ME/FM International Awareness Day 2022 — Victoria, BC

Florence Nightingale

On May 12th we stand/lie together with the millions of people worldwide who suffer from these debilitating diseases, so that we may bring awareness to ME/CFS and FM. May 12 was chosen as it honours the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910), a British nurse who is considered the founder of modern nursing. She was affectionately called “The Lady with a Lamp” referring to how she carried an oil lamp during hospital night rounds (1,2).

In 1854, Nightingale – along with 38 other female nurses – was sent to the main British military camp on the Black Sea during the Crimean War. Nightingale and the nurses in her charge cared for wounded and sick soldiers by concentrating on clean quarters and linens, healthy food, improved air circulation and waste disposal. In doing so they succeeded in decreasing death rates (3).

While in Crimea, Nightingale developed “Crimean Fever” (a bacterial infection later discovered to be brucellosis). Medical historians and many current physicians believe she developed ME/CFS as a result of this infection (4,5)). She unfortunately never recovered (6) and is said to have remained homebound and mostly bedridden for the rest of her life.

Despite this, Nightingale continued to learn more about disease, to improve medical education, and to publish over 200 books, reports and articles on medical matters (7). Along with Edwin Chadwick, Nightingale developed statistical methods and applied techniques to implement sanitary measures in London (8). With the knowledge gained through statistics—and other disciplines—Nightingale reformed the British military health care system and founded training programs based on sound professional standards (9). Her efforts to formalize nursing education led her to establish the first scientifically based nursing school—the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (opened 1860) (10).

Nightingale’s name is used by some ME/CFS and FM organizations to commemorate her struggles with chronic illness, and to honour her legacy. In 1988, Dr Bryon Hyde named his Canadian ME/CFS foundation – Nightingale Research Foundation (11). Regarding the name chosen for his foundation, Hyde stated: “Disability does not mean the end to a useful life – we called our foundation Nightingale since many sufferers of M.E. and CFS typify the courage and dedication of Florence Nightingale and continue to live their lives under enormous disabilities.” (12)

ME/CFS and FM International Awareness Day 2022 – Activities in Victoria, BC:

  • MEVA Sponsored a City of Victoria ME/CFS and FM Proclamation and Requested the Legislature Grounds Light Up in Blue for ME.
  • Fibromyalgia Association Canada requested Victoria City Hall Light Up in Purple for FM.

BC Legislature Grounds – Blue Light Up for ME/CFS



City of Victoria – Purple Light Up for FM and Proclamation for ME/CFS and FM

Article by R. Tailleur
Photos by R. Tailleur/G. Gray
© R. Tailleur 2022

REFERENCES

  1. http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/resources/biography/?v=7516fd43adaa
  2. http://www.biography.com/people/florence-nightingale-9423539
  3. me-pedia.org
  4. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Crimean+fever
  5. Vallings, Rosamund (2019). “Chronic fatigue syndrome”. J PRIM HEALTH CARE. 11 (4): 295–299.
  6. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Crimean+fever
  7. me-pedia.org
  8. Satcher D. Public Health Service: on the job for 200 years. Public Health Rep 1998;113:201– 3.
  9. Cohen IB. Florence Nightingale. Sci Am 1984;3:128–37.
  10. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Florence-Nightingale
  11. me-pedia.org
  12. https://www.nightingale.ca/about