JULY 14^th 2007, OPEN DAY.

On July 14^th the Nottingham & East Midlands Fibromyalgia Support group opened their doors to group members, fibromyalgia sufferers, family, friends and carers.

Admission was free with refreshments and food served throughout the day, their was a tombola stand, a crafts stand, Bev Hargreaves EPP Trainer from our regional head office represented the Expert Patient Programme and Dee Parsons  Senior Pain Management Nurse along with her colleague had a stand representing World of Magnets. Dee had previously contacted me to ask if I would send out information on her behalf making all the Midlands groups aware of an excellent reduction in the cost of their products including pillows and mattresses, from my cascading the information to the groups some of the groups have had the firm to talk at their group meetings but as we were booked with speakers until the early spring of 2008 we offered Dee the opportunity to attend our Open Day.

The day was an “open doors” occasion for all those wishing to obtain fibromyalgia information, including professionals, to have the opportunity to talk with fellow fibromyalgia sufferers and for patients and carers to talk about their problems but also to hear solutions and positive strategies for dealing with this debilitating condition as a patient and a carer.

Our group resource stands were packed to the brim with information about Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, EPP information, Tai Chi, Reiki, 024 Fibromyalgia relief, Acupuncture, VEGEPA supplement, Zenbev Supplement, Biofreeze information, DWP, Osteopath information, DIAL, exercise information booklets produced by and generously contributed by Christine Morton Chair of the Sheffield Fibromyalgia group, Dietician/nutrition information, Aqua Detox International information, the National Light Hire Company donated information on SAD, the Wellbeing Clinic provided information about many alternative treatments/ therapies, Norah Wickerson provided her 50 recommended supplements/minerals etc for fibromyalgia produced for the Holland & Barratt magazine, our group symptom solution information and our group fibromyalgia books were also on the stands.

We complied information from the Devin Starlanyl website for everyone to take too their Dentists, Opticians, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Rheumatologists, Surgeons, Midwives & Gynaecologist’s, Mental Health etc.

Everyone had the opportunity to present their concerns and problems and discuss the options for improving the services for fibromyalgia patients.

The day began at 10am and we were still talking with people at 5pm, over 40 new enquiries to become members of the group and many enquirers went away far more positive about their situation.

Having the large Sherwood Hall to hold our meetings and events enables us to use the Hall to its full advantage and we were able to divide the hall into two halves using the dividing folding screens with half of the hall being used “cinema style” with educationa DVD’s showing throughout the day.               

There have been requests for the event to be held again after many were unable to join us on the day, we are discussing a future date to hold a similar event.

© Christine Brown.