Foraging with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) with April Thompson of Chronic Market

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 11 of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast! For Week 3 of Camp Long Haul, we're exploring The Great Accessible Outdoors and this conversation changed the way I look at the plants growing outside my front door. In this episode, I got connected with April Thompson, who has had ME(/CFS - I'm adding it because a lot of people search for it when looking for help) for most of her adult life, an urban forager, artist, and founder of the Chronic Market, where you can buy "beautiful, one-of-a-kind items and unique services offered by artists, artisans
and entrepeneurs around the world suffering from ME/CFS, a debilitating chronic illness.

Living with ME/CFS for over 20 years, April has found a way to stay connected to nature, curiosity, and creativity by being curious what's growing around her. After a series of technology mishaps (including a waterlogged phone and a last-minute change of plans), April gives us an impromptu tour of the edible and medicinal plants she can find just steps from her home in Washington, DC. This was a really sweet introduction to urban foraging.

We talk about:

Urban foraging for beginners

Accessible ways to connect with nature while living with chronic illness

ME, pacing, and finding meaningful hobbies within your spoons

Dandelions, plantain, lamb's quarters, mugwort, wood sorrel, amaranth, mallow, and more

The nutritional benefits of wild foods

About Camp Long Haul:

Camp Long Haul is a low-key virtual summer camp experience for people living with Long COVID, ME/CFS, dysautonomia, chronic illness, disability, neurodivergence, and anyone whose life doesn't fit the traditional summer adventure story. Every activity is optional, asynchronous-friendly, and designed with pacing in mind.

Connect with April:

Instagram: @chronicmarketplace

Instagram: @prillytee

https://aprilwrites.com/

Connect with Beth on Instagram @afriendforthelonghaulpodcast

Get Camp Long Haul Merch on my Bonfire shop: https://www.bonfire.com/store/a-friend-for-the-long-haul/

Support this podcast by sharing, liking, and subscribing! If you're so inclined, I also have a summer wishlist on Amazon for our super queer, neurodivergent family.

#LongCOVID #MECFS #ChronicIllness #DisabilityCommunity #UrbanForaging #Foraging #AccessibleOutdoors #NatureConnection #Pacing #Dysautonomia #MCAS #ChronicIllnessLife #DisabilityAwareness #CampLongHaul #AFriendForTheLongHaul #SpoonieLife #Gardening #CommunityCare #AccessibleAdventure #ChronicMarket