Barbara's Crusade 
One woman's personal setback set a ball rolling which thanks to her uncrushable spirit resulted in the establishment of Clwyd ME Support Group.
In 1988, Barbara Turnbull contracted Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), and was quite ill for 4 to 5 years, unable to do anything, suffering from an illness which at that time many doctors dismissed as 'all in the mind'. She found that there was very little support available. ME seems to happen to busy people, and it is very hard to come to terms with because the more you try and do, the worse it gets.
After joining the ME Association in 1992 Barbara responded to the call to form a support group in this area. She also arranged through the WEA to be trained as a counsellor and for others to train so that they could support the many bewildered, ill people who get in touch. In August 1992 when Barbara was almost 60, the first meeting was held at Deeside Cottages Community Centre, which 15 people came to. Christmas 1992 saw the first newsletter published. She has been Chairman of Deeside Branch of the Workers Educational Association (WEA) since 1966, so she was no stranger to organising groups, meetings, conferences and lectures etc.
The group grew in strength and the newsletters are now sent out to over 250 people. After many meetings, through putting presure on the Health Authorities, and despite the opposition of some medical consultants, in April 1999 the first CFS/ME Clinics were opened in Connah's Quay and Caernarvon to provide services for Adult CFS/ME sufferers. She is now working towards gaining an outreach nurse for home visits to the severly affected.
In 2000 the MEA decided to dissolve all its Groups. Clwyd ME went independent and accepted Flintshire Local Voluntary Council's help to become a Charity in its own right. The group has recently celebrated it's 13th anniversary and has expanded in the last year to include a Youth section for young sufferers and their parents.