Kathy won't give in, no matter what | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Living with constant pain and exhaustion, Kathy Folley could be excused for being a bit grumpy and lying around all day.

But that's not how the South African-born accountant and chronic fatigue sufferer lives her life.

She refuses to give in to the illness which has plagued her health for the past 17 years. Instead, she wants to give back to the community and greets every person she meets with a smile.

She helped set up a local support group for others affected by chronic fatigue and even ran for the Rotorua District Council at the last election.

"I lost by less than 100 votes and if I got in I was determined to make a difference in the lives of youth and disabled people."

She admits being a councillor would have been a taxing role and is one she doesn't plan to pursue again.

But it's that drive and passion which is shared by many chronic fatigue sufferers.

Several well-known people throughout history are believed to have been affected by chronic fatigue, including naturalist Charles Darwin and nurse Florence Nightingale.

Like many other sufferers, Mrs Folley's illness was triggered by a traumatic event.

In 1989, when she was still living in South Africa with her husband and two children, her mother died of cancer. It was a major blow for the then 38-year-old.

For several months afterwards, Mrs Folley suffered from the flu, bronchitis then pneumonia. She took medication but it did little to ease her symptoms.

"I was always sick so my doctor took some blood tests. Eventually he told me I had ME."

She realises now how lucky she was. Very few people get diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome straight away.

"My doctor had someone in his family with ME so he recognised what was wrong."

Her husband and children rallied in support, helping her with household tasks she could no longer manage.

She cut back her work hours but remained a town councillor, although few people outside the family knew of her illness.

Moving to New Zealand, her family settled in Rotorua and haven't looked back.

Mrs Folley continues working from home, but takes medication to help her deal with constant aching in her muscles and joints. She also gets regular vitamin injections to boost her energy levels and brain function.

"I do have trouble concentrating and sometimes have trouble finding words for things. Symptoms vary from day to day."

Today is International ME Awareness Day, coinciding with Florence Nightingale's birthday. Mrs Folley wants more people to recognise chronic fatigue syndrome is a physical illness.

"We're not lazy ... it is a legitimate medical condition."