New Zealand: 2022 Petition for the NZ government to recognise ME/CFS as a disability - deadline 29 August 2022 (people living outside NZ can sign)

@SNT Gatchaman, or anyone
Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society Incorporated
Is that ANZMES or another organisation??

 

Yes, it is very easy. And the petition is very straightforward in its request.

Up to 2758.

This is all of the text that is part of the petition.

Does anyone have a link to a list of health conditions that are classified as a disability in New Zealand, and specifically what benefits reclassification might bring?

I agree that that segment of the message was a problem in what was otherwise a good video clip. I think ANZMES and other patient organisations have a role to play in preventing statements like that. Sick people desperate to be well and with no medical background should not have to do the heavy lifting when it comes to trying to work out whether acupuncture or yoga or massage are going to be useful treatments.

ANZMES currently provides a link to Dr Ros Vallings' guide on management of CFS

https://anzmes.org.nz/what-is-me/frequently-asked-questions/
Dr Vallings' advice includes acupuncture, and massage and yoga:

I got bored copying lines, but that advice is chock full of patronising statements that are unsupported or disproved by evidence.

If ANZMES' medical advisor is saying this rubbish, how can we expect people with ME/CFS to know better? ANZMES seriously needs to get its house in order. There's other bad stuff on the website, for example, to support a statement that ME/CFS is not psychosomatic, they give a link to a video on the metabolic trap theory. ANZMES is multiplying the misinformation out there rather than correcting it.

 

Signed

 

It's a bit better, but it still doesn't link to a government page that lists specific health conditions that automatically get better treatment. I think the petition is worth signing, but someone must have that information in order to feel that a petition is worthwhile. I think ANZMES, as the petition organiser, should be specific about where they want ME/CFS to be listed.

From that ANZMES page that Ravn linked:

No, they are currently disseminating information that is not evidence-based. With them endorsing the use of acupuncture and advice that essentially amounts to GET, they are not acting as my voice.

 

Are they suggesting ME should be specifically included on this disability certificate https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/forms/disability-certificate.pdf

 

Done.

 

I'd be surprised, as it lists all sorts of disabilities including "stress". Also, ANZMES said that the reclassification would enable people with ME/CFS to access help with housing costs and home help. The Disability Allowance doesn't cover that, it's mostly related to the costs of going to the doctor and prescriptions. Maybe there is another list that suggests that certain disabilities should be regarded as permanent. I've tried googling a bit, but didn't find anything.

If ANZMES was very specific about what they wanted, it would increase the chances of things changing in the right direction.