OFFERS of help have been flooding in for ME sufferer Nicola Winnall after her story appeared on the front page of last week's Shuttle/Times and News.

The 19-year-old told of her anguish after four years of coping with the baffling disease which has no known cure and leaves its 150,000 UK sufferers constantly weak and in pain.

"It's been very helpful," said Nicola, of Bliss Gate Road, Callow Hill, near Bewdley. "I've had letters from friends and people with ME who have given me names and places they have been to for help."

Many of the suggestions involve alternative or complementary therapies.

"Symptoms vary so much from person to person that it depends on the individual which one will work," said Nicola. "They are popular because the NHS doesn't seem to have the resources to deal with so many different cases."

Sue Wood, of Parkland Avenue, Kidderminster, said she had been diagnosed with ME five years ago and had become so interested in complementary therapies, she was now a practitioner herself in Indian head massage and reiki.

"It was like putting together a large jigsaw puzzle," said the 42-year-old mother-of-two, who is involved in a Complementary Therapy and Health Fair at Wolverley Memorial Hall on July 12-13.

She said Nicola was brave to speak out and sharing her experiences would help others.

Janet Oliver was diagnosed with ME 20 years ago when it was still largely unrecognised and often dismissed as "yuppie flu".

She said it was only in the last five years that people had started to take it seriously and some historical cases were now being re-examined to see if they had invoved ME sufferers.

"I am not recovered but I am managing it," said Mrs Oliver, who has also become a tutor and will be taking part in a series of workshops to help others manage long-term illness.

The six sessions run by Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust start on May 29, she added. Places can be booked on 01562 826329.

Mrs Jeanette Thomas from Bewdley also offered to help Nicola with free treatment of the Bowen technique, a therapy to balance the nervous system which she said was suitable for ME sufferers.

"It's helpful to have choices," said Nicola. "I will have to see how well I am before I decide what to try."

Julia brings message of hope for Nicola

DREAMS of a life on the stage helped teenager Julia Chell fight off ME after a two-year battle and bring a message of hope to Nicola.

Singing, acting and dancing had been Julia's whole life, according to her mother Cynthia, and she had everything to live for. She had just finished playing a demanding role as the cat in an operatic society production of Dick Whittington when, at the age of 14, she was struck down with flu.

Unable to shake it off, her health deteriorated as post-viral ME took hold.

She spent two weeks in hospital and came out in a wheelchair because she could not move her left leg. Back home in Aggborough Crescent, Kidderminster, her weight dropped to below seven stones.

"Her little body was so frail," Mrs Chell said. "Her eyes were black, her skin was white. She would sleep for 20 hours out of 24 and we would think she was dead."

Mrs Chell said she devoted all her time to helping her daughter. They tried high protein diets, large doses of Vitamin C, acupuncture, physiotherapy and other treatments. She also had the support of her father and two older sisters, who helped her in her battle and this week, she celebrated the first anniversary of being able to walk again without a stick. Julia Chell at home studying for her GCSE exams after beating ME.

She has spent the last 12 months building herself back up and has taken two GCSEs, which she passed. She will soon be taking three more and then plans a year off to fully recover before aiming for drama school.

"It's the most awful experience anyone could go through. I couldn't walk at all. Without the wheelchair, I would have been a prisoner in my own home.," said Julia, who goes to school in Kinver. "Anyone who says it's all in the mind just doesn't know. Before I got ill, I was never depressed. I was so happy and I loved my life.

"My friends have been wonderful. I just had all this support and I was determined to get better. I knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to go to stage school. I wouldn't be able to fulfil my dreams."

Now Julia has resumed her singing lessons and she is planning to audition for future roles in amateur dramatics.

"Hopefully, in the next couple of months, I'll be back on stage," she said. "That's what I want."