Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

To help promote Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I wrote this piece and shared it with local newspapers.  I thought maybe it would be a good thing to share with you since many of you do not live in central Wisconsin. 

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is May 12th.

Are you aware that an estimated 10 million people in the U.S are being affected by something that you can't see?  It also affects an estimated 3-6% of the world's population!

Are  you aware that prominent Fibromyalgia researchers and specialists estimate the costs in the U.S. to be between $12-14 BILLION each year accounts for a loss of 1-2% of the nation's overall productivity?

Are you aware that annual medical care costs to the patient are $3700.00, EXCLUDING the cost of managing overlapping conditions, such as these symptoms:

1) Severity of fatigue, particularly in the subject of non-restorative sleep.
3) Cognitive malfunctions.
4) Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome or Raynaud's Disease
5) Migraines.
6) Chronic anxiety or tension.
7) Depression.
8) Environmental sensitivities, such as chemical, light, noise or weather.
9) Pain modulation by physical activities.
10) Pain modulation by anxiety or stress.

Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally, and socially, and for those with severe symptoms, Fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interferes with basic daily activities?

Are you aware that 75-90% of the people who have this are women, but it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups?

Are you aware that this disorder is often seen in families, among siblings, mothers, and their children?

Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is the second most common musculoskeletal ailment after osteoarthritis, but Fibro patients submit more medical claims for psychiatric diagnosis's and utilize the emergency room more than rheumatoid arthritis patients!

Are you aware that the theme that the Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network is presenting for 2012 is
            "Walking in Another's Shoes"

From Sarah Carter-Founder of WFN,  "The belief that walking in another's shoes stems from the hope of Fibromyalgia patients that one day their loved ones and members of society will understand the depth of it's severity and effect, without actually having to experience the affliction itself.
This year, the WFN encourages all of Wisconsin's residents to take a moment to speak to a Fibro patient who may be a co-worker, a friend, a daughter, a grandfather, or a neighbor, and find out not only the difficulties the person faces-but also the joys and lessons learned that may have enhanced that person's life.  You never know; you may learn something new.  You may have enriched your own life...just by walking in another's shoes."


FINISH LINE

Fibromyalgia does not stop my progress.
It changes the way I progress.
My progress may not be where your progress takes you.
And that's OK.
We each have a unique path and a set pace.
In a race, no one arrives at the exact same time,
but all who are destined, will finish.
I am not racing against any person,
only the moments and breaths and days of my own earthly life.
I pray that I too am destined to reach the finish line.
(Poem written by Theresa Blume)

Those looking for more support may go to these websites for more information:

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain http://www.fmcpaware.org/

Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network http://wifibromyalgianetwork.webs.com/