The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) was founded in 1993 when two friends, Suzanne Mintz and Cindy Fowler, discovered common ground between them. One was caring for her husband who had multiple sclerosis (MS); the other had a parent with Parkinson's disease. Although their caregiving experiences differed a great deal, the two women still shared common needs. The NFCA describes itself as an organization which “educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well being.” For more information, go to: http://www.nfcacares.org/about_nfca/
THE LATEST ON MYOFASCIAL PAIN
Trying to figure out what chronic myofascial pain is, what a myofascial trigger point is, and how they affect you and interact with other illnesses you may have? You will find accurate, up-to-date information at the website of Devin Starlanyl, located at: www.sover.net/~devstar
FRIENDLY HELP
For the past 20 years, Friends’ Health Connection(FHC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has linked individuals with the same health challenges together for the purpose of mutual support so that they are able to find a renewed hope, comfort, and inspiration from the friendships they make. Individuals of “any age with virtually any type of health condition are connected with another person based on their symptoms, lifestyle effects, attitudes, treatments and personal interests.” FHC offers a wide variety of workshops, lectures, conferences, and health series utilizing top experts in health, wellness, and personal motivation and are affiliated with over 50 hospitals nationwide. FHC’s newest endeavor is an online community for individuals with health challenges and their caregivers. To find out more, visit their website at www.friendshealthconnection.org.
HELPING HANDS
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national non-profit organization that serves as an active liaison between a patient and his/her insurer, employer, and/or creditors to resolve through case managers and attorneys insurance, job discrimination, and/or debt crisis matters relative to his/her diagnosis. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of financial stability. PAF offers direct patient services at: www.patientadvocate.org/report.php. Email: help@patientadvocate.org. You can also phone: (800) 532-5274.
ADVICE ON HEALTH CARE HASSLES
Healthcare Advocacy offers professional consulting, support, and planning services regarding your health and disability benefits. They offer one-on-one guidance to individuals and their families. They help people to evaluate health plan coverage, make it through life changes which affect their coverage, and resolve grievances, complaints, and appeals. For details, go to: www.healthcareadvocacy.org
ACCESS TO NON-COMMERCIAL MEDICAL INFORMATION
Pain Treatment Topics' mission is "to serve as a non-commercial resource for health care professionals and their patients, providing open access to clinical news, information, research, and education for a better understanding of evidence-based pain management practices." Visit their website at: http://pain-topics.org to obtain more information about their work.
Disclaimer:The above listings of support organizations and resource centers are offered as a public information service of the National Fibromyalgia Partnership (NFP). No endorsement of any specific individual or organization is intended or implied, and no advertising fees were accepted for the inclusion of these listings which are included on a space available basis.
