|
Upcoming Events
| | |
Every Thursday
Saturday, June 15th from 1 - 4:00 PM:
Wednesday, June 26th
from 6:30-8 PM (PDT):
|
| Featuring: | | |
Willamette Wellness Spa Events
Growing Stronger Together...A Series of Women's Conversations.
Coming to terms with difficult life situations can cause deep discomfort for many of us. They may arrive in various forms including chronic health conditions, financial hardships, broken relationships, and more.
In our conversations, we will explore new ways of caring for ourselves in times of challenge, as well as ways to make peace with life---on life's terms.
Facilitator: Elaine Merryfield
June 26th, 2-4:30pm Conversation #1: making peace with vulnerability
July 10th, 2-4:30pm Conversation #2: making peace with acceptance
July 24th, 2-4:30pm Conversation #3: cultivating practices of self kindness
Pre-Paid Fee per individual session is $25.
OR Pre-Paid Fee for all three is $65.
Pre-Registration Is Required by June 12th.
Call Elaine Merryfield at 503-972-8272
Elaine Merryfield has taught at Tuality Healthcare, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, Pacific University, The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia, and other locations. Based on a multi-faceted nursing and health education background, her work in stress management began in 1987. In recent years she has incorporated a growing emphasis on mindful awareness practices. Since 2000, one of Elaine's other areas of specialty has been counseling and supporting others who, like herself, live with fibromyalgia.
Learn ALL about Lyme Disease July 9th, 3-6pm
What is it? How to find out if you have it?
Doctors misdiagnose people having Lupus or RA or Fibromyalgia or...because it is a hidden disease. If you are not looking for it you will not find it.
What to do when you have it? Is there a cure?
Our first speaker will be Dr. E. Gibbs ND, DC, LacA. Dr. Gibbs is practicing at the Life Qual center in Beaverton. This subject is personal for him as his own son lived with Lyme disease for many years. He is treating his clients successfully and all naturally.
Our second speaker is Barbara Baker, who will speak from her own experience of her life's journey living with Lyme disease for over 20 years and what remedies did and did not work for her.
In between we will have a break where everyone can walk around the pathways, eat and drink from the provided refreshments or walk the Classical Labyrinth on the property. Labyrinths are popular because of it's simplicity of walking to the center and releasing all that troubles you and then walking out after a brief reflection, refreshed and at peace.
Pre-Registration is Required by June 25th Call Nancy at (503) 913-6168
3 hrs (incl 20 min break, filtered water and fruit snack provided)
Cost: $15 (mention the group and receive a $5 discount)
|
|
We Are Seeking Volunteers...
The Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Support Center, Inc. is needing volunteers to help with these positions:
- E-Newsletter Assistant Editor
- Facebook Group Moderator
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Social Event Coordinator
- Monthly Walk Coordinator
- Chat Night Host
- Virtual Assistant
Click here for a PDF with additional information.
In order for our community to remain viable and continue to offer the services, events, and information that benefit you, we need help.
If you know someone who might be interested in volunteering, please forward the attached information to them. They need not have fibromyalgia or ME/CFS to volunteer!
Thank you for your careful consideration of how you might help support your community.
It is with all of us working together that we are going to have the biggest impact on each other's lives and health.
Warmly,
Tamara
| |
|
|
|
The Thriving Fibromite
JUNE 2013 |
Greetings!
Welcome to our new members. We're glad you're here!
Don't forget that our meeting will be at our new location this month! Now that the Frida Center is closed, we have moved to Valley Community Presbyterian Church near Jesuit High School in Hillsdale. More information can be found below.
Our meeting on the 15th will be a return performance by Cheryl Coon, SSDI attorney. Cheryl spoke to us about a year and half ago and shared an incredible amount of information about the Social Security Disability process.
The webinar on the 26th of this month is the second in a four-part series on chronic pain. Please see webinar announcement below for a recording of the 1st webinar in the series. Also, you will see the dates for the remaining two events.
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. |
|
|
New Meeting Location Beginning in April
As you know, the Frida Center is now closed. That means that we will now be meeting in a new location.
We will meet at Valley Community Presbyterian Church beginning in April. The meeting room is free. AND, there is a built-in sectional that goes around most of the room. Comfortable seating anyone?
There is also a kitchenette attached to the room.
Valley Community Presbyterian Church
Fireside Room
8060 SW Brentwood
Portland, Oregon 97225
Map and Directions
|
 Cheryl Coon, Disability Attorney, to Speak on SSDI 
Saturday, June 15th 1-4:00 PM
Do you have questions about Social Security Disability Insurance?
Whether you are thinking of applying, in the process of applying or already approved and still have questions about your benefits, Cheryl Coon, disability attorney with Swanson, Thomas and Coon, is back by popular demand to answer all of your questions.
Read more about SSDI on Swanson, Thomas and Coon’s website here.
Meeting format: 1-2:15 - Social Time 2:15-4 - Announcements and Speaker ABOUT CHERYL F. COON
Ms. Coon graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1977. In 1981, she earned an LL.M from the University of Washington School of Law. Her legal practice over the last thirty-three years has included trial work in state and federal courts, administrative practice before state and federal agencies, and six years working in the United States Congress as legal counsel and staff director for committees of the Congress. She has taught at the Lewis and Clark Law School. Cheryl is a member of the bars of the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States District Court. Cheryl lives in Portland with her husband and two children. In her spare time, Cheryl researches and writes about children's books and how they can help children. Her book, Books to Grow With: A Guide to Using The Best Children's Fiction for Everyday Issues and Tough Challenges (Lutra Press; 2004) is in libraries worldwide. Date: Saturday, June 15th
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Valley Presbyterian Community Church
Questions? Tamara Staples (503) 476-9520
Tami Stackelhouse (971) 832-9322,
|
|
Webinar: The Master Pain Method: Changing Pain - Changing Lives!
Wednesday, June 26th 6:30-8 PM 
This FREE webinar is the second in a four-part four-part series. (register for this webinar and you will be on the mailing list to receive updates on remainder of series).
The first of the series was held in April:
The title was "Neuroplasticity: How it Hurts, How it Can Help" by Jill Fancher, Pain Psychologist and chronic pain patient, herself.
Dr. Fancher discussed how neuroplasticity functions to "burn" in pain pathways. She also talked about how Neuroplasticity is, by its very definition, continuously changing the nervous system. There are ways that you can use this to your advantage by making neuroplastic changes that can give back what was stolen, and decrease the intensity, agony, and impact of pain.
Part 2 - The Mastering Pain Method: Changing Pain - Changing Lives will be held on June 26th from 6:30-8PM (PDT)
Mastering Pain is about organizing and supporting a growing rebellion in pain management. It is about changing pain and changing life. At its core are four interwoven foci that validate the biological basis of pain. These four foci include the application of neurobiology that empower an individual with the skills to reduce the intensity of pain, change the agony of pain, address the impact of pain, and encourage everyone to come together to end the isolation and stigma of chronic pain. This webinar will walk you through the basic components of TMPM, the science of the treatments, and how to identify your own mastery plan.
Note: We will be giving away a copy of Jill's book "Master Your Pain" to someone who is in attendance during the live webinar. Part 3 - Endogenous Opioids: What they are, how to activate them will be held on July 24th.
Have you ever heard of the runner's high? Or maybe a tall tale of someone who was able to accomplish amazing feats of strength when in danger? Those tall tales are not exaggerations. There is documented stories of bullet wounds and broken limbs that weren't discovered until days to years later. How is this possible? The natural opioid system is capable of awesome pain relief and can be activated by some basic brain training. This webinar will utilize The Mastering Pain Method and walk you through different skills that can reduce the intensity of pain all on your own.
Part 4 - Mindfulness: Making the neurobiological change will be held in August 21st.
Mindfulness is an ancient practice. Borrowed for psychological purposes, it has been shown to enrich the lives of thousands of individuals. Latest neurobiological research also shows that it addresses one of the most difficult components of pain processing - the suffering and agony of pain. Using mindfulness in a specific way can dramatically change the way your brain processes pain so that it bothers you much less!! This webinar will walk you through the neurobiology, the skill set, and the practice regimen so you can make this neurobiological change.
About Jill Fancher, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Director of Pain Management Services at Evergreen Behavioral Health in Vancouver, Washington
The primary focus of my training and career is in Health Psychology, a field devoted to the intersection of physical health and mental health. I have a lifelong passion for all things health-related. To that end I love keeping up on the latest research in the physiological basis of psychology and psychological treatment. In therapy I emphasize evidence-based approaches in a warm, friendly, and inviting environment, working on the goals you establish.
As a person with chronic pain I emphasize addressing the needs of others with chronic pain. Through the years I have integrated the current evidence-based psychological treatments for chronic pain into a coherent system that meets the needs of my patients in a flexible and easy-to-learn approach. We call this process Mastering Pain because we hope that every person with chronic pain can develop the brain skills, coping skills, and life skills to become a master of their pain management. I provide individual therapy, group therapy, and some assessment. On the side I am building a research program and developing a free support group network for people with chronic pain. I am particularly interested in identifying the ways the brain can manage body sensations, alter pain perception, change intensity, and improve a sense of well-being.
To Register for the Webinar (and receive call in/log in details via email, click here.
To read "How Webinars Work," click here.
|
|
May Recordings Now Posted...
Webinar: How to Have Healthy Relationships When Chronically Ill 
Our May webinar featured Deborah Barrett, PhD, author of "Paintracking" and chronic pain patient, herself.
Living with chronic pain impacts every aspect of one's life, including relationships. In this webinar, psychotherapist and fellow-pain sufferer, Deborah Barrett, PhD, LCSW discussed challenges that affect individuals with chronic pain as well as how it affects the people in their life. She also suggested strategies to support each other and strive for relationships that are balanced, sustainable, and nourished.
Note from the Author
I came to the topic of this book through my own struggles with pain. I developed severe pain, fairly suddenly, in my late 20s, after having enjoyed many years unencumbered by any health problems beyond an occasional cold or minor injury. Once my pain began, however, it seemed relentless. Even after I was diagnosed and tried various treatments, the pain persisted. The pain seemed to worsen out of the blue, which made my life unpredictable and frightening. But every so often I would experience a short reprieve.
At that time, I was completing my doctorate in sociology at Stanford University. After months of terrible frustration over my unexplained ups and downs, I decided to apply my social science skills to uncover the reasons for these variations. By recording how I felt and whatever activities varied that day, I detected patterns and could test which ones made me better or worse. This approach turned my experience around.
I improved enough to finish my Ph.D. and launch my career as a sociologist. At the same time, I began writing self-help articles for people with chronic pain. I found this work and the response I received to be satisfying. In my mid-30s, with a growing family, I decided to return to school for training in clinical social work so that I could work more directly with people who were suffering. My work as a psychotherapist has added to my thinking about ways to improve life with pain-and beyond pain.
Paintracking is the book I wish someone had handed me when I found myself in mysterious, debilitating pain. It draws from my professional experience and transformation as well as the empathy that comes from life in the pain trenches. I hope that its lessons, culled from medical, psychotherapeutic, and social scientific approaches, along with a dose of "hard knocks," will facilitate your own healing journey.
To listen to audio recording, click here.
Video: 2nd Annual "Retreat" for the Soul: Designing a Life You Love In May, we celebrated Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Awareness by  honoring our body and soul at our second annual "Retreat for the Soul." Our goal was that you leave this retreat inspired in body, mind and soul - with just a bit more emotional and physical energy to get through your days. The agenda was as follows: 1:00-1:15 PM: Introduction & Welcome 1:15-2:00 PM: Gentle Yoga & Core Strengthening, with Leslie Ellis, HeartSong Yoga & Wellness Center: All postures will be able to be done seated. 2:15-3:00 PM: The Dream Dinners Concept, with Jim McConnell, Dream Dinners Tualatin: A brief explanation of how Dream Dinners can help you save time and energy. Jim will have Chicken Paella for us to try. A green salad and beverages will also be provided. 3:15-4:00 PM: Designing a Life You Love, with Kimberli Freilinger, Mrs. Oregon Plus America 2013: Kimberli lives with mitochondrial disease, an illness with many of the same symptoms as Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. She will speak to us on "Designing a life you love; Inspiring people with chronic illnesses to live life to the fullest." To view video recording, click here. Join our private web group here...
|
 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....
|
|
Thanks for reading our June 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. |
|
|
