New article
In this new long-form piece, journalist Jasmine Laws speaks to people about their experience of these illnesses, while sharing her own.
Jasmine Laws is a journalist, specialising in health and health policy, who has written for a number of publications in the UK and the USA.
Overlapping Illness Alliance
The Overlapping Illness Alliance (OIA) is a coalition of charities working to improve recognition, care and support for people of all ages living with complex, overlapping conditions.
We are an alliance of charities representing people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Long Covid, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
These illnesses often present similar, debilitating symptoms including fatigue, pain, dizziness, brain fog, gut issues and post-exertional malaise. Despite their frequent co-occurrence and shared biological mechanisms, they are still too often treated in isolation, leading to fragmented care and delayed diagnoses.
These conditions are often overlooked and misunderstood. They are frequently underdiagnosed and poorly treated, leaving people feeling stigmatised or invisible in the healthcare system.
Together, we can transform neglect into recognition. We can turn isolation into inclusion.
Let’s build a fairer future where these conditions are recognised, respected, and properly treated.
Working with us
We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to express an interest in joining us.
We would also like to apologise for the delay in getting back to those who have been in touch. Due to circumstances beyond our control, combined with extremely limited resources, we have been unable to progress at the speed we would have liked.
However, our passion, commitment and determination to work together remain as strong as ever.
We will be back in touch with everyone at the beginning of next year with further updates and information about the Alliance and how you can get involved.
In the meantime, the OIA will continue to work together on issues that need addressing, including inaccurate press coverage like that seen in the Telegraph.
Please see our letter, which is open to others to add their name and sign in support.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding and continued interest in the work of the Overlapping Illness Alliance. Together, we hope to create a stronger, more united voice for those living with chronic health conditions.