INVISIBLE is a powerful and poignant film revealing what is not seen or known about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and FM (Fibromyalgia). This film was created by a long-standing advocate and individual who has ME/CFS, Rik Carlson, with his friend, Michael Thurston, so they could bring to light the true essence, devastation and fallout caused by these illnesses.

In his own words, Rik Carlson states the need for an in-depth film of this type, "Because CFIDS is dismissed, relegated to hysterical women, passed off as depression, and not taught in medical schools, in most, if not all cases, patients worsen dramatically." This film needs to be viewed by family members, relatives, friends, employers and physicians so they can become better informed about the physical, emotional, and social impact on those who live with this illness. Not only do patients suffer from the heavy brunt of the illness itself, but they struggle with a lot of fallout from it, as Rik further explains, "While this disease alone is immensely debilitating, the disregard and misdiagnoses by people of authority causes even more catastrophic results. When the true disease is denied, families are destroyed. When it's accepted, recovery programs can be developed and healing can begin."

Co-producer and long-time friend, Michael Thurston, who does not have this illness, looks back at their friendship and feels the need to lament about the dramatic changes in health and hardships that he has witnessed in his friend, Rik, over the years. He comments on how this film came to be, "INVISIBLE is the accidental movie. We aimed cameras at people who had stories to tell, not knowing what they would say. They spoke through the depths of illness, straight from their hearts. Little did any of us know how powerful their collective statement would be. None of them are INVISIBLE now."

The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association applauds Rik Carlson and Michael Thurston for this outstanding film by which to educate others. We urge everyone to read more about this film and how to order it, by going to the INVISIBLE website.