CFIDS/ME & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Today is International CFIDS/ME & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. I posted about this last year, and dutifully do so again. I am unhappily aware of these conditions every day, but most people aren't -- until they or someone they love falls down with it.

Last night, Keith Olbermann made a little joke, not quoted here, but paraphrased: small-town chronic fatigue group plans Awareness Day events -- posts two posters -- planned to post more --  but they were . . . just . . . too . . . tired . . .

I watched myself prickle, even though I've made similar jokes myself (Chronic Fatigue Activism?! Isn't that an oxymoron?) I think it's one of those things you get to joke about only if you have it.

I'm aware that I don't do much to raise awareness (though I do have the Abide weblog.) This is because I really prefer to ignore it as much as possible. Better to pretend that I'm just very old, living the normal life of a frail and elderly retiree. Do I want to inflict my complaints on you? No, I do not.

What would I want you to be aware of, if you get it, if you live with or love someone who has it?

I would write about this, but I'm too tired.

Really.

Resources and information:

The National Fibromyalgia Association
The CFIDS Association of America
WebMD Fibromyalgia/CFIDS Health Center
Abide|fms & cfids -- lots of links on the sidebar
& via webfriend Joe  G,  Letter to Normals, at Fibrohugs

ADDED: a useful post here, at Bookworm, and I will add others as I come across them.

Comments

[Sylvia]

I like the joke about the two posters. The joke would work with two blog posts too! ;-)

I'm like you, I try to ignore the illness as much as possible which, I guess, is why I didn't go into how it "feels" to have M.E. in my post. I read the words "life-altering" on one website today and that was enough for me. Waaaaaaaaah!!! Ya, I feel like I'm living the life of an old lady too. I really should get an old cat and knee stockings to complete the image. ;-)

[Montana Jones]

In this age of memes and sound bites you should welcome the jokes as a way to raise awareness. Face it, "CFIDS/ME & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" is difficult to say, difficult to type, and for those of us not familiar with it, difficult to remember. A good simple joke will go a long way. Laughter can build bridges to others and laughter can cure.

So if you are willing to do Cronic Fatigue Activism, I will be willing to get pumped up about fatigue.

[Joe G]

Sharon, I admire you for not wanting to be a "symbol of pain". With my wife sometimes she just wants to be understood. She's had FMS/CFS for 10 years and her 5 brothers and sisters just don't get her. They still think that she's being a bitch if she cancels going to Birthday parties and other family gatherings. I used to get mad about their behavior, but I know it's tough to understand and I still catch myself "slipping" and pushing her too hard. Best Wishes, Joe G

[Kate S.]

Thank you for writing about this subject. I know people don't usually go out of their way to understand anything that doesn't directly effect them -- and that can be very frustrating. When you have several debilitating diseases, the word "bitch" doesn't even describe the coldness one feels from "friends" who just don't get it. Not even a phone call to check up on, which would do wonders to raise the spirit.

So, I'm with ya! We're all here with you, laying right beside you, moaning and groaning every time we move, in perfect harmony. (Now isn't THAT a site? lol)

[Kate S.]

Whoops! I meant: isn't that a "sight." Yawn. More coffee...

[grannyinsanity]

I like the joke.

Keep your immune system primed.