ME sufferer honours supermarket killing victim's 'strong spirit' (From Your Local Guardian)

ME sufferer honours supermarket killing victim's 'strong spirit'

6:41pm Thursday 12th June 2008 in

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An ME sufferer has paid tribute to the shopper killed after being attacked in Sainsbury's, who also had the chronic fatigue illness and devoted his life to helping others who suffered from it.

Kevin Tripp, a 57-year-old structural engineer from Colliers Wood, died from a head injury after being assaulted in the supermarket in Merton High Street, Colliers Wood.

It is thought that he was attacked after a row over queue jumping.

Catriona Courtier is one of many people he helped by writing for a newsletter for the self-help group for people with ME in west London.

"He had such a strong spirit in a weak body which let him fight for people with ME and bring them hope."

Catriona Courtier

"Kevin was a highly intelligent man and a real fighter, which may seem like a strange thing to say about someone who was so ill," said Catriona, whose daughter also has ME. "But he had such a strong spirit in a weak body which let him fight for people with ME and bring them hope.

"He did so much for so many with such little energy, always having time for other people - a real hero. He got doctors and politicians to understand the problems ME sufferers face and always had the time to speak to you on the phone and give support and hope."

In his inspiring account, the dad-of-one who was struck down the illness in the 80s, said: "I noticed I felt really washed out, quite normal after flu, but this fatigue never subsided.

"After months of working, but nothing else, I saw my GP who said I should get on with my life, go swimming etc. I told him I wanted to but felt so fatigued that I couldn't."

After years of relapses and dozens of visits to GPs, Mr Tripp finally came to the conclusion he had ME.

"By 1994 my condition had worsened to the point where I could hardly walk at all. I needed to claim sickness benefit as there was no way I could work.

"My GP had retired. The replacement doctor said she couldn't sign a certificate as she didn't agree that ME existed."

Eventually Mr Tripp managed to get help and took it upon himself to support and inform others in his situation.

Writing his story seven years ago, he said: "Today 2001 I'm still unwell. My muscles feel like they are borrowed from someone else, they are stiff and achy, and feel poisoned.

"My muscles have wasted considerably, where I was always 10.5 stone, I now am 9 stone! Incredible for my 6ft height. I get terrible brain fog and an aching from my brain that permeates my whole body."

Despite his own troubles, Mr Tripp urged fellow suffers not to lose hope.

"Its not all doom and gloom. When you are suffering from a long-term illness, you sort of have to accept it. It becomes normal.

"You stop grieving for the things you can't do. The trouble with this particular illness is it keeps changing, you start to feel better, and your mind says I'm okay, I can think about work, I'm over it.

"Then you get really awful and your mind is polarised in the other direction and you think there's no hope.

"I, like many other ME sufferers do have hope that one day we will find the answers. Don't give up."

• Earlier today Tony Virasami, 37, from Sedgehill Road, Lewisham, appeared before Wimbledon Magistrates' Court charged with Mr Tripp's murder. He was remanded in custody to appear before the Old Bailey on September 18.

Click here to read Mr Tripp's full account of his life with ME