flower, duplicated in varying sizes and arranged into a circle, with the words Forget M.E. Not along the edge. The forget-me-not is a symbol long associated with ME/CFS, and for Tamara it represents the millions of people around the world who are missing from their lives because of this illness. [ Purchase Tamara's design here ] Take a look at all the merch options A couple of dollars from every purchase goes directly toward supporting people with ME/CFS and Long Covid in Canterbury and the West Coast so please check out our winning designs! Keywords: ME/CFS Canterbury, Crash Wear merch, ME/CFS design competition, Long Covid Canterbury, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis New Zealand, ME/CFS clothing New Zealand, Spoon Theory, ME/CFS awareness, chronic illness merch New Zealand, forget me not ME/CFS Previous Next

Building a trusting relationship with your doctor is an important part of any illness management plan. This is especially the case when you have a complex and long-term illness like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and may also have other comorbidities. Working with your Doctor Building a trusting relationship with your doctor is an important part of any illness management plan. This is especially the case when you have a complex and long-term illness like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and may also have other comorbidities. ME/CFS can be a challenging illness for doctors. They may not have received any training in ME/CFS, nor be aware of the current clinical guidance. Also, ME/CFS can present differently in each person and there are limited treatments available. This situation can lead to frustration for both the doctor and the patient. An informed GP with a good understanding of your situation, may be able to refer you to other health services and can provide medical evidence for a range of financial supports from Work and Income and information for employers. We have put together some tips that may help you to partner with your doctor, to share the lived experience, and to ensure that the doctor is aware of current and emerging evidence-informed practice. Open our 'Working with your Doctor' handout The Healthify website also has advice for making the most of health care provider visits in New Zealand www.healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/h/healthcare-provider-visits . Clinical Advice for GPs about ME/CFS 'HealthPathways' is an online system from Health NZ that GPs log into to view best-practice clinical advice for assessing and managing a wide range of health conditions and concerns. Ask your health professionals if they have read the ME/CFS topic on HealthPathways recently, as it includes current best-practice clinical advice, based on the IOM 2015 diagnostic criteria and management guidelines from NICE , CDC , Mayo Clinic and ME/CFS expert clinicians. The shorter, public version of the advice can be viewed at www.info.health.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/brain-and-nerves/chronic-fatigue-syndrome . To encourage your health team to check it out, we have prepared a letter about the ME/CFS HealthPathway . Print this out, or send them the link, or email our office if you would like a copy of the letter posted out to you to take to your next GP appointment. Your doctor may also be interested to view the excellent 96 page 'Clinical Care Guide: Managing ME/CFS, Long COVID, & IACCs' from Bateman Horne Centre , USA, who are leading international ME/CFS clinicians. Also see our links for health providers . Forms to help you plan for an appointment A planning sheet allows you to write down what you want to share and how you want to say it, and also, to take notes about what is said in the appointment. We suggest using one of the following templates (these are not ME/CFS specific) to get your thoughts and priorities organised before your appointment: The single page Preparing Information for your Doctor Appointment template from Emerge Australia, a ME/CFS charity. This form provides space for you to write your goals and questions for this appointment, some notes about follow-up from your previous appointment, and more. The Appointment Day template set (7 editable pdf templates) is a non-ME/CFS specific set of single-page forms available for free from BeforeMyVisit.com, an AI health platform based in Ireland. Take a look and see if you would find any of these useful. They also have an AI tool that you might want to try out. The Health Quality & Safety Commission, NZ, also has a two-page Plan for your next Health Care Visit sheet which is available in different formats and languages . Forms for making your illness more visible There are a variety of forms and tools available to make the symptoms and impact of living with chronic illness more visible to your health team. Think about what you want to share… Is it your reduced capacity to do things, or what your symptoms are, or both? FUNCAP The Functional Capacity Questionnaire was developed for people who experience post-exertional malaise. It comes in two question lengths (55 and 27) to document your functional capacity, support needs, and loss of independence for a range of activities... personal hygiene and basic functions, walking and moving around, being upright, activities in the home, communication, activities outside your home, reactions to light and sound, and concentration. There is an online version of FUNCAP55 which generates a pdf of your results. For iPhone users, there is a FUNCAP27 app. For others, print the FUNCAP27 pdf and calculate your own results. A research article was published in 2024 to document why and how the questionnaire was developed. Long COVID For people with Long COVID, the two-page Post COVID Symptom Map, developed by Physiotherapy New Zealand for Ministry of Health, highlights symptom severity and functional disability. Bateman Horne Centre Forms The single-page editable Good Day Bad Day Questionnaire from Bateman Horne Centre has ten questions for you to answer to highlight your range of function on baseline/good days and PEM/crashed/bad days and your hours of upright activity (HUA). BHC also has a Health Assessment worksheet to note symptom scores, hours of upright activity, pain areas and appointment priorities. Both forms have been developed for ME/CFS and related chronic illness. Emerge Australia Forms The single-page Symptom Severity and Severity Hierarchy Profile from Emerge Australia allows you to identify your symptoms, their severity and your priority in having them addressed. They also have a Sleep and Pain Profile form. Both forms have been developed for ME/CFS and related chronic illness. Basic ME/CFS Diary Our Activity and Symptom Diary allows you to monitor and log your activity, biometrics, and symptoms over 7 days. This may help you and your health team to identify what triggers post-exertional malaise for you and what your activity baseline and pacing needs are. Generic Symptom Severity Scale Form The two-page editable Symptom Severity Scale from Care Patron is not ME/CFS specific. It includes space to rate and describe your symptoms and their impact. Finding a new GP There are services around the region that can assist you with finding a local General Practitioner and other services. Ask them to recommend a GP who is taking new patients and supports and understands your health conditions: Tautoko Hauora in Canterbury Arowhenua Whānau Services in South Canterbury. West Coast Health for the West Coast. The national www.healthpoint.co.nz website also has a search function to find local and online services. Pegasus Health in Canterbury also provides useful advice about finding Your Best Care | Choose your best health care option . It can be useful talking to other people living with the same health conditions about the health professionals that they have found helpful. My Health Passport My Health Passport is a booklet where you can write down information about how you want people to communicate with you and support you when you receive a health or disability service, including when you visit a medical centre or the hospital. It is not a tool to help doctors diagnose or monitor patients, nor a substitute for a patient’s medical records. But it can be a useful way to get key information across, especially at a time when you may not be cognitively present to communicate well. We have some A5 hard copies which we can provide to members. Please email us to post out to you, or you can pick up at a group meeting. Alternatively, you can download from the Health and Disability Commissioner website. They even have editable pdf versions, which you could edit and then print, or keep on your phone.

About ME/CFS Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome WHAT IS ME/CFS GETTING DIAGNOSED DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA SEVERITY ME/CFS AND LONG COVID

Work and Income Advocacy When we live with or care for someone with a debilitating chronic illness like ME/CFS, we may be unable to work to generate income for ourselves and our families. Depending on our family situation, other income and assets, there may be some income support available from Work and Income, a department of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We know it can be difficult working through the information and the application steps. To see a summary of relevant payments and how to access it on the Work and Income Assistance page in our Living with ME/CFS section of this website. You can also be connected to the advocates in our Work and Income Advocacy Service . They provide confidential support to people affected by ME/CFS and will help you to access any assistance that you are eligible for from Work and Income. This service is normally delivered through email, but it depends what suits you best - text, phone call, zoom call or home visits are also an option. The support may include: Helping to determine your eligibility for the different financial benefits and allowances. Assisting in filling out paperwork and applications. With your permission, acting on your behalf as your agent. Working with your GP to ensure any required medical certificates reflect the severity and impacts of your illness. Supporting you through issues with Work and Income. Advocating on your behalf with Work and Income. To access our Work and Income Advocacy Service: Please be aware that our services are only available to people in our region affected by ME/CFS or Long Covid, or those who are currently exploring this diagnosis. If that is not you, please contact Beneficiary Advisory Services (800 000 043 or office@bas.org.nz ) if you live in Christchurch or the Waimakariri District, or find your local service on the Community Law website. To refer yourself to our Work and Income Advocacy Service for people affected by ME/CFS, sign up as a member and note on the form what help would be beneficial, and one of our team will be in touch. FILL OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FORM CONTACT US If you are already a member, send us an email about the help you are needing.

There are a range of practical supports that may make a difference for you when living with a chronic illness like Look for ways to save energy or to get support with your activities of daily living. Practical Supports There are a range of practical supports that may make a difference for you when living with a chronic illness. Look for ways to save energy or to get support with your activities of daily living. We hope to grow this list over time. Please let us know if you have any suggestions of what could be included in this section. Energy Saving Devices When living with an energy limiting illness, using devices and aids that make everyday tasks easier can make a real difference. Think about the tasks that you can't do without getting sicker, or that you avoid doing, and check out if there is equipment or an aid to make this easier. Some examples of devices and aids that people tell us have made a difference: Dishwasher Robot vacuum cleaner Electric toothbrush Slow cooker Sensory aids such as earplugs, tinted glasses. Find manpower! e.g. someone to mow your lawn or do basic housework once a month. Mobility and Home Aids It is worth considering using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, canes, walkers, shower stools, to help conserve your energy. This is particularly the case if you experience orthostatic intolerance (symptoms when moving to an upright or standing position). Talk to your GP about being referred for an assessment with an Occupational Therapist, or purchase your own. We also have some equipment available to borrow. Mobility Parking Permit People with ME/CFS are often unable to walk much distance or are bed-ridden after an outing. Consider applying for a Mobility Parking Permit so that you can park in the mobility parking spaces outside shops, parks and other locations. It means you don’t have to walk so far during outings and will have more energy for the shopping or whatever you need to do. Please ask your GP or one of our nurses to complete the application form from CCS Disability Action . The cost for a 5-year permit is $50. To help you plan an outing, the Christchurch City Council has a map of where the mobility carparks are. Total Mobility Discounted Transport Scheme People with ME/CFS are entitled to discounts that give them 65% off fares with approved transport operators - up to a maximum of $40.95 per trip. You can also use the Total Mobility card to get a $1 discount on Metro bus fares too. As at June 2024, the Total Mobility scheme is available through the following participating transport operators: Greater Christchurch - Christchurch Mobility Transfers. Blue Star Taxis, Driving Miss Daisy, First Direct, Freedom Companion Driving Services NZ Ltd (ChCh North and Rolleston), Gold Band Taxis, NZ Total Care Mobility Ltd Ashburton - Ashburton Taxis Timaru - Geraldine Community Minibus Trust, Timaru Taxis, Driving Miss Daisy Waimate - Waimate Community Vehicle Trust Some operators not only provide transport but can also be booked to support you at appointments and events. We understand that the drivers from Total Care Mobility and Driving Miss Daisy can offer this companionship support. Applications can be made through Aspire Canterbury ($38 per annum) or talk with one of our nurses to apply through Aged Concern (one off $30 fee). Your GP or one of our nurses can sign the application form. For more info, see: Environment Canterbury Total Mobility Scheme . Total Mobility on Metro buses in Christchurch and Timaru. Online Grocery Shopping You might find that it is worth taking the time to get familiar with ordering groceries online so that they are delivered to your home or made ready for pickup at the supermarket. It saves a lot of energy and may help you to manage the rest of your week. For more information about the services and costs of online shopping see the up-to-date information from the stores: Woolworths - Pickup or Delivery Pak'nSave - Pickup only New World - Click and Collect or Delivery Fresh Choice - Pickup or Delivery at selected stores Hāpai Access Card This card is for the disabled community and it's aim is to provide the cardholder with empathetic customer service from businesses, cafes and attractions involved with the programme. Your card will indicate what barriers you may face when engaging with the community. For example, it may indicate that you cannot stand in a queue, so when you show your card they will invite you to the front. The card also provides discounts in some retail and council settings. The Hāpai Access Card costs $45+GST for 3 years. They also sell a branded lanyard with a strong plastic display wallet for your card for $5 + GST and shipping. You can self-refer for the card and will need to provide evidence of your needs. Our Registered Nurse Service can also complete an application for you. Waka Ora Health Shuttle The Waka Ora Health Shuttle is a koha (donation) based community service, delivered by volunteers, that transports people to health and wellbeing related appointments, and then brings them home again. The service is coordinated by Hato Hone St John. Pick up is generally from your home (or a nearby meeting point), although the service offered varies by area. In our region, the Health Shuttle operates in Aoraki, Ashburton, Christchurch, Kawatiri, Morth Canterbury and West Coast. To find out more, visit Hato Hone St John . Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard The sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities. Wearing a sunflower lanyard lets airport staff know that you may need a little extra help or understanding when travelling. Other businesses, such as ASB, recognise the lanyard. Please bear in mind that a sunflower lanyard will not get you through queues faster or provide a personal escort or wheelchair through airports. Talk to your airline about special assistance or the use of a wheelchair while at the airport. The Sunflower Lanyard Facilities at Christchurch Airport include lower sensory bathrooms, information desks, a quiet pod, and a quiet seating area. We normally have supplies of the Sunflower Lanyards provided by Christchurch Airport or you can order directly from them. MedicAlert bracelet If you have a health condition that may result in emergency care, you may wish to consider purchasing a bracelet from the MedicAlert Foundation . The bracelet is engraved with your personal medical ID and your highest risk information to assist first responders. Responders can then use the ID to access additional information about you through the 24/7 emergency hotline service. Financial Support You may be eligible for financial support from the Ministry of Social Development. Even if you do not meet the criteria for a main benefit, you may be able to access the weekly Disability Allowance for ongoing costs related to a health condition and obtain a Community Services Card. Our Work and Income Assistance page has information on both of these supports as well as criteria for the other potential benefits. Funding for mobility aids or other health supports may also be available through: Lottery Funding for Equipment for People with a Disabilit y — A lottery fund for individuals to access mobility equipment that supports participation in the community such as wheelchairs. Mackenzie Charitable Fund — Aoraki Foundation — A fund to support those living in the Mackenzie district experiencing hardship or health issues. Rehabilitation Welfare Trust — Has limited funding for support of disabled individuals. May contribute to purchase of wheelchairs. An organisation such as MECFS Canterbury must apply on behalf on an individual. Variety New Zealand - Accepts applications for medical fees and equipment for children aged 5 to 18 years.

Library Our library of books and limited equipment is available to members free of charge. The books in our library have been selected or donated by past and current members and supporters of MECFS Canterbury. Please note that it is not our role to endorse all books or all content of each book. CLICK TO VIEW ONLINE CATALOGUE The library includes books on evidence-based management of ME/CFS and other approaches, books about coping with long term chronic illness, and fiction related to ME/CFS as well. You can visit the library in person, but most people request that we post items out to them. We can provide you with a post paid courier bag for returning the books, and when you are ready to return the items, we can arrange for NZ Post to pick up from your home. Our Recommendations For those new to ME/CFS we recommend books by Dr Rosamund Vallings, Dr Charles Shepherd, and Dr David Bell. In particular: 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome M.E. - Symptoms Diagnosis Management' by Dr Rosamund Vallings CLICK TO VIEW IN CATALOGUE For in-depth clinical guidance, we recommend: 'ME/CFS/PVFS An explanation of the Key Clinical Issues' by Dr Charles Shephard and updated regularly by the ME Association UK CLICK TO VIEW IN CATALOGUE Please seek medical advice: Any suggestions or advice given in any of the books in our library, should not replace medical advice, and we do not accept any responsibility for any treatment undertaken. Please discuss with your GP or health care team any changes to your treatment regime before implementing them, including the severity of your illness and any other health issues. We are all different, and unfortunately, what works for one person may not work for another. It is best to be careful. Can't find the book you want to read? Let us know if you would like us to get a book in, and we will do our best to purchase it for the library. First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for your query! Send

Our Kaupapa Our Vision – Tā Mātou Aronga That every person with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID in Canterbury and the West Coast lives the best quality of life possible Our Mission – Tā Mātou Whainga To improve the wellbeing of people, families and carers affected by ME/CFS and Long COVID by providing information, validation, clinical support, connection, practical support and advocacy. To improve the quality of care available for those affected by ME/CFS and Long COVID by providing education, direction, and support to health professionals and the wider community. Our Values - Ā Mātou Uaratanga Compassion We show compassion to every person affected by ME/CFS, including family and whānau.  Respect We foster partnerships based on mutual trust, treat every person with dignity and always maintain confidentiality.  Equity We are committed to removing health inequities and barriers.  Patient-centred We support our community with services and information based on evidence and experience, assisting each individual to design supports & management protocols that work for them.   Collaboration We work together constructively and creatively recognising each other's strengths, and those of other organisations, to get the best outcomes for our community.  We acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a founding document in New Zealand and demonstrate a commitment and special obligation to its principles. 

Fundraise Do you have a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Or want to set yourself a physical challenge and participate in a running, cycling, swimming or triathlon event? Why not ask your whānau and networks to donate to MECFS Canterbury or sponsor your participation and raise some awareness at the same time? Want to host a fundraiser? Talk to us about setting up a fundraising page that links to MECFS Canterbury on sites such as Givealittle. First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for your interest! Send Tshirts for fundraising events: If you are looking for tshirts that raise awareness of ME/CFS while you are doing your fundraising, we suggest you take a look at the range from M.E. Awareness NZ. SEE ALL M.E. AWARENESS NZ T SHIRTS

Contact Form: First Name Last Name Email Phone Topics Tell us what you need help with SEND Thanks for query. We’ll get back to you shortly. Our Contact Details: For any enquiries, please contact us via the form above, or by email, text, or phone. Email: info@mecfscanterbury.nz Text: 020 4027 0176 Phone: 03 365 5887 Postal address: PO Box 10090, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8145 Our Office: Please ring to make a time to visit. The office is not always open as we are a part-time team, and often have appointments outside the office. Our office is located at: 71 Orbell St, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023 There is onsite carparking. Use park #7 or #8, or one of the visitor carparks. Christchurch Venue: Our monthly Christchurch in-person meetings are held at the lovely Mary Potter Community Centre. Address: 442 Durham St North, St Albans, Christchurch 8014 This venue is just north of Bealey Avenue and has 30 onsite carparks. It also has comfortable lounge chairs and padded seats, and a beautiful garden. To get familiar with the centre before you arrive, you may like to watch the centre’s walkthrough video. Rangiora Venue: Our Rangiora in-person meetings are currently held at The Skurr Centre. Address: 156 Ashley Street, Rangiora Showgrounds, Rangiora This venue has onsite carparks. Our Meeting Venues: Timaru Venue: Our Timaru in-person meetings are held at the Timaru Library, Community Room. Address: 56 Sophia St, Timaru. Hokitika Venue: Our Hokitka in-person meetings are held at WestREAP. Address: 72 Tudor Street, Hokitika. Other Venues: We use other venues from time to time. Please check the event listing to confirm venue location. Join us: To receive support and /or information about ME/CFS from us on a regular basis, please sign up as a member (it is free). Please complete our membership form, either: Join online or Print PDF and post

Newsletters Our newsletter has been published for over 40 years! Currently, there are six issues each year in February, April, June, August, October and December. The newsletter contains updates on the activities of the organisation, information about managing and living with ME/CFS, latest research, plus more. We welcome contributions. Members can elect to receive the newsletter by post and / or by email. VIEW PAST ISSUES SEND US A CONTRIBUTION

Support the business activities of our chronically ill community We are delighted to showcase some of the businesses and other activities of our chronically ill community. When someone lives with a chronic illness like ME/CFS, a home-based business might be the best option, as it is likely to enable the flexibility to rest when it is needed and to schedule activity carefully. Our community would welcome your support! Click on the images below to view their website or other social media. If you are a member of MECFS Canterbury and have something you would like to promote (e.g. an exhibition, a book, home based business or hobby) please email us. We would love to hear about it and consider it for promoting here. DISCLAIMER: We have no formal relationship with the business activities listed on this website page. Links to these activities are included for convenience. ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of content on such websites and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury of the linked website or its provider, products and services offered. Readers are advised to take their own appropriate due diligence steps prior to engaging with the businesses and individuals listed. @fmm.stones Hand painted stones Fiona paints stones with beautiful designs and colours, and then seals them. There is also a range of gorgeous ladybugs. Great for small gifts, to put in fairy gardens, Christmas stockings, pot plants, etc. Or to leave in a public park for others to find. Katie Cowan Personal development coaching Katie works with people on the things they are struggling with or hoping for, with a particular focus on those seeking post-traumatic flourishing (including after/amidst chronic illness), people at a crossroads or new chapter, and people wanting to play bigger in their lives. Allyssia's Designs Hospital and travel kits & supplies Allyssia creates hospital, emergency and travel kits just for you or whānau. She has a range of premade kits but you can also select exactly what items you need and select the pouch or toiletry bag you want. Saskia Grace Life coaching Saskia offers a safe space, guidance and practical strategies to help you gain clarity and achieve your goals. For people with ME/CFS, she understands the challenges that brings. She also offers you a discounted rate and payment plans. Resolve Consultancy Chronic illness and work Liz is passionate about helping people with chronic fatigue-related health conditions to find accommodations and approaches that enable them to continue working. She also writes for clients on various health-related topics, and is an informed speaker.