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What is Chronic Illness? |
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| A chronic illness is any illness that persists over a long period of time and affects physical, emotional, intellectual, social or physical functioning. |
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| We use the term Complex Chronic Illness to describe the little understood syndrom type illnesses that often have overlapping groups of systems: |
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- Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, ME/CFS
- Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Scleloderma
- Menieres Disease
- Restlest Legs Sydrome
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and many others
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| What Can We Do? |
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| We can get to know others in our local area who are challenged by chronic illness. We can learn from each other and we can learn together to better manage our illness. We do not need to suffer in silence and alone. We deserve better that that! Chronic Disease Self-Management is about you being in control of your condition and not allowing it to control you. |
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| Why Self Management? |
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| A diagnosis of chronic illness or experiencing symptoms that never go away, can cause us to give up, lose physical conditions, and focus on our problems, but... You don't have to stop living, you can focus on solutions, make it a challence and work on "what is possible" |
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| Self Management Is The Answer |
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| It offers you skills to deal with ongoing fatigue, loss of energy, endless pain, sleeping problems, breathing difficulties, depression and concerns about the future. |
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| Who Will Benefit? |
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| Any person of any age with a chronic illness will benefit from learning new problem solving techniques, symptom management strategies and communications skills that are related to living with a chronic condition. Friends and carers are always welcome Empower Yourself!! |
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| "Living a Healthy Life With a Chronic Condition" |
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| Is a self management program that was specifically designed at the Stanford University for people with chronic conditions. It's about learning new living skills and coping strategies. |
| How Does The Program Work? |
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| It runs for two and a half hours, once week for six weeks. The program is facilitated by people who themselves suffer with a chronic condition and have trained to help others. |
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What Does The Course Cover?
How to:
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- Manage your symptoms
- Lessen your frustrations
- Fight fatigue
- Communicate with your health provider
- Get more out of life
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| THIS IS A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF |
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| What is The Cost? |
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The Course is available for a minimal fee. Your health insurance may cover part of the costs. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, scholarships are available. Please ask because no one should miss out on this great opportunity. An optional how to do it book "Living a Healthy Life With a Chronic Condition" is available at extra cost.
Other Educational, Friendship and Self-Management Activities Include Telelink Groups: especially for house-bound people. Stay at home and create a new circle of friends-problem solve together-share friendly conversation, all you need is telephone and to set aside 45 minutes each week. This activity is especially for house-bound people. Contact Cathie 08 8358 6086.
Cafe Clubs: get out of the house and meet others who share the experience and challenge of living with a chronic condition. Informal get togethers occur at local cafes in Blackwood, Christies Beach, Noarlunga, Marion, Glandore, Aberfoyle Park, Seaford/Moana, Mt Barker, Goolwa and Victor Harbour. Get involved! Contact Cathie 08 8358 6086 or Glenn 08 8358 6086.
Monthly Educational Seminars: Fibromyalgia SA, first Sunday of each month, held at the Arthritis Foundation at Fullarton. Ph 08 83358 6086.
Challenging ME/CFS Seminare: Informal discussions and/or video programs held monthly, Contact Cathie 08 8358 6086.
Lay Persons Guide to "Making Sense of "Fibromyalgia". A three hour seminar, run by people who live successfully with FM. Ph 08 8358 6086.
Campbell CFS/Fibromyalgia Toolkit Program: solutions orientated self help workshops specifically designed for the special needs of these people. Contact Glenn 08 8358 6086 or bpprojects@telstra.com
Other activities to help you are available through your local community or health centre. |
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