I have read with interest the letters in your columns condemning Dr Esther Crawley's research into the Lightning Process as a treatment for CFS/ME.

My daughter suffered with CFS/ME for two and a half years and has missed two whole years of school as a result of this awful condition. She was supported by Dr Crawley's team at the RNHRD and made some progress, but after two years still wasn't well enough to go back to school.

We too were sceptical of the Lightning Process when we first heard about it. We were persuaded to go ahead with it only after having heard of, and spoken to, others who had done the course. Not all claimed absolutely complete healing, but all said it had a dramatic impact on their health and they were all, without exception, able to lead a normal life.

My daughter did the Lightning Process this January. I was able to sit in on it and observe all that went on. The course was totally logical and sensible to both my daughter and me, and while it wasn't always easy for her, the results have been incredible.

Before doing this my daughter was housebound. She was able to do little more than join in family meal times and spend an hour with her tutor from the hospital.Within ten days of doing the course she was back in school part-time, which rapidly increased to full-time. She has maintained this for a whole term without ill-effect. She has also coped with tremendous pressures from GCSE coursework.

I accept that the Lightning Process may not work for everyone, just as many medicines don't work for everyone either. We do not withhold medicines from those who will benefit, just because they are not suitable for all. I applaud Dr Crawley's open- mindedness to anecdotal evidence and her willingness to properly investigate a treatment that may, indeed I feel will, free many from the horrors of CFS/ME.

I thank God for the new life my daughter now has as a result of doing the Lightning Process.

DEBBIE POW Inglesbatch, Bath