Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) remains a contentious and stigmatised condition despite its recent medical recognition as an official illness. As a chronic condition, both the devastating effect that it has upon the daily occupational functioning of these people and upon their families and the rate of prevalence in the United Kingdom suggest that occupational therapy could make a significant contribution.
This article seeks to describe and discuss the purposes that illness narratives may serve for those with CFS/ME. It is proposed that occupational therapists need to, first, acknowledge the subjective experience of those who are living with CFS/ME through sharing these narratives and, second, facilitate the process by which the voice of people with CFS/ME is heard with regard to the service provision. Only then can they claim to offer a truly client-centred service.
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