How to accomplish a Black Dress* Day photo for severe ME if you have severe ME yourself and are 98% bedridden (may not be possible for all such folks):
- Use a morning’s energy to try on three dresses. Pick one that will camouflage the wasting of your arms somewhat. Your legs there’s nothing that to be done about.
- The next day, have husband bring you your makeup. Apply, shoddily and awkwardly, while lying down, the bare minimum you consider presentable. Pull your hair out of its standard messy bun and run a brush cursorily through it.
- Not having the energy to take a decent selfie, have husband set tripod up.
- Meet in living room.
- Don dress and shoes.
- Stand up for 20 seconds. Hold on to something to prevent falling over. Try to smile.
- Sit down, winded.
- Remove dress and shoes. Replace with usual pajamas.
- Wash makeup off.
- Lie back down with muscles weak, having expended approximately 1.5 days worth of energy.
- Be grateful you could do that much but concerned that doing so will give people the wrong idea of how functional you are.
*I was never so into solids and always into prints, so it’s a print you get from me.
No Poster Girl 
You’re still gorgeous, lying down or standing up!
You’re too kind, Yocheved!
I am wearing black jeans and a black top. You are beautiful.
Thank you, Susie. You are likewise.
Stylish even in the most extreme of circumstances.
Hoping to start a trend with my shirt-and-no-pants thing I’ve been doing of late. Although it could be a problem if it catches on.
No husband…still in my jammies at 3pm…I’m caring for kid who’s more ill than me and she won’t be posing for a black dress shot….but still I think about trying.
My sympathies, Merry. It’s tough to manage this illness under the best of circumstances, and that’s very challenging.
You are beautiful. 🙂
Aw, thank you, IE.
Beautiful pic! I wish I knew about this, I would have posted on facebook. I didn’t hear a peep or see anything on Facebook and I have lots of friends with CFS/Me on there. It’s a great idea. 🙂
Bunny, I think it’s just getting started. This is the first year I was aware of it. It is a good idea – something that family and friends can easily do too.
Hi Bunny – really glad you liked the idea. It was one of those last minute inspiration notions. Check out here for a bit of the story. The idea was not mine, but I wrote the blog post and somehow the whole thing multiplied …. It was hard work collating all the images yesterday, but there are a few more still being added. 😀 http://sallyjustme.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/blackdress.html
I’ve never heard of Black Dress Day for Severe ME. You look stunning in that lovely dress and shoes.
And I love the turquoise chair, light blue rug and rest of the decor. It all has your artistic touch.
Lovely!! You are a very beautiful woman — inside and out! So be proud!
You look so good and I’m so glad you were able to even get up try on the dress(es) AND the shoes I just started following you on twitter. I saw your tag line no poster girl on one of my Twitter. friend page and knew it was you I’ve been following your blog for several months since I got a smart phone I have CFS and have had for 25 + Years Keep the faith and keep. pisting…..PKK
Thanks very much!
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You look lovely. That dress – unlikely warrior’s garb with defiant polka dots. Fantastic. 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks, Noelle!
Hi Jocelyn .. I know exactly were you are..
My muscles actually collapsed them selves from neck to feet..bit in last year I made progress. I can sit most of the day on my wheelchair which is quiet achivment from being bedridden
.
Maybe anyone on board has suggestion what causes my body to go often to panic attacks and what can we do to help this. Thank you dear ppl
Mari
Sorry to hear that, Mari, but glad to hear of the progress. Hope you are having even better days now.
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You are so beautiful Jocelyn, I’m glad to see a more recent picture of you! Its been a long time since I’ve posted, but I keep you in my thoughts a prayers always. I am no longer bedbound, and once i started feeling a little better i was able to get an electric wheelchair and now am well enough to leave the house in it by myself.
Wonderful, Bianca! That’s heartening to hear.
Bloody stunning! You’re doing so well! I have quite severe ME too so reading your blog is very interesting! I’ll leave a link to my blog below
Keep up the fight! I followed your blog on bloglovin’! Do you have it?? If not it would be so good to claim your blog on there and keep in touch with everyone!
Love, Cat xxx
http://www.catsrecoveryjourney.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks much, Cat!