A RECENT survey by the TUC discovered that one fifth of public workers who turned in for work during the past month – of one of the coldest winters for 30 years – did so despite being ill.

Another recent report of the findings of an earlier survey, using a wider cross section of UK workers, showed that 95 per cent admitted to struggling into work when ill.

The reasons include: people actually like to work; they need the money to pay the bills; fear losing their jobs, especially during a recession; or to avoid the disapproval of bosses and support fellow workers.

It seems that people are not as work shy, and nor do they throw as many “sickies”, as is often suggested.

Why is it, then, always the very first assumption that people with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) are lazy and don’t want to work, when it is contrary to the national trend and when they had had a previously good attendance record at work or school before ME?

These studies should help dispel this myth once and for all.

Doctors and researchers should focus on the organic cause of this dreadfully disabling neurological illness, which keeps so many people who are willing but not able, hidden from view and being an active part of society as they long to be again.

Dr John H Greensmith, MEFreeForAll.org, Bristol.