Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting disorder marked by widespread pain, tenderness, fatigue, and other symptoms that can interfere with daily life. An estimated 5 million American adults have the condition.
This volume, which takes both a practical and spiritual approach toward our daily struggles with fibromyalgia, is devoted to our strategies for coping: how we access and engage with our inner and external resources. It includes some real gems of experience shared by over forty fellows 'fibros': from a detailed look at financial and domestic needs; through anecdotal approaches to overcoming daily struggles with household chores; to the emotional impact of fibromyalgia on our everyday relationships. It includes a candid look at the effect our Fm has on the people around us and also how we allow their influence, and the influence of our environment, to alleviate or exacerbate our symptoms.
Chapter Eight, in this volume, offers a practical guide to the current Benefits situation in the UK for long-term chronically sick and disabled people; dispels the myth that fibros are scroungers who are otherwise 'fit for work'; and talks through the best ways to approach claiming ESA (Employment Support Allowance) and PIP which started to replace DLA (Disability Living Allowance) from 8th April 2013.
In Chapter Nine, we take a practical, and hopefully humorous, look at housework with top tips from other fibros.
In Chapter Ten, I introduce some Buddhist concepts within the context of our relationships and journey to recovery.