“I came because by being physically present at Occupy Wall Street, I could increase, however marginally, the likelihood that more people would look in my direction.” – Jason Fitzgerald
If you paid any attention to the news in the last quarter of 2011, you know about the Occupy movement. Occupy Wall Street. Occupy Oakland. Occupy Philly. The verb “occupy” has been plastered on everything from headlines to posters to funny t-shirts. The movement continues to evolve, but Occupy has your attention and you know what it is. Occupy is a brand.
I am part of the 99% but I do not agree with all of the aims and tactics of the Occupy Wall Street movement. I am not an anarchist. I do not believe that horizontal decision-making is an effective structure for society. I do not think that capitalism must be eliminated in order to achieve economic justice. So why am I appropriating Occupy for this blog when I am not part of the movement itself? And why am I applying the word “occupy” to CFS?
The word “occupy” has many meanings, and in its weakest sense it means “to be situated in.” I have occupied CFS for more than 17 years, residing within the confinements of space, time, and function imposed upon me by the illness since October 6, 1994. I am situated within a world created and perpetuated by CFS, and so I occupy this space in the weakest definition of that word.
Occupy also means, “To employ, busy, engage (a person or the mind, attention, etc.)” Obviously, CFS engages my attention because I have to live with it every minute of every day. But I want CFS to engage your mind, too. I am starting this blog, and speaking out with my real name, because I am weary of the shadows. CFS is called an “invisible” illness, and out of sight is out of mind. Some patients are reluctant, for a multitude of reasons, to admit to having CFS or to sign their names to what they say online. No more. Not me. I will speak honestly about my CFS experience – the politics, the medicine, the research, the suffering, and the lessons. I am doing this to engage your attention, to occupy your mind.
The primary definition of the word occupy in the Oxford English Dictionary is: “To take possession of, take for one’s own use, seize,” and that is my mission. CFS took possession of my body on October 6, 1994. But now, I am taking CFS for my own use. I am seizing this illness by the throat and shaking secrets out of its pockets like pennies falling on a sidewalk. I will share those secrets with you here, and I invite you to Occupy CFS with me by sharing your perspective and experience.
Some will wonder why I would spend energy to write a blog, especially when my energy is so limited. To paraphrase the opening quote from Jason Fitzgerald, I am here in the hope that I can increase, however marginally, the likelihood that more people will look in the direction of CFS.
So glad to have you back in the blogosphere. You are one of the most articulate people I know, and I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Brava, Jennie! Glad you’re back blogging and sharing your keen insights and commanding commentary with us all!
I wish you much success! CFS took up residence in my body in April, 1998. I applaud your effort!
You can list all the definitions of “occupy” you would like, but as you state in the beginning it is a brand now.
And not a very well liked brand rated in December as 30% favorable and 39% (Quinnipiac Poll 11/11) unfavorable. Even amongst 18 to 29 year olds (Millenials) only 21% support the movement while 33% do not support the movement. (Harvard Kennedy School 12/11).
I was thrilled that there was a blog starting but the name is a no go for me. I’m occupied out!
Hi Jennie,
I’m so glad you’re starting this blog. We need visibility and your plan to interweave your personal story with insights and information about CFS is a great idea. And, I love the name. CFS has occupied me since 2001. It’s time for all of us with this diagnosis to occupy it! Like Kim said, Brava!
Welcome back, Jennie! You are one of the most well- informed people on the subject of CFS, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your insight. Many thanks for all you have done and continue to do for those of us with CFS.
I am so happy that you are doing this, Jennie! And also like the name and the notion of turning this around and occupying CFS as it has occupied us. I disagree with your analysis of Occupy Wall Street, but we don’t need to get into that here! Congratulations Jennie on starting this – you are a wise, brave, articulate (and generally fabulous) woman and I look forward to participating as you move forward!
“To take possession of, take for one’s own use, seize,” and that is my mission. CFS took possession of my body on October 6, 1994. But now, I am taking CFS for my own use. I am seizing this illness by the throat and shaking secrets out of its pockets like pennies falling on a sidewalk. I will share those secrets with you here, and I invite you to Occupy CFS with me by sharing your perspective and experience.”
Shake it by the throat Jennie! Nobody does that better :). I look forward to your always articulate and passionate voice for CFS.
@Amy Divine
Fair enough, Amy. I doubt I’m educated enough to speak with authority on the ins and outs (ups and downs?) of OWS. I did a little research before selecting the name for this blog, and I plan another post comparing the CFS movement to the OWS movement. Maybe we can talk before then!
Thank you, everyone, for your kind and encouraging words. I have some interesting things planned for the blog, and I hope you will stay tuned.
Great metaphors, Jennie, and I’m really glad you are blogging. It will be great to hear from you and about you on a regular basis, and I look forward to whatever you have planned.
So happy you’re “out there” again! You have such a powerful voice and we are all better for it. Thank you for sharing yourself with us and for continuing to serve in such creative and influential ways!