Work and Leisure and the Effects of Illness

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5.1 Range of occupations before illness and the changes on becoming ill

A more detailed analysis of occupations will be given in a later report. In this preliminary breakdown some of the most frequently mentioned categories, which indicate the types of social contacts experienced by participants prior to their illness are noted. A selection of other types of employment are mentioned to give an idea of the wide range of occupations represented in the survey population..

Occupation	No.
in full time education: primary	13
in full time education: secondary	36
in full time education: tertiary	11
employed in educational establishment: teacher, assistant, technician	24
employed in health service: nurse, GP, researcher	19
clerical work	14
managing the home	11
other including: council roadman, barmaid, carpet & upholstery cleaning	5
social work/home help/care assistant	4
driving	3

One of the criteria for participating in the project is being unable to leave the house unaided, so paid employment and study - even part-time - are not now possible for any of them. Typically the response to the question about the effect the illness had had on work, showing regret, and in some cases bitterness at having to abandon their working lives, were:

• from students - had to abandon course
• from others- early retirement

Examples of expansions of these statements are:

• gave up own home
• unable to complete A levels
• attempted school for 6 months then home tuition
• pre 1976 a good life; 1987 bedbound

5.2 Leisure activities abandoned

The impression given by the variety of activities in which participants had been engaged in their leisure time was one of a lively, interested and physically active group of people who were grieving for the interests which their illness had forced them to abandon. “Had to give up everything “ or “had to give up all activities” were the most frequent comments, one person adding, “even thinking is painful”. The list of former interests actively followed was rich and varied.

86% took part in a variety of sport and other physical activities:

• badminton
• combat sport
• cycling
• dancing
• hill climbing
• swimming
• walking

19% made music:

• singing
• playing the oboe
• flute
• guitar
• piano
• keyboard

13% were gardeners in some of their spare time

Other activities mentioned which involve physical effort were:

• painting
• photography
• Brownies
• birdwatching
• mineral collection
• conservation volunteer

All except one of the participants listed a variety of interests followed. Some were more intellectual pursuits such as reading, writing, OU study, etc.

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CHROME - Case History Research On M.E.