WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia (FM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)) Awareness Day aims to raise awareness and end the stigma and discrimination that accompany these chronic illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia (FM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) affect about 5% of Canada’s population - over 568,000 men, women and children of all ages and races in Ontario are afflicted with one or both of these chronic illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia (FM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) often take an average of three (3) to five (5) years to receive a diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Once diagnosed, an individual is often ill for years, with as many as 70 per cent of sufferers becoming disabled for life; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia (FM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) are complex illnesses which cause debilitating chronic pain, overwhelming fatigue, cognitive impairment, immune dysfunction and extreme physical exhaustion. This pain can become strong enough to prevent people from working or engaging in physical activities for months and even years; and
WHEREAS, Patients with Fibromyalgia and/or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis often have a number of co-existing conditions, which may include chronic myofascial pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), environmental sensitivities, anxiety and depression; and
WHEREAS, The causes of these diseases are still unknown and there are no effective treatments for them, so more research is urgently needed; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia (FM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) greatly reduce quality of life, can cause total disability and also affect families, friends and employers. Living with chronic pain and fatigue on a daily basis can lead to social isolation, so it is important for sufferers and their families, friends, and caregivers to know that they are not alone.; and
WHEREAS, People with Fibromyalgia (FM) and/or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) have a right to be treated with dignity and have a right to pain relief; and
WHEREAS, Existing public information, medical education, research, and resources to properly serve patient communities remain inadequately disseminated and are insufficient in addressing the needs of specific diverse populations and other underserved groups; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and understanding by the public, healthcare providers and policymakers of the daily multifaceted management challenges of Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and its impact on patients’ function and quality of life may reduce the stigma of this illness;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor of the Town of Collingwood,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM May 12, 2023 as “Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Awareness Day” in the Town of Collingwood.