Press
Room
For Immediate Release
Musicbizadvice.com Founder
Goes Public
with CFIDS Battle
October
28, 2003 Los Angeles,CA--Musicbizadvice.com founder/Editor-in-Chief Randi Reed is
going public about her 6-year battle with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
(CFIDS).
"I've been thinking about it for a while," says Reed. "When the Seabiscuit
movie came out, I was really inspired by (Seabiscuit author) Laura Hillenbrand's
openness about having CFIDS. It's not an easy thing, and I really admire her honesty. The
only way to bring awareness to something is to talk about it. I'd feel like a fraud if,
having watched her interviews, I just sat back and said nothing."
CFIDS (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, ME, and in
Japan, LINKS) is characterized by incapacitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, joint or
muscular pain, visual disturbances (blurred vision, slow focus), sore throat, headache,
and unrefreshing sleep. Symptoms vary from person to person and range in severity. Many
people with CFIDS, including Reed, also experience additional symptoms such as difficulty
with reading comprehension, problems with short-term memory, low grade fever, night sweats
or chills, dizziness, balance problems, weight fluctuation, and sensitivity to sound,
chemicals,and certain foods. Still others experience fainting, irregular heartbeat, and
even seizures.
Given the symptoms, how does Reed edit and manage musicbizadvice.com? "My symptoms
come and go at different times, and in different combinations. So I kind of structure my
life according to what I'm dealing with on that particular day. Flexibility is very
important. Also, the people close to me know what works for me and what I need help
with--and they're very good about asking when they're not sure. But we never use the word
can't."
Reed also says, "Having a sick sense of humor doesn't hurt, no pun intended. For a
while my screenname was FoldedAndSpindled because that's how I felt. But now it would be
something much more positive."
Asked what a fitting imaginary screenname might be now, Reed answers without skipping a
beat. "PassionForLife."
To learn more about CFIDS, go to www.cfids.org.
###
Media Contact: Randi Reed
T:(818) 487-9645
F: (413) 825-8464
E: muzbizadvc@aol.com
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