May 12th was designated as ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia International Awareness day back in 1993, 16 years ago today. The particular date of May 12th was chosen to honor the birthdate of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross. Florence Nightingale became chronically ill in her mid-thirties with an illness like ME/CFS (and who knows – maybe it was!) and she spent the remainder of her life (over 50 years) practically bedridden.
Even though Florence was suffering from a debilitating illness, she still managed to become the founder of the world’s first School of Nursing. Since then much has happened in the way of progress to help the millions of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia sufferers, but there is still much more that needs to be done.
ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day activities are designed to increase public awareness of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia, as well as to assist patients and organizations in educating the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies.
Cort Johnson from Phoenix Rising added the following comment on ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day & how it all began…
I would note that Tom Hennessey – a very articulate advocate and former advertising executive and the leader of RESCIND – was responsible for coming up with that day. Unfortunately Tom has been disabled for the 15 years with a horrendous case of ME/CFS. It’s so sad how little progress we’ve made in this disease.
Thank you for sharing this history. I had read something online to this effect just the other day and had never heard it before.
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, You learned something new today! 🙂
I would note that Tom Hennessey – a very articulate advocate and former advertising executive and the leader of RESCIND – was responsible for coming up with that day. Unfortunately Tom has been disabled for the 15 years with a horrendous case of ME/CFS. It’s so sad how little progress we’ve made in this disease.
Thanks, Cort. I didn’t realize that and I will add your comments to the post.
Thank you for sharing this post. I’ll also learned from this. In addition on above post about Florence Nightingale, she was one of the greatest woman in ancient times. Her theory was environment greatly affects a person’s health. That’s why there is a therapeutic environment as well as therapeutic approach in hospitals and community health centers.
My dear second cousin suffers from this congenitally, and it may be notable that she remains a very hard working lady, despite continual pain and fatigue.
We don’t know a cure, and we are often uncertain about causes, but one thing I believe I can say to all readers for themselves and all they are concerned with is to avoid artificial sweeteners. Spread the news. Many that had never experienced fibromyalgia began to display the symptoms after regular use of these substances. I won’t name them all; just avoid all of them. Use natural stevia which is recently become more affordable.
Keep up the good work, Sandy!
HI, Thanks for keeping May 12th alive! a group of about a dozen of us started this day of Awarness back in 1993 to honor Florence Nightingale. I had already been bed bound for about 3 years when I met Dr. Bryon Hyde a Canadian Doctor who had his own association named after Florence Nightingale. we started a little website at http://www.rescindinc.org. It now appears that flo was suffering from chronic brucellosis, which looks a lot like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
we also have an M.E. petition at our website at http://www.rescindinc.org. Please ask your friends to sign it. we are gettinv very close to 10,000 signatures! I don’t know if XMRV will pan out or not, but it finally has gotten the attention of the medical authorities. There still is a HUGE fight between big pharma and the psychiatric crowd and the biomedical researchers that we are trying to raise some funds for. Thanks again for all your efforts to keep her memory alive! TMH