May 12, 2019: Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a chronic pain illness which affects over ten million people in the United States as a primary illness and millions more as a secondary illness (3-6 percent of the population); and, WHEREAS, millions of people worldwide suffer with fibromyalgia; and, WHEREAS, family members of fibromyalgia patients are 8 times more likely to also experience the illness, as compared to the inherited occurrence of other conditions of 2 to 3 times; and,

 

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is not only very common but is typically also very disabling; up to 15-20 percent of fibromyalgia patients may be on long-term disability; and,

 

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia, a condition affecting the central nervous system, for which there is currently no cure, causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children many of whom go undiagnosed; and,

 

WHEREAS, patients with this illness live with widespread body pain, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness, weakness, headaches, numbness, tingling, impairment of memory, and difficulty with concentration; and,

 

WHEREAS, patients with fibromyalgia often have a number of co-existing conditions which may include chronic myofascial pain, IBS, TMJD, migraine, environmental sensitivities, anxiety and depression; and,

 

WHEREAS, it may take years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated on the current research, diagnosis, and treatment of fibromyalgia; and,

 

WHEREAS, increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the reality of living with fibromyalgia and its impact on patients’ function and quality of life will allow the community at large to better support people who struggle with the multifaceted management challenges of this complex chronic-pain illness and common comorbid or co-existing conditions; and,

 

WHEREAS, people with fibromyalgia have a right to be treated with dignity and have a right to pain relief; and,

 

WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, a nonprofit 501c3 charitable organization, the Fibromyalgia Association of Michigan, a nonprofit 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to helping Michigan families affected by fibromyalgia; and other groups around our country have joined together to advocate for fibromyalgia awareness, support, and a better future through research, diagnosis, education, and treatment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 12, 2019 as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in Michigan and I urge all citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating illness on a daily basis.