I want to tell you about my youngest daughter Fallon, and her battle with CFS.................Fallon is only 10 years old.

In 2001, Fallon fell 7ft from school playground equiptment. She suffered temporary loss of feeling on her left side of her body, and a severe bruising of her spine and a concussion. She has never been the same.

Fallon suffered with agonizing headaches everyday..........we tried every Doctor we could to explain why Fallon was getting worse instead of better.

Within 1 year of the accident, Fallon began to experience aches and pains, we could never pin point any cause for them, such as a fall. Fallon would wake up, and be more exhausted than when she had gone to bed. Doctors were of no help.......they either said they had no clue, or they would tell her to "try harder" and dismiss our complaints.

We were past the point of frustration, we spent so much time going to Doctors, and Specialists, having every test known to man run.........and yet Fallon was getting worse everyday. Poor Fallon was put on harsh drugs to help her sleep........and they only made her more exhausted and the headaches increased.

Finally in September of 2004, we were referred to Dr. Brian Feldman, at Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre in Toronto. After an extensive history, and examination we were told there WAS something wrong.........Fallon had Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I wish I could say that finally having a diagnosis was a relief...........but all I could feel when I looked at Fallon..............was fear and overwhelming sadness. After the 2 hour drive home to my 4 other children, I waited till the house was quiet and I cried.......

There is no cure for CFS...............there is such a vast disagreement over treatments that it is so confusing.

Fallon's condition is getting worse...much worse., the fatigue is aggressive, the pains more often than not, and she is losing weight due to a lack in eating........she is missing more school, she is depressed. There is still a misconception that CFS is "all in their heads". That angers me.!!!

Fallon comes to me as her Mom, and is so tired that she is nearly grief stricken in her attempt to make me understand, she lays my hand on her wrist or leg as if I could feel what she is feeling......and looks to me to "do something."   That IS what us Mom's do isn't it? We fix the bumps, and bruises, we mend the broken toys, and are a sounding board for our children's day to day triumphs and disappointments.

For anyone who is reading this.........how would YOU feel if your child, wanted you to, NEEDED you to help them..............and there is nothing you can do, there is no magic cure, and no time frame to give your child hope that on this certain day you will be all better.

We are willing to do ANYTHING for our children....................but what if there is NOTHING you can do?

Fallon could be anyone's child....she loves Berenstain Bears, Hillary Duff, and N64............she loves Arts and Crafts, and Ice Cream Sundaes.......

On a good day her blue eyes still sparkle, and she gives you a heart melting smile............and then she tells you how tired she is.