Pinned
Tom Parsons
@tomparsons.bsky.social
· Feb 25
I'm Tom.
I used to be a writer and a musician.
Now I am 95% bedbound and struggle to compose a few paragraphs or strum a simple chord progression.
I used to have mild #ME/CFS, but my functioning became much worse after being told to exercise and keep pushing myself to do more by clinicians.
I used to be a writer and a musician.
Now I am 95% bedbound and struggle to compose a few paragraphs or strum a simple chord progression.
I used to have mild #ME/CFS, but my functioning became much worse after being told to exercise and keep pushing myself to do more by clinicians.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Norwegian ME patients has made a English petition to get enough attention for the Norwegian ME/CFS study. Please share so this get traction!!
So far Norwegian ME patients has been crowdfunding. This petition is to get the attention of the Norwegian government to fund the study.
🚨 SHARE PLEASE 🚨
So far Norwegian ME patients has been crowdfunding. This petition is to get the attention of the Norwegian government to fund the study.
🚨 SHARE PLEASE 🚨
This campaign needs you now
Call for Funding a New Clinical Study on Daratumumab for ME/CFS
c.org
December 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Norwegian ME patients has made a English petition to get enough attention for the Norwegian ME/CFS study. Please share so this get traction!!
So far Norwegian ME patients has been crowdfunding. This petition is to get the attention of the Norwegian government to fund the study.
🚨 SHARE PLEASE 🚨
So far Norwegian ME patients has been crowdfunding. This petition is to get the attention of the Norwegian government to fund the study.
🚨 SHARE PLEASE 🚨
Reposted by Tom Parsons
If you’re disabled, please lean in to assistive devices.
Don’t let the pervasive ableism within society stop you.
Get that scooter, wheelchair, cane or other tool you might need.
Assistive devices are amazing & you should never apologize for using them!
Don’t let the pervasive ableism within society stop you.
Get that scooter, wheelchair, cane or other tool you might need.
Assistive devices are amazing & you should never apologize for using them!
December 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
If you’re disabled, please lean in to assistive devices.
Don’t let the pervasive ableism within society stop you.
Get that scooter, wheelchair, cane or other tool you might need.
Assistive devices are amazing & you should never apologize for using them!
Don’t let the pervasive ableism within society stop you.
Get that scooter, wheelchair, cane or other tool you might need.
Assistive devices are amazing & you should never apologize for using them!
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Highlights from Natasha Devon on LBC yesterday, where she discussed the government’s ADHD review and mentioned concerns about vice-chair Sir Simon Wessely, because of his controversial comments on young people “overdiagnosing” their mental health.
December 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Highlights from Natasha Devon on LBC yesterday, where she discussed the government’s ADHD review and mentioned concerns about vice-chair Sir Simon Wessely, because of his controversial comments on young people “overdiagnosing” their mental health.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Tom Parsons
🔥 Mark Bonnar asking people to donate to Action For ME and have their donations doubled ♥️
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
Mark Bonnar supports The Big Give 2025!
YouTube video by Action For ME
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM
🔥 Mark Bonnar asking people to donate to Action For ME and have their donations doubled ♥️
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
Farage’s variant of a George Formby song, “Bless ‘em all,"...reportedly ran as follows: “Gas ‘em all, gas ‘em all, into the chambers they crawl. We'll gas all the Paks, and we’ll gas all the Yids, and we’ll gas all the c**ns and all their fucking kids.'"
So we're clear on what he supposedly said.
So we're clear on what he supposedly said.
“Je suis Bernard Manning,” claims Nigel Farage. And so he is. But not quite in the way he meant. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/uki...
Farage’s attack on the BBC tells us who he really is
His response to allegations of racist behaviour reveals more than we could have guessed—and why the Beeb needs to protect itself
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Farage’s variant of a George Formby song, “Bless ‘em all,"...reportedly ran as follows: “Gas ‘em all, gas ‘em all, into the chambers they crawl. We'll gas all the Paks, and we’ll gas all the Yids, and we’ll gas all the c**ns and all their fucking kids.'"
So we're clear on what he supposedly said.
So we're clear on what he supposedly said.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Here’s the reality of moderate MECFS, an hour and a half of my parents visiting yesterday, plus me doing half an hour of bulb planting resulted in me sleeping for 11 hours and feeling like death today.
And that’s just moderate, if I was severe, I wouldn’t be able to do either of those.
And that’s just moderate, if I was severe, I wouldn’t be able to do either of those.
December 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Here’s the reality of moderate MECFS, an hour and a half of my parents visiting yesterday, plus me doing half an hour of bulb planting resulted in me sleeping for 11 hours and feeling like death today.
And that’s just moderate, if I was severe, I wouldn’t be able to do either of those.
And that’s just moderate, if I was severe, I wouldn’t be able to do either of those.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
🔎 From #DecodeME to LOCOME, it's been a landmark year for ME research.
Hear why this is a pivotal moment for #MECFS research - and how Action for ME is accelerating understanding for everyone affected.
🧬 Donate today and your gift will be DOUBLED: bit.ly/2025-big-give
#ChristmasChallenge
Hear why this is a pivotal moment for #MECFS research - and how Action for ME is accelerating understanding for everyone affected.
🧬 Donate today and your gift will be DOUBLED: bit.ly/2025-big-give
#ChristmasChallenge
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
🔎 From #DecodeME to LOCOME, it's been a landmark year for ME research.
Hear why this is a pivotal moment for #MECFS research - and how Action for ME is accelerating understanding for everyone affected.
🧬 Donate today and your gift will be DOUBLED: bit.ly/2025-big-give
#ChristmasChallenge
Hear why this is a pivotal moment for #MECFS research - and how Action for ME is accelerating understanding for everyone affected.
🧬 Donate today and your gift will be DOUBLED: bit.ly/2025-big-give
#ChristmasChallenge
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Look forward to seeing 95% of NHS staff not wearing a mask around clinically vulnerable patients! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS braces for ‘unprecedented flu wave’ as hospitalised cases in England rise
Average of 1,717 flu patients in beds last week, up 56% on a year ago, after ‘unusually early’ start to season
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Look forward to seeing 95% of NHS staff not wearing a mask around clinically vulnerable patients! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Tom Parsons
It seems so silly but it’s really uplifting to see a celebrity fundraise and advocate for #MECFS
Mark Bonnar posted this 2 days ago.
He’s still fundraising for @actionforme.bsky.social as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
I’ll link the video below
Mark Bonnar posted this 2 days ago.
He’s still fundraising for @actionforme.bsky.social as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
I’ll link the video below
December 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
It seems so silly but it’s really uplifting to see a celebrity fundraise and advocate for #MECFS
Mark Bonnar posted this 2 days ago.
He’s still fundraising for @actionforme.bsky.social as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
I’ll link the video below
Mark Bonnar posted this 2 days ago.
He’s still fundraising for @actionforme.bsky.social as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
I’ll link the video below
Reposted by Tom Parsons
This is the go-to position of public health and infection control leaders now, not because it's rational, not because of any basis in science, but 👉because it lets them off the hook👈.
They can rake in those enormous public salaries when times are easy, and when trouble hits, "that's not my job".
They can rake in those enormous public salaries when times are easy, and when trouble hits, "that's not my job".
December 5, 2025 at 5:35 AM
This is the go-to position of public health and infection control leaders now, not because it's rational, not because of any basis in science, but 👉because it lets them off the hook👈.
They can rake in those enormous public salaries when times are easy, and when trouble hits, "that's not my job".
They can rake in those enormous public salaries when times are easy, and when trouble hits, "that's not my job".
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Document from NHS England which basically says when there is another Pandemic we can’t be bothered to protect you, it’s too costly. We are on our own folks. H/T @catinthehat.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Document from NHS England which basically says when there is another Pandemic we can’t be bothered to protect you, it’s too costly. We are on our own folks. H/T @catinthehat.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Re: Streeting’s announcement of a review into “over diagnosis” of “mental health, Aitism and ADHD” I’ve sent an email to the minister cc’d to the lords autism act select committee: posted 2 screen shots but all text in Alt text - feel free to use as inspiration if it helps you to draft your own 1/3
December 4, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Re: Streeting’s announcement of a review into “over diagnosis” of “mental health, Aitism and ADHD” I’ve sent an email to the minister cc’d to the lords autism act select committee: posted 2 screen shots but all text in Alt text - feel free to use as inspiration if it helps you to draft your own 1/3
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Swear that some abled folk think we just go to the GP and leave with disability benefits…
Couldn’t be further from the reality.
Couldn’t be further from the reality.
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Swear that some abled folk think we just go to the GP and leave with disability benefits…
Couldn’t be further from the reality.
Couldn’t be further from the reality.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Celebrate radical generosity today, Giving Tuesday, with a gift to Solve! With our $321,000 matching challenge, your gift today will be matched – meaning double the amount of funding for ME/CFS and Long Covid research!
ow.ly/cWbq50XAqnk
ow.ly/cWbq50XAqnk
December 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Celebrate radical generosity today, Giving Tuesday, with a gift to Solve! With our $321,000 matching challenge, your gift today will be matched – meaning double the amount of funding for ME/CFS and Long Covid research!
ow.ly/cWbq50XAqnk
ow.ly/cWbq50XAqnk
Reposted by Tom Parsons
This is ALWAYS what the TikTok ban was about. It was never about China or “child safety.” Same for KOSA and these other “online safety” bills in congress right now. The goal is complete and total control over online speech and independent journalism
Hillary Clinton blames TikTok and “totally made up” videos for young people’s views on Israel and Palestine.
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
This is ALWAYS what the TikTok ban was about. It was never about China or “child safety.” Same for KOSA and these other “online safety” bills in congress right now. The goal is complete and total control over online speech and independent journalism
Reposted by Tom Parsons
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
Reposted by Tom Parsons
It's #GivingTuesday! We're far behind on our end of year fundraiser and are hoping to catch up by raising $10k today so we can continue our vital reporting on Long COVID and the ongoing pandemic.
No donation is too small - can you help support us? 🙏😷
the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org/donate/
No donation is too small - can you help support us? 🙏😷
the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org/donate/
Join | The Sick Times
The Sick Times is supported by people like you. Support The Sick Times today.
the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
It's #GivingTuesday! We're far behind on our end of year fundraiser and are hoping to catch up by raising $10k today so we can continue our vital reporting on Long COVID and the ongoing pandemic.
No donation is too small - can you help support us? 🙏😷
the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org/donate/
No donation is too small - can you help support us? 🙏😷
the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org/donate/
Reposted by Tom Parsons
"When people asked, Why do you think it hit you so hard? it seemed to carry a tinge of suspicion. I must have done something wrong to bring Long COVID upon myself, as opposed to it being the cosmic car accident that illness so often is."
All too familiar re Long Covid & M.E!
An excellentpiece.
All too familiar re Long Covid & M.E!
An excellentpiece.
New piece I wrote for @thesicktimes.org on the need to ask people with Long COVID what they are going through.
thesicktimes.org/2025/11/28/y...
thesicktimes.org/2025/11/28/y...
You know someone with Long COVID. They need you to ask about it genuinely. - The Sick Times
If community-building is a bulwark against autocracy, then asking after one another might be a good place to start.
thesicktimes.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"When people asked, Why do you think it hit you so hard? it seemed to carry a tinge of suspicion. I must have done something wrong to bring Long COVID upon myself, as opposed to it being the cosmic car accident that illness so often is."
All too familiar re Long Covid & M.E!
An excellentpiece.
All too familiar re Long Covid & M.E!
An excellentpiece.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
For the first time, I’ve decided to ask for donations to @actionforme.bsky.social for Christmas, largely due to the work they’ve done with @decodemestudy.bsky.social.
Donation can be made here: www.facebook.com/share/1aDFzQ...
I will ask for any money raise to go towards their research work.
Donation can be made here: www.facebook.com/share/1aDFzQ...
I will ask for any money raise to go towards their research work.
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
For the first time, I’ve decided to ask for donations to @actionforme.bsky.social for Christmas, largely due to the work they’ve done with @decodemestudy.bsky.social.
Donation can be made here: www.facebook.com/share/1aDFzQ...
I will ask for any money raise to go towards their research work.
Donation can be made here: www.facebook.com/share/1aDFzQ...
I will ask for any money raise to go towards their research work.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
“The problem with Long COVID is that most of society would rather not see it.”
@philipandrewhoover.bsky.social writes that he often feels that he’s living a double life. How can this sick side of him be so central, so enormous, yet so unseen by those who know and love him? bit.ly/4pf80g7
@philipandrewhoover.bsky.social writes that he often feels that he’s living a double life. How can this sick side of him be so central, so enormous, yet so unseen by those who know and love him? bit.ly/4pf80g7
December 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
“The problem with Long COVID is that most of society would rather not see it.”
@philipandrewhoover.bsky.social writes that he often feels that he’s living a double life. How can this sick side of him be so central, so enormous, yet so unseen by those who know and love him? bit.ly/4pf80g7
@philipandrewhoover.bsky.social writes that he often feels that he’s living a double life. How can this sick side of him be so central, so enormous, yet so unseen by those who know and love him? bit.ly/4pf80g7
Reposted by Tom Parsons
OpenAI says they aren't liable for the suicide of a user their chat bot urged to kill himself because suicide is a violation of the TOS
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 AM
OpenAI says they aren't liable for the suicide of a user their chat bot urged to kill himself because suicide is a violation of the TOS
Reposted by Tom Parsons
One point that may have been lost: I’ve never seen this ad before.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
Listening to Mexican folk music on Youtube and they're running this horrible ad urging people to self-deport.
Fuck you Kristi Noem, and fuck you Google for taking her money.
Fuck you Kristi Noem, and fuck you Google for taking her money.
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
One point that may have been lost: I’ve never seen this ad before.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
Reposted by Tom Parsons
Some photos from the #PAISProtest now happening at the Malieveld in The Hague.
Looks like a nice crowd has gathered.
Looks like a nice crowd has gathered.
November 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Some photos from the #PAISProtest now happening at the Malieveld in The Hague.
Looks like a nice crowd has gathered.
Looks like a nice crowd has gathered.