New! Sunday Conversations with MassME
- Details
- Last Updated: 11 January 2022 11 January 2022
A monthly speaker series
3rd Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. ET
Free and open to everyone
Introducing “Sunday Conversations with MassME,” a monthly speaker series with discussion on a wide variety of topics. These will take place via Zoom on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. ET, and are free and open to anyone. Presentations will be recorded for later viewing. Registration is required.
The January topic is “Physical and Occupational Therapy for ME/CFS and Similar Chronic Illnesses” (see announcement below). Applying for Disability is the topic for February. Future topics will be announced in this newsletter and on social media. These sessions are appropriate for patients, family members/caregivers, and health care professionals. Please join us!
Register for the January Conversation
Sunday Conversation - January 2022
- Details
- Last Updated: 15 January 2022 15 January 2022
Physical/Occupational Therapy for ME/CFS and Similar Chronic Illnesses
Sunday, January 16, 4:00 - 5:00 ET via Zoom
Featuring Kenneth J. Friedman, Ph.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine,
School of Osteopathic Medicine of Rowan University, Stratford, NJ
Discussant: Alba Azola, MD
Assistant Professor
Co-director of the PMR Post-Acute COVID-19 Team (JH PACT) Program
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The overlap of symptoms in ME/CFS, long-haul COVID, and other post-infectious illnesses suggests that the symptoms are not unique to the individual conditions. Rather, they represent a common response, most likely with similar underlying pathophysiologies. Guiding principles of patient management are then set forward for all healthcare providers including physical and occupational therapists.
Dr. Friedman has contributed to three nationally-recognized primers on ME/CFS, written numerous articles about the disease in peer-reviewed journals, participated in the U.S. Department of Health’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee, and edited three medical journal issues focused on ME/CFS.
His research suggests ME/CFS is one of many post-infectious illnesses with similar symptoms and pathophysiologies, and that advances in one illness could benefit others.
Dr. Azola will offer her perspective as a clinician working with over 900 patients in a Long Covid clinic; 30 - 35% meet the criteria for ME/CFS. Amy Mooney, MS OTR/L, will also offer her comments about the unique perspective and guidance that Occupational Therapy offers.
The Moderator for this event is Kerry Lang, LMHC, an expressive art therapist and the Wellness and Mental Health Program Manager at the Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA. She also leads support groups for Long Covid patients.
2021-12 December Newsletter
- Details
- Last Updated: 21 December 2021 21 December 2021
In this month's newsletter:
- Matching Donations!
- Mark Your Calendars: CDC Call
- A Very Special Thank You to MassME Past President Leah Williams
- Warm Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season!
Board Match!
Between now and December 31 our board will match donations, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.
Contribute now so your gift will be doubled!
Your generous gift will enable us to:
- Hire professional facilitators for our growing on-line support group program;
- Improve our outreach to underserved communities;
- Increase the number of health care, social service and legal professionals that are able and willing to provide services to people with ME/CFS and related illnesses.
Remember that even if you don’t itemize your deductions on your federal taxes, for 2021 you can take a $300 deduction for charitable contributions ($600 if married and filing jointly).
Thank you!
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Notice about names
The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS.
Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.