Stigma and discrimination in society.

[Mdaisy]

This is a subject that most sufferers are only to aware of because of their bad experiences.... It is disgusting in this day and age that there are still individuals who stigmatise and discriminate against people with invisible illnesses.

I was disgusted to read the post on here about the Sun Newpaper article ( meassociation.org.uk/?p=10210 ) and have since read that

the sun has sent letters of apology (actionforme.org.uk/get-info... . However sorry they may be who remembers the letters of apology when the article has impressed an opinion on so many ... It should never have been allowed to go to press by the editor . I think the press complaints commission should deal with the reporter under the code of practice and discipline him appropriately.

I have read somewhere that they are making progress in showing evidence of pain response in the brain function that is significantly different from those who are healthy individuals. The fMRI (functional MRI imaging) results are still being researched but the initial findings shows FMS response to pain to be higher and explains are sensitivity to pain.

I hope that in a few years they can prove it with this diagnostic test and the DR's will have to take note and admit the failings over the past years of denial or saying its all psychosomatic. Changing Drs may help at the time but not a long time solution. This fMRI will hopefully provide the awareness and understanding needed for the Drs & general public to change people's perceptions. We live in hope

Needless to say we should not need physical evidence of a test result for clinicians to trust in what a patient says as Margo McCaffery states in 1968: "Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does" and health professionals should remember this.

Until then it is us the sufferers to stick together to promote awareness and keep fighting positively for change.

Fibro hugs

[Pat16]

Hi. I was one of many who sent a letter to The Sun as Rod Liddle,s article filled me with rage. I did as you say get an apology which I have kept in my in box. That doesn,t satify me at all. I really lost my cool and called for him to be sacked. He hasn,t even had the courage to mention anything about it since. I will stick by anybody with Fibro. as will I am sure many more. Best Wishes

[JayneL62]

Take a look at "Rod Liddle to appologise to M.E /Fibromyalgia suffer's" on FaceBook, (facebook.com/groups/2966585...

there are replies from the Press complaints Commission and an ongoing thread by one member whose MP is involved.

Hope this helps

[Hidden]

hi gang did you not know we make up our FMS ?? sorry only wishing .. i think that we (fms suffers) are the but of jokes and ignorance but then so was dylexia .... and who remembers yuppie flu ? we can get threw these jokes by standing or limping together and getting ourselfs strong xx this is what people who face FMS daily do ... stay strong