ME sufferer from Waterlooville says society doesn't care for people with illnesses

And Sarah Payne has hit out at the authorities and said that disabled people like her do not get the support they deserve.

The 43-year-old, of Laburnum Road, Waterlooville, developed ME last year.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis causes a range of neurological symptoms, including muscle pain with intense physical or mental exhaustion.

Sarah said her ‘legs gave way’ in June last year and she was getting strange pains.

She was then bedridden for four weeks.

The mum-of-two said: ‘I kept going to the doctors and they were saying there was nothing wrong. I thought there had to be something wrong. You don’t just fall on the floor for no reason.’

Doctors finally diagnosed Sarah’s condition and the mum said it had been a struggle ever since.

Her partner Daren Baker supports her, but has to work 60 hours or more a week just to support the family.

Sarah receives £55 a week in Personal Independence Payment from the government, but most of this goes to her friend, Karen Sinclair, who helps care for her.

Sarah said she is currently going through assessments to get more financial support, but said it had been an uphill battle to get more help, including having her house made disabled-friendly or getting mobility aids like a scooter.

‘If it wasn’t for Karen and my partner I would not be here,’ she said.

‘I haven’t got much of a life.

‘I wonder how people live like this if they haven’t got anyone round to help them?

‘You would not be able to cope with it. I’m lucky I have my partner and a good friend.

‘Society does not seem to care about things like this and life-limiting conditions.’

Havant MP Alan Mak said: ‘People with disabilities deserve the best support the authorities can give, and their voices deserve to be heard.

‘Central government has increased spending on welfare support for disabled people, and is also encouraging employers to hire more disabled people.’