Monday, May 12, 2008, is National Fibromyalgia and CFIDS Awareness Day! 

Join the National Fibromyalgia Association and Support Groups everywhere in commemorating Fibromyalgia and CFIDS Awareness Day as we here in western Washington celebrate with our third annual Symposium on Saturday, May 31st. 

This year our Symposium will be held in the Glaser Auditorium, located at Swedish Medical Center's First Hill Campus. The address is 747 Broadway. Parking in the Broadway Garage will be validated at the event, so bring your parking ticket inside for validation.

Doors will open at 9 a.m. for registration, our keynote speaker is at 10:00 a.m. and our last speaker of the day will start at 4 p.m. & finish at 5 p.m. 

Free Lunch provided (gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, Vegan options available, all MSG-free)

We have a great line-up of people invited. We're really excited about them and hope you will be, too. We will have professionals from a wide variety of disciplines, as always.

Dr. Paul B. Brown will be leading things off at 10 a.m. Dr Brown is a respected local resource for FM patients and will be addressing current treatment options for FM.  Dr. Paul B. Brown practices internal medicine and rheumatology in Seattle, Washington.  Following Dr. Brown will be Kathleen Mahan, RD, a nutritionist who will speak about several conditions that often occur alongside FM such as gastrointestinal disorders, microflora and food intolerances. Check out her website at: www.nutritiondesign.com

Gregg & Sherrie Piburn are our lunch-time speakers, and afterward they will be available to lead break-out sessions for people with chronic illness (led by Sherrie) & the people who love them (led by Gregg).  Gregg wrote the book Beyond Chaos: One Man’s Journey Alongside His Chronically Ill Wife, in which he chronicles what is was like for Sherrie to develop fibro and how they as a couple coped with her diagnosis, decline, walk through the medical maze and eventual improvement. He pulls no punches about his anger, frustration and difficulties as a man trying to come to terms with all of it, but gives constructive ways for the couple to work through each stage.

 After lunch our speakers will include: Janaki Rose, OT/L, an occupational therapist who has developed a physical therapy/energy healing/therapeutic regimen over the years that many FM patients find to be a key part of their total healing program. Dr. Philip Ranheim, an environmental medicine specialist, who who incorporates optimal nutrition, finetuned allergy desensitization, and environmental controls into his practice. Find out more on his website at: www.drpdranheim.com. Sandie Widlan, JD, from Schroeter, Goldmark & Bender will be speaking to us about Social Security Disability issues for those people who have disability questions or are still struggling with that decision. See the SGB website http://www.sgb-law.com/ and look under Attorneys to read more about Sandie. The founder of Sleep Medicine Northwest, Dr. Gandis Mažeika has over 10 years experience treating sleep-disordered patients. Sleep issues are one of the most germane symptoms among FM patients. http://www.soundsleephealth.com

We have room for 200 participants this year, so get your reservations in early.  There is no fee to attend.  Because Lyrica™ has been approved by the FDA as the only drug to treat fibromyalgia Pfizer has graciously offered to underwrite the majority of the costs of our symposium this year.  We have also received a grant from the NFA, so we expect this to be the best Symposium ever and we want you in attendance.  Email FibroSeattle@gmail.com or call 206-523-4958 to receive a registration form.

Please take this opportunity to join us for this FREE EVENT to learn about FM, meet others and to find the help you need to learn to manage your condition effectively.

Check back here often to see what new and exciting things are happening, what speakers have RSVP'd, etc.

If you are an out of town participant, we can provide you with a list of nearby hotels.  Transportation is the participant’s responsibility. 

For more information please contact: Valerie Kiesel in Seattle at FibroSeattle@gmail.com or 206-523-4958 or Cheri Stier in Everett at 425-258-6469 (carpooling from Everett will be available).