Joan is a fibromyalgia patient and support group leader from California. A teacher earlier in her life, she has led groups for us since 2000 and has been a patient since 1991. She has written two articles in our Success Stories series and an article on pacing.

Beatrice, an American who has lived in Paris for more than a decade, has been a CFS patient for 20 years. While still in the US, she co-led an in-person CFS support group. In France, she has taught English as a second language for eight years. She has been part of our program since 1999.

Nancy, also from California, was a teacher earlier in her life. A long-time fibromyalgia patient, Nancy has led many self-help groups, including starting a pain management support group in her community. She has written articles on housekeeping and pacing. She joined our program in 2001.

Kathy is a fibromyalgia patient from Florida, who works full-time in nursing administration. Her article on learning to live well with fibromyalgia is part of our Success Stories series.  She has been a part of our program since 2001.

Barbara is a CFIDS and Fibromyalgia patient who also has NMH (Neurally Mediated Hypotension).  Ill since the 1980's, but not diagnosed until 2001, Barbara has spent most of her life as a teacher, working with children from ages two through twelve.  Now she works part-time in her own business as a Fashion Coordinator and makes her home in Virginia.  She has been with us since 2002.

Paula is a fibromyalgia patient from Florida, who retired recently from a career in education that included secondary teaching and pre-school to grade 12 curriculum consulting, grant writing and professional development. She says she has had "the deluxe version of FMS" since about 1997. She joined our program in 2005.

Dorothy is a fibromyalgia patient now living in Florida.  Prior to being diagnosed in 1993, Dorothy was a teacher and held various positions in the corporate world. Now retired due to FMS symptoms, Dorothy has taken courses on teaching meditation and has led several different types of self-help groups. She has been with us since 2002.

Sharyn is a fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain (CMP) syndrome patient from Oregon.  Her CMP was diagnosed in 1995, her fibromyalgia in 2000. She took early retirement from the college teaching of computer applications in 2003, but continues to teach on a part-time basis.  She joined us in 2004.

Susan is a fibromyalgia, CFS and Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) patient from Mississippi. Before becoming ill in 2000, she worked as a CPA. She is co-founder and moderator for a fibromyalgia support group and serves as a reference person for two hospitals for people needing information on fibromyalgia, CFS and CMP  She has been a part of our program since 2002.

Bianca is a CFS and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patient from Brisbane, Australia. She became ill in 1995 at the age of 11, and was diagnosed in 1998. Since her diagnosis, she has been involved with patient organizations, magazines, and fundraising for CFS.  Bianca has contributed to our Success Stories series and written an article about her success with pacing.