Times Advocate, 1995-03-29, Page 8Page 8
Times -Advocate, March 29, 1995
Support group helps
Fibromyalgia sufferers
EXETER - Fibromyalgia is an illness that affects thousands of people
yet it remains largely undetected.
Commonly associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia
is characterized by sore and tender muscles, sleep disorders, sensitive
eyes, increased allergic reactions,
and a severe lack of energy.
People suffering from Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome are often misdi-
agnosed because it is not a disease
and can not be tested for through
conventional means such as a
blood test; however, there is help
available.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sup-
port Group based in Goderich On-
tario is designed to help people
cope with Chronic Fatigue Syn-
drome. The group was created
three years ago by Claudette AIIin,
also a Fibromyalgia sufferer, and
strives to bring people together to
talk about their illness.
By sharing information on avail-
able therapies and techniques avail-
able to cope with the illness, the support group hopes it can help ease
the frustration of people struggling with the symptoms of Chronic Fa-
tigue Syndrome and create a greater awareness about the illness which
is starting to gain more recognition among medical circles.
Working with a limited budget, and membership growing monthly
the group is in dire need of volunteers to help run the programs.
For more information contact Fran Carpenter 524-9520 or Lynda
Brindley 524-5641.
Submitted by Ron Mason who has studied this disease and is interest-
ed in helping.
YourViews
Letters to the editor
COMM 1JNITY
Author to visit Exeter Library
EXETER - Come on the Exeter
Branch Library on Tuesday April
4 at 7 p.m. and meet author Mary
Alice Downie, one of the best-
known children's authors and edi-
tors in Canada. She has been work-
ing in the field since 1959 and has
a very substantial and respected
body of work to her credit.
Mary Alice Downie is . a very
versatile writer. Her works in-
clude: picture books (Dragons on
Parade, The Cat Park); historical
fiction for older children, (Honor
Bound); folklore (How the Devil
Got His Cat, Cathal the Giant Kill-
er and the Dun Shaggy Filly); and
craft books (Seeds and Weeds: a
Book of Country Crafts). She also
edited the classic poetry antholo-
gy, The Wind Has Wings: Poetry
from Canada, which won the Ho-
ward -Gibbon Metal. Her articles
have appeared in OWL, Chicka-
dee, The Globe and Mail and The
London Free Press. Many of her
books are available at the Exeter
Branch.
While the majority of her work
is for children, she has also collab-
orated on adult titles such as, And
Some Brought Flowers: Plants in a
New World, a beautifully illustrat-
ed description of native plants with
quotations from early explorers
and settlers.
One of her most successful col-
laborations has been with King -
Food banks - the national disgrace
Dear Editor:
What is wrong with this picture? Canada's farm-
ers produce over $20 billion in food yearly and gro-
ceries are relatively inexpensive but one million Ca-
nadian children are malnourished? 6200 Londoners
get food bank help now monthly. Indeed our town
has a food bank too.
Temporary hunger was met in 1981 when Ed-
monton opened its first food bank. In 1995, Metro
Toronto alone has 235 active food banks where
'burned -out' volunteers toil on. It is shameful to
note the new meaning of "breadbasket to the world"
in the 1990s here.
Those who are temporarily "down" or mostly
those on some social assistance program are regular
users. Recently however, "oustees" from the middle
class or victims of downsizing are repeated clients.
Would you have guessed this?
Food banks continue to grow in number, size and
clients even though their role was to meet emergen-
cy needs. No long term scheme is in place by gov-
ernment to deal with poverty itself. Apparent pros-
perity masks a growing dependency cycle across
Canada today. Requests for food services grow fast-
er than food drives can collect staple groceries. Just
ask a volunteer.
Some believe we should force governments to ad-
dress poverty by simply cutting back on charity.
Structured changes can only come when real pover-
ty is forced onto the governments agendas. Mean-
while countless thousands keep volunteering be-
cause the need is so real and they're morally
committed.
Our media get blamed for unfair reporting when
social abuses get over -exaggerated and estimates of
poverty are considered unreliable. Each of us
though, likely already knows a family member or
neighbour in real need. The longer governments ig-
nore growing social needs, the harder it will be to
adjust to them and develop a consensus with which
to act. Toronto has doubled its street people since
1988, while 120,000 live off food banks eveyr
month now in Metro.
Youngsters in poverty facing malnutrition through
no fault of their own, need our support. Protein im-
poverished diets will undoubtedly lead to bigger
health problems as an adult. Meat, eggs, milk prod-
ucts, fresh fruit and vegetables are essential nutri-
ents and roughage.
If a humanitarian nation is measured by the way it
deals with the needy, we've all got work to be done.
Evidence mounts that much Canadian poverty has
been institutionalized by failed government policies.
Planned high interest rates directly caused unem-
ployment. Some governments welcome high unem-
ployment to slow worker demands for better wages
and benefits, especially since "competitiveness" of
free trade, 1989. Reduced transfer payments only
overburden local governments. The corporate agen-
da of big business lobbies governments to downplay
public and social interests, that respect the voter and
the common good.
Alternatives abound! End universality for the
wealthy - alter tax rates and credits - guarantee a ba-
sic annual income - demand responsible government
again because you and I are the government.
Respectfully
David Hern
RRI Woodham
•
JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THE VIEWS
FROM THE ROYAL YORK.
Because when you stay at the Royal York, well not only show you to your suite,
well show you to your seat. It's called the Royal Entertainment Connection.
And when you reserve a room at the Royal York, you can also reserve tickets to
some of the finest productions in North America. Among them is "Sunset Boulevard",
for which the Royal York is proud to be the Official Hotel. Royal Retreat room packages
start at just $119. So call us soon at 1-800-663-7229 or (416)863-6363 in
Toronto. And see why the Royal York* Hotel is not only located in the heart of
Toronto's Entertainment District, it's truly a part of it.
Canadian Pacific E4 Hotels be Resorts
RoyalYitic
Cubist to availability to April 30, 1995. Some restrictions apply.
Council. May Alice Downie will
also be speaking at the Bayfield Li-
brary on Saturday April 8 at 2 p.m.
ston artist, Jillian Hulme Gilliland,
on the Silhouette Folk Tales Series
published by Quarry Press. This
delightful series of retold folktales,
from around the world, is illustrat-
ed with striking black and white
silhouettes.
a
During the program, she will be
reading from some of her work,
followed by time for questions and
book autographing. Several lucky
participants will receive a copy of
one of Mary Alice Downie's
books as door prizes. Refresh-
ments will be provided.
The whole family will enjoy this
program. Admission is free and
everyone is welcome. This pro-
gram is sponsored by the Huron
County Library and the Canada
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