This has been an exciting year for Fibro in N.Z. Information spreading has meant new groups starting for people's support.

• New Fibro Support groups formed early in Christchurch with Yvonne Gray & F.O. Gwynneth from CAS; Invercargill with Clare Atkinson & F.O. Robyn Thomas; Levin and Manawatu very active with F.O. Jennie Thomas; New Plymouth with Kay Anderson & Cathy Morgan; Te Awamutu started with F.O. Sharon Black and F.O. Julie Pickford recently held a seminar in Otago, for which people from Southland, Timaru and Christchurch travelled to Dunedin.
• Established Support groups are active in Auckland; Hawkes Bay with F.O. Janice Klinkhamer; Wairarapa with F.O. Jane Flowerday; Wellington with F.O. Kathy Johnson; Wanganui with Anne Hyslop; Tauranga, Nelson/Marlborough, while F.O. Maggie Phillips is looking after Northland, and F.O. Dianne Baron is supporting South Canterbury. An excellent spread of activity.

Saturday, 6th October, I went to the Lifestyle Conference in Auckland and heard speakers talking about the impact of stress and pain upon our lives. The day, put together by Health Educator Pam Antill, was entitled "Moving on - Moving forward" and started with

• Orthopod: Dr Geoff Lamb, Orthopaedic Surgeon & National Co-ordinator for the 'Decade of Bone & Joint' was chairing the seminar and opened the meeting.
• Toni Hocquard, Counsellor at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rotorua, hunmorously spoke first on "Motivation and Inspiration - Using Humour to get through the day." Toni has a string of qualifications and is known throughout New Zealand as a speaker who understands what it is like to live with pain. She also knows we cannot go back to our previous life before being unwell; that we must move forward, forward with positive energy, determination and above all - a good laugh!
• Dianne Roy, Lecturer in Nursing at Auckland UNITEC, School of Nursing, spoke to us about her topic for her Ph.D. on "Living with Arthritis - Pain Management from a Family Perspective." Dianne's recent PhD research concerned the experience of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis from the perspective of family members and people with the condition. The session explored strategies for living with the pain of arthritis.
• Tania Clifton-Smith, "Making Greater Use of Breathing Techniques to manage sleep, fatigue and activities." Tania, who is an internationally recognised consultant, lecturer and author in "Breathing Techniques" has just returned from delivering papers at Oxford. She is an authority on breathing disorders, hyperventilation. stress management and pain problems. Tania showed us how we can all benefit from better breathing techniques.
• A lovely fresh Lunch, and plenty of time to speak with others
• Workshops with Five Rheumatologists each taking a different workshop on various arthritic problems people had requested. Auckland Rheumatologists: Nora Lynch, Fiona McQueen, Roger Reynolds, Raoul Stuart and Mike Butler gave us an opportunity to learn about current treatments and ask questions about Pain Syndromes, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• and finally Iain Grant speaking on "Animal Magnetism" or "That Extra Connection" with videos taken from his well-known TV series with "Jude at 5 o'clock." Iain has an interest in the therapeutic effect animals have on the health of humans and took a light-hearted, charismatic and fun look at his subject to end our day.

For my workshop I listened to Rheumatologist: Dr Mike Butler from the Auckland Pain Clinic, an energetic speaker who really crammed info into the hour, almost without taking a breath. He developed the new theory about Fibro and the hypersensitive, central neural system. Dr Mike Butler has generously agreed to speak on the same topic at the Auckland Christmas meeting in December.

• October 11 at 7.30pm Julianne Taylor, ZONE therapist in Auckland on "Nutrition"as endorsed by Dr Devin Starlanyl, see Dec 2000 "Positive Living." She will include Reactive Hyperglycaemia, (RHG) which troubles many with fibro.
• November 15 at 1.30pm Dr Doug Blackbourn, Chiropractor, including "Thyroid and Fibro Research" from the U.S.A.
• November 17 at 9.00am Sjogren's Syndrome Workshop with panel of five specialists, contact Felicity ph 09 528 6384
• December 13 at 7.30pm Pain Clinic Rheumatologist Dr Mike Butler on "New Fibro Ideas" at our Christmas meeting. Everyone please bring a very small plate or a small item for the raffles. There will be no door charge at this meeting.
• February 21 at 7.30pm Manukau Rheumatologist: Dr Peter Gow, "Research Update with Treatments for Symptoms."

Until we meet again in the December edition of "Positive Living," take care of yourself and remember, if you or your friends are speaking with Jill Rushton about Klass Vakis, do mention the Fibromyalgia discounts apply to you.

  Take Care....
        Jacqui