Hi, I’m Daniel, I’m a massive Lads fan. You are listening to this message as I am someone who is no longer able to attend football matches at the Stadium of Light or any other stadium. Since 2018 I have been mostly housebound due to M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a multi-systemic, energy-limiting condition.
The last time I was at the game was in 2017 when I brought my then 6 year old son for the first time. I was desperate for him to fall in love with Sunderland, but it was the doomed Championship relegation season and we lost at home to Bristol City. He still doesn’t like football and sadly, fell in love with playing basketball instead.
I miss walking to the ground, the smell of burger vans, “Ready to Go” and “Dance of the Knights” blasting out before a match. Red and white shirts everywhere, and of course, the roar of the crowd. It’s been painful not being able to be there for the eventual promotion from League One and last year’s playoff semi-final.
My favourite memories of being at the Stadium of Light, were the win against Sheffield United in the semi-final of the playoffs in 1998, and the win against Liverpool as Darren Bent’s shot hit a beach ball in 2009. Living in the Midlands for 17 years I could only get to matches a few times a season. Now I live back in the North East it’s so frustrating not being able to be there.
One of the main symptoms of my M.E. is post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion. This means that any exertion or activity can have a hugely debilitating impact on my health. I become exhausted when exposed to over-stimulation, so being in the crowd at the Stadium of Light is currently impossible. We are so far behind in research and a search for a potential effective treatment due to lack of funding and significant stigma and a misunderstanding of the condition.
Thanks for listening to my message and please know, I would be here if I could.
