Explanation
May 12, 2013 has been named National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
Title
To recognize May 12, 2013, as National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in Columbus, Ohio and to raise awareness for Fibromyalgia; a chronic pain disorder that is a major cause of disability and has no known cure.
Body
WHEREAS, an estimated 10 million people in the United States- up to 8 percent of the population of our country-and millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or cure; and
WHEREAS, fibromyalgia, a condition affecting the central nervous system, a chronic illness-increasing at alarming rates-that causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children of all ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, patients with this illness often have to learn to live with widespread pain throughout their bodies; extreme fatigue; sleep disorders; stiffness and weakness; migraine headaches; numbness and tingling; impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, patients with fibromyalgia often have a number of co-existing conditions which may include chronic myofascial pain, IBS, TMJD, environmental sensitivities, anxiety and depression; 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 fall into a high risk of suicide and accident prone category of people; and
WHEREAS, increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities of living with fibromyalgia and its impact on patients’ quality of life will allow the community at large to better support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic-pain illness; and
WHEREAS, it may take years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated on the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Association is a nonprofit charitable organization and the publisher of Fibromyalgia AWARE, the first and only consumer magazine for fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Association, Kevin Hackshaw, M.D. Associate Professor of Medicine, Fellowship Director, Rheumatology; The Ohio State University College of Medicine ; E. Michelle Lee, host of the Exceptions To The Rules Radio Show on Talktainment Radio and suffers from fibromyalgia, and other groups around our country have joined together to promote fibromyalgia awareness and support-including improved education, diagnosis, research, and treatment; and
WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Association is urging fibromyalgia patients and their supporters, healthcare providers, and the general public to demonstrate their caring by sharing the road patients walk, the facts about fibromyalgia, and ever-growing awareness about the etiology of this disorder and potential treatments; and
WHEREAS, the community’s focus on fibromyalgia and its impact on patients’ lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with fibromyalgia;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
That we do hereby recognize the needs of these chronically ill people and recognize May 12, 2013 as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in --------------------------------Columbus, Ohio,urge all of our citizens to support the search for a cure, and offer assistance to those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disease.