Association News & Events
Sunday Conversations - April 24, 2022
- Details
- Last Updated: 29 April 2022 29 April 2022
"Working with Your Healthcare Provider”
Presented by Alba Azola, M.D.
The presentation is relevant to ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid and Chronic Lyme Disease.
Sunday, April 24, 2022, 4 p.m. ET
Alba Azola, M.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Co-director of the PMR Post-Acute COVID-19 Team (JH PACT) Program.
Dr. Azola presented the physician's perspective: how patients can prepare for their visit, especially the initial visit, in a way that is most helpful for the physician to focus on the most important information so that the patient can get the most help from a limited time with the provider. She also discussed issues that providers experience in working with complex, chronic illness.
"Dave" and "Sue", parents of a teen with ME/CFS, shared the story of their challenges in finding and working with numerous providers to try to get help for their child.
Moderator: Karin Dove, MassME Patient Services Volunteer
This is a virtual presentation via Zoom.
Links to video recordings:
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz31KwoUbYrGjlOUKA5Yz5dTMBKMDdolR
Full program: https://youtu.be/c7sACMrqsY0
Part 1 - Physician Perspective: https://youtu.be/5m1YadySvwA
Part 2 - Family Perspective: https://youtu.be/IFWMVNchb4g
Part 3 - Q&A: https://youtu.be/ZG3y_cBoVro
Resources for Working with your Healthcare Provider
NEW Art Therapy Group
- Details
- Last Updated: 01 March 2022 01 March 2022
Join us for a series of 5 bi-weekly art therapy classes featuring various creative exercises led by expressive art therapist, Kerry Lang, LMHC. Kerry is a MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor with years of experience leading groups and workshops for those with chronic illness, specifically those with Lyme disease, and more recently Long-COVID and ME/CFS.
These 90-minute sessions will be a mix of fun, creativity, connection, vulnerability, and exploration. No experience with the arts is necessary- we welcome all levels of creative experience!
The group will meet on Zoom every other Thursday from 2:30 - 4:00 P.M.
The first session is Thursday, March 24th.
*Registration is open through March 14 for MassME members. Professional licensing requirements constrain us to offering this program to MA residents only. Class size is limited to 12 participants. There is a $20 suggested donation to cover materials.
Click here for full details and registration information
Sunday Conversations - March 20, 2022
- Details
- Last Updated: 28 April 2022 28 April 2022
"A Functional Medicine Approach to Complex, Chronic Illnesses”
Presented by Andrew Lenhardt, M.D.
The presentation is relevant to ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid and Chronic Lyme Disease.
Sunday, March 20, 2022, 4 p.m. ET – Please join us!
Andrew Lenhardt, M.D., is a board-certified family doctor with a background in functional and integrative medicine. He has long experience treating people with complex, chronic diseases. He practices in Beverly, MA.
He is the author of two books: The Best of Both Worlds and Emotional Intelligence in a Complex World. Dr. Lenhardt is on the faculty of Tufts Medical School, Endicott College and Yale University and has been teaching medical students and nurse practitioner students for over 15 years. He has developed the algorithms used for the RootFinder tool at Complex Health Solutions. In his personal life, he is married with three sons and two Pomeranians. His interests include pickleball, bridge and exotic travel.
Dr. Lenhardt presented his approach to evaluating and treating patients with complex, chronic diseases.
This is a virtual presentation via Zoom.
Video links:
Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz31KwoUbYrEBZUVzD6OZb9GXJqoRWbPJ
Full event: https://youtu.be/21AwgCUT8fE
Part 1 - Intro to Functional Medicine: https://youtu.be/4oW8_YBL1ds
Part 2 - Patient Perspective: https://youtu.be/z6V1r1SWNBo
Part 3 - Q&A: https://youtu.be/i55KER2y06s
Sunday Conversations - February 2022, Applying for Social Security Disability
- Details
- Last Updated: 28 November 2022 28 November 2022
"Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits if You Have ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia”
The presentation is also relevant to Long Covid and Chronic Lyme Disease.
Sunday, February 20, 2022, 4 p.m. ET
The Conversation discusses when and how to apply for benefits, qualification requirements, the application process, and how to medically-document your disability – as well as how to optimize your chances for approval.
An experienced disability and worker’s compensation attorney discusses the role of an attorney in the disability process and the need for legal representation at hearings. A parent of an ME/CFS patient will discuss how he assisted his daughter win her benefits.
Links for this program
Playlist
Full event video
Part 1: Applying for Disability
Part 2: Patient Experience
Part 3: An Attorney's Role
Part 4: Q&A
Your Questions Answered! (from Chat)
Featured speakers
Atty. Ron Belluso, attorney specializing in disability at Keches Law Group, and a MassME Board member. Ron has successfully represented many ME/CFS and other disabled patients through the disability process and at Administrative Hearings and is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR).
Ken Casanova, MassME member and Disability Counselor. Ken is the primary author of the Association’s Disability Handbook, “How to Apply for Social Security if You Have ME/CFS,” and has guided nearly 100 people through the disability process over the years. He has been the Association's president twice, and has been a social worker, community organizer, and legislative advocate.
Bob Robitaille, MassME member and volunteer. Bob assisted his daughter win her Disability benefits and now provides guidance to others as a member of our Patient Services team.
Moderator: Karin Dove, MassME Patient Services Volunteer