Elisabeth Klaar
Founder/Director
Elisabeth has lived with M.E. (sometimes known as MECFS or by the outdated term Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and hypothyroidism since the age of 15. She also has severe Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. In the 30 odd years since she first got ill she has worked as a volunteer and paid employee in a number of settings. This includes time as a family support worker, Citizens’ Advice Bureau volunteer, website designer, marketing / fundraising professional in the charity, hospitality, higher education and small business sectors. She runs Oak Tree Studio, doing marketing and website design for small clients.
Like many people with chronic health conditions she has been on disability benefits for long periods between being able to work. She has re-invented her ‘career’ multiple times. She’s often been supported in work via the Access to Work scheme which pays for adapted equipment and services for disabled workers. A genuine and heartfelt thank you to British tax payers and to disabled campaigners who made this happen!
Why this directory?
She is founding this online directory because she’s cross – at the way people with M.E. and related conditions get treated, how attempts to ‘support’ them often compound their problems and because this just seems to go on and on without being effectively challenged.
She hopes this project will make some waves and achieve two main aims:
- give people with chronic illnesses a safe place to turn to for emotional support
- shine a light on excellent therapists who really understand and give them the credit they are due.
You can read more about the background to the project and site build on her small business website.
News and updates
Check out the news page for latest developments – and please sign up to our email newsletter to get updates and information about ways to get involved.
Thank you to photographer Richard Lewis for permission to use the banner image at the top of this page.
