Halton Fibromyalgia Support Group Helps UK Sufferers Know They Are Not Alone
An estimated 5 million people in the U.S. have fibromyalgia but it’s an international condition that affects millions more worldwide. It’s estimated that 1 million people in the U.K. suffer from fibromyalgia. And we often hear from those in the U.K. that fibromyalgia is even less understood there than it is in the U.S.
Anyone suffering from fibromyalgia knows how important it can be to have the support of family and friends. So we were pleased to read the article in the Chester Chronicle about an active fibromyalgia support group in the U.K. that is helping those with fibromyalgia feel not so alone.
The Halton Fibromyalgia Support Group meets in person regularly but also maintains a Facebook page that welcomes fibromyalgia sufferers from around the world. The group also holds two major fundraising events each year with proceeds going toward helping others who are living with fibromyalgia.
We salute this UK support group and hope that their story may inspire others to form their own local support groups for fibromyalgia sufferers.
The article recently published about the group gives perspective from both a woman and a man in the group.
Mary Maguire who founded the Halton group said “having the support of others who knew how I felt and the experience of going through fibro education, then six months of Occupational Therapy and the wonderful but few hydrotherapy sessions encouraged me to accept what I wake up to each day,”
Matty Dunn, who tends to be the only male attendee, said ““I live day to day with the help of my wife and without her being so supportive, I know I wouldn’t be here today because fibromyalgia not only creates this world of pain, it also causes anxiety and depression.”