Sheila lives in Liverpool, and has two grown up children and is a carer for her elderly parents.

She had a 36-year full time career spanning high-pressure roles in Education, International Companies, and as a Business Owner.  Her pre-ME/CFS journey was also defined by an active lifestyle in competitive sport, lifelong learning, and over 30-years volunteering in her community, during evenings and weekends, simultaneously alongside her career.

Seven  years ago, Sheila’s transition to life as an ME/CFS patient prompted a profound lifestyle change with devastating consequences; when she had to give up all these things from her previous life, because overwhelming fatigue and reduced memory and cognition took over; making life incredibly difficult.

In the last four years, Sheila has now embraced adaptation, and transformed her outlook from disability to empowerment. Her participation in the NHS ME/CFS Programme, has assisted in her proactive health management, to minimise her ME/CFS crashes.

Sheila’s commitment to positive change in the ME/CFS community led to establishing an independent Patient Support Group with fellow patient, Les Parry.  Unaffiliated  with the NHS, they provide a voluntary, safe, and empathetic space both online, and in person, for fellow patients to share their struggles with their peers.

Sheila is also involved in the DecodeME Research Project as an ME/CFS patient; and is now a Trustee and Patient Representative of BACME.  She is keen to raise awareness of this, often misunderstood, condition and to encourage further funding and research for patients.

As well as an Educator and Business Manager, Sheila is a qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Life Coach, however, she is now unable to practice, as she is currently often bedbound and housebound due to ME/CFS.