My Story

My name is Dan Becks. I grew up and have lived in Seattle my entire life.

This little goofball could ride a bike, but that's about it sports-wise. I was more interested in music, movies and art, and started drawing and painting when I was around five years old.

After high school I attended the Burnley School of Art, worked at Boeing in their graphics department, and then tried my hand at freelance illustration and portrait painting, also known as The Tom Selleck Period. (click on the photo for the 'Full Selleck!)

Unfortunately, like a lot of artists, I had a difficult time making a living at it. It took 20 years to sell the 'Greenlake Ducks', but it finally found a nice home in the lobby of the ER at Swedish Hospital's Cherry Hill campus here in Seattle. 

In late 1994 I took a job managing a beautiful, large 1930's-era apartment building. It was a pet-friendly building, which gave me the chance to take photos of some of it's colorful residents for a book idea that never took off, but I made a lot of friends in the process.

I did okay for the first 2 years or so, but slowly and surely, and overpowering fatigue and weakness started to take hold. In April of 1996 I came back from a week in Mexico with 'Montezuma's Revenge', which lasted for about 10 days. I recall jotting down that I'd never felt 'this weak in my entire life'. I managed to push on, but never recovered 100%.

Then on June 3, 1998, I ended up in the ER, so beyond exhausted I was unable to sleep, unable to function. Every now and then I'd have a "better" day, maybe several in a row, only to come crashing down a day later. 

In late 1999 I went into remission for about 19 months, but gradually got worse and worse, and by February 2002 was forced to quit.

On a rare outing last summer w/my nephew & family. Hope to walk this far next year!

I've been sick withe ME/CFS for just over 20 years, but have gone into remission -- anywhere from 70% to 100% -- several times. And even though it's been awhile since the last time -- it's my goal to do it again, to make it last, and inspire others in the process.

Quick links:

The ME/CFS Puzzle...

Things started getting better...

How you can help!