Kate

Professional journalist coping with the devastating biological neurological disorder, CFS/ME, as well as fibromyalgia.

Fair Comment and Criticism

"Everyone has a right to comment on matters of public interest and concern, provided they do so fairly and with an honest purpose. Such comments or criticism are not libelous, however severe in their terms, unless they are written maliciously."
(Hoeppner vs. Dunkirk Pr. Co., 254 N.Y. 95)

I make every effort to make sure I am factual, but I do have brainfog. If you believe I have misstated a fact, I welcome it being courteously brought to my attention with a link to the originating source. I say thankya.

My educational background:

B.S. in Agricultural Business - Fresno State University

A.A in Photography - Fresno City College

Flex degree - Rochester Institute of Technology: graphic design, photography, printing.

M.F. A. all but thesis, Photojournalism - University of Missouri, Columbia.

I have worked as a journalist and graphic designer for nearly two decades now. I realize that the public has very little idea what ethical journalists do, but I'm "old school" and my current focus is verifiable factual documentation, research and research analysis, and information synthesis; at least when my brain works properly and I have the energy. This is my training. This is what I know how to do best.

My primary medical diagnosis is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) comorbid with Fibromyalgia. I have also been medically diagnosed with CFS specific encephalopathy, hypothyroidism, IBS, absence seizures, and mitral valve prolapse in conjunction with these illnesses.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia just prior to beginning the journalism master's program at Mizzou in 1996. I most likely also had CFS/ME at the time, however, the doctor that diagnosed me knew more about fibromyalgia and since my main complaint at the time was pain, that was my first medical diagnosis.

I have three children and both my daughters have fibromyalgia and CFS/ME also.

My youngest daughter has been medically diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic migraine and seizures. Unfortunately, ninety-nine percent of the studies of CFS/ME and fibromyalgia in children and adolescents are predicated on neurasthenia, a quaint psychiatric diagnosis from the 1880s.

The biological research that is available indicates that symptom presentation is different from adults and a lack of biological education on the part of many pediatricians often results in misdiagnosis and medically inappropriate treatment.

My oldest daughter recently received a medical diagnosis of CFS/ME from Dr. Joseph Brewer, an internist in Kansas City, MO. He confirmed my long-time suspicions.

I received my "official" diagnosis of CFS from Dr. Charles Lapp out of Charlotte, N.C. Dr. Lapp has a clear understanding of the level of pain control that most fibromyalgia patients need.

Dr. Myra Preston of SiberImaging in Charlotte did the qEEG computer imaging testing, objectively showing that my cognitive malfunctions are anything but "mild."

The testing also objectively backed up the testing results of the few appropriate tests the neuropsychologist I originally saw for testing, managed to include in an otherwise pointless battery.

This is the same neuropsychologist who pooh poohed my organic results waving them aside as if they were no-see-ums. Well, doc, the computer saw'um. I think I just scrambled a metaphor. Watch where you step!