Abstract:
Project explores need assessment and implementation of knowledge base platform
to offer a wide range of resources and support for those afflicted by what was, in spring
2015, renamed Systematic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID), formerly known as
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)—a condition
from which this researcher has personally suffered for many years as do millions
worldwide. Shockingly, no single website currently offers a well-rounded database of
personal narratives, medical research, or accessible resources for practical help, presented
in such a way with the SEID sufferer as the target audience—something this researcher
had been looking for early on in his medical journey.
Project analyzes secondary research—published literature on internet technology use and
communications preferences of those living with chronic illness or disease—to ultimately
determine which platform of digital storytelling (website, video, commercial, social
media, etc.) is most effective in achieving desired awareness of and support for the
disease, while specifically accommodating those with the disease. Project concludes with launch of fully functional multimedia platform deemed most effective medium for
achieving these desired goals.
Project contains compilation and annotation of research—a cohesive narrative based on
research through assessment of scholarly databases and study of both peer-reviewed
journal articles and popular/non-peer-reviewed sources—in addition to launch of actual
knowledge base platform itself.
