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Upcoming Events
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Every Thursday from 7-8 PM (PST): "Chat" Night on Ning!
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Featuring Past Video: Dr. Kim Kaplan Speaking on Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain
Dr. Kim Kaplan from OHSU Pain Center addressed the difference between fibro and myofascial pain syndrome.
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The Thriving Fibromite
JANUARY 2013 |
Greetings!
We hope you joyfully rang in 2013 and that you have plans for a fantastic year! Are you a resolution maker? Whether you are or aren't, you won't want to miss our webinar this month. It is on Gentle Goal Setting - a whole new way to look at goals and how to increase your chances of achieving them. PS... Think of one person with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS who has told you, "I wish there was some support for people like us!" and to him/her. |
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Understanding the Family Leave Act and Your Rights at Work
Saturday, January 19th 1-4:00 PM
This month's presentation is geared towards those who are currently working, as well as those who are thinking about going back to work.
Have you ever wondered about the Family Leave Act? Were you aware that it doesn't apply to all companies?
Have you ever wondered what you should or shouldn't tell your employer about your disability?
Have you wondered how much to share in a job interview?
Cindy Hooker is a human resources expert and will be here to answer these questions and more. She will explain the Family Leave Act, as well as other Federal and State leave laws.
Cindy will also share with us what our rights are, along with what rights employers have, regarding disabilities.
Bring your questions regarding work situations, and get them answered!
Possible questions could include:
- What do I do if my boss asks me to do something I physically can't do?
- There's an expectation for employees to work overtime at my job, but I can barely work the hours I've got.
- My doctor wants me to get a new chair or desk arrangement for work, should I talk to my boss about purchasing this or should I just buy it myself?
- I told my boss about my illness and now she acts like she's trying to get me fired. How can I protect myself?
To Read Cindy's Bio, click here.
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Webinar: Gentle Goal Setting With Health Coach, Tami Stackelhouse
 Monday, January 14th 6:30-8 PM (PST)
If you're tired of setting New Year's resolutions that you never seem to keep, don't worry - you're not alone! For many of us with fibromyalgia and CFS, it can seem as if setting goals and reaching them only works for healthy people!
Would you like to learn a gentle way to set and reach your goals this year?
Gentle Goal Setting, is our January webinar with Fibromaylgia Coach, Tami Stackelhouse. During the webinar, you will learn how to set goals that you'll feel like you can actually accomplish - while feeling good about yourself in the process.
Tami will walk you through the process of choosing an appropriate goal, creating a vision of what that goal looks like, taking stock of where you are right now, then writing down the baby steps.
After this webinar, you will have a plan of action that will help to pull you towards your goal - and the knowledge you can use this process on any goal you want to reach.
If you are in attendance on the night of the live event, you will receive a FREE one-hour consultation with Tami in order to assist you in completing your goal setting plan. This offer does not apply to those that listen to the replay.
To read Tami's bio, click here. To read more and RSVP, click here. To read "How Webinars Work," click here.
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Social Events in January
Walk in the Park
There will be no walk this month due to inclement weather. Social Get-Together  Thursday, January 31st 1-3:00 PM
Come join us for some fun social time at Gustav's Restaurant in Tigard!
They have a gluten-free menu and if you are in the mood, they even have gluten-free beer.
The restaurant is located at 10350 SW Greenburg Road, Tigard.
Read more about this event or register here.
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Member Spotlight featuring Ann G.
Are you married?
--No.
Do you have kids? How many? Are they still at home?
--I don't have any kids.
Where do you live?
--I live in Corvallis.
How long have you been ill?
--I have been ill for 34 years.
How did your illness begin?
--I had the classic case. I got mononucleosis, a severe case of it. I never recovered.
What is the most difficult thing about having Fibro or CFS?
--Many things are difficult. The most difficult is the life experiences I have no had, due to gettng ill at such as young age.
What helps you get through a flare?
--Accepting it. Understanding the ebb and flow of life, and that a flare is an ebb, a time to let go, be gentle with myself, and let my body heal.
Advice for someone newly diagnosed?
-- This is a process. I was relieved and upset at the same time, when I was diagnosed. I rushed to tell my family. I felt newly discovered--like a person with an addiction who finds their 12-step program, Or a gay person who comes out of the closet. I wanted to tell everyone. I've learned that it's best for me to temper this. In my experience, finding the best practictioner who can test many systems and treat anything awry (adrenal, POTS/OI, hormones, neurological, pain, sleep disorder, chemical/food sensitivities). Quality of life improves with treatment for these things. Equally significant is awareness of the social, emotional, and psychological impact of a chronic illness. Getting support is critical. And finally, you are not alone; there are many of us who understand and support you with compassion.
Continue Reading...
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December Recording Available
Holiday Potluck Party There was no video made of this meeting. Webinar: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide with author, Erica Verrillo 
Erica Verrillo, chronic fatigue syndrome patient, literally wrote the book on how to manage ME/CFS. The book has received high praise from several top name ME/CFS specialists.
We enjoyed a highly educational discussion with Erica on how to manage ME/CFS. We touched on how to tell the difference between chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatigue states among other topics that have to do with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Buy the book: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide
About the book: This one-of-a-kind reference - now completely revised and updated -includes over 100 effective treatments, from antivirals to vitamins, as well as locations of CFS specialists and clinics, Internet ordering information, and national, local, and international CFS/ME organizations. New and expanded sections include doctors' protocols and research on the causes and mechanisms of the illness, all written in concise, easy-to-understand language. Every aspect of the illness is thoroughly examined, from diagnosis to an in-depth discussion of symptoms, from traditional to alternative therapies to essential coping strategies. The revised Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide remains the most comprehensive reference guide on this illness. Visit Erica Verrillo's Website Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Audio Recording Join our private web group here...
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 Join our Private Web Group
The Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Support Center, Inc. (formerly The Portland Area Fibromyalgia - ME/CFS Group) provides a support system and social network for those dealing with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other chronic illness and pain conditions. Our primary purpose is to encourage each other in thriving despite our illnesses.
By joining our private community, you'll have access to:
- Videos of our monthly group meetings featuring knowledgable speakers on various aspects of coping with and healing from chronic illness.
- Audio recordings of our monthly webinars featuring authors, doctors, naturopaths and other experts on fibromyalgia and ME/CFS from around the country.
- A compassionate online community where we share our stories and offer one another support.
- A library of articles on fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.
There are no membership dues and it is free to join. We hope that you will find exactly what you need in our group and look forward to meeting you!
Join the Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Support Center, Inc....
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Thanks for reading our January 2013 issue! We'd love your feedback on what you thought.
It would really help us if you would:
- Think of one person with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS who has told you, "I wish there was some support for people like us!" and to him/her.
- Join our private web community.
To thriving, not just surviving,
 
Tamara Staples Tami Stackelhouse
tamara@fibrocfssupportcenter.org tami@myrestoredhealth.com
(503) 476-9520 (971) 832-9322
Co-Founder, President Co-Founder, Vice President
Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Support Center, Inc. |
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