Kudos to Ronald B. Gilbert, D.D.S., president of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society of Illinois (“Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is no joke,” Voice, Feb. 27). I have been ill for eight years with Chronic Epstein-Barr virus and have symptoms similar to those who are affected with CFS. More awareness is needed by others to understand that CFS is not just “being tired.”
I am a student at Northwestern University and recently interviewed at a top law school in Chicago. My interviewer actually asked me if there were any psychosomatic aspects to my illness. I was appalled. What is even worse is that this individual was a dean of the school and admitted to having no knowledge about CFS or EBV.
Thank you, Dr. Gilbert, for working to educate others about this illness. Let us hope that experiences like mine will be reduced as people’s understanding of CFS and EBV improves.
