Challenging Disbelief & Disregard in the lives of people with Energy Limiting Conditions

Illustration of a female person of colour saying "please listen to me" to an ignorant doctor

This site shares the work of two research projects that focus on Energy Limiting Conditions (ELC), also called Energy Limiting Chronic Illnesses (ELCI).

ELCs include neurological, musculoskeletal and auto-immune diseases, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and Long Covid, amongst others. They involve energy impairment and debilitating fatigue that affect every part of people’s lives. For more information, on ELCs, see this webpage by Chronic Illness Inclusion.

Many people with ELCs experience problems getting the support they need from health and social care services. Our two research projects look at these problems, and the role that sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and other forms of oppression play in limiting access to health and social care for people with ELCs. We also provide suggestions as to how these problems can be addressed.

Project Partners

Both projects are in partnership with Chronic Illness Inclusion, an organisation of people living with energy limiting chronic illnesses. Project two also involves a partnership with Healing Justice London, a community-led health and justice organisation, and collaboration with The Lantern Initiative, a social enterprise raising awareness of mental health issues in the Muslim community.

The Research Team

Everyone working on the project has their own experiences of chronic illness and/or disability. The project teams are:

  • Principal investigator (both projects): Dr Bethan Evans from the University of Liverpool.

  • Co-investigators (both projects): Dr Ana Bê Pereira (Liverpool Hope University), and Dr Morag Rose (University of Liverpool).

  • Researchers: Dr Alison Allam (both projects), Dr Anna Ruddock (both projects), Catherine Hale (project one), Dr Aaliyah Shaikh (project two), Dr China Mills (project two).

  • Medical student advisor (project one): Hannah Kingston.

  • Artists (project two): Julian Gray, Mish Green, Louise Kenward.

 

Research Partners:

University of Liverpool Logo
Liverpool Hope University logo

In partnership with:

Healing Justice London logo
The Lantern Initiative logo
Chronic Illness Inclusion logo

Funded by:

The British Academy logo
UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council logo