Last month I had the honor of hosting the first Fibro Focus event organized by the National Fibromyalgia Association and their sponsor Pfizer Inc. The event was open to the local North San Diego community, and was attended by more than 50 people, including members of FibroHaven support group. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to meet Lynne Matallana, founder of the NFA. We share a passion to support, educate, and raise Fibromyalgia awareness. I have looked to her example many times over the course of the last several months since beginning my blog and support group. Meeting her in person … [Read more...]
Lynne Matallana and The National Fibromyalgia Association
If you are not already familiar with Lynne Matallana and The National Fibromyalgia Association, you should become so. Lynne founded the NFA in 1997, and has turned her hard work and advocacy for Fibromyalgia patients into the largest nonprofit organization working to support people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses. Lynne and the NFA are at the forefront of our Fibromyalgia crusade. Spend some time on the NFA's website and you will see that they are the leaders in Fibromyalgia awareness and advocacy. Today I want to share with you this very important video of a presentation … [Read more...]
Online Resources for Fibromyalgia Support and Information
Part 3 of my series on Fibromyalgia Support and Information. In my previous posts I listed the main social networking sites (part 1) and group forums (part 2) available if you are looking to join an online community for support, encouragement, camaraderie, or just to have a place to vent. My inspiration for putting these posts together is to help alleviate the potential for isolation if you are living with Fibromyalgia or most any chronic illness. For this post I am going to focus on general resources available, like blogs and websites. Again, this is just a partial list of what is out … [Read more...]
Letter to the AP, from the President of the National Fibromyalgia Association
Yesterday Lynne Matallana, President of the National Fibromyalgia Association, left a comment on my blog. It was in response to the Associated Press article last week; AP IMPACT: Drugmakers' push boosts 'murky' ailment. This article has caused quite a stir in the Fibromyalgia community. In her comment Lynne took the time to address what was said and to counter any enforcement the article gives to the many misconceptions about Fibromyalgia. I felt her letter was too important to sit unnoticed among the comments on my blog, so I am copying it into a new post. I hope you will all take the time to … [Read more...]
The National Fibromyalgia Association Pledge to Care
I have just recently become a member of the National Fibromyalgia Association. The NFA is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is: To develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. Their website is full of resources and articles about Fibromyalgia, as well as information on programs and regional support groups. In January of this year they began a campaign called Pledge to Care. The Pledge to Care is a way for family members, friends, and healthcare providers to show their support to persons with Fibromyalgia by making a … [Read more...]