Newsletter
Volume 1 Number 2 June-July 2001
Hello CFS and Fibro folks!
We're back and summer has finally arrived!
We'd like to introduce you to two Ottawa support groups that are quite active as we speak! Each month we would like to cover the activities and awareness of local support groups, so if you are involved and you are able to provide some information about your group, please do so and submit your summary to either Jackie Paulin or Mary Lou Wood (see e-mail addresses and phone numbers at the end of the newsletter).
DOVERCOURT FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP
This is a well-established support group that operates out of the Dovercourt Community Centre in the Westboro area. It has been active for many years. The mandate of this group includes sharing information with people new to the illness, and being on the lookout for any new information, whether it be from books, the Internet or any credible source. From time to time guest speakers will address the group. Materials are made available to members such as loaner books on FM; articles to share with doctors and family members; and upcoming events or programs that might be helpful to FM sufferers.
This informal group meets twice a month from September to June from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on both the second Wednesday and the last Wednesday of each month, in one of the Centre's meeting rooms. The pot luck lunch (on the last Wednesday) has become quite an event that everyone looks forward to. Friendly discussion continues while sharing lunch (and sometimes recipes). There is always laughter and jokes, and the atmosphere is extremely up-beat; humour is definitely a major component of this easy-going group. The three (3) co-ordinators try their best to help everyone with information on either FM, chronic pain or just taking time to listen. There are discussions on how to cope and the different modalities tried that have been successful in managing the illness are shared.
In the near future the support group will be featured in the Dovercourt Community Centre's book of activities and will have their own web site which will be linked to Dovercourt's. An FM Aqua class has been operating at the site for many years. It takes place on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and is led by Robin who is very knowledgeable and skilled in this area; she adapts mild muscle toning exercises to the class' needs. She is always ready to give individual instruction to anyone who has questions about the exercises or any problems doing them.
The support group is currently in discussion with the Centre to develop an FM Yoga program specifically designed for FM sufferers. These techniques will help manage pain, relax and re-energize bodies, and soothe the emotional and mental stress of living with fibromyalgia. It is hoped this program will begin in the Fall. The co-ordinators emphasize that it is not mandatory to partake in the FM Aqua or FM Yoga classes. Everyone interested is always welcome to come to the Centre solely to benefit from the support group. For more information on the support group please call or leave a message with one of the following co-ordinators:
- Marcy Manne 228-1460 (mmanne@cyberus.ca)
- Huguette Joanisse 822-7830 (hugnjean@magma.ca)
- Armanda D'Angelo 489-3342 (armanda_star@hotmail.ca)
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WEST END CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP
The West End Chronic Pain Support Group was formed in 1977 by several of the recent graduates of the Royal Ottawa Pain Management Programme. The graduates felt that it was very necessary to continue to practice what they had learned at the Programme and also to allow everyone to keep in touch with one another.
There is another support group, operated out of the Rehabilitation Centre's premises but with Ottawa growing larger every year and also the Centre servicing such a wide area, it was decided that another group be created, for primarily West End residents but also for anyone who wishes to attend.
Originally the support group was only for graduates of the Rehab's Pain Management Programme but once the group joined the North American Chronic Pain Association, the group was opened to all people with Chronic Pain, of any type. Currently, we have members who are suffering from Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, M.S., accidents etc.
When the group first started up they used to meet in members' homes but after a few months it became obvious that it was just too much to ask the members to entertain large numbers of people in their homes so we looked around for a suitable meeting place. Thru the kindness of the Knox United Church we have been allowed to use their facilities for the meetings. Knox United has full handicapped facilities as well as a large meeting room and a small kitchen. The room is large enough to allow participants the opportunity to get up and move around without disturbing anyone else. Meetings are conducted monthly, including summer months, on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Knox United is located on Gibbard Street, one block east of Greenbank, one block north of Hunt Club West. OC Transpo route #174 drops you right off at the front door of the Church. Membership is free to anyone but we do ask that people make a contribution to the food bank, if it is possible.
The support group concentrates on personal contact, assisting other members with difficulties but also we have guest speakers come to the meetings, 3 or 4 times per year.
Meetings are held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. For directions or further information, please contact: Bill McCann at 225-0090 or by e-mail to wdmccann@sympatico.ca.
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GO THE EXTRA MILE - IT’S NEVER CROWDED OUT THERE!
On May 11, 2001, we were privileged to welcome the internationally renowned Dr. D.W. Ganong in the Auditorium of the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Ganong, DMD, Ph.D. and member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, made a presentation on the numerous factors that affect our body chemistry.
The attendees, Compassion in Action, MESH, National M.E. / FM Action Network, Environmental Illness Society of Canada and other associations present, graciously thank Dr. Ganong for his genuine dedication.
Handouts summarizing Dr. Ganong's presentation were distributed to people attending the presentation. Those who wish to obtain a summary of the presentation can go into the office and make a copy of the document.
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EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT !
Here are some interesting publications or web sites you can consult for information concerning legal, medical, research and general interest issues on FM, ME (CFS), MCS, other chronic illnesses and disabilities:
The Disability Reporter - bilingual magazine issued on a quarterly basis. Published by Cameron & Associates Ltd.,
- 101- 294 Main St., Ottawa ON K1S 1E1.
- Tel.: (613)237-2296
- E-mail: gcamcal@istar.ca
Quest - bi-monthly newsletter published by National ME/FM Action Network, a Canadian registered and charitable organization dedicated to helping people with ME/CFS and FM.
- 3836 Carling Ave., Nepean ON K2K 2Y6.
- Tel/Fax: (613) 829-6667
- E-mail: ag922@freenet.carleton.ca
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UPDATE: JUNE 21 22, 2001: CFIDS LOBBY DAYS
CFIDS: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Association of America are meeting with members of Congress and their staff about the critical need for the federal government to increase its actual investment in CFIDS research. The Unites States being our neighbour, and of course, we will follow in their steps to lobby our government, we can support them either by e-mail or by mail. For more information, please go to their web site at: www.cfids.org or info@cfids.org.
More power to those who might even want to attend to obtain better education of health care providers and the general public, improved access to disability benefits and other social services. Mailing address for those without Internet: CFIDS Association of America, P.O. Box 220398, Charlotte, NC, 28222 0398 or fax to 704 365 9755.
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GOOD NEWS!
The office is now fully equipped with a new copier and printer. The new telephone number is (613)565-2423, same address: Compassion in Action Foundation and Centre, 480 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, Ontario
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A CALL FOR ACTION:
The Recognition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis as a Serious and Debilitating Disease. (U.S.A.)
For those interested in helping American ME sufferers, please visit their web site: www.petitiononline.com/MEitis to learn more about their petition.
If you feel their demand for a distinct clinical entity from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is justified, you can decide whether or not you wish to sign the petition.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Love life and life will love you, help people and people will help you.
Be compassionate and feel compassion, be happy and happiness will spread.
Life
Is
For
Everyone
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"Our health is as a voyage: and every illness is an adventure story." - Margiad Evans, A Ray of Darkness (Dallas: Riverrun Press, 1952), p 11.
You know you have Fibromyalgia when you wake up feeling like the morning after, but there was no night before!
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CONTACTS FOR THE COMPASSION IN ACTION NEWSLETTER:
- Jacquelyne Paulin: (613)487 4111
- Mary Lou Wood: (613) 446-1971
If you are calling Long Distance, use Distributel 237-7000, and your call will be free. Hope to hear from you soon!
Have a great summer, everyone!