Before doing the CFSRP I was unable to work, keeping up with friends was very hard and I barely felt alive. After completing the program I had improved significantly and could maintain a reasonable amount of activity. After about 6 months my mind was clear and I felt sharp again instead of dull, flat and foggy. I am coping with life quite well and am even undertaking an overseas move for my partner’s work. After 6 years of struggling with CFS I now feel alive again.

Female, Age 33 Years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 3 years.

From all of the many important things I learnt and discovered whilst undertaking this program, perhaps the most significant, and one I definitely wasn’t expecting, was the loss of fear that I had associated with my CFS. I believe I lived as a lot of CFS sufferers do, in the “what if?” world. The possible consequences from doing things were often so daunting that I would unnecessarily and unknowingly put stress on my mind and body by being concerned with them. This, of course, would make my symptoms and fatigue worse. Whilst in the program however I was doing much more physical activity each day than I had dreamt possible. Yes, it was hard! And yes, there were times I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the following day... but I always did. Five days in a row for four weeks I got through every activity and survived!

I now no longer fear the consequences of my CFS. I know much better how to manage the condition and my recovery and know how that even on the rough days, I need not be concerned with the following ones. The loss of fear has freed my mind and body immensely. This reduction of the physical and emotional stress that I have realised I was experiencing has help with my recovery greatly... and also my self belief and confidence. An amazing program run by truly amazing people.

Female, Age 26 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 3 years

Before the program I had a very bad two months - the worst for a while. Not being able to study in the last 3.5 years really impacted on my marks at Uni and stuffed up my social life. For the whole time I’ve had CFS I’ve been up and down and all over the place. During the program I was consistently on an uphill trend for the first four week block I can remember. It was hard, some days harder than others but uphill none the less. Mary and Matthew, the gym boys and hydro girls as well as the rest of the team are so supportive and caring at the same time as pushing us (not too hard) towards our goals. At the end of the week four I feel completely different. I’m actually able to write this and haven’t needed to lie down, I’m up all day! Every week gets better - I feel like I’ve achieved a lot.

Female, Age 23 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 3.5 years

I thought the CFSRP was wonderful. By taking you out of your ordinary environment and providing you with a well structured routine, you are able to focus exclusively on your health and getting better. Unlike may other exercise programs, the exercise has been broken down into smaller units that are actually manageable for those with CFS. I was stunned by the improvements in my fitness, strength and flexibility from the time I entered the program to the time I completed it. It was amaziang how much more I could do by the end!

As the program went on I also found that my energy level improved. I anticipate further improvement following the program. I also found that my concentration improved over the four weeks. My sleep has also gone from being quite disturbed to quite stable. Without a doubt this program has led to the most improvement, and by a very long way,compared to everything else I have tried for my CFS. To know that the improvements should continue after leaving is very heartening.

I highly highly recommend anyone with CFS to try this program.

Female, Age 22 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 7 years

I felt very negative about life in general and my future after suffering from CFS for 7 years.

I am now mentally stronger and am amazed at how physically strong I have become.

I look forward to leading a happy normal life again and I would recommend this program to anybody. It does work.

Female, Age 51 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 7 year

I am so thankful that this program has been made available to all sufferers of CFS. Before doing the program I struggled to maintain any sort of routine due to the constant physical “payback” of CFS. The CFSRP helped me to rebuild my fitness and regain confidence in my health.

Six months later I have maintained the fitness and skill gained on the program and continue to improve. I have started doing volunteer work(previously I was unable to maintain work commitments) and am currently about to embark on my first overseas trip in 5 years!

This is the best long term investment I could have ever made in my health! Thankyou!!!

Female, Age 25 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 5 years

Before I attended to CFSRP, I was constantly fatigued and lightheaded. My sleep patterns were irregular and sleep was generally unrefreshing. Whenever I attempted to force myself to do “normal” activities such as seeing friends or playing sport, I would invariably experience a great deal of post-exertional fatigue, which at times lasted up to a week. I was also beginning to wonder if I would ever recover.

Now after completing the CFSRP, I am able to get up early every day, and just seem to have the energy and stamina to keep on going through out the day. For me, the best result that I have gained from the program is that I always wake up with energy in the mornings.

I would describe my experience during the actual four weeks of the program as a very rewarding one. Both in the terms of the results I have seen after its completion and the feeling of doing something positive twoards my own health that I experienced while I was there.

I liked the fact that the program was very logically structured and also that it was holistic in nature. It was also nice to receive constant encouragement and support from Mary and Matthew who were always positive and brimming with energy.

Male, Age 18 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 18 months

Before I went on the CFSRP I’d spent 2.5 years essentially housebound due to my debilitating CFS symptoms. Small every day activities like having a shower, preparing a meal or talking to a friend on the phone would exhaust me. I missed out on so many important events in the lives of my family and friends and the events I was able to attend were often followed by days in bed trying to recover! It was a very frustrating and difficult time. I tried every treatment that everyone suggested and seemed to end up more
exhausted from the effort to get to all the medical appointments than any benefits I gained from them.

The decision to go on the CFSRP was a huge one for me as it was very scary handing my fragile health over to people I barely knew. But I quickly discovered, and to my surprise, that Mary and Matthew seemed to know my body better than I did! They knew what I would be worried about before I even started worrying. I was in great hands! The CFSRP was hard work, but not impossible work and so very worth it!

I returned home after 4 weeks with a body that was fit and strong and was very able to continue on with the home-based continuation program for the next 6 months. My tiredness isn’t gone yet, but it is a different tiredness than the one I had before the CFSRP- I can function through it! And my symptoms are gradually fading. It is so wonderful to have a body I can rely on again and I have a plan I wake up to each day to continue to improve it. My husband and the rest of my family are so thrilled at my transformation, they can hardly believe it happened so fast, from their reactions I feel like I’ve been on that TV show ‘Extreme Makeover’!

Female, Age 28 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 3 years

I am glad I went and completed to CFSR Program. I had glandular fever ten years ago, whilst my body and general fitness level was okay, my concentration level was poor. I was always forgetting things which caused a lot of frustration. The program allowed me to stop and evaluate my problems and find ways of reducing these. The mind exercises, tai chi, yoga, meditation, and physical program helped. I had not read a book in many years and I finished reading two books throughout the program. I am able to concentrate and my thoughts are not getting lost. My attitude to work has improved.

I feel excited and energised about the future due to this program. I highly recommend it if you have any physical or mental problems that have been caused by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Male, Age 26 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 10 years.

This program as well as being wonderfully joyful, uplifting and nurturing, marks the first stage of my recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My body which was starting to pack-up, has been reawakened and I’m delighted. My strength, flexibility, balance and endurance have all improved. I can do significantly more activity now at the end of the program, than I could on the first day.

The positiveness, support and encouragement from Mary and Matthew was second to none. They are a great team and just so gorgeous, fun and enthusiastic. Their commitment and belief in the program was like music to my ears, and I believe a vital part to its success. It is a quality, well rounded program with a high standard of professional people running the groups and was so much fun. I am excited about the future and continuing on the up and up with my home based exercise program.

Female, Age 50. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 7 years

Before this program I felt so down I didn’t look on the bright side of anything. My energy levels were on 0! I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t do this; I couldn’t have seen myself getting better by doing nothing all day. This program takes you out of that sick environment at home and into one that focuses solely on getting better. With great support from Mary and Matthew it makes it that much easier to get through the day. I would recommend this program to anyone that wants to get his or her life back on track. I know I sure did.

Male, Age 17. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 18 months.

I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for sixteen and a half years. I almost can’t believe that there is finally a program to address my illness, and that carries the expectation of recovery. Even before the program I had managed to keep my body and mind active, but I spent sixteen years finding less taxing work arrangements. For the last few years I have been on the disability pension. Yesterday I rang to cancel the pension. I have been offered and have accepted my dream job – a full-time job, and I begin ten days after concluding the program. I am confident that I am going to manage. There are many things that impress me about the program. The first is that it is so sensible. It has given me the chance to work intensively with all the things – exercise, mediation, yoga, counselling, good food, rest, early nights – that I have learnt over sixteen years really benefit me.

There is no way I could have worked with this intensity on my own. I am also impressed by Mary and Matthew. They could not have done a better job of watching us, guiding us, encouraging us and caring for us. They are really the icing on the cake of this program. Of course the best thing about the program is that it works. I thought I was never going to find a solution. I am learning that recovery is gradual, but I am confident that it is happening.

Female, Age 39. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 16 ½ years

I have had a fantastic time doing the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovery Program. The month has flown by. Before doing the program I spent most of my time in bed or lying down. I struggled to go for a short daily walk, most nights I didn’t sleep and I usually had a massive headache. Now, at the end of week four, I am sleeping well at night, my head is clear and we’ve been doing nearly two hours of exercise each day. I am no longer exhausted 24/7 and I have twelve hour days. I can’t describe how great it felt when I was feeling good enough to jog on the treadmill again – it’s awesome!

Female, Age 17. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 4 years

Before I began the program I was quite debilitated by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – I couldn’t open jars, blow-dry my hair and had numerous aches and pains. I had constant headaches and felt as if my brain had melted. My speech was even becoming impaired. At the end of the program I feel fit, happy and look forward to the future. I took on a challenge that was daunting but I had faith in Matthew and Mary. My husband, two
children and I have benefited enormously from this holistic program.

Female, Age 38. Recent diagnosis, lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for at least 9 years

Having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for seven years, I had pretty much given up on getting well again. Coming into the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovery Program I was very excited to be doing something productive about my health, and also to have something to do during the day – instead of lying in bed at home! Our group were very friendly and positive, and it was so nice to feel like you weren’t the odd one out. When I was tired, I felt safe and comfortable knowing that everyone there knew exactly how I felt! After four weeks I can see such a dramatic improvement! Mum says she can tell just by the way I answer the phone! Mary and Matthew were fantastic and I’m so glad for this experience.

Female, Age 19. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 7 years

I am seventeen years old. I first got glandular fever when I was twelve. I have never fully recovered from that and I also had a relapse of glandular fever three years ago. I got diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome two years ago. Before coming into the program I literally was doing nothing. I slept right through the day and I would get up only to eat, have a shower or go to the toilet. I didn’t go out on the weekends and I was too sick to go to school. I also didn’t remember what it was like to feel well. I now am able to get up at 7:30am and do exercise and go out and I feel great! The program was so much fun and I have got great results from it. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get better.

Female, Age 17. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 5 years

I entered the program at a stage where my health and home life were reaching a critically bad stage. I was basically house bound and desperate for a solution. Years of searching and experimenting with many forms of medicine, Chinese therapies and alternative remedies and wellness programs had left me losing hope.

The CFSR Program brought together a complimentary group of activities/therapies as well as providing a nurturing environment. This could never be achieved at home. By removing me from my everyday influences and demands, and replacing them with a structured course of activities where I did not need to worry about anything except getting better. I moved into a mindset that would allow the recovery process to begin.

The support of the people involved in running the program, their professionalism and a
strong scientifically based course structure shone through for me.

Now I can live a normal life. No longer do I need to tell my kids I can’t come to the park or walk along the beach with them. I can now visit all the shops I have been unable to get to and catch up with friends that I have missed over the past few years. My husband is also very happy to have a wife again who can enjoy life with him, rather than just another dependant person relying on him all the time.

I found what I so desperately needed and regained my life. I cannot thank Mary, Matthew and the team enough for all their efforts.

Female, Age 39 years. Lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 5 years