#MEAction Georgia recently had a huge accomplishment. Maggie Boxey, who is a member of the Georgia State Chapter, a Navy veteran, and a published author, recently gave a Tedx talk about her experience as a person with ME. Maggie was diagnosed a year ago but has been sick since 2020. Before becoming sick Maggie and her family were active, going on weekend hikes, and taking multiple vacations. Maggie also worked as a sixth grade math teacher. “I had hopes of going to seminary as well as traveling to promote my book, neither happened. Life was very full. I was very ambitious and goal driven, and was always looking to check things off of my bucket list: run a marathon- check, learn jiujitsu- check, write a book -check, sky dive- check… I’m really grateful that I pursued all that I did while I could,” said Maggie when asked about her past.
Last fall, Maggie found out she was selected as one of fifteen for a spot for TEDxOjai. When asked about getting started on the TEDx Maggie says, “I was so excited- since I was a teenager I’ve loved public speaking and this felt like a dream come true. I wanted to share about the core message that I cover in my book The 3 Things: A Practical Path to Collective Recovery, the importance of community, creativity, and celebrating life together. But as I was writing it became clear that the message had to be my experience with ME. I have had the feeling of being invisible so many times over the past year, and other than my immediate family, a couple of close friends, and my MEaction GA crew I’ve been isolated from the community I was once a part of. The talk that came out was an echo of that, and what it’s like being one of the millions missing.”
Maggie also credits #MEAction Georgia and HQ staff members with the support she received when trying to figure out how to work on the draft of the TEDx. “Shalida Dobbins had a meeting with me to hear one of my final drafts, and she was so supportive. Then I was able to meet with #MEAction Scientific Director Jaime Seltzer- which was such a positive experience. She was so kind and a really good editor! I’m so grateful for the love and support I’ve gotten from #MEAction.”
#MEAction Georgia has given her so much support with her TEDx. Here at #MEAction, we take pride in our State Chapters and the tight community they offer for those with ME. Cory Anderson, a member of #MEAction described the moment when she first heard the draft of the TEDx along with the rest of the State Chapter.
“I think almost everyone, if not everyone, on the call was in tears by the end of her speech (fortunately, we all had our cameras off). It was such a powerful moment with so many emotions- so exceptionally proud of her, honored to know her and for the way she honored all of us, sadness for all she has had to put on pause, empathy and compassion for the similarities in how ME has affected so many of us and how difficult it can be to navigate every day. I think more than anything, there was just an overwhelming gratitude to her for sharing her story in such a vulnerable, powerful way and then using that opportunity to let us all be seen and known by the world.”
Maggie and her husband prepared for the trip for the event by making sure she paced and gave herself time to rest before and after the talk. Another way she prepped was by having a coach who worked with her for sixteen weeks, “what she normally does in 8 weeks took more like 16 weeks due to having to reschedule sessions for energy levels, illness and doctor appointments. I am still recovering now a week after the talk, but I think the slow and steady pace with so much rest built in was really important to my baseline.”
Georgia State Chapter leader, Liz Burlingame. told me her thoughts on Maggie and her TEDx, “Maggie presented an early draft of her talk to our group during a virtual meeting and it was met with enthusiastic ASL applause. She made us feel invested, like we were living vicariously through her. She not only speaks for those of us confined to bed, Maggie is #MEAction Georgia.”
Now that this project is complete and once she is rested she has plans on what she will conquer next. “I’m going to get back to writing. I have a Substack called Chronic Moxie where I write about my experience with ME as well as themes from my book, The 3 Things. My husband and I are starting a podcast called Out of the Boxeys: on Life, Love, and Lessons Beyond the Norm (also on substack, but should be available wherever you listen to your podcasts). And sometime this year or next I’d like to give fiction writing a go. I have 2 ideas for novels.”
We’re so thrilled to have Maggie Boxey in our community and we all are so excited about the amazing opportunity she received to share our story.
You can watch Maggie’s talk here!
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1 thought on “#MEAction Georgia Volunteer, Maggie Boxey, Speaks at TEDxOjai”
I became invisible in 2015… thank you for using your energy to share this message on behalf of all of us Millions Missing. I’m losing my housing while having severe ME and have no idea what l’m going to do