ME sufferer's e-learning benefits

Her illness has meant Michelle has been housebound for eight years

A sufferer of ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, who is barely able to make herself a cup of tea, is taking GCSE exams this month at the age of 22.

Michelle Penny says an internet-based course has helped her learning.

Ms Penny, from Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan already has two of the qualifications, despite only being able to study for 45 minutes at one stretch.

Describing her progress as "more tortoise than hare", Michelle hopes one day to recover and become a teacher.

"I can do my lessons in my pyjamas if I need to," she said of her e-learning.

Ms Penny, who is in a wheelchair and reliant on her mother Sylvia for her practical care, has had ME, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, for 13 years.

"I have remained cheerful even though this illness, has in effect, stolen my life Michelle Penny

She spoke about her condition as part of ME Awareness Week, which runs until 13 May.

She has been virtually housebound since 1999 because she is noise and light sensitive and left school at the age of 16 without any qualifications.

Ms Penny began e-learning at home in 2003 via the Nisai Virtual Academy and has already gained B grades in GCSE Maths and English language.

Now she is due to sit - at home - two papers for a GCSE in business and communications systems.

The exams will be invigilated by her tutor online.

The courses have been funded by the Welsh education body, formerly known as Elwa but now part of the assembly government's department of education, lifelong learning and skills.

Ms Penny said: "ME has affected my life in so many ways because I was so young when I developed the condition.

"I was a very active young person before ME struck me and after a while I had to give all my social activities up like guides, swimming, horse riding and singing in my church choir. I have lost touch with all my friends locally.

"One of the biggest obstacles that besets me, and I suspect other people with ME, is lack of understanding both about the true nature of the illness and about the way in which it affects one.

WHAT IS ME ME first came to prominence in the 1980s when it was labelled "yuppie flu" Symptoms include fatigue, sore throats, headaches, muscle pain, dizziness and insomnia There is no known cure, the cause is unknown and progress is variable

"It was a struggle for me to be able to get funding for e-learning. I have benefited enormously from learning in this way because I can do my lessons in my pyjamas if I need to and nobody else knows because they can't see me.

"My lessons last for about three-quarters of an hour and this is normally more than I can cope with.

"I am set homework every week but because of the way it is set out I can answer just one question, save it and then return to it another day when I am able. This is an ideal way for me to learn.

'Determined'

"I don't feel isolated because I can talk to other members of my class via instant messaging.

"I hope to be able to study science in the next school year.

"I sometimes think that progress for me both educationally and healthwise is more tortoise than hare.

"I have remained cheerful even though this illness has in effect stolen my life, and I firmly believe that I will get better one day.

"I am determined I will achieve my goal of becoming a primary school teacher."

Ms Penny is hosting a soft drinks morning on 9 May for young people with ME, to try to raise awareness of the condition.