Kirsty Saull . . . she knows some people who have had difficulty with benefits. SWINDON MP Michael Wills is calling for a shake-up in the benefit system to get ME suffers the money they are entitled to.

Mr Wills has now taken the fight to Maria Eagle, Government Minister for Disabled People.

The MP for north Swindon is concerned over the way the Depart-ment for Work and Pensions deals with applications for Disabled Living Allowance from people with Fibromyalgia and ME.

He said: "Over the past few months constituents have reported to me their experiences of this benefit.

"They tell that neither the decision makers who first decide the outcome of an application nor members of the appeal panel who review that decision seem to understand the nature of these illnesses and the difficulties that sufferers face.

"They feel that they are being denied benefit they are entitled to, and have found the whole experience of applying for benefit distressing and detrimental to their health."

Mr Wills added: "I am aware that these illnesses can severely restrict sufferers' lives and mobility and their ability to do everyday tasks.

"I am also aware that they are still little understood by doctors and have only received widespread recognition recently."

'Attitudes beginning to change'

ME sufferer, Kirsty Saull, 21, from Highworth, agrees with Mr Wills' campaign.

"I do not personally claim disability benefit, but I have come across people who have experienced difficulty getting it," said the Durham University student.

"I had a mixed reaction when I was school. Because it is not a physical disability people tended to question whether it was genuine.

"Attitudes are beginning to change. ME has not had as much publicity over the years as some other conditions such as dyslexia. People still don't know much about it."

Recent figures show that there are around 150,000 people affected by ME in the UK.

Mr Wills can be contacted at his constituency office in Pinehurst People's Centre by calling 01793 481016.

Exhaustion is a symptom

Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, ME leaves sufferers unable to perform even the simplest of tasks without being left exhausted.

Fibromyalgia is a vague term used to describe certain symptoms including mood swings and muscle pain whose cause cannot be explained.

Kevin Shoesmith