We do appreciate these resources. Often, it is not easy for people with Fibromyalgia to get out, to travel or to sit at meetings. The very people who need support and information from others, are the ones who miss out. We trust our 'Positive Living' website and our newsletters go someway to helping and cheering you along.

I am a firm believer in self-management and being ‘in control’ of your own wellbeing. Since our last issue I have received three wonderful letters from people who have each found their own way to ‘helping themselves.’ They have all asked me to share their letters with you.

Here in Auckland, the Arthritis Foundation also runs excellent short courses to help people with chronic conditions manage their life. They are lots of fun, informative, the cost is very affordable and you meet others in similar situations to yourself. Telephone the Arthritis Foundation Health Educator:Pam Antill at 09 820 8927 for details or 09 520 0862 to register.

Fibromyalgia is one of 134 various forms of arthritis and knowledge from the Arthritis Foundation can be helpful for you. Do remember that your membership of the Arthritis Foundation throughout New Zealand is another way of helping yourself. They produce an excellent quarterly national publication and in many of the divisions throughout New Zealand there are people, information and ideas which may also support you.

This issue we farewell Wendy Harris as Convenor of the North Shore Fibromyalgia Support Group and her committee. Unfortunately it is also goodbye to the group as an identity itself. Much to many people’s disappointment, there was no-one to stand in for Wendy when she was ill last December and in the following months. Wendy has spent a long time as convenor and it was a difficult but necessary decision for her to relinquish the reins. Thank you Wendy and all your committee ladies for your dedication and work for people north of Auckland over the extended time you have done this task. We are all thinking of you Wendy and trust you are on the path to wellness again.

Our committee has decided to continue sending newsletters to former members of the North Shore group. We believe the written word is the most appropriate way of the future for contacting and supporting people who are often tired, exhausted from daily activities or whose situation does not allow them to easily make prior commitments. If anyone wishes their name to be removed from our mailing list, please contact us.