Today is CFS/ME Awareness Day! Woo Hoo!
I agreed to help raise awareness by writing a post for my blog today about the impact of Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS/CFS) on my life, thanks to Rachael of Blogging for ME/CFS Awareness.
I am really excited to share that I was recently asked to do an interview with…
Life Skills Magazine, which we just completed last night. Due to several obstacles like my ending up at the VA for a tooth extraction that didn’t go well and some blog problems for the magazine, a shorter version of the interview was done for the founder of the magazine’s blog, Discovering Purpose.
Ayo Olaniyan, who is the Founder and author of Discovering Purpose asked me to do the interview and write an article for his magazine a while ago. When I asked Ayo if it would be possible to time the interview with May 12th as a tool to further awareness, he generously and excitedly agreed.
I am providing an excerpt of the interview here (with Ayo’s permission) and a link to the complete interview. When you visit Ayo’s blog, please thank him for being so kind and willing to help us bring awareness to ‘living with CFS/ME.”
Also, Ayo has graciously asked that when you leave your comments on his blog, that you also leave a link to your CFS/ME blog as well. That way, his readers can read your story as well! Thank you, Ayo! 
Here is the excerpt of the interview with a link to Discovering Purpose.
A few months ago, I stumbled on Dominique’s Blog (4 Walls And A View) and was drawn to her warmth, passion, courage and determination to live life each day with a clear purpose of inspiring people living with CFIDS & FMS.
Today is ME/CFS Awareness Day and it’s been a great privilege interviewing her.
Please Note: This is an edited version of the interview. The next edition of The Life Skills Magazine would contain the full transcript.
The Interview
Kindly tell us who you are
I am Dominique Small.
What are the things you love doing?
I’m someone who is creative, loves reading, writing, watching movies, seeing ballet performances, playing scrabble, dabbling into photography and cuddle with my pug, Dekker.
Have you got any favorite movies, songs or programs?
My all time favorite movie is “The Net” with Sandra Bullock. I love the way the movie is as pertinent today as it was when it came out. Phantom of the Opera is another movie that I thoroughly enjoy watching over and over.
Worship music is my absolute favorite while R&B is a close second. I also love jazz and instrumental music.
Any favorite food/meal?
I love French food, ‘real’ Indian food (the hotter, the better!) J and a wild caught Alaskan Cod or Halibut!
My all time favorite restaurant is PF Chang. When I want to eat out somewhere nice, that is where I go!
Tell us a bit more about your experience in the Air Force?
I entered in 1981 under ‘delayed enlistment’ and went into basic training in Texas in 1982. My first assignment was in England at Bent waters AFB, I loved my tour there and the British people were amazing. England also holds a special place in my heart because my daughter was born at Lakenheath AFB in 1983.
My next assignment was Randolph AFB, in San Antonio, Texas. I was stationed with the 12 Student Squadron where we trained pilots to fly and my last assignment was at Hanscom AFB, in Bedford, Massachusetts. I actually worked two different jobs while stationed here. I worked as a para-legal in the Legal department and as an Administrative Assistance for the Fire Chief at the Fire Department.
Most of my family lived in New England, so I was able to see them while stationed here.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/CFIDS), Fibromyalgia (FMS) in simple terms?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the body’s inability to recover from exertion, usually referred to as ‘post exertion malaise.” The fatigue, which is a common symptom of the illness is a pervasive, penetrating type of exhaustion. [Go here for full interview]
A huge thank you to Ayo for doing such an awesome job with the interview. He was so much fun to work with despite the time difference with him being in England and me here in the United States.
As a side note, I am not in the hospital so please don’t worry about me. That was a mis-communication on my part.
One more side note: I need to send out a HUGE apology to Nancy at Chronic Connection. Wow! I totally forgot that I was working with her through Bloggers Unite for May 12th. Amazing job, Nancy!
Also, the full interview will be in the Ayo’s magazine, Life Skills Magazine and I will share that with you when it comes out!
Happy CFS/ME Awareness Day!
Determined to continue forward,
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great story, i thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
Lorilyn – Thank you!
What a great article!
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..Fibromyalgia & CFS Awareness Day ~ May 12, 2010 =-.
Nancy – Thank you!
Great interview!
.-= Elizabeth Kaylene´s last blog ..Random rambling, and a book review! =-.
Hey Elizabeth! Thanks! Hope all is going well with you!
Thank you for your efforts to increase knowledge and awareness
about CFS and FM.
I was thinking of you today, Patricia. I didn’t know if you would check in since I hadn’t said anything about a written post. I’m glad you came by. How is Sammy doing? I prayed for you guys this afternoon.
You are most welcome. Hope you are hanging in there.
Awww…thanks Dominique! No need to apologize! This in an important day for all of us, and we are doing what we can to honor it. You’ve done a great job!
(((gentle hugs)))
Nancy
Nancy – I was just embarrassed when I realized I totally forgot! Duh! Thanks for forgiving me! he he You did an awesome job as well!
Wow, Dominique, what an amazing interview. I’ve always been inspired by you and your writing, but this interview emphasizes your strength and determination – he came up with the perfect title!
And, hey, I love Scrabble, too! And I’ll have to check out The Net – I love Sandra Bullock!
Sue
Sue – Wonder if we could play scrabble via the internet? Hmmmm…. ha ha. Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I thought Ayo did a great job. I can’t wait to see the full length interview in the Life Skills Magazine in June. Anyway, it will definitely be one of those positive moments I will always cherish. Hopefully I will remember it too! ha ha
Thanks for sharing the interview, Dominique. You’ve done a lot to increase awareness of ME/CFS. Thanks so much! And it was great to learn more about you. I love Scrabble too.
Toni – Hmmmm…maybe we could play a three way scrabble game – you, me and Sue – via the internet. That would be fun! Thank you. I really enjoyed doing it even though it was a lot of work as he asked about 20 or so questions.
Great interview….thanks for sharing and for being an advocate! btw, I’m a scrabble fan too.
.-= upnorth´s last blog ..M.E./CFS Awareness Day =-.
upnorth – Wouldn’t that be great to have an internet game? Of course, how we would find a day where we all felt good, would be a challenge! Thank you!
Whenever I get concerned I won’t have a ride when the time comes
I reread the prayer you said for me and Sam and it helps my
faith that all will work out for the best. Sam is losing weight
and not eating much but still has a sparkle in his eyes and interest
in life. He is my sweetie pie. I always think about how great
it is that I’ve had him from 8 weeks old to over 15 years old.
It has been emotionally difficult but I’m taking good care of him
and taking each day as it comes. Thanks for your prayers and for
even remembering when you hear from so many other people – lots
to remember. We are having a few of our absoultely beautiful
spring days here in the Pacific NW – warm and sunny but not hot.
Everything is in bloom and looks so beautiful. Today I entered my electric
company’s online contest to win a heat pump. Who knows – it would
cut my electric bill and make the house more comfortable during
hot summer days. Even the installation is free for the winner.
Patricia – I have been wondering how Sam is doing. That would be wonderful if you won! I’m glad that Sam is hanging in there. What a little fighter you have there! I’m glad to that you are doing well and taking it one day at a time. I think that is all any of us can do. Hugs!
This is awesome, Dominique! Thank you for doing this.
.-= Laurel´s last blog ..May 12th: ME/CFS Awareness Day =-.
Laurel –
You were in the Air Force, wow! Thanks for using some of your precious functional time to do an interview to help raise awareness, I’m always fascinated to hear people’s stories. Will duck off to read the rest of the interview over at Ayo’s.
Greenwordsgrowing – Glad you dropped by!
I was suffer with CFIDS disease 17 years, and was time when I was completely paralysed, I tested many treatments, but now I feel good, I use real treatment on web http://www.cfids.info
Johnz – thanks for the info!